CHRISTMAS RUSH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23691, 24 December 1938, Page 6

CHRISTMAS RUSH

TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS RAILWAY TRAINS CROWDED Every available unit of pa'ssenger rolling stock that is available in this district has been pressed into service by the Dunedin railway authorities to cope with the Christmas traffic. Commencing from yesterday, all trains both inwards and outwards in all directions have been loaded to the full limit of two-engine power, thus showing that there is far from being any diminution in the number of persons who are travelling this Christmas. Although there have been heavy passenger movements for some days the real rush started yesterday morning, when there were exceptionally heavy bookings, both inwards and outwards, on the main north and south lines. Inward traffic from Christchurch, due, apparently to the change in the weather locally, was particularly heavy throughout yesterday and last night, exceeding last year's figures by a considerable margin. Indications are that there will be little less pressure on the railways today, for full bookings have been received for no fewer than 31 cars more than are carried on the usual trains. The stationmaster at Dunedin (Mr C. Pope) said the extremely busy period would last until about Monday, when there would be a slackening off until about January 2 or 3, when holidaymakers would be heading for home again. Meanwhile everything was activity, and until the holiday season was over there would be very little rest for those i 1" charge of railway movements.