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STAFF
80. I desire to express my keen appreciation of the loyalty and hard work performed by the staff of all Sections of this Department. All important records were destroyed and the Account books and forms had to be reconstituted entirely from memory.
Vigilance on the Line has prevented accidents arising from cracked rails and collapsed shorings in tunnels. Improvisations have had to be resorted to continually in the absence of proper tools, and considerable ingenuity has been shown in this direction. The rapid turn-round, examination, and cleansing of what passenger stock was available has involved long hours of duty in all weathers without suitable clothing. This conscientious attention to duty has been afforded despite the mental anxiety of how to make ends meet on salaries generally inconsistent with present day costs. The Administration's action in obtaining rice supplies for the staff in bulk and arranging for its distribution was greatly appre- ciated. It has saved man-hours and reduced physical strain by avoiding long waits at rice shops.
81. A successful venture in the form of a Workmen's Lunch Club which provided a rice meal with meat or fish and vegetables for 40 cents daily had to be abandoned after running for some months owing to the cut in the Government rice ration.. Nevertheless, before it closed down, it had done much to restore the health of the workers and, in the absence of transport, enabled them to rest after food instead of being obliged to walk considerable distance to obtain a mid-day meal.
82.
The staff on return to work suffered from considerabie debility arising from malnutrition which has taken many months to eradicate, but the general health is now good.
(Sd.) I. B. TREVOR,
General Manager, Railway.
28.6.47
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