RAILWAY LIGHTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2161, 15 May 1886, Page 4

RAILWAY LIGHTS.

«» — TO TUB EDITOR. Sir,— lt struck me a« somewhat surprising that our economical Government should s<> recklessly waste their oil, for the purpose of lighting the lampi on the railway carnages during day light. On the Inst two occasions 1 visited Auckland I observed that, the lamps were lighted at Frankton at 3.40 p.m., and on return at Mercer at 3.45 p.m. so long before darkness set in. On one occasion when the carriage was full of passengers the light* at one end of the carriage, I presume through the oil having become exhausted, went out before the end of the journey, and left the unfortunate passengers, who happened to occupy that portion of the carnage in total darkness. I would humbly suggest that the present practice of illuminating the railway carriage* to long before the day is over be discontinued, and that the niouey saved thoroby be profitably devoted to the convenience of travellers. But a more important mutter to my mind, in connection with the railway management hasoome under my observation. That when extra large number* of live stock are consigned to the Auckland markets apparently in order to lighten the engine's burden, many trucks containing the jtock are left at various stations on the line, to be taken on by a later and lens heavily laden train, and thus the stock are kept penned up in trucks much to their and their owner* detriment, many hours longer than should be necessary. With regard to this matter, I would suggest that the present afternoon train leaving Waikato for Auckland should be changed to a fast through train for stock, and that further fruitless endeavours to carry live stock and passengers together, to the discomfortttre at both, be discontinued. lam very strongly under the imp'reitoion, that if this alteration were made we would have no further compbtiptefrom Auckland about our bruised Waikato meat, and tourists would not conin^ Rivalling by our trains so unbearable.—Your* truly, Economy.