AIR, RAIL AND TO THE TEST

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 178, 14 August 1937, Page 5

AIR, RAIL AND TO THE TEST

Bay Enthusiasts CLIMAX LAST NIGHT 30,000 People on Grounds at Ten This Morning ACCOMMODATION TAXED By rail, air and motor, the Hawke's Bay exodus to Welling--ton to see the first Bugby test between the Springboks and New Zealand' started yesterday, and it is anticipated that when the game begins to-day abont 2000 Hawke's Bay people will be among the spectators. Not since the days when Hawke's Bay were holders of the Ranfurly Shield has interest in a Rugby match reaehed such a piteh in Hawke's Bay; not since the "palmy" days of 1926 has such a eontingent left_ the district. Hawke's Bay enthusiasts figured very largely iu the 30,000 people who had gathered at Athletic Park by 10 o'clock this morning. Yesterday morning the fox'tunate ones who were able to left by the express for Wellington so as to obtain the beneiits of an early arrival. In the afternoon motor trafiic to the south grew and grew as car after car left Hastings and Napier and from farther north, loaded with Bugby enthusiasts. Still the numbers swelled, and the ciimax was l'eached last night when, at 10.15 and 10.45, two laden trains pulled out from tho Hastings railway station on the long all-night journey to Wellington. This morning, numerous cars left in the early hours for Wellington, and, in addition, two special flights were cnade by 'plane to the Rongotai aerodrome, tiie New Zealand Aerial Mapping Co.'s Monospar, piloted by Mr. van Asch, leaving at seven o'clock and 11.30 from the Bridge Pa landing-ground. Special Trains Crowded. When the two special trains left Hastings last night there was a big crowd to farewell the fottunate ones, although, of course, those who were unable to get away consoled themselves by commenting adversely on the doubtful pleasures of night travelling and checred the parting enthusiasts by expressing doubts as to whether they would be able to see the match at all. However, the exeursionists refused to have their spirits dampened, and, to the sonnd of cheering and singing, both trains left without incident. YouUg and 6ld, men and women, were represented among the railway travellers. Carrying fugs, pillows, travelliugcafeeS and refreshment^, they invaded the CarriageS aS the trains, each with eleven Coaches attached, drew into the station. A ffantic search for seats, the Stowing-away of baggage, and all was ready. Throug'fl the steaining windows of the cari'iages, happy faces were di-mly discernible as farewells were shouted. "Onr resources were well taxed," said the Hastings station-master, hlr J, Cassidy, "but we were able to cope with tlie demand. This invasion on Wellington is the biggest yet as far as tlie North Island is concerned, and the Railways Department has had to call on most of its available earriages to handle the exceptional trafiic. Uf course, as far as Hawke's Bay is concerned, bigger crowds went away by rail in the days wlien Hawke's Bay held the Ranfurly Shield aud .was meeting a team elsewhere." Mr Cassidy stated that . the five o'clock train to Palmerston North, last night, which conneets with Wellingtonbound trains, was also well patronised. Where Will They Sleep? It was a fairly -orderly crowd which went by train, although it was noticeable that a number of the travellers had fortjfied themselves before Teaching the station, and among the refreshnients ca'rried were a noticeable number of bottles of beer and stout, one passenger, doubtless t-he head of a party, having as his principal item of luggage a small sack of assorted heverages. The first train carried 350 Hawke's Bay passengers and the second 260. Where everyone would stqy was the question which troubled many mifids last night, and, judging from enquiries made of some of the passengers' it would seem that this is being left to the fates to decide. Last-minute decisions to go and see tlie game and neglect to arrange accommodation will confront the Wellington authorities with a pretty problem. Hotels and boardinghotises in Wellington liave been booked out for weeks past, and even towns north of the Capital, in the Wairarapa and ManaWatu, have been receiving inquiries for rooms. However, "the gathe*B the thing," and, 'as one enthhsiast espressed it, "It'll be Worth sleeping Out for a night to see the Test!"