TIDE OF TRAVELLERS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 152, 24 December 1935, Page 11

TIDE OF TRAVELLERS

HOLIDAY RAIL TRAFFIC

EXTRA TRAINS RUNNING

Unlike the old world, Christmas time to many. New ■Zealanders means, holidays, not hohdays where one just stays at home, but holidays that take them to cool bush, sunny beaches, or the comfort and rest of one or other of the country's splendid resorts. In short, all Who have the opportunity become travellers, and the .'subsequent demand on the various transport organisations is very considerable. It is obvious therefore' that the largest transport organisation in the Dominion, the railways, serving as it does the. greater part,of the country, has to meet such a demand by quick and efficient, organisation ;of its services. Thus, when a period such as Christmas: arrives regular texpress* trains are doubled and sometimes even trebled^ whilst, many extra trains here and there cater for the volume of traffic offering. All day and all night the trunk lines of the country are throbbing with the ' beat of the locomotive exhaust and the clatter of carriage wheels, carriages completely filled with joyous, travellers, perhaps homeward bound or perhaps just on a scenic trip, but nevertheless—travellers.

This, Christmas has proved no exception to the rule. Indeed the number of passengers carried on-the'rail-ways during the past few '■':, days -together with the bookings :made for the next week exceeds that for the same period last year.. This is no doubt due to there being more money in circulation, and the people are more willing to spend it on holiday travel; ;

.Three, expresses left Wellington for Auckland on Saturday, two on Sunday, ..four on Monday, and: five today.' Each'■■"-.train carried its full complement;' ' ,■ • ; . •' .

c All other express trains from Wellington are heavily loaded, particularly the.New Plymouth-Wanganui exbresses. ; The -bookings for. yesterday's express were so . heavy, that'the auth-orities-decided to split the train into two;- each 'taking a full complement. Tonight".a 'special' train will run to New Plymouth, leaving Wellington at 11.12-o'clock,' arid' % relief train leaves! |or Napier at-11.35 o'clock, A night train -will also run to the Wairarapa. ■ So once again Christmas is proving that New Zealanders are travel minded, and that they wish to see their own country first. V. . ~ FERRY SERVICES. The ferry services to Lyttelton, Nelson, and Picton «re exceptionally well patronised, and bookings are heavy for the excursions to the; Sounds and other pleasure resorts.- '.As far as the shipping companies ' are concerned, this Christmas period will be. one of extraordinary activity.