FROM CANTERBURY

Southland Times, Issue 20447, 27 March 1928, Page 6

FROM CANTERBURY

FARMER EXCURSIONISTS ARRIVAL IN SOUTHLAND VISITORS NUMBER 761 At 1.30 o’clock this morning a large special train of 19 carriages arrived at Invercargill bearing from Canterbury 761 visitors, of whom 159 were ladies, who have availed themselves of the opportunity afforded by the invitation extended to the provincial executives of the Farmers’ Union of North, Mid and South Canterbury by the Southland Executive and provincial A. and P. Associations to repay the visit made to the north last year. Despite the lateness of the hour, the railway station was crowded with Southlanders anxious to welcome the visitors and direct them to the billets which had been arranged. The Caledonian Pipe Band played a rousing Scottish melody as the train steamed in, and the excursionists acknowledged the compliment with cheers and applause. Despite the long journey, the visitors, who showed evidence of being very tired, appeared very cheerful and waited in an orderly manner until the committee on the station could direct them to their lodgings and engage taxis, which on account of the large number of excursionists, were compelled to make several trips. Nevertheless, with the aid of a number of private cars loaned for the purpose, the visitors were quickly dispersed. Anticipating that the “Canterbury Farmers Train” as it was conspicuously labelled, would bring about 500 visitors from the north, the committee which had been net up by the various local organizations responsible for the invitation, had made arrangements for the accommodation and entertainment of that number. Mr. A. L. Adamson, secretary of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union who travelled to Christchurch on Saturday to accompany the excursion train learned on arrival, however, that reservations had been made for 450 travellers and that it w’as expected that in the vicinity of 600 would make the trip. He at once communicated with his office and as a result of extremely smart organization, the bulk of the work in connection with which fell upon Miss P. N. Ingram, the popular secretary of the Women’s Division of the Union, accommodation for over 200 ’ more visitors was secured. Even under these circumstances, so large was the complement ■ from Canterbury that it was found necessary to leave 85 of the party at Gore where arrangements were quickly made by the sub-executive of the union at an urgent request. Of the visitors billeted in Invercargill, the majority were placed in private homes after the accommodation ■offered by hotels had been completely exhausted, while a party of 40 were billeted on the Kotare now berthed at the Invercargill wharf. When the train left Christchurch at 10.5 a.m. yesterday with 15 carriages there were 246 passengers from all parts of North Canterbury, there being travellers from as far north as Cheviot and Waiau—both approximately 80 miles from the city—while every branch line in the district had brought excursionists all anxious to visit Southland. So large were the embarkations at the various stops made en route, that it was found impossible to maintain the time-table and Timaru was reached some 20 minutes late. Here an additional four carriages were found to be necessary and even accommodation thus provided was found to be insufficient to meet the requirements when the last passengers were taken on at Morven and a small number had to be carried in the van where satisfactory arrangements for their comfort were quickly made. It was not considered possible to increase the size of the train as an excess of 19 carriages would involve a substantial reduction in speed according to regulations. One of the prinicipal difficulties met with on the journey was service at the refreshment rooms. Special preparations for quick despatch had been made at each centre under the direction of Mr P. H. Stevenson (supervisor of Railway Refreshment Service in the South Island) and four waitresses were carried on the train to assist the local staffs. The large number of travellers resulted in delay at each refreshment station as an endeavour was made to arrange for each person to secure a meal. At Oamaru, where dinner was served, a stop of fully 40 minutes was made before all the passengers had obtained meals. By the time Dunedin was reached over an hour had been lost and the train did not leave the city until 8.20 p.m.. Further delays were met with at the refreshment stops of Milton and Clinton the latter being reached about 11 o’clock. At Gore, 85 of the party left the train and were placed at hastily secured billets. Many of the larger party assembled on the platform and with good-natured badinage and chaffing references- to the fame of Canterbury bade farewell to the smaller contingent. The train left Gore at 12.20 and passed through Edendale at 12.45 and Woodlands at 1.10. At the two last named, several of the travellers who intended to stay with friends disembarked. Invercargill was reached at 1.25 a.m. Travelling on the train with the excursionists were Messrs F. Pawson (Commercial Railway Agent at Christchurch), G. Greig (Commercial Agent at Christchurch) and C. E. Barnes (Passenger Agent for the South Island), all of whom with Mr Adamson and Mr E. A. Foster (a member of the North Canterbury executive of the union-) went through the train during the journey arranging accommodation. distributing pamphlets concerning Southland, circulars of itineraries and giving all possible information. All the travellers were presented with the Canterbury' Rugby football colours—red and black—to distinguish them. Among those who travelled by the train were Messrs A. Fisher, R. G. Bishop, J. F. Dawson, J. R. Cullan, H. Oliver (members of the North Canterbury executive), H. C. B. Withell (president), E. Dorman, McKenzie, T. Bossall, P. R. Talbot, A. Pithie, Johnson (members Mid-Canterbury 'executive), C. Lee, Stowell, A. Ward, P. Talbot, J. Clelland, L. Talbot, J. McCort, A. F. Campbell and D. M. France (members South Canterbury executive), the following presidents of branches: Messrs J. W. Black (Culverton), J. F. Croft (Amberley), A. B. Smith (Cust and West Eyreton), T. Morton (Waimairi), T. L. Morgan (Tai Tapu), T. E. Pearson (Hororata), C. A. Fyfe (Laureston), Bagrie (Hinds), H. Sinclair (Ashburton), H. Brown (Waikanui), Fleming (Mayfield). There were also Messrs H. Mclntosh (Mayor of Kaiapoi), H. Bailey (Mayor of Rangiora), W. Stalker (chairman Rangiora County Council), G. F. Wright (chairman Malvern County Council). TO-DAY’S ARRANGEMENTS. The following is the programme for today: Western District motor tour. Assemble Crescent (near railway station) at 9 a.m. Morning tea at 10.15 a.m. kindly provided by the Women’s Division New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Invercargill branch) at Mrs McDonald’s, Wright’s Bush. Luncheon at Otautau at 12 p.m. Afternoon tea at Winton 4 p.m. Arrive Invercargill 6 p.m.