HAMILTON INVADED BY HUNDREDS OF STRANDED PEOPLE

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1950, Page 6

HAMILTON INVADED BY HUNDREDS OF STRANDED PEOPLE

HAMILTON, Yesterday (PA).—“The railwaymen at Frankton Junction will obey the directive of the national I executive and cease work on Saturday if no settlement is reached,” said a spokesman of the men today. He said that at the meeting of the men last Sunday it was decided to leave their case witg the national executive and not follow Auckland’s lead to strike on the Tuesday night. "Now that the general stoppage has been laid on from Wellington they will participate.” As the North Island terminal of the Main Trunk line, and also terminal for the Rotorua and Tauranga lines, Frankton has been inundated with passengers. Three trains from Wellington brought nearly 1500 people to Frankton this morning, and their cry was: “Where do we go from here? How do we get to Auckland?" After staying around the station for a short time the passengers have drifted into Hamilton looking for ' transport going to Auckland. Hamil- ' ton taxis commenced running yester- ■ day to Auckland, continued all last ■ night and all day today, while Auck- : land taxis were arriving continually bringing people to Hamilton to catch the south trains tonight. At one time over 20 of Hamilton’s taxis were . on the road taking away passengers . stranded at Frankton Junction, and at the road services depot. Buses from New Plymouth, Roto- ■ rua, Gisborne, Whakatane, Tauranga, Te Kuiti, and Taumarunui are also unloading their passengers in Hamil- ' ton, and the city is crowded with perI I sons looking for somewhere to rest ■lwhile they arrange further transport . I ajid hunting for places in which to ■ I eat. ■ j With Hamiltonians buying their ■ ; four-day food necessities, it is not ex- . peeled that sufficient meat, bread and ■ I vegetables will be available. Not only have hundreds of people to go with- ' out their annual Christmas holidays i I this year, but many of them also will [have to go without adequate food. I Having cancelled their holidays on account of the lack of transport, they s I have attempted to obtain orders of ; I meat and bread, only to be told that - I no further orders would be taken.