CROWDS AT STATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23044, 23 May 1938, Page 8

CROWDS AT STATION

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS END ABOUT 1350 TRAVELLERS THREE TRAINS IN 20 MINUTES About 1350 people left the Auckland railway station last night in three trains in the space of 20 minutes. With the close of the school holidays the demand for accommodation was exceptional, and ovqr 1000 people crowded the platforms to faxewell their friends. Children formed a large proportion of the travellers. In spite of the heavy traffic all the trains were despatched on time. The limited express, which left at 7.15 p.m., consisted of seven carriages and three sleeping cars, and it is estimated that over 400 people made the journey. The train was fully booked by Saturday, and four additional car. riages for Wellington were joined to the New Plymouth express which left 20 minutes later. These carriages were taken to Taumarunui, and from there they proceeded as a separate train. There were seven carriages for New Plymouth, which also were fully booked. Over 450 passengers travelled by this train, and several people who had not reserved their seats were unable to find accommodation. - Fourteen fully loaded carriages comprised a special day excursion train from Hamilton, which left on the return at 7.18 p.m. This excursion is becoming increasingly popular, and almost 500 people visited the city by this train. Further evidence of the number of people at the station for about half an hour from 7 o'clock last evening was the number of motor-cars parked in the vicinity. The accommodation for cars was fully taxed, and a number of motorists were forced to leave their vehicles in Beach Road.