MANY VISITORS EXPECTED

Southland Times, Issue 23557, 11 July 1938, Page 6

MANY VISITORS EXPECTED

MATCH FOR RANFURLY SHIELD THREE SPECIAL TRAINS FROM DUNEDIN Arrangements for three special trains to carry visitors from Dunedin to Invercargill for the Ranfurly Shield Rugby match between Otago and Southland on July 30 have been made by the Railway Department at Dunedin. The first special train will leave Dunedin at G. 40 p.m. on the Friday before the match and arrive at Invercargill at 10.55 p.m. Already many inquiries for seats on this train have been received by the district traffic office at Dunedin.

Two special trains, as well as the ordinary express, will leave Dunedin for Invercargill on the morning of the game. The first special train will leave at 7.30 o'clock and the second at 8 o’clock. They are scheduled to arrive at Invercargill at 11.44 a.m. and 12.12 p.m. respectively. The ordinary express, which will leave Dunedin at 8.33 a.m., is due to arrive at Invercargill at 1.10 p.m.

On the journey home excursionists will be able to travel by a special train which will leave Invercargill at 6.40 o’clock on the evening of the match and is scheduled to arrive at Dunedin at 11.20 p.m. Those who wish to spend the week-end in Invercargill, however, will be well provided for, as no fewer than three trains have been arranged for Sunday evening. These will be despatched at 5.25, 5.40, and 6.5, and should reach Dunedin at 9.40, 10.9, and 10.23. In addition, there will be the Invercargill-Christchurch night express, which leaves Invercargill at 6.40 p.m. It will be seen that a big crowd of visitors may be expected for the match. In addition to the hundreds which are likely to travel to Invercargill by train many visitors may be expected by car and bus. Several parties have engaged buses for the run from Dunedin to Invercargill, and it is known that many private cars and taxis will be used to transport visitors. SEVERAL OTHER GAMES As in past years several other games will be played at Invercargill on the day of the shield match. Already four matches have been arranged on the morning of the game, and there will be a curtain-raiser to the shield match. The annual game between Southland and Otago referees, for the Cock O’ The Walk trophy given for competition several years ago, will be played; teams representing the Southland and Otago staffs of the Post and Telegraph service are to meet in the annual match; a team from the South Tuapeka Club will play Marist Brothers Old Boys (Invercargill) and the annual game between teams representing the Press of Otago and Southland will be revived. It is possible that other friendly games will be played. The curtain-raiser to the main game will be played between school teams.