THE HOLIDAY IN WELLINGTON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18747, 28 December 1922, Page 6

THE HOLIDAY IN WELLINGTON

MOTORING AND OTHER, TRAFFIC. (From Ottr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 27. Generally speaking, the Wellington ’district was favoured with good weather for the holidays, and thousands of people enjoyed themselves in the open air. On the eastern side of the dividing ranges, the Rimutakas and the Tararuas, the weather, except for a few showers, remained dry. Many people went motoring both by way of the East and West Coast main roads. In the past these main highways have had certain terrors for motorists', and especially for the nervous drivers, notably the ascent and descent of the Rimutaka range, and the trip' over the Paekakariki Hill on the eastern route. Recently, however, great improvements have been made, and the reducing of curves and the broadening of the roads, so .that cars can pass without, danger of collision, still goes on. gangs of men being nt work on both roads. As these are the only two road outlets from Wellington northward, the work when completed will bo a great boon, and one already hears many complimentary references to what is now being done by the Government in a district (hat has hitherto been sadly neglected in regard to its main highways. The Himutaka road, which is a long, steep ascent with many sharp bends, was probably the most dangerous main road in New Zealand. On a narrow' pathway cars had to pats beside unprotected abysses that wont almost sheer down for hundreds of feet. At one bend the traveller is shown in the bed of a stream far below (he remains of cars that have £one to destruction there. The spot is known as “The Ford Cemetery.” When these road improvements are completed they will provide one of the finest motor excursions in the North Island. The views, both from the Paekakariki and • Rimutaka summits, are extensive, and combine beauty wdth grandeur. In Wellington itself the tram and harbour ferry traffic Iktablished new records. The very fine weather on Christmas Eve attracted many thousands to town, with the result, that the tram takings for the day exceeded tho record established last year by nearly £2OO. The day’s cash takings amounted to £1529 as comnared with £1332 for the Christmas Eve of 1921. Mailing allowance for the use of concession tickets, it is estimated that more than 100,000 wasaengers were carried on Christmas Day. On Christmas Day 1500 people were carried across the harbour by the frrrv boats, and yesterdav the number reached between 4000 and 5000 All this traffic appears to have been handled without accident, i