HOLIDAY TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21143, 29 March 1932, Page 8

HOLIDAY TRAFFIC.

falling off in volume. FEWER PEOPLE TRAVELLING. " LIKE A WINTER WEEK-END."' By rail, road and wafer Easter passenger traffic this year has sunk almost to the depths. The weather, it is true, was not all that it, might, have been, but still it was a holiday of which Auckland is generally ready to take advantage. But, .in the words of one transport official, passenger traffic over Eastev was like that of a wet week-end in winter—almost nonexistent. Rain yesterday morning arid on Sunday was responsible for fewer passengers on trains and ferry boats, but officials at the Auckland railway station stated yesterday that traffic had been lighter over Easter than for many years past. At Christmas and Easter it was usually necessary to open all three ticket offices to cope with tlie demand, but this Easter only ones window had been opened. The limited express which arrived from Wellington yesterday morning had the usual complement or' three sleeping cars, but there were only two-passengers, one of whom boarded the train at Marton and left it at ari intermediate station, so that there was only one passenger in the three cars when the train reached Auckland. Last evening there was more activity at the Auckland railway station, when, in addition to the usual express trains for Wellington a third train was put on to meet the. needs of returning holiday-makers. All three trains carried their full complement, the total number of passengers being more than 700. On the corresponding night lf.st year four trains were despatched for Wellington. The Tlotorua and Opua trains last Thursday were well filled but. generally speaking, traffic lias been very light. The daylight limited express from Wellington to Auckland, which resumed running last Tuesday, will make its last trip this morning. The. wet weather interfered seriously with the ferry traffic, which was particularly light over ihe week-end. Excursions to Rangitoto. Motuihi and Pine 'lsland were cancelled on account of the raiu yesterday, as were a number of launch trips that had been arranged. Passenger traffic on the regular routes wes only normal on Good Friday and Saturday, there being no sign of 'the increase usually experienced at holiday periods. The tramcars also carried fewer passengers than usual at Easter. There were only about 25 loads taken to the races at Ellerslie yesterday, a considerable decrease compared with the loads on the second day of the Easter meeting last year. Taxi-drivers also stated yesterday that business was extremely light, there being comparatively few people using caus.