EXPRESS FIVE HOURS LATE

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26470, 11 July 1951, Page 8

EXPRESS FIVE HOURS LATE

NO CONNEXION WITH RANGATIRA INCONVENIENCE CAUSBD TO PASSENGERS The late arrival in Christchurch af the express from the South cauM considerable inconvenience y estate 1 to about 130 passengers who had £ | tended connecting with the steamer fc express for the North Island. Somt I were intending to connect with fa 1 flying-boat at Wellington for Sydita « The express was delayed at Hate I den, when a waggon of a goods tfjm 1 was derailed and the line climate The scheduled arrival time I 6.50 ajm., and the actual time < arrival was 12.3 p.m. When it was known that the o> a press would be delayed, a special ba ’’i left Timaru to take passengers at :| intermediate stations to Christchuteh, 1 It was expected that this bus wtnlt -S arrive in time to connect with tte 1 steamer express, but it was delate j by fog and icy roads, and arrivel-t - Lyttelton after the Rangatira hat I left the wharf. Many complications were caused by 4 the late arrival of the express. 0m g group travel agency had arranged tor s 22 persons to travel to Welltagta | by the steamer express, and to mate I tours in the North Island. The passengers from the expna ? were forced to arrange for accotn- | modation in Christchurch, and aboct 1 12.30 p.m. hotels were besieged with ii persons seeking beds for the night Taxis were in great demand, and oct 1 J of the greatest rush periods for m fl time was experienced. The 13 passengers intending to «m- i nect with the Wellington-Sydney afr I service will be flown to Wellimte fl and will be accommodated on late 4 flights to Sydney. The group trmte & aggnev whose patrons were delayed jB solved its problems by charterWa special aircraft, which will tea ?. Harewood to-dav at 5.40 a.m. j The staff of National AirwayiCJteDeration in Christchurch had itey inquiries for aircraft boolte throughout yesterday afternoon, gt S they were not able to cope with tte extra demand for passengers to flh is North Island. All the corporatm'l L aircraft were fully engaged in noted g services. ____________ W|