ON THE MOVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1923, Page 6

ON THE MOVE.

HOLIDAY-MAKING STARTS. VISITORS TO NEW PLYMOUTH. MORE THAN PREVIOUS YEARS. Christmas holiday-makers are already on the move, and during the past week there has been a steady flow of tourists inwards and outwards. The big rush is expected to develop on Monday. The more active, whose pleasure lies with the rod and the gun and the camp-fire, are overhauling camping gear and tackle and laying in the miscellaneous supplies of tinned goods and fruits necessary to eee them over the brief respite from their every-day world. Everyone seems to have plans for spending an enjoyable holiday. The general impression this year appears to be that there is not now the same necessity of strict economy as was the case last year. Many who were compelled by force of circumstances to forego a holiday away from town during the years which succeeded the slump are determined this year to make up for their sacrifice, if only in a small degree. Others, again, intend to make the most of the opportunities that New Plymouth presents of enjoying the holidayS at home.

ARRIVALS EXCEED DEPARTURES. If anything, there has been a slight excess of arrivals over departures by the railways during the week, the stationmaster (Mr. Pickard) told a Daily News reporter yesterday. Inquiry as to the destinations of the travellers from New Plymouth elicited the information that booking to the South Island had been very good, quite a large number of passengers taking tickets for stations as far south as Dunedin and the Cold Lakes district. So far no one had booked through to the exhibition at Hokitika. An extra car has been attached to the mail trains since Friday of last week, another car being attached yesterday and the day before. Yesterday morning’s mail train of seven cars was full, and, judging by the number of tickets that were procured throughout the day it is probable that extra accommodation will have to be provided this morning. To assist in the despatch of trains and the handling of the inward traffic, no one will be allowed on the station platform to-day and on Monday without producing a platform ticket.

AUCKLAND VISITORS ARRIVE. The Rarawa brought the first stream of Auckland visitors yesterday morning, the boat being nearly full. She took away an almost equal number for the north last night, and it is expected that or her week-end trips to and from Onehunga she will be a very full ship. A feature of this season’s holiday traffic is expected to be the migration of motorists to Mokau and the Awakino Valley. The road is in good order, and the many reports of the beauties of the scenery and the excellence of the district for camping have aroused a great deal of curiosity among those who have not yet seen the scenic attractions that lie at the door of New Plymouth. The motor-’bus proprietors report a good many •inquiries concerning the route, and it is more than probable that the Mokau will come into its own this season as one of the best holiday resorts in Taranaki. The North Egmont Mountain House will also be well patronised during the holidays. a number of visitors already being in residence, while rooms have been pencilled by others. As usual, the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League has been inundated witn requests for information concerning New Plymouth and its environs. The seeretary (Mr. E. L. Humphries) stated yesterday that the inquiries received during the past few days were greatly in excess of those of' past years. The inquiries had come from as far afield as Auckland, Hamilton, Wanganui, Huntly, Morrinsville and Wellington.

In New Plymouth two hotel proprietors report “full up,” one stating that he had been forced to turn away 40 intending patrons during the past two days. Accommodation, however, is still available in other hotels in the town and in boarding-houses, though it is reported to be filling.