DISCOMFORTS OF TRAVEL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13841, 22 December 1908, Page 3

DISCOMFORTS OF TRAVEL.

THE STOP-OVER STATIONS.

SOME BITTER COMPLAINTS.

(From the Auckland Herald.) The experience of a journey over the Main Trunk to Wellington and back, staying one night at Ohakune, is, under present conditions, not a particularly pleasant one. The passengers who came North from Marton Junction on Wednesday last are not likely to forget' it, at all events. The North-bound Main Trunk train was delayed for half an- libur at Marton, awaiting the express from New Plymouth, and ultimately had to leave before -the latter train arrived — a circumstance which, any intending passengers .who missed the connection have really cause to i)e thankful for. The Main Trunk train started with between 200 and 300 passengers packed ; into seven carriages,, no further rolling stock being available; many people, unable to find seats, perched on the arm-pieces of the chairs, in some cases three squeezed into a seat built for two, but still everyone cheerfully put up with that discomfort, and" the male passengers "illingly gave Up their seats to ladies, some of whom were packed into the smoking carriages. The train was tinied to reach Waiouru at 7 o'clock, but it did not do that by a long way, and ran later still from there to Ohakune.

It was at Ohakune that the real troubles began. Although Ohafcune must have be^n destined, some considerable time back, for the Btop-over station, the station platform is not yet properly made, and rain had converted it into cement-like mud. Herethe passengers were dumped out in the darkness and rain. It is two miles from the station to the township^ and, of course, the coaches could not accommodate half the number of people. Six or seven vehicles were run-nmgy -and very speedily thejr were packed to overflowing, and bumped away oVetf the rough road in the thick, driving rain, while the passengers left behind huddled, shivering and wet, against the station building. The lights in the railway carriages had been extinguished and the doors locked. Apparently there j is some cast-iron red tape rule at Oha- i kune which forbids passengers, even waiting in the carriages for the horse vehicles. JVf any would, gladly have made the carriages camping-places for, the night,, but that opportunity was denied them. Cold and shivering women and children were obliged, to wait witn what pa,t}ence. they, could-, harassed -l>y the Knowledge that accommodation, at the township is strictly limited, and little wonder that women, as well as children, w«re disheartened by their, miserable plight, and gave .way to tears. When the coaches, returned there was a rush for seats, and away went the vehicles again, with full loads, still leaving a number on the platform, and amongst them women and children. A third journey had to be made to pick up the remainder, the last coach load reaching : Ohakune township at 11 o'clock. Ohakune at present, whatever it may be in the future, is a straggling settlement unlighted for. the most part, and, after Wednesday's rain, ankle-deep in mud everywhere. The first detachment of passengers alone was sufficient to fax all the available accommodation. Some people had booked rooms several days beforehand, and they were regarded enviously by, the rest. Some of those unfortunate enough to be compelled to await the last coach "arrived fo find even their booked rooms filled, it being supposed that they had not arrived. The anxious wayfarers were pushing and jostling in at the doors, besieging the landlords of ~the houses, and begging for even a "shakedown." There was no choice; it was a oase of get in where it was possible to get in, and be thankful for shelter at all.* In the passages, the smoking-rooms, the parlours, everywhere it was possible to erect a stretcher, there were shakedowns. Even stair landings were gladly availed of, a bath-room was at a premium ; when stretchers gave' out a mattress on the floor was. a prize. Ladies had to be provided with "shakedowns" in a store; some of them wearily tramped from one place to an- ! other through the mud and slush, and in the driving rain, seeking accommodation, and finding every house full up. Dining-rooms were requisitioned, and still there were many hungry, wet, dejected room-seekers left over. There seemed no end to the procession. Ladies, their skirts coated with mud, their shoes and coats soaked through, pleaded with boardinghouse-keepers for shelter, and at last all somehow or othor got under a roof. It was probably the roughest experience many of them had ever known. Belated male passengers had long given up all hopo even of "shakedowns," and were obliged to be content with chairs and their overcoats.

The feeding of this hungry crowd Avent on from 9 o'cloA till 11 and after. The boardinghouse-keepers did their level best, and lady passengers, fortunate possessors of rooms, willingly turned to and assisted the staffs in the task of according unhappy wayfarers as much comfort as possible. In one bnardinghouse an unopened bale of new blankets was standing at the stairhead at 9 o'clock; before 10 every blanket |had been served out. It was quite the jcommon thing for four, five, and six noople to be packed into small rooms. Xl'© four weary hours from midnight till 4 a.m. passed someh6w. and then the chair-sittprs shook themselves and went in search of a wash; some washed iv the creek which runs through the

township. The "shakedowners" followed, and then came the "roomers."; "I guess I've roughed it some," was the verdict of an American, "but this 'air the whole hog." Towels and soap were prices. man who possessed these useful ai Licles would be carefully shepherded by four or five others. One man had secured a piece ofsoap," but had no towel. He commandeered a sheet, and six dried their bristly faces — no one bad shaved — on this one useful article.

Breakfast was snatched somehow at 5, and then the coaching commenced again. Fortunately the rain had ceased, and the morning was clear and fine. Some who had journeyed up the night before had not joined the train at 6; whether they were local residents or passengers left behind is uncertain, but apparently everyone who did join the train secured a seat, and soon afterwards the weary crowd was sleepily trying to take an interest in a glorious view of Rnapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro, but many slept even during the descent of the famous spiral and there were sleeper; even as far as Frankton.

Possibly matters v ill improve when the through express service starts, but in the meantime there seems no reason why an early train should not start from Taihape for Auckland and connect with the train leaving Ohakune at fi. thus giving passengers some reasonable hoy> of accommodation.