OUTWARD GOODS TRAFFIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20932, 11 January 1938, Page 4

OUTWARD GOODS TRAFFIC

CURTAILED THROUGH WEATHER The adverse effect which the broken weather experienced in the Waimate district over the last six weeks has had on the small fruit industry, shearing and fat stock trade is strikingly illustrated by the figures of outward goods traffic at the Waimate Railway Station for the four weeks ended January 8, 1938. The gross traffic shows a decline of 77 tons over the corresponding period in 1936-37, being 273 tons as against 350 tons. “Consignments of small fruit have been very erratic,” said the stationmaster (Mr F. B. Dawson) yesterday.

“Normally we would be sending away three or four tons daily. During the last month we might consign four tons one day and then with a break in the weather have to wait five days before any more fruit came in. The total amount of fruit railed away to date is considerably below what passed through the station at this time last year. “So far as stock is concerned we have not yet made a proper start," continued Mr Dason. The number of fat lambs trucked during the four weeks ended January 8 is only 488 as compared with 2166 for the corresponding period last year." Fat lamb buyers estimate that the trade will not be in full swing until 'the end of January, and that only on condition that there is sufficient warm weather- to harden up the feed. The lambs suffered a check in the long dry spell, and the excessive moisture which followed made feed so soft that it tended to scour the sheep rather than fatten.

Wool was railed from the station in time for the first Timaru sale, but with shearing operations at a standstill because of the weather, practically none had passed through since. Several bales, however, were trucked yesterday.

Passenger traffic for the period shows an increase of practically 100 per cent, over the same period last year. But the figures for Christmas and New Year 1936-37 were abnormally low because of the infantile paralysis epidemic which brought holiday travelling almost to a standstill. When compared with the four weeks ended January 4, 1936, the figures for the 1937-38 period are seen to be normal. The respective figures of passenger journeys together with passenger revenue are shown below.

Although fewer journeys were made in the latest period than in 1935-36, revenue is up by £5O. This is accounted for by the number of longer journeys undertaken. Requests for tickets to North Island stations were very numerous indeed, said Mr Dason. The

number of passengers going by the j road services during the period show j little variation, being 386 as compared with 371 in 1937.

FUNCTION AT HOOK SUCCESSFUL BALL A ball conducted by a combmed basketball and tennis committee was held in the Hook Soldiers’ Memorial Hall. Music was supplied by a Waimate Orchestra and Mr A. Wells acted as M,C. Winners of novelties were Miss Mina Coote and Mr L. Bell and Miss Beth Meyer and Mr L. Rathgen. Among those present were Mr and Mrs H. Mason, Mr and Mrs J. Wilson. Mr and Mrs Vucetlch, Mr and Mrs W. Meyer, Mr and Mrs Bishop (Dunedin), Mesdames A. Burness, Cooper, Rathgen, Stewart, Misses F. Burness, J. Bell, B. Alexander, N. Cooke, N. Jack., P. Kane, N. Cochrane, M. Inglis, M.’ Coote, A. Cooper. I. Smith, J. Craig, N. Slubb, B. Meyer, A. Wilce, F. Rushbatch, N. Sullivan, Taylor, M. Ryder. D. Smith, Clarke, T. Ryder, W. Bell, Davies: Messrs E. Wilkin, L. Rathgem R. Wilson, P. B. Newall, R. Cochrane' G. Burness, L, Bell, D. Patterson. E. Anderson, M. Cochrane, T. Cooper, M. Milne. A. Burness, C. Patterson,’ A. Kingsbury, A. Wells, G. Clent, M. Leonard, C. Meyer. Rushbatch, C. Hanan, D. Knowles, Attewell, R. Miller, C. Welch, M. Sullivan, Millar, N. Gaul' D. Wilson, W. Jack. McConnell. B. Alty, J. Geaney, J. Fraser, L. Alexander. T. Calder. J. Taylor, G. Sargison, J. Johnston. Fletcher. A. Bell. S. Rathgen and others.

FAREWELL DANCE MR A. COCHRANE HONOURED A very successful dance was given for Mr Alan Cochrane on the eve of his departure for Wellington, where he is to take up a position in the Public Service. Messrs Bailey and V. Windlebourne spoke on behalf of those present and wished Mr Cochrane good luck In his new position. He was presented with a gift by Mr G. Hynes, secretary of the Waimate High School Old Pupils’ Association in Wellington. Mr Cichrane suitably replied. A Monte Carlo was won by Mr A. Toms and Miss Wilce, and a lucky spot by Mr C. Clear and Miss J. Stapleton. Barrie’s orchestra played for the dancing. Those present were Mr and Mrs Owens, Mr and Mrs Rendall, Mr and Mrs Bailey, Mesdames Cochrane and Ross, Misses N. Cochrane, D. Mitchell, N. Cooke, J. Wright, J. Hunter, M. Meyer, F. Burness, B. Gordon, M. Clarke, R, Wood, J, Clear, H. and N. Chalmers, Z. and C. Flynn, A. Cooper. F. McDonald, O. Devlin, P. Tapley, M. and T. Ryder, L. Gillon, M. Dash, N. Wilson, B. Calder, B. Hutt, R. and M. Dasler, M. Grylls, A. and M. Wilce, J. and P. Stapleton, V. O’Malley, N. Lyall, H. Inglis, E. Kennett, Messrs R. and M. Cochrane, G. Brooks, J. Balfour, C. and B. Thornton, C. Hanham, V. Windlebourne, H. Frost, H. Miller, A. McPherson, Devlin (2), A. Burness, J. Wright, D. McDairmid, S. White, G. and J. Hynes. I. Ross, G. Campbell, R. Hansen, M. McDonald, J. and U. Leonard, H. Lyall, E. Grut, W. Murphy, K. Phillip, W. Richards, A Kirby, A. Toms, B. O'Malley, J. Barry H. Olorenshaw, A. McLeod, C. Clear and others.

PERSONAL Mr and Mrs Murray Grant left yesterday after staying with Mr and Mrs P. Grant. Mr and Mrs A. McKenzie, “Table Top,” Hakataramea, have returned after staying with Mr and Mrs P. Grant for the Grant-Judge wedding. Mr and Mrs R. Rainey, New Brighton, are the guests of the Rev. and Mrs A. H. McAeheson, “The Vicarage,” Waimate. Mr and Mrs W. McLauchlan, Leeston, and Miss Elizabeth Jameson, are the guests of Mr and Mrs C. S. McLauchlan, “Limestone Hills,” Arno. Miss Hirji Rowlands has returned to Christchurch after attending the Grant-Judge wedding. Mrs James Holmes, Waimate, is visiting Dunedin. Mrs L. Giles and family are spending a holiday at Milton and Lawrence. Mr and Mrs L. Rowland, Invercargill, were the guests of Mr and Mrs J. McQuarrie, Harris Street, over the week-end. They left for the north yesterday, where they intend to spend a few weeks touring the North Island. Miss M. Dash left yesterday for Christchurch.

Captain Stone, of the Salvation Army, will leave Waimate this week on transfer to Christchurch.

Misses I. and W. Gardiner left yesterday on a camping tour in the south.

Mr and Mrs V. Colville and family, Christchurch, will return home to-day after- spending a few days in Waimate. Mrs R. Briggs and family, Waihao Downs, are on a holiday visit to Pigeon Bay. Mrs Dennison and Miss Peggy Dennison. Ashburton, who have been staying with relatives at Waihao Downs, have returned north. Mr T. N. Rive, Waimate, has left for Wellington to take up a position in the Civil Service. Mr B. T. O’Malley returned to Wellington yesterday after spending the holidays in Waimate.

A party of Waimate bowlers consisting of Messrs J. ”J. Healey, T. E. Parry, J. B. Sinclair and Rev. W. F. Nichol left Waimate on Sunday to compete in the Dominion tournament held in Dunedin. Recent visitors at Whareora Guest House, Waimate, include Mr and Mrs G. R. Wallace, Mr and Mrs Maindonald, Miss Early, Mr and Mrs E. J. Bailey, Mr E. Bailey and Miss M. Bailey (Christchurch), Miss L. Hepburn (Napier), Miss C. M. Tait (Oamaru), Mr and Mrs V. W. Wilson. Mr and Mrs J. A. Paterson, and Miss J. A. Green (Dunedin).

Journeys Rev. 1935 36 .. .. .. 2458 P.330 1936-37 .. .. .. 1289 £261 1937-38 .. .. .. 2327 £380