HEAVY TRAFFIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23280, 24 February 1939, Page 11

HEAVY TRAFFIC

GOODS BY RAILWAY INCREASE ON LAST YEAR MARKED RISE IN REVENUE Abnormal goods traffic has been experienced by the railways for some weeks, and present indications are for a continuation of the heavy traffic. Although passenger traffic has been comparatively light, all lines have been very busy with trains conveying livestock, produce, building material and other goods, and it has been necessary to run trains of this typo on Sundays.

The goods revenue in tho Auckland district for tho week ended February 11 showed an increase over the same week last year of £8750, 16,593 more sheep and 10,938 tons more of timber and general goods being carried. For the following week, the increases were 7268 sheep and 3748 tons of timber and general goods. Part of tho increase in revenuo was due to the general 10 per cent increase in freights.

In the earlier part of tho season the number of sheep carried was down on last year, as traffic in fat lambs and breeding ewes was affected by tho facial eczema, but in tho last two or three weeks there has been a largo demand for breeding ewes. The largest influx of theso has been from tho East Coast and southern districts.

Traffic in fertilisers has also been very heavy, and considerable additional quantities of timber have been carried owing to the Government's housing schemes. Tho fertiliser traffic ha,s hardly reached its peak yet, and large amounts will be handled in tho next fortnight. A number of boats carrying basic slag are due to arrive, and the fertiliser ■works are working at top pressure.