RAILWAY EXCURSIONS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 49, 21 November 1932, Page 5

RAILWAY EXCURSIONS

Trip to Lake Papaitonga Twice postponed, owing to unfavourable weather conditions, the Railway Department excursion to Lake Papaitonga yesterday was favoured with fine and almost windless weather. About 600 people made the trip, and from their point of view it was an unqualified success. After a fast run to Ohau, 56 ipiles from Wellington, the excursionists followed a route of about three miles through beautiful wooded and open country to Lake Papaitonga. The'going, was easy, and the party kept well together. The lake, whicn is about one hundred acres in extent, contains two islands and is surrounded by native bush and sicrub. Through the courtesy of Mrs. Hammond Murray, the property by the lake was made available to the travellers, who were high in praise of her public-spirited action. The stop for lunch, was made on a hill overlooking the lake. At 3 o’clock the bugle was sounded, and a start was made for Ohau station, where the train was regained at 4 o’clock. After a stop at Paekakariki for refreshments, Wellington was reached shortly after a quarter-past six. x SPECIAL WEEK-END EVENT The special “community service” weekend excursion arranged by the Railway Department from Napier and Hawke’s Bay stations during the week-end was well patronised, about 200 passengers reaching the city at 6.22 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday many visitors were able to witness the fine display of flowers in bloom in the Botanical Gardens. The return train left on Sunday night, but several excursionists held over their return until this morning’s 9.20 a.m. Wellington-Napier express. SUNDAY BOOKINGS HEAVY To cope with the traffic for future Sundays’. the Railway Department has decided to change over to the summer timetable, and this will operate from next Sunday. A suitable time-table has been arranged catering for heavy through traffic between Wellington and the Manawatu district. An additional fast up and down morning and evening train, stopping only nt Paekakariki. Otaki. Levin and Shannon, is provided, the morning train leaving Thorndon at 8.40 a.m. Intermediate passengers are catered for by a fast stopping train as at present, except that the times have been slightly altered.