NO CHANGE IN STRIKE OUTLOOK REPORTED IN AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1950, Page 6

NO CHANGE IN STRIKE OUTLOOK REPORTED IN AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, Last Night (P.A.).— There was no change in the railway strike outlook tonight, and no apparent hopes of settlement. Train and railway bus fares are being refunded in full to intending passengers whose journeys have been upset by the strike. The 10 per cent bookkeeping charge, usually deducted when refunds are made, is being w'aived and ticket-holders are not being asked to pay stamp duty on sums of £2 or more. The refund offices have not been besieged with disappointed travellers, most people apparently being still optimistic of being able to make use of their tickets. A queue of about 20 was waiting at the Auckland railway station when the two refund windows were opened at 9 o’clock j this morning. Toward the end of the afternoon, a total of about £3OO had ! been paid out to some 140 ticketI holders. More than 120 people ask- ' ed for their money back from the , Railway Road Services office at the bus terminal. An official said that many prospective passengers had dashed off bv car to Hamilton to join buses still running outside the strike area, and they would no doubt apply later for refunds for the unused portion of their tickets. More than £3OO was refunded to at least 150 neonle at the Government tourist Bureau.