Progressive Tauranga.

As indicating the value of our Magazine in keeping overseas readers in touch with railway doings in New Zealand, we have pleasure in printing the following letter from Colonel J. S. Purdy, of Sydney, a former Health Officer of Auckland:—

Town Hall, Sydney, 1/6/28.

The Editor N.Z.R. Magazine.

Dear Sir,—An old comrade of the Sixth N.Z.M.R., who served with me in the South African War sends me your excellent Magazine. I was, as a former Health Officer of Auckland, interested in the account in your issue of 1/5/28 of the opening of the East Coast railway and the arrival of the first train at Tauranga.

I have a vivid recollection of visiting Tauranga in 1909 during an outbreak of typhoid fever, and advocating the introduction of a water supply. At a public meeting I remember saying, “You people of Tauranga, I believe, are proud of owning a famous racehorse, but I am not surprised that he lost the Northern Steeplechase at Auckland, as he bucked at the water jump, which is exactly the position of your own Council.” However, whilst Chief Health Officer of Tasmania I received a postcard of the opening of the water supply, with the superscription: “We have cleared the water jump.” The Councillor who sent me the card told me the next step was the railway. Tauranga is one of the most beautiful places I have seen, has an ideal climate, and should become a great health resort. In my position as Metropolitan Medical Officer of Health, Sydney, I sometimes get a chance to recommend visitors to New South Wales to go on to New Zealand, and am always able to tell them of your excellent railway facilities.—Yours faithfully,

J. S. Purdy, D.S.O., M.D., F.R.S.E., Colonel A.A.M.C., Metropolitan M.O.H., Sydney.