RECORD RAIL TRAFFIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23707, 14 January 1939, Page 7

RECORD RAIL TRAFFIC

THE. HOLIDAY PERIOD INCREASED USE OF STATION SERVICES (Per United Press Association) ' WELLINGTON, Jan. 13, With: a record number of passengers passing through the Wellington railway station during the Christmas and New Year holiday periods, more people patronised the dining room and cafeteria than ever before. Figures made available today disclosed substantial increases in the takings of the refreshment branch, and it was stated that at other New Zealand stations increased business was recorded. The bookstalls, dining room, cafeteria and hairdressing saloons at the Wellington station were particularly busy during tihe three weeks from December 19 to January 7 inclusive. During the week ended December 24 the takings for the bookstalls increased by 47 per cent, compared with the corresponding period of 1937 and an increase of 22 per cent, was recorded the following week. The takings for the dining room increased by 10 per cent, during the week before Christmas, and by 38 per cent, the following week. Christmas dinner was eaten at the railway station by 350 people. The figures for the cafeteria show an increase of 20 per cent, for the week ended December 24 and an increase of 9 per cent, for the following week. In the hairdressing saloons business increased by 10 per cent, for Christmas week and 26 per cent, for the following week.