HOTEL BEDS SHORT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29539, 14 June 1961, Page 16

HOTEL BEDS SHORT

Wellington Search fN .2 Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 13. Accommodation was required tonight for 50 persons but hotels could find only nine beds. T.E A.L. therefore decided that instead of diverting an Auck-land-bound aeroplane to Wellington it should go to Christchurch. Auckland airport was closed at the time. The district manager of T.E.A.L.. Mr R. D. J. Campbell. questioned tonight, said that, in fact, the plane did land at Auckland. At the time arrangements for accommodation were being sought in Wellington, however, an Auckland landing seemed likely. “From Monday to Friday it is practically impossible in any week to find emergency accommodation in Wellington.” said Mr Campbell. “At the moment there are three national conferences in Wellington and all first-class hotels are booked out. “Even without the conference bookings, it was difficult to fit visitors In. This gave the city a bad. reputation. “Why bring in more tourists when this sort of thing occurs?" he asked. When papal Closed

Whenuapai a*rnort was closed between 3 50 pm. and 5.30 p.m today. Some services from the south were disrupted. One Viscount from Christchurch had to return to Wellington, the passengers coming on later. Two DOS’s were sent back to land at Hamilton. Whangarei and Kaikohe aerodromes were closed through flooding. The three Auckland-Whangarei and return Dominie flights were cancelled and passengers taken by road. The DC3 flight ove-fiew Kaikohe and operated from Kaitaia direct.