PASSENGERS BY RAIL

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4957, 18 February 1937, Page 5

PASSENGERS BY RAIL

LARGE INCREASE IN TE KUITI. TRAFFIC AT LOCAL STATION. A great increase in the outward passenger traffic is noted in the returns from the Te Kuiti railway station for the period of ten months from the beginning of the financial year on April Ist to January 30. As compared with last year, the Passenger revenue has increased by *>i*]J> or by about 18 per cent., while the total revenue has increased by £2065. 4. The unprecedented improvement in the passenger traffic is ascribed to the better wages received and the 40-hour week—many are taking advantage of the two days' holiday etch week-end. In 1935-36 the number of passenger journeys from Te Kuiti during the Period under review was 46,426. For 1936-37 this figure has risen to bt,6yb. me passenger revenue has increased from £8,846 to £10,423. Lime Industry Bu»y. Had it not been for an unexpected falling-off in timber railings the eoods revenue would probably also have shown a very large increase. Lime railings are well up. In 19d&36, 41,662 tons of general g° O £S were sent forward, and in this total had increased to 48,«54« tons, or by 6686 tons. This has been principally due to the lime industry, which is still particularly busy. In February and March there is usually a heavy demand for lime. That this year is not likely to prove an exception is indicated by the fact that for the first fortnight of February the railings of general goods was 2600 tons, which is very near the total of 2831 tons for the whole of February last year. Decided Slump in Timber. Timber railings, however, have slumped badly. During the first halt of the year it was thought that a new record for recent years in timber would be established. An increase of 2882 tons Was noted for the first twenty-four weeks of the current financial year, but since then a falling off of just about 5000 tons of timber has occurred, and at January 30 the total was 2127 tons below what it was at the same time the previous. year. For the ten months in 1935-36 timber railings from the Te Kuiti station and flag-stations under its control sent forward 24,257 tons of timber. For the same period in 1936-37 the total has slumped t0!22,130 tons, despite the gain in the first half of the year. Carriage of Stock. The carriage of stock reflects the big demand for sheep at the sales, and the lesser interest displayed in cattle. Up to the end of December the Railway Department handled 27,559 head of sheep for the current financial year—and then for the four-weekly period ending January 31st handled no less than 30,779 sheep, making a total up to that period of 58,338, or 1802 more than the total of 56,536 handled last year. These figures show the large numbers that have left the district after the fairs and ordinary sales of January. The, railings of cattle have slumped by 2329 head, from 11,609 to 9280. In September, 1935, 3737 head of cattle were handled. Last year the month's total was about 2000, so that this month accounts for the bulk of the decrease. goods revenue showed in all a moderate increase of £486, from £53,147 to £53,633, and the total revenue, with the increased passenger revenue, increased by £2065, from £63,691 to £65,756.