MEMORABLE WEEK-END

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20273, 16 August 1937, Page 8

MEMORABLE WEEK-END

TEST EXCURSIONISTS. FOOTBALL’S WIDE APEAL. HINT FOR ACCOMMODATION. Any doubt as to whether Rugby 1* ill the uat.onal game in New Zeand or that interest in the sport ha 9 joined in recent jears was dispelled iring tlie week-end when Wellington as thronged with people from all er the Dominion for the llrst Test Mween the All blacks and the pringLuiks. In the streets, at the picare theatres and other places of nuschicnt as well as at Athletic Park sit«*rs from Invercargill rubbed louhiers with people from Whangarei id each visitor could tell a story of ng travelling, fatigue and irritability, lie v eil by happier and memorable' itches. However, after the wonderil game all were unanimous in their r*in:on that the trip was well worth hile. Three full excursion trains left uckland on Friday afternoon and all »rr;cd their quota of Hamilton and .'aikato enthusiasts. The long jourr»y was relieved by community singisr and card playing in most carriages, bile Hie inevitable “ wags ’* made loir appearance and kept the spirits f most of the people at concert pitch. beaut fully clear nicht with prosects of a fine day also buoyed up agging spT'ts but after Ohakune' was •ached e rly on Saturday morning i >st setile.l down for what rest they mild obtain. At Palmerston North, .itli a very heavy white frost on the round and the sky clear overhead, ic excursionists were astir again but unning into Wellington heavy squalls • ere experienced and rain fell most - the morning. Well Worth While. To excursionists tlie match ltelf ias well worth the trip, excitement eing kept at the highest pitch with he unexpectedly good showing of the dl Blacks. After the match the uestion of accommodation was again ippermost in most minds and many iad to return to tlie train and sleep in heir seats. Besides the Auckland e\ursions. trains were packed from lawke's Bay, Taranaki and Manawatn vhile special ferries brought thousimls more from the South Island. Aon weeks before ttie game accomnodation was at a premium and on 'ridav nigtit besides every hotel and warding house in Wellington beins jooked out. beds in every hotel as far icrth as Master*.in on one line and Palmerston North on the other were ilso fully reserved. The road also •arried its full quota of enthusiasts in •ars and every place of amusement •n Saturday nigtit was crammed to overflowing. The excursionists boarded their trains for home on Sunday afternoon asrain in brilliant weather and the natch was the sole topic of conversation for many miles. Then the varl)us incidents kept the conversation roing until dark wtien cards and singng were again the chief forms of amusement. A feature of the trip lionie was the wonderful glimpses of >cencry with snow-capped mountains forming a picturesque background. All Hie way t.. bey -m.I Palmerston North from below Otaki the sight of heavy falls of snow on the Himutakas ereated much interest. Gnow-Coverod Mountains. Another beautifully clear, moonlight night enabled the excursionists to obtain wonderful views of Mount Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngaruahoe. All were shrouded in white, the snow reaching to the base of the mountains. Many experienced travellers stated that they had never seen so much snow on tlie mountains before and despite the biting cold every platform was crowded with eager sightseers. It was again well into the morning before sleep was thought of and all arrived home to-day tired but conxinced that the long journey was | not wasted. A feature of the Journey was the I splendid organisation of the Railway Department. Although the trains were excursions and the traffic was unusually heavy, all trains kept to th«Ac schedules and they ran to the timrfc’ table of the limited expresses. The tearooms at all stations were all heavily staffed and tlie minimum of delay was caused. Most of Hie excurs : onists realised before they left that Wellington over l est week-end would be an expensive. They took Hie precaution of carrying n,ure money Dial they thought they would require. Kven then they wanted it all and more. Prices for everyth imr were raised, meals and accommodation especially costing niucb more than usual.