LATE FOR HIS WEDDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19027, 26 May 1925, Page 10

LATE FOR HIS WEDDING.

A BRIDEGROOM'S TRIALS.

DELAYED ON THE MAIN TRUNK

The experiences of the passengers on tho trains that wero blocked- by the slips in the King Country during the week-end were in some respects diverting. One man, for instance, who had to submit to a good deal of banter from his fellowtravellers, was a prospective bridegroom. According to programme, lie was to liavo | met his bride at the altar in Auckland j at half-past two on Saturday afternoon. At half-past two, however, his train was still blocked by the slips, and it may be presumed that an anxious young lady in tho city was counting the moments. When it seemed doubtful on Sunday morning at what time tho train would leave Te Ivuiti, one man who had an important semi-public engagement in Auckland for 3 o'clock in tho afternoon decided not to trust to the rail for his chances of keeping it. Accordingly, ho chartered a motor-car for the rest of the journey, at a cost of £ls or so. When he had not been more than a quarter of an hour on tho road, he had the mortification, of seeing that the train had resumed its trip, so that had ho stood by it ho would have been in plenty of time for his appointment. However, ho reached the city with something to spare. fn negotiating the slips, thoro were ample tests of tho gallantry of tho male passengers, for ladies in distress wero well in evidence, especially those travelling with children. Most of tho men did credit to their sex. by lending their service for the carriage of babies across the gaps, and fathers of grown-up families wero to bo seen both there and in the tediotfs waits in tho carriages demonstrating the advantages of their early training in the handling of small people. Tho stops at towns, vvhon there was uncertainty as to the prospects of getting further, were not without, their periods of excitement. It was the general rule after becoming bored with the waits for passengers to take a turn round a few blocks' for tho sake of stretching their limbs. While on such a stroll it was not uncommon to hear a whistle in tho direction of the railway station and to return to the platform at the double, only to find it was a false alarm..