GOODS TRAFFIC ON RAILWAYS NOW BECOMING BRISK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 11

GOODS TRAFFIC ON RAILWAYS NOW BECOMING BRISK.

MUCH WOOL COMING INTO LOCAL STORES. While there is no shortage of trucks in the Canterbury district just now, every available waggon is being kept in service. With the arrival of the Rimutaka and Kent with West of England cargo and the Min with cargo from American ports, Lyttelton will be busy for the next few days. There was also a good deal of coastal shipping in port to-day. Large quantities of wool are coming into the Christchurch stores. In addition, the wool which was sold to overseas buyers at the recent sale is. being railed to Lyttelton for dumping in preparation for shipment. This traffic is requiring the use of a large number of trucks. Traffic on the West Coast line is still brisk, and last week 12,152 tons were hauled through the Otira tunnel from west to east. For the corresponding week last year, 11,150 tons passed through the tunnel. Shipping at Greymouth was badly hampered through the state of the bar last week, and several vessels have been held there for some days. The fat lamb traffic is also commencing to become heavy on the railways in view of the early opening of the freezing works. This traffic will not reach its maximum till after Christmas, but in the meantime it is requiring the use of a large number of trucks. Fortunately, during the last two months, 100 extra sheep trucks have been built at Addington, and these are now in service throughout the South Island. The goods traffic is at present being marshalled and shunted in the Christchurch yard; Middleton is closed for alterations. No hitches have occurred in the making up of trains and up to date all have left on time.