TRAIN TRAVELLERS’ ORDEAL

Evening Star, Issue 23511, 27 February 1940, Page 8

TRAIN TRAVELLERS’ ORDEAL

COMMUNAL MEALS AT STATIONS COUNTRY STORES SOLD OUT [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 26. Even though their journey bad been wearisome and long, the passengers arriving at Auckland to-day on the .expresses from Wellington, affected by the Main Trunk slips were in a remarkably cheerful mood. Few had complaints to make. Some said they would not have missed the experience for anything. A long series of incidents, mainly with a humorous side, appears to have kept up the travellers’ spirits. This was particularly the case with those on the two expresses which left Wellington on Saturday afternoon and took approximately 47 hours each to complete the journey of 426 miles. The passengers on these two trains first learned of what was in store for them when they reached Taihape late on Saturday night. Told that they would have to spend the night there, many of them immediately went in search of food. They found two restaurants, and within a short time had almost cleared all the stocks of bread, fish, meat, bacon, and eggs. The two trains proceeded on their journey next morning, but got only a few miles up the line to Mataroa. The hungry people once more went in search of food, hut Mataroa has only one store, and it was a mile away. Parties immediately set out and soon returned laden with all manner of. provisions, including bread, tinned fruit, sardines, and condensed milk. The store was almost, cleared of foodstuffs. Afeanwhile, a fire had been lighted at the station and community billies were being boiled. There were several babies among the passengers, and fresh milk was urgently heeded for their break-, fast. Obligingly, two railway .porters went and milked some cows that local settlers had placed at the disposal of the travellers. Mush.rooms were also on the morning menu, for parties of sailors had been active in nearby fields. For want of better equipment they borrowed a fireman’s shovel and cooked the mushrooms in the firebox of a locomotive engine. After some hours at Mataroa both trains proceeded to Ohaknne, which was reached Late on Sunday morning. Many availed themselves of hotel meals, and again food supplies were at a premium. The picture theatre was opened early in the afternoon, much old film being unearthed to make up a programme. Rarely before had Ohakune been so thoroughly inspected by visitors, the centre of attraction being the local bowling green, where play was in progress. From the mothers with young children an Ohaknne woman earned much praise. She transformed her home into a temporary creche, and provided nourishing food for the infants. Her action was greatly appreciated. Early in the evening the trains proceeded on to Kakahi, 40 miles away, beyond which a big slip blocked the track. It looked like another all-night wait, and tea was again made alongside the tcack. Here, as on earlier occasions, impromptu concerts were provided by a naval party, who, armed with a piano-accordion- and lusty voices, went from carriage to arriage giving items. It was here also hat the passengers on the second train were entertained by southbound troops jvst prior to being transported by taxis and motor lorries to Taumarunui. Items were given by a military band and several of the soldiers went through amusing, if not very graceful, dance movements.

Rnurimu was the scene of an unusual entertainment provided by the passengers of a later express ai riving there at 1 o’clock this morning, and having many hours to waif they obtained access to the local hall, where, to music provided by the Hamilton Band and a lady pianist, they conducted a dance until dawn. Prominent among those participating were divisional signallers and artillerymen of the last war who were returning from reunions in AVellington, From Taumarunui the onward journey was without incident. At Auckland the passengers on the various trains paid warm tributes to the help received from the railway officials and numerous individuals at various stopping places. They also referred to the good spirits shown by practically all their travelling companions. On their part the railwaymen praised the passengers for the manner in which they had accepted the long delays.