AUCKLAND ON WHEELS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 222, 19 September 1928, Page 11

AUCKLAND ON WHEELS.

ROYAL WELCOME POSTPONED SPIXNDID TRAFFIC CONTROL. A DISAPPOINTED MULTITUDE. YESTERDAY'S SURGE OF TRAFFIC. That a royal welcome was assured the airmen yesterday was evidenced by the tremendous stream' of traffic that wended its way to the landing ground from early morning until late afternoon. It was a mechanically-propelled procession in the main, although dozens of people from the surrounding district took their chance on foot. The main rush set in at about two o'clock, and from then on to the disappointing announcement at a quarter to four that the Bristol flyers did not intend venturing that day, never in the history of the city has there been witnessed such a stream of traffic. Race days and Muriwai motor sports days paled into insignificance compared with yesterday's great "trek." Good Traffic Control. It seemed as if all Auckland was on wheels. The city traffic department, working in conjunction with the police and members of the A.A.A., had made very complete arrangements, not only for control at the landing ground itself, but for the guidance of motorists en route, officers being on point duty at all important intersections. The organisation was extremely good, and nothing but praise was heard on all sides for the splendid work accomplished. It was the return journey that caused trouble, for many drivers took matters into their own hands, and it would have needed an army to keep order—but that by. the way. Had the motor cars alone been placed end to end the line would have extended from the aerodrome to the city. When the news was announced that the flight was postponed an uninterrupted stream of traffic miles in length was steadily converging on the parking area. It is doubtful whether many of the approaching cars would have arrived in time to witness the landing if the flight had eventuated, because, despite all control the traffic became clogged and represented a river log jam necessitating, the freeing of the "key" from time to time to enable the flow to continue. First News Received. The aerodrome is not yet connected by telephone and the news of the postponement received over a distant wire by a waiting "Star" representative was urgently conveyed to Major Isitt by special car,. The services of Captain Wales were then requisitioned, as he is the possessor of a powerful voice, to shout the news to the waiting multitude. As soon as the crowd realised the import of the message there was a mad rush for the thousands of cars that had been so carefully parked, and trouble started at once. It was a mad scramble for who could get out first, and had there been three times the number of officers to regulate the , stream of traffic there would still have been confusion and congestion. There are too many selfish motorists who cars not a jot for "the other fellow" and in their attempts to make a hurried exit numerous "tie ups" occurred, and tho traffic officers had a most difficult task.

The "Star" car which had conveyed the news to the commanding officer was the first away, and it was quite apparent what would happen. The long road to the aerodrome was packed tight wit'f cars still making their way to the landing ground, and as the "Star" car made its way slowly towards the city, word was passed along the line that the flight was "off." There were dozens who thought a hoax was being perpetrated ami they continued on, only to discover a little later that the long line of returning cars spelt confirmation of the news. Cut of Hand.

It was then that" the traffic got out of hand. Everybody wanted to be first' home. The parked cars on the ground itself got tangled up, while the oncoming vehicles attempted the almost impossible—to turn back and swell the procession towards the city. There were many narrow escapee from serious accident, and th* congestion was accentuated at various points owing to cars pulling out with tyre and other troublee. It became a "crawl" for miles often in low gear, the only speedsters being motor cyclists, who took all manner of risks in an endeavour to get a clear passage. There were suppressed grumblings on all sides, but, generally speaking, the crowds made the best of things and kept cheerful.

There was one angry motorist avho stopped his car and took his coat off to dispute m "Heeney" fashion the right of the man behind him to crumple up his mudguard, but the blockage of the traffic and the threats of others made him desist, and he crawled away sadder and wiser. "The recent heavy rains had not helped matters, and there was much skidding and bogging vrhcu the wheels got off tine metal