IRAIN ARRANGEMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3177, 3 November 1892, Page 2

IRAIN ARRANGEMENTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Every now and again I feel very riled at the ignoring of all ordinary business rules displayed by our railway managere in their conduct of the business of the department. Let us take a few cases in point iu connection with the late show at Claudelaude. I may safely assume that in small matters of detail the manager in Auckland must be allowed a sufficiently free hand without reference to Wellington. First, taking your Te Awamutu correspondent's remarks, it does seem absurd that with a quarter of an hour's "wait" at Fraukton (ail trains are delayed that time there), with two or three engines nn the ground, that exhibits—say, of sheep—for which unloading accommodation had been provided at Hamilton Kast, should not have been run over at once —not ten minutes' work, instead of having to wait for the 2.30 p.m. train. Exactly the same thing applies, only more emphatically, in the case of the passengers who came down on Thursday. Just a few minutes' work and all the inconvenience and annoyance would have been obviated. The stationmasters come in for a lot of abuse, and yet they are powerless to move or do what is so palpably the right thing, on account of the wonderful code of regulations. Not the slightest departure from these is permitted without reference to Auckiaud, or possibly to Wellington. Then, again, comes the suggestion from the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association, asking that a late iraii service should be provided to convey visitors back to their homes on Saturday night after the Auckland Shew. It would have been far more business-like if the department had at once refused than to have made the senseless offer of running a late train as far a* Mercer. What in the world good would that be to Waikato people. I don't mind making a small wager that the concession is ye* granted. Assuming that the department, iu its wisdom, is not prepared at onse to grant a favour, but by enhancing the difficulties the public are placed under deeper obligations. The railway officials—the heads of the department I mean—and many more of the members of our Civil service army, have yot to iearn that they are the servants of the public, and in dealing , with the said publio the nearer they get to what -would actuate an ordinary business ma-i, who has to fight his way with them in the conduct of his "affaire, the better. Taking the foregoing case as an illustration, I have a right to assume that the Waikato Show at Chudelands will be an annual event, would it cot be considered ordinary good tact, seeing that directly and indirectly in many various ways it adds a sum worth having- to the revenue of this section of our railway?, to do everything not only to retain but to increaso its popularity by giving every facility for the transit of stock, nnd for the convenience of passengers to and from the ground ? Such short-sighted popcy and lack of consideration does much to prejudice the present policy as regards the control of our railways. If the Commissioners nnd higher officials desire a continuance of theprcetnt etnte of affairs, the aooiipr they wake up to the fact that rhe; publio must be considered and conciliated the better, or the usual feeling of rcsliveness under monopoly will set in, and the- public will clumonr for a change brought considering whether the change will be for the bcttei- or not; they will go for it on the " off chance."—Yours, etc., Viator. Kirikiriro?,