DISCOMFORTS OF TRAVELLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2859, 30 December 1908, Page 18

DISCOMFORTS OF TRAVELLING.

TRYING EXPERIENCE AT OHAKUNE. AUCKLAND, December 21. Passengers who arrived from the south by the railway on Saturday night referred to their experience at Ohakune as a veritable nightmare. Having learned that no accommodation was availably at Ohakune, 30 occupants of the various carriages refused to leave the train, it is stated that the railway officials sternly forbade the passengers sleeping in the carriages, but the resisters (male and female) spread their coats and^ passed a restless night on the carriage seats. Some few who ventured to take chance accommodation at Ohakune state that stretchers wera used, in all manner of places, 6Ven to the bathrooms,, and the hours of rest were only t'zpm 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. .The Jfrime Minister, referring to these complaints, said that he would be much surprised if he found any railway employees acted as alleged, but if they did their action would not be repeated. {FaOH OUB OWK COBRESPONDENT.) WELLINGTON, December 21. v . A large number of people are already leaving Wellington for "the Christmas hoh- , days. There was a particularly heavy booking by the trains, for Auckland, ibe Railway Department, however, is not ready with the " sleepers," and passengers have to put up with great discomforts at I Ohakune. It is understood the sleeping ! cars will not be ready till February, or J 1 March. Apparently there is bad manage- j ! ment somewhere. The charge for a sleep-ing-berth will probably be 'about; 15s.