THE HOLIDAYS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1103, 17 April 1911, Page 4

THE HOLIDAYS.

MARKED BY THREATENING WEATHKK. -

Friday's rainfall was supplemented with another downpour en Saturday morning, which, though scarcely to heavy, was sufficient to cause a postponement of most local picnics and suburisau outings. The afternoon, witnessed an improvement', but there was still a decided threat in the heavy clouds which swept up ominously over the city. The threatening appearance continued yesterday, when, also, light rain-showers occasionally fell. So far suburban pleasure resort's Have had but poor patronage and ferry boats aud trams have only been moderately well filled. On friday and Saturday the city tramway traffic fell considerably below what had been expected, thougli on Saturday evening it picked up somewhat. Business naturally suffered iu the shops on Saturday the report so far indicating a decidedly quiet Jiaster. Wellington itself seems to have its full share of visitors. In addition to the country individual who generally gravitates citywards at holiday time—and ho is to be found in considerable numberssome fairly largo conferences and conventions have been and are being held here. The hat-band badge and the lapel ribbon have been conspicuous in the streets. The heaviest traffic on the railways has been to distant parts. The trains, ordinary ami special, between hero and Auckland, have been so well patronised that over-crowding has taken place, so much so that an impatient travelling public have been demanding that more adequate efforts should be made io meet tha extraordinary requirements of a holiday season where the days allotted nre few and hours are precious. Saturday's figures were not available, but between 1 p.m. on Thursday and 9 p.m. on Friday, 1030 people had booked t'o stations beyond Poeknkariki. The number booking to stations this side of Paekakariki was only GOB. In the

same period 1301 passengers had travelled (r> stations between Lambton and Tlpner Hutt, and 591 to places beyond that. The number of persons going south to Lyttelton was extremely largo.