SATURDAY HALF-DAY

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1935, Page 8

SATURDAY HALF-DAY

MAKES THE RAILWAYS PAY. EXCURSION TRAIN PACKED. TRIP TO AUCKLAND. i The changing of the weekly halfholiday has had an, advantageous effect on the railways—at least as far as excursion trains are concerned. It is estimated that early closing today netted, at least 50 additional passengers on the excursion train which left Hikurangi early this morning for Auckland. . The attractions in Auckland today were the third hockey test between the Ne\v Zealand and Indian teams, and the Winter Show. When the train left Hikurangi at 6.25 a.m. it had 45 passengers and picked up another six at Kamo. It is estimated that another 160 embarked at Whangarei, when the train was comprised of eight carriages nearly full. At Portland another 30 joined. Other passengers joined all along the route, and it was necessary to put on additional carriages at Helensville. Mr T. Ramsbottom, the stationmaster, said this morning that it was the heaviest excursion ever run from Whangarei, and he expressed complete satisfaction with the result. All the refreshment rooms were exceptionally busy and there were record takings at Maungaturoto.

The train was due to arrive in Auckland at 12.18 p.m., and is timed to leave on the return trip at 11.20 p.m. It will arrive in Whangarei at 4.32 a.m.