FARMERS’ EXCURSION TRAIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20426, 5 June 1928, Page 6

FARMERS’ EXCURSION TRAIN.

VISITORS FROM V/EST COAST. ARRIVAL IN DUNEDIN. When the idea of farmers’ excursion trains in the fall of the year was first conceived about three years ago, there were many who not only ridiculed the scheme, but also took up an actively hostile attitude. However, the popularity of subsequent excursions and the experience of the Railways Department have been such as to gratify all those concerned in the institution of a scheme that has proved of immense value to farmers and Railways Department alike. The train which arrived in Dunedin at 9.54 p.m. yesterday with about 250 excursionists from the West Coast can be taken as another vindication of the policy of the Railways Department in this respect. Last year saw the inception of the idea in the South Island. Otago and Southland visited Canterbury and Canterbury paid a return visit to Dunedin. There was also an interchange of visits between Canterbury and Westland. The West Coast-Otago trip, however, is the most ambitious to date, but it has proved as successful as any. Many of those on board the train had travelled as far as 400 miles since morning, and on such a long trip the authorities Canterbury and Westland might have been excused for late running, but the travellers mad no complaint on that score, as they were deposited on the Dunedin station one minute ahead of schedule time, and this after an allday run which had commenced at Ross (385 miles away) at 5.50 a.m. A noticeable feature of the crowd that filled the station platform was the large proportion of women and children who appeared to be none the worse for their long journey. The visitors were met by the Mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner) and Messrs H. C. Campbell, and E. F. Duthie, representing the A. and P. Society, and Messrs J. Taylor and E. A. Rosevear, representing the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. There was also a large crowd of city people present. The Mayor extended a civic welcome to the visitors, and expressed the pleasure of Dunedin people generally at having a visit from such a large contingent of West Coasters. He hoped their stay in the south would be pleasant and profitable. The farmers’ excursion idea, he thought, was an admirable one which could be relied upon to benefit the rural and urban communities alike. It was a good thing for country people to take a holiday from the open spaces and come and visit the city man and he could assure the» that the business and manufacturing interests of the cities were always more than pleased to make the acquanitance of primary producers. Personally, he thought that the more town and country people got together the happier everyone would be. He regretted that the lateness of the hour made it difficult for him to welcome them in more fitting surroundings, and concluded with the hope that when they left Dunedin at the end of the week they would be able to feel that their time had not been wasted. Mr James Mulcare (president of the West Coast, Farmers’ Union) replied on behalf of the visiting farmers. He said they had all looked forward to coining to Dunedin, and everyone felt they conld not have chosen a better trip. They had had the choice of other trips, but had elected to come south. He thanked the Mayor for his welcome, and for the arrangements that had been made for their comfort and entertainment while in Dunedin. In the morning the visitors will visit the Winter Show, and in the afternoon they will bo taken on sightseeing trips around the city.