An Amusing Trip

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 41, 18 September 1884, Page 2

An Amusing Trip

Several of the travelling public who were en route from Taranaki down the coast experienced considerable dela}' on their journey by the slips on the: railway, and the const quent interruption to traffic They left New Plymouth on Saturday morning, and on arrival Hawera proceeded by the coach to Manutahi, where they were informed that there was a land slip on the line. After several hours' delay they were informed that the line would be open at six on Sunday morning. The hotel afforded very sec >nd rate ac commodation and although the host did his best under the circumstances, yet bad humour prevailed. At the appointed hour in the morning the passengers, among whom were Messrs C. A. Durie, J VV. Burie, G. D. Holland, W. Brewer and R. H. Nolan, and Mr Mayhew, of Feildiug. proceeded to the railway station, and were disgusted to find that after their two or three miies walk through "mud and mire" no train could run. They returned to the hotel, where a very good breakfast put them in somewhat better fettle. After this welcome meal a telegram arrived which enabled the station master to inform them that he could send them on with the engine which would take the "pick and shovel" men down to clear the line. Safely bon sed in a railway carriage they readied Waitotara, where they were again stopped for the night. Here the Messrs Durie were at home. In the morning ( Monday j they were taken from Waitotara to Okehu, where they were again stuck up. Here their case was almost desperate, because they had no fire, no food, and nothing lo drink. When things were at tlieir worst a good Samaritan appeared on horseback. He voluntarily rode to the nearest farm, where he obtained a supply of liquid, refreshment contained in two demijohns. With this assistance and a few old English anil popular games called pitch and toss, buttons and banging for pennies, the weary hours were passed— uot unpleasantly — away. After some hours delay the train was able to proceed on to Wanganui, where they arrived safely, but somewhat wearj of tlieir journey.