WEARY JOURNEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23591, 27 February 1940, Page 9

WEARY JOURNEY

CHEEKFUL PASSENGERS SEARCHES MADE FOR FOOD COWS MILKED BY PORTERS Although their journey had been wearisome and long, passengers arriving at Auckland yesterday 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 caso 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. Passengers on ihese 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 stocks of bread, fish, meat, bacon and eggs. Mile Walk to Store The two trains proceeded on their journey the next morning, but got only a feu - miles up the line to Mataroa. Hungry people once more went in search of food, but Matnroa 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. Tho store was almost cleared of foodstuffs. Meanwhile, a fire had been lighted at the station atul community billies were being boiled. There were a number of babies among the passengers and fresh milk was urgently needed for their breakfast. Obligingly, two railway porters went and milked some cows that local settlers had placed at the disposal of the travellers. Mushrooms Cooked in Engine Mushrooms were on the morning menu, for parties; of sailors had been active in near by fields. For want of better equipment, they borrowed a fireman's shovel and cooked the mushrooms in the firebox of a locomotivo engine. Whether, the resultant "dish" was eaten has not been reported. After some hours at Mataroa, both trains proceeded to Ohakune, which was reached late on Sunday morning. Many availed themselves of hotel meals, and again food supplies were at a premium. A. picture theatre was opened early in the afternoon, much old film being unearthed to make up the programme. Rarely before had Ohakune been so thoroughly inspected by visitors, a centre of attraction being the local bowling green, where play was' in progress. From mothers with young children, an Ohakune woman earned much praise. She transformed her home into a temporary creche, and provided nourishing food for the infants. Her action was greatly appreciated. Concerts and Dance Early in the evening the trains proceeded 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 by the track. Here, as on _ earlier occasions, impromptu concerts were provided by the naval party, who, armed with a piano accordeon find lusty went from carriage to carriage giving items. It was here also that passengers on the second train were entertained by south-bound troops just prior to being transported by taxis and motor-lorries to Taumarunui. Items were given by the Auckland Artillery Band, which was returning from the Centennial competitions at Wellington, while several of the soldiers went through some amusing, if not very graceful, dance movements. . Raurimu was the scene of an unusual entertainment provided by passengers of a later express. Arrr\ ing there at 1 o'clock yesterday morning and having many hours to wait, they obtained access to the local hall where, to music provided by the Hamilton Citizens' Band, which was also returning from Wellington, 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 Welling Taumarunui onward, the i our ~ nev was without incident. At Auckland, passengers on the various trains paid warm tributes to the help received from railway officials and numerous individuals at the various stopping places. They also referred to the good spirits shown by practically all their travelling companions. On their part railwaymen praised passengers for ttie manner in which they accepted the long delays.

exciting experience PASSENGERS MISS TRAIN PURSUIT IN ENGINE CAB Missing their train at Oliakune, two Auckland passengers on one of the expresses from Wellington delayed by Main Trunk slips had an exciting experience before rejoining it v 40 miles further on at Kakahi. The two passengers, a well-known professional man and his wife, were returning to Auckland by the express which left Wellington at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. A long delay occurred at Oliakune on Sunday afternoon and tbey understood they would not be able to leave until one o'clock yesterday morning. However, the particular slip that was immediately ahead was cleared much, more quickly than anticipated and their train left about (3 p.m. They hurriedly joined another train that was about to depart. The first train had gone to Kakahi, 40 miles away, where it was; stopped by another slip, but the second proceeded only a portion of the distance. Anxious to rejoin their own express the two travellers gratefully accepted nil offer to complete the journey on an engine that was going to Kakahi. So in a lurching locomotive cab they travelled through the night with the driver and fireman as companions. They caught their train. SHORTAGE! OF FOOD AWAKINO AND MOKAU [BT TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION"]] NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday Travellers on the Auckland-New Plymouth highway who wero marooned in the vicinitv of Awakino and Mokau face a difficult situation, as there is now no bread in either town and there is no prospect of getting in supplies, except bv air, for "some days. "There is a general shortage of supwhile accommodation cannot be obtained at Mokauj, and several people had to be taken to Awakino to obtain lodgings. J