Radio on the Railway—the Modern Touch

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 31, 17 February 1928, Page 16

Radio on the Railway—the Modern Touch

A Glorious Run to Egmont as a Week-End Outing

1, HE only thing we want now is a radio!l’’? That is what the big man with the booming voice and overpowering personality said, as the train ran through the afternoon sunshine on its way to Mount Egmont. "Well, let's have it,’ responded a quiet stranger in a grey suit, as he lift. ed from the floor a neat black box, removed one side, and adjusted it on the top. ‘Then he adjusted the discs, and,! consulting his watch to see that 2YA ‘was "on the air,’? he switched on and there it was! Amazed exclamations on all sides greeted this performance, but there it was in the portable radio in operation. For over an hour the excursionists maintained contact with QV A, greatly to their delight. The radio fans who were present seized the opportunity to impress others with the lordly luxury of "listening" and its charms, and undoubtedly many converts were made, and this was the latest week-end run of the railways from Wellington to Mount Egmont. It will probably come as news to most to know that on one week-end recently the railways ran excursions from Auckland to the National Kauri Forests of Dargaville, from Invercargill and Dunedin to the Sonthern Lakes, from Christchurch to the Bealey Glacier, from Wellington to Hawera and Mount Egmont, from Palmerston North and the Wairarapa to Napier, and from the central North Island townships to Wellington and the cool sea breezes of Paekakariki, And each and every one of these specially devised outings exceeded expectations both with the railways and the travellers. Several factors have contributed to this result, for one thing New Zealanders are discovering that they do not know New Zealand, ‘This is a defect whichthanks to radio-is gradually being remedied, and with the spreading of greater knowledge of the Dominion there is born the desire to see. So the railway is stepping in to supply the need, and is doing the job very thoroughly too. RUN TO MOUNT EGMONT. . Mount Egmont is nearly 250 miles Wellington, and previously Wellingtonians could only teach: tls lonely sentinel of the Taranaki Plains by private and individual enterprise, entailing the expenditure of much time and adding up to a_ rather costly’ figure even for a visit to this perfect cone which raises its volcanic peak over 8000 feet up-right into the tegzion of everlasting snow. ‘This parlicular outing could he done at a total cost of not more than £3 to the individual. And this is how it was accomplished The railway made it known that the excursion would be undertaken if it could be accomplished cheaply for the passengers, and they set the example by cutting the ordinary fares in half. The hostels and other acconismodation places |

au Hawera followed suit by reducing their tariffs below the ruling rate for ‘the benefit of the week-end travellers. Then a low charge was decided upon by the motor companies for the conveyance o} passengers from Hawera to the mountain, and special arrangements were made at Lawson Falls for providing a hot luncheon. at the accommodation liouse there, for this is the point-over 8000 feet up-at which road traffic termmunates. lor the convenience of trippers the railway ticket was made to wuclude all transport charges, such as juotor rates and mouutain toll fees, and the Department also took in hand the atrangement of accommodation for the visit to Hawera. So convenient were the transport artangements made that from the time of leaving Wellington at about 1 o’clock on Saturday afternoon to the time of arrival back before midnight on Sunday,

406 miles were travelled by rail, 60 miles by motor, and as much further as the éxecursionists cared to walk during the five hours spent on the mountain, And this was accomplished without interferiny with a good night’s rest at Hawera on Saturday, for the train arrived there before 9 p.m., and the next day’s motor‘ng did not commence until 8 a.m. On a previous occasion a jazz band was tried out on the train. ‘This time the railway refreshment branch sent a man through with ice-creaims, chocolates, soft drinks, fruit, cigarettes, sic. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT, Aiter leaving Aramoho (the junction of the Wanganui branch) the train was jeined ‘by Messrs. L. O. Hooker and R. F. Page, representatives of the Citizens’ Committee of Hawera. Short adGresses were given on the train explaining the arrangements made for the en-

tertaiument and assistance of the tourists. Hach visitor was supplied with a silk badge as a souvenir of the trip. This was worn for identification purposes and to facilitate the extension of hospitality by members of the Citizens’ Committee, who were similarly badged. The arrival at Hawera was in itself quite an event for a great gathering of citizens was there and a pipe band discoursed sweet music as the train pulled in. Later in the evening a civic reception took place in the King Edward Park, where the .Mayor -(Mr. P. A Pacey) gave an address of welcome. Here the Municipal Band was in attendance, a concert on the main lawn was given, the park was specially lighted, and dancing on the green was indulged in. MORNING ON THE MOUNTAIN. In the morning very complete arrangements were found to have been

/made’ for conveyance to the mountain. ~The South ‘Taranaki Automobile Association had generously come to the assistance of the organisers by placing their private cars at the disposal of the excursionists, and Mr. W. G. Walkley, the genial secretary of the association, carried through the work of allotting car accommodation to this record number of visitors, Arriving at Dawson lTalls, Mr. C. Gibson, of the South Iigmont Park Board, welcomed the visitors, and explained that guides had been arranged to take different sections of the party to the various points of interest, Although the mountain peak itself was veiled in mist, the fresh, invigorating air found at the 8000 feet level encouraged the visitors to move about very freely and enjoy the many wonderful views which this great mountain, with ifs volcanic soil and sub-tronical, luxurious vegetation, has to offer. The coolness that comes with elevation sets the mind soaring into a realm of possibility. One bright intellect suggested lithat the best advance that could be made would be to hoist a wireless outfit up Mount Eg--mont and send out stirring signals to the universe at large, for it is in such places as this that excessive blood ptessures are reduced (as well as the waist-line), and the brain responds with spirit to the eager call for thought. The return trip found the visitors all entranced with the plethora of good things in the way of sight-seeing and travel that had been provided on this week-end outing, and the arrival in Wellington shortly before midnight terminated what was generally considered to be one of the most enjoyable week-end trips that it would be possible to undertake. Again, on the return journey, the portable wireless played its part between 8.30 and 9.80, and gave a unique touch to the trip. It is certain that the continuation of such methods for popularising the State transport service will yield good results.