THE VOLUNTEER REVIEW AND RAILWAY CARRIAGE ACCOMMODATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1373, 21 April 1881, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER REVIEW AND RAILWAY CARRIAGE ACCOMMODATION.

TO THE EDITOB. Sir,— Will you allow me, through the medium of your paper, to call the attention of Mr A. Y. Macdonald or the proper authorities (whoever they may "be) to the very shameful manner in which the travelling public from Ngaruawahia to Te Awamutu were treated on Easter Monday. A train is advertised to leave Ngaruawahia at a certain hour for the Review. Crowds of people avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded, only to find that there is not a quarter sufficient carriage accommodation provided. Before Ohaupo ia reached, every inch of standing room, both inside and out, is thickly packed, and scores more are yet to go. Three cattle trucks, being the only things at hand, are then attached, and after paying for a first-class ticket, we are at the last moment told that if we wish to go at all we may get in and stand there. I would ask if in 411 conscience this is honest or even decent. It is bad enough to be crushed to death, but in a cattle truck of all things, and after paying for a first-class fare is coming it too strong. Mr MacDonald cannot excuse himself by saying that he was ignorant of what the requirements of the day were likely to be, for it is only a few months ago, on the occasion of the opening of the line to Te, Awamutu that the same piece of shameful management occurred under precisely similar circumstances. What I argue is that having advertised the train for several days previously, Mr Macdonald ought to have provided whatever accommodation was rr'UMfcii, and that of as good a description' as was paid for, and certainly not cattle-trucks. Failing available accommodation, the train should not have been advertised. But to treat women and children as they were treated on Monday is a shame and a disgrace to the Department, and one need not go far to enquire the reason why it is that our railways "don't pay.", Another thing I would mention is, that owing to the very crowded state of the trams on this and similar occasions which I have observed, the local officials (and I will give them £cfedit '. for doing everything they can 'to meet the difficulty) are utterly powerless to exercise that control over the, passengers which they onght to have. In fact;, the public take complete possession of the train, and do what they like often very much to their own .risk. It may be aljl very well to allow the thing to ( pass .unnoticed as long as no l Occident' -happens ; bnt depend upon it, -fcnless sorop sfrieter jsapdrrurion is taken,' a terrible calamity will sooner or later be $H6 consequence, , and, the Government will then awake to the fact of what gross negligence they have been culpable. Public safety, leaving 'comfort and ease 1 6ut of the question, demands that some remedy should be applied', and is therefore my reason for troubling you.-r I am, &c, "° ' ' ''« '• ' •' ' HENBt BtTTTLE. , Pukerimu, April 19; 1881.'

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