RAILWAY' TRAFFIC

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1935, Page 8

RAILWAY' TRAFFIC

LARGE INWARD INCREASE. STRATFORD STATION RETURNS. The large number of extra trains that has been run over the Stratford-Main Trunk railway during the past year prompts the thought that traffic through the Stratford railway station must have* increased over ’that of the previous year, and the, returns for the 12 months ended March 31 last bear out the evidence afforded by the additional services, though the increase is in one direction —inward. Outward traffic declined in value by £740, but inward jumped by no less than £2792, which can be traced in the major part to activity on the east line. In the outward section the passenger revenue rose by £9BO, due mainly to increased patronage of Sunday and weekend excursions, but the ordinary bookings were a good deal in advance of the previous year, the increase over the Stratford-Main Trunk line being £42The number of cattle handled declined by 721. The reason may be found to a certain extent in a marked shortage, of station cattle and another contributing factor was the fact that cattle fairs which fell within the previous financial year were later this time and robbed the returns of substantial traffic. On the other hand the number of sheep and pigs handled rose from 38,120 to 46,532. Good prices account for part of the rise, but suitable train services resulted in less traffic going by road. , The number of cattle and calves handled through the inward department fell by 885, but sheep and pigs increased by 3010. Timber declined by a few tons and other goods rose by 1081 tons. Parcel revenue went up by £209, goods by £2583 and the total by £2792. Details of the outward and inward traffic, with the figures for the previous year in parentheses, are:— Outward: Passengers, 43,984 (42,590); season tickets, 364 (334); cattle, ,17,872 (18,593); sheep and pigs, 46,532 (38,120); other goods, 5164 tons (7070); passenger revenue, £8956 (£7976); parcels and luggage, £777 (£735); goods, £6589 (£8110); miscellaneous, £2680 (£2921);. total revenue, £19,002 (£19,742), decrease £740. Inward: Cattle and calves, 1981 (2866); sheep and pigs, 17,057 (14,047); timber, 1166 tons (1194); other goods, 14,170 tons (13,089); parcels, £B2B (£619); goods, £19,028 (£16,445); total revenue, £19,856 (£17,064); increase, £2792.

PERSONAL ITEMS. The new members on the Board of Managers of the S.T.H.S., Mrs. L. Gibson, representing the parents, and Mr. T. T. Murray, representing the county, were welcomed to their first meeting of the board last night by the chairman, Mr. J. McAllister. “There are no degrees on the board and we all work together in the general interest of the school,” he said.