BUG EXODUS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 75, 25 September 1937, Page 11

BUG EXODUS

WELLINGTON PEOPLE

TRAINS, CARS, AND AIR

It as estimated that between four and five thousand people left Wellingr ton yesterday by rail, road, and air to bo present at the Test match.

The five special excursion trains from Wellington and one from Palmerston North, together with the 3 p.m. express from Wellington and the Limited at night, carried all told about 3600 people. It is estimated that between 600 and 700 people left Wellington by motor-cars, and in addition there was the air traffic. Ten passengers were carried in the Union Airways' Lockheed Electra on the fast trip made in the morning, and the second machine, which left at midday, took six passengers from here and picked up four others at Palmerston North. Apart from the two Lockeeds the Wellington Aero Club's Whitney Straight, with Mr.Kirkcaldie as pilot, and the club's Miles Hawk, with Mr, Maurice King as pilot, also left Wellington for Auckland yesterday. The Auckland Aero Club's Beechcraft machine arrived from Auckland at 11.30 a.m., and left again for Auckland at 3 p.m. The Southland Aero Club's Puss Moth, with Mr. Fred Adams as pilot, and two passengers, arrived from Invercargill on Thursday afternoon and left for Auckland at 8.40 a.m. yesterday. EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE. The performance put up by the Rail: way Department in , connection with the smooth dispatch of the trains from Wellington and the almost negligible amount of delay that occurred in travelling time considering the number of special trains that were run, not only from Wellington, but from other parts of the North Island as well, was an excellent one, and surpassed the expectations of the officials. The only train reported at Wellington to have been somewhat late arriving at Auckland was the 3 p.m. express from Wellington, and this was no more than half an hour late. The trains from Wellington were dispatched without any hitch, and the fact that all seats were reserved facilitated proceedings immensely. Everything worked smoothly; there was no hitch, and there was not the hustle and confusion usually associated with large numbers of people travelling. Most of the passengers went away well provided with food and reading matter, and there were the refreshment rooms en route to look after any restocking that was required. The staffs in the refreshment rooms further up the line had quite a responsibility attending to the wants of the "inner man," and their job must have been done efficiently to. havo enabled the trains to be on their way again, without undue delay. Tho heaviest strain, of course, was at Auckland Station, where special provision was made to cater for those arriving by train from other centres. The excursion trains will leave Auckland on the return trip tomorrow afternoon, and will arrive at Wellington at various times on Monday morning, from about 5 o'clock onwards. AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR. One of the advantages of air travel was demonstrated forcibly today when eight people left Rongotai by one of Union Airways' Lockheeds for Auckland. They left at 8.30 a.m., and wilh stops at Palmerston North and New Plymouth were expected to arrive at Mangere Aerodrome, Auckland, at 11.30 a.m., which would give them plenty id. time to be at Eden Park in time for the match this afternoon.