BRIGHTER TIMES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20292, 28 December 1927, Page 9

BRIGHTER TIMES.

BUSINESS PEOPLE SATISFIED. GOOD REPORTS FROM FARMERS. (Special tg Dails Times.} AUCKLAND, December 27, “ The general impression among farmers and business people is that the tide has turned and that there are brighter times ahead.” Mr J. F. Mackley, locomotive engineer for the Auckland railways, made this observation this morning. He returned on Saturday from an official trip to the Wanganui, Napier, and Wellington districts, where ho has been meeting and talking with responsible citizens. ‘"On the railways the demand for engine-power is heavier than for any other year,” he said. “ There Has been a phenomenal amount of traffic in wool alone. Just prior to the holidays 1000 more bales of wool left Waipukurau than for the same time last year. An average of 75 trucks of sheep per day left Otane, and continued for a week. At Waipukurau 24-,000 sheep were sent away in three days. Within my experience the railways have never had such a heavy year as this.” One of the biggest sheep farmers in the North Island told Mr Mackley that fleeces from his flock had averaged two and a-half pounds heavier this year than last. This, he thought, was why there had been such a large increase in the total weight of wool carried. “ Auckland has been phenomenally busy,” said Mr Mackley. ”In both goods and traffic there seems to be a buoyancy now which was not. apparent a month or two before the holidays. Everywhere I heard the same optimistic not© from farmers, business people, and traders generally.” ______