“APPALLING CONDITION”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 26 April 1937, Page 5

“APPALLING CONDITION”

SOUTHERN TRANSPORT BUSES VISITOR GIVES IMPRESSIONS “I was amazed at the appalling condition of the Government buses running daily between Timaru and Dunedin,” said a recent visitor from the south to-day. "On the downward trip, the vibration made travelling conditions most unpleasant, and the incessant roar of an antiquated engine prevented any normal conversation. Engine trouble en route caused a ten minute delay, after which the driver kept the (/ngine running at all stops for fear it should cease altogether.

"But the ‘fun* really commenced on the return journey” he continued. “We ran Into a severe snowstorm just outside of Dunedin, and as the car was not equipped with a windscreen-wiper, the driver was forced to make ineffective passes over the glass before him. Then a small trickle of smoke was observed corning from the floor of the rear compartment. This commenced to fill the bus with obnoxious odours, until someone placed a book on the hole, temporarily stopping the oil fumes.” When a sheet of paper beneath the book caught on fire, the driver decided something must be done, as a hole the size of a crown piece had been burnt thiough. The small flames were extinguished, and only then was the cause of the trouble, the exhaust pipe, attended to. PASSENGER COLLAPSES AT PALMERSTON “When Palmerston was reached” he continued, "a lady in the front seat collapsed. Several other passengers complained of dizziness. The unfortunate woman was Carried into the waiting room at the station, and the local doctor summoned. He at once stated her condition to be caused by inhaling carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The patient was returned to Dunedin at the first opportunity.”