RAILWAY TRAFFIC

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 26

RAILWAY TRAFFIC

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PERIOD. The total bookings from the Dunedin Railway Station to all stations from December 15, 1922, to January 2, 1923, show a decrease of 4245 when compared with the total for the previous corresponding period. The total was 44,627 for the 1922 23 period, and 48,872 for the 1921-22 period. This decrease is largely accounted for by the drop in the number of passengers to Wingatui on the second day of the race meeting. As compared with the figures for the first day of the previous meeting there was an increase of 200 odd in the first day’s figures this year, but the second day’s figures this year showed a drop of 1400 odd. The last Waikouaiti races also failed to attract as many visitors from Dunedin as the previous meeting did, the dull, threatening morning probably accounting for this. The Wyndham races, though well attended, did not attract many from Dunedin, most of the spectators having gone from nearer stations and from Wyndham itself. The Tiniaru and Christchurch figures (which include the number of passengers to all stations between those two towns) show an increase, which was no doubt due to the Industrial Exhibition being held there. This event, however, yvas not responsible for increasing the traffic to Christchurch to the extent that was anticipated. The Clinton and Invercargill figures (which include the number of passengers to stations between those two places) and the Otago Central figures kept up well. The number of passengers from Dunedin to Mosgiel and intervening stations was almost the same as that for tho previous corresponding period, but ihe traffic on the Dunedin-Port Chalmers line was much lighter than it was the previous year. The following are some of the details of the passenger traffic from Dunedin for the two periods mentioned: From Dunedin to —•

1922-23. 1921-22. North Island 625 613 Timaru and Christchurch 3652 3451 Clinton and Invercargill 3751 3633 Otago Central Wingatui Races (Dec. 26 1686 1624 and 27) 7577 8778 Waikouaiti Races (Jan. 1) 1915 2143 Wyndham Races (Jan. 1) Middlemarch Sports (Jan. 26 86 2) 57 75