A BLOCKAGE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 488, 23 March 1933, Page 5

A BLOCKAGE

(Press Assr —

TRAFFIC HELD UP no guarantee of transfer past taumarunui at present CONDITION OF ROADS

-By Telegraptt — Cc-pyrlght)

Auckland, Wednesday. That the Department cannot guarantee transhipment of passengers, parcels and goods past Taumarunui to-day was the announcement made at the Auckland Railway station prior to the departure of the two Auckland -Wellington expresses to-day. When the afternoon express left at 3 o'clock, the passengers were advised that the train would go no further than Taumarunui. Passengers intending to travel by the Limited express which left at 7 o'clock, were informed that the train would not proceed further than Frankton Junetion. Many people wishing to reach Wellington immediately eancelled their bookings not desiring to run the risk of being stranded en route. A few people with urgent business in the south took chances, travelling with minimum of luggage. Only 63 persons travelled by the 3 p.m. train. and of these 23 were booked for stations past Frankton Junction. Departmental officials stated that the two expresses were run solely to keep faith with the people living in districts along the route. The majority of passengers for station-s between Auckland and Taumarunui travelled by the 3 p.m. train. It was not considered neeessary to send the limited express further than Frankton Junction. Had it been possible to transfer passengers and their luggage easily round the obstructions on the line, every endeavour would have been made to maintain the through service to-night, but the only roads available in the neighbourhood of the slips were in such a shocking condition owing to landslips, that transfer by night was out of the question.