FROM WANGANUI TO PALMERSTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17241, 20 March 1918, Page 6

FROM WANGANUI TO PALMERSTON.

PALMERSTON N., Murch U). "It wos a very uncanny feeling onr trip from Wanganui to Palmerston this rnornin"-," remarked a lady who .came ■by the usual early morning tram today. "We loft "Wnnganui at 7 o'clock, arid from the thick .smoke it was ap'"jiarent that bush,fires were raging in |he district. Soon after leaving, we noticed trees blown down along the line, and the train stooped near OUoia for one to be moved from proximity to the line. Very heavy w:nd hud ragfd > during the night at AVangariui, and the telephone lines were noticed to be dovn in some places. About this time the air i became dark, and a thick pall of smoke came down. Conditions were almost unbearable. The train was lighted as at night, and all the stations en route. At Marton the conditions were particularly bad, the pungent, acrid smoke being most disagreeable." The statement was also made that a lady of Marton, who was holidaying there, packed up when the pano^y of smoke descended on the town,-and left for her home.