THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 28, 24 April 1924, Page 2

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

EFFECTS AT PUTARURU. Little Inconvenience So Far. Letter Mails Maintained. Motor Truck for the Cream. The railway strike came more or less as a surprise at Putaruru. The improved prospects in the situation between the A.S.R.S. and the Government as reported .pn Monday gave the impression that a strike was at least not directly imminent, though a rumour was certainly circulated by about 3 p.m. that the strike would take place as from midnight that night. By 9 p.m. this was more or less confirmed by local railwaymen, and next morning the town and district awoke to find a silent railway station.

How the correct rumour gained currency so early on Monday seems something of a mystery, as railwaymen concerned say that official advice declaring the strike was not received until well on in the evening and not confirmed until Tuesday morning. By then the news of it had not evidently penetrated far, for farmers and cream carters made their usual trips to the station to despatch t-heir cream to the factory by the 8.20 a.m. train. They were more than a little surprised to find that the question as to when the next train would run was one to which the railway officials could give no definite answer. However, the difficulty of forwarding the cream to the factory was soon overcome, a locally-owned four-ton motor lorry leaving with it at about 9.30 a.m. for Waharoa.

In regard to letter mails, too, it was soon seen that the post office was not idle, for shortly after 10 a.m. a Hamilton taxi car arrived with a letter mail from Frankton and took one from Putaruru. This car was travelling to Rotorua and back in the one day, delivering and accepting letter mails en route.

The town is quiet and so far the strike has caused but very little inconvenience. However, the hope that it will not prove a long one is general. Local residents who are away on holiday, including many of the timber mill employees, are the ones for whom most concern is felt at present, and .the date of their return is as yet apparently altogether problematical.