6000 PEOPLE TRAVEL BY FERRIES IN WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17729, 26 December 1925, Page 8

6000 PEOPLE TRAVEL BY FERRIES IN WEEK.

THREE STEAMERS MAKE TRIPS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. The Maori brought 750 passengers from Wellington yesterday morning. She was followed by the Mararoa at 11 a.m. with 3SO. The Tamahine, on a daylight trip from Wellington, brought another 350 passengers. The Wahine, which arrived this morning, brought 750. Last evening the Maori sailed for Wellington with over 600 passengers. Since Monday last over 6000 persons have travelled by the ferry steamers. AT WELLINGTON. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 25. Though thousands thronged the streets on Christmas Eve and tram and motor traffic was greatly impeded; the day passed without serious accident. The city seemed to hold more visitors than usual. This is accounted for by the fact that a large number were en route to Dunedin’s big Exhibition. On Thursday no fewer than three large passenger steamers left Wellington for Lyttelton, crowded with passengers, while a good number left for Picton, Nelson and the West Coast. Despite this drain, thousands continued to pour into Wellington city. All the seaside resorts were crowded with people. Beautiful weather prevailed. To-day the weather was cloudy. The usual race meetings and sports gatherings will be held to-morrow. AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, December 25. The weather for the holiday season was dry, but to-day there is a cold wind and rain was threatening. Y*esterday was clear and bright, and the town presented an animated appearance. Crowds thronged the streets to a late hour last night and the thoroughfares appeared as densely packed as in previous years, despite the immense numbers at the Exhibition. The season in Dunedin has been exceptionally busy on account of the influx of Exhibition visitors. Five expresses from the north arrived on Thursday, bringing a large number of passengers, who in addition the people who arrived earlier in the week, make a huge total of people now in the city. From country districts and the south large numbers also came, and swelled the total. Accommodation arrangements have, however, been sufficient to cope with the influx and the extra amount available has enabled people to secure lodgings without difficulty. Many Dunedin people departed for the seaside and other holiday resorts, and the railway officials had an extremely busy time. Post Office officials report an extraordinary volume of business, much of which can be attributed to the Exhibition, the record of all previous years having been eclipsed. The Telegraph Office similarly experienced an extra rush, having handled about 46,000 messages for the four days ended on Thursday. The city tramways naturally had a busy time and .yesterday the takings in ordinary fares amounted to £IOOO. Fifty-nine cars, six trailers and eighteen corporation ’buses were engaged in,, handling the traffic, and efficient organisation resulted in this being accomplished to the general satisfaction. Despite the heavy traffic and congested streets, only one accident of a trivial nature is reported.