Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2286, 15 July 1880, Page 3

A CLERGYMAN BOOKES AS A RAILWAY WAGGON. A good story has been related to ns by an old railway cmjrfoyce. Soon after the opening of the Oxford-Rangiora line, a clerical gentleman well known in tbe district arrived one day at a small roadside station, and breathless!}' enquired of tbe official in charge when tbe next train would be leaving for Kaiapoi. He was told that there wonld be no train going until tbe evening. It was then mid-day, and the clerical gentleman was on tbe horns of a dilemma. Business of a very urgent nature required bis attendance at Ivaiapoi early in tbe afternoon, but bow to reach the important centre in time was tbe question. Horse or trap there was none, and walking or running tbe distance was out of the question. A luggage train was then due and tbe perplexed cleric begged to be allowed to proceed by that. “It is not to be thought of,” said the stationraaster, “ I dare not stop the -luggage train for passengers.” Suddenly a happy idea struck the would -be passengers. “A luggage train due,” lie repeated, “ then why not book me as a waggon ?” The notion was decidedly novel, but tbe stationmaster consented to act upon it. No sooner said than done. Tbe money was paid, a way-bill was made out in due form, tbe stationmaster signalled the luggage train to “ stop to take up a waggon,” and probably for tbe first on record, a parson was booked and travelled as a goodsvan. The incident was not without its effect on tbe authorities for “ on and after ” a day or so subsequent, a carriage was added to the “ mid-day luggage ” and tbe arrangement bolds good to the present time. SOLDIER-LIFE IN AFGHANISTAN. The following interesting extract from