RAIL TRAFFIC RETURNS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 March 1937, Page 4

RAIL TRAFFIC RETURNS.

LEVIN STATION’S INCREASED FIGURES. «* With an issue of almost one thousand more passenger tickets than during the corresponding period for last year, and an increase of over £3OO in the goods revenue, the returns of outward business conducted at the Levin railway station during the four-weekly period ended on Saturday last, February 27th, show a heavy increase, according to the figures which have been supplied by departmental officers. The figures for the period just closed, with those for the February period of 1036 in parentheses, are as follows: iPassenger tickets issued, 3720 (2886); cattle, 552 (407); sheep, 9689 (6054); goods, 508 tons. (367 tons). The total passenger revenue for the period was £622, as compared with £459 last year, while the goods revenue amounted to £950, as compared with £627 for last year.

The increase in the number of passengers making use of the rail service is accounted for largely by the number of school children travelling during their extended holiday period. Although the figures for th<f Christmas period showed an increase, there was not the travelling done by children as was to be usually expected at that time of the year, but the following month saw a lessening in the fear of paralysis and a consequent greater freedom allowed to children.

The increase in the tonnage of goods carried during the month 'may be attributed to the revival of the flax industry in this district, while in addition, large truckings of potatoes have also been made from Levin. The season for fat lambs has been considerably later this year than is usually the case, and thus, although the railway trucking figures for the previous month suffered slightly as a result, they are for last month up considerably. The greater demand for ewes also contributed to the higher figures for sheep trucking.