MAIN TRUNK MISERY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1919, Page 6

MAIN TRUNK MISERY.

SCRAMBLE AT TAUMARUNUL | A RUSH FOR BEDS. The Tauraarunui railway station last evening, when the ,two trains arrived, presented all the appearance of a stationin one of the larger towns, says the Taujnarunui Press. ' The train from the north arrived just after 8 o'clock, some seventy-live minuses late, and immediately passengers made a wild rush for the hotels to secure a bed, while others who had thoughtfully secured one by telegram took matters ciflmly. In a very short time every bed had been booked, and those unfortunate enough to be unable to get one were faced with a puzzle. The constable doing his evening beat was at once accosted, with the question: "Where can I find a bed?" and pnt many a weary traveller in the way of getting accommodation. Some fifteen minuses after the arrival of the north train the Wellington train arrived on the outer line, which meant that passengers hid to scramble through the north train to get on to the platform, and found that .there was not a bed to be had. For a time the main street was crowded with people. The refreshment rooms were besieged, and did a roaring trade till late in the evening. Inquiries at ,the different hotels show that every one was crowded, and "shake-downs" 1 were erected in all kinds of places. The railway station was turned into a miniature hotel- The stationmaster, with a thougfa,tfulness that cajls for the highest praise, found accommodation for some fifty persons. One of the waiting rooms was given over entirely to the women, and two more to the men. Fires were kept brightly burning, and, with cushions from the carriages and rugs, the travellers were enabled to Bleep the sleep of the jnst. The trains leaving for the north were full, 100 going by the north train and 200 by tho south. These figures give some idea of the extra number of people in the town. I,t is expected that the train from the north will not be so heavy, as passengers going, south in the morning will only get as far as Palmers ton which means a four days' journey to Wellington, the Sunday coming in between. Tho suggestion has been made that the Mayor should use his influence to get beds placed in the different sample rooms, which, it is estimated, could accommodate 250 persons. The advent of so many people is an advertisement to the. town, and their stay should be made as pleasant as possible. We have heard of one instance in which a, soldier just returned, was stranded in Taumarunui with his wife, and a baby in arms. The husband with his wife and ohild walked the streets in the wet, pleading for accommodation, and were eventually tateen in by a local resident, who, with-his wife's assistance, did everything in their power to make the strangers comfortable, even to turning out early in the morning to provide them with a hot breakfast and to see them away by the 7 o'clock train.