WHAT MAJOR PANGBORN HAS TO SAY ABOUT OUR RAILWAYS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5066, 2 July 1895, Page 2

WHAT MAJOR PANGBORN HAS TO SAY ABOUT OUR RAILWAYS.

Recciml July /, 9 p.m. Sydney, July 1, Major Pangboru, Chairman of the American Transportation Commission, referring to the Sew Zoa- . land Railways, says that they present the most unique and interesting situation yet come upon, aud that be can hardly dignify the railways there by describing tliem as under any management whatever. Tho generally accepted principal of railway control must be something of military precision and discipline; but among the employes iu New Zealand the condition is the opposite. He condemns the co-operative construction of railways, believing that it costs from 50 to 60 per cent, more than by contract in any other country. Ho considered the surveys most extraordinary, Hying surveyssecming to be accepted instead of exhaustive permanont ones. Continuing, he says tho country is certainly a line one with great possibilities, and its natural advantages aro incalculable. Speaking generally, the permanent way is well kept, and the locomotives and rolling stock well found, He believes that tho men in New Zealand are competent to manage the railways, if given the opportunity, but aro simply a lot of clerks, with power so restricted as to have no power at all. As far as the system is concerned, 1 there is a striking absence of modern appliances for safety, and the brakes and signal system is a poor one. Commenting on the New South Wales lines, he says he has seen no liner syctem since leaving London.