Raglan in the 1920s – overcrowded buses

Robertson buses in the 1920s

Robertson buses in the 1920s

Overcrowded Raglan buses aren’t new. The museum has this early 1920s photo of a Hamilton to Raglan AARD bus ready to leave Frankton Station. Raglan bus owner, Noel Robertson, wrote; “In those days we often put twelve to fifteen passengers on a seven seater Hudson. If the weather was fine the hood would be put down and three of the younger passengers would sit on the hood with their boots off. Then three passengers in the back seat pinning their feet and legs. Four across the dicky chairs and sometimes three in the front with the driver. If more had to be put in one would sit on the bonnet outside the windscreen and others sitting on the side. What with luggage bags, parcels and mailbags, you would think it was a Christmas tree coming along the road.”

AARD Motor Services Association was formed in 1918 by long distance bus and tourist service operators. Noel also wrote, “In 1920 we opened a garage depot in Hamilton as the business was growing and we needed a car at that end for overload and it was rapidly increased to two cars. This garage and office was the first Tourist Booking office in Hamilton, joining in the formation of the AARD Motors Services. This proved to be a big mistake and it was not long before we got out of that organisation.” It was November 1924 before the AARD sign came off the front of the car. A 1925 advert for Robertson’s Royal Mail Motor Service said it left Raglan at 7.30am and Robertson’s Garage, 42 Bryce St 1.30 and 2pm daily, met the midday train at Frankton and used a Super Six Hudson car.

Can you add more information, or do you have photos the museum might copy?

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