Old news from Armidale and New England

Wednesday 29 January 1919, The Sydney Morning Herald

IN SORRY PLIGHT.

TENTERFIELD, Tuesday.

All traffic across the border of Queensland has been stopped. When the mail train from Sydney arrived this morning all passengers were compelled to disembark. Over 250 are stranded in the town. The police made arrangements to provide meals, but there is not nearly sufficient accommodation.

There are as many as seven relays of people at the restaurants for meals. The Red Cross ladies and townspeople are arranging to provide temporary accommodation for to-night.

Passengers desirous of returning to Sydney are to be given passes. Numbers are almost without means. Mothers with children are in desperate straits, some being without money. The Mayor, police, and townspeople are endeavouring to ensure accommodation and assistance. The stranded people have been given the freedom of the School of Arts, which has been made the headquarters.

Some people tried to cross the border in cars, but were stopped and turned back.