A BRISK EASTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 85, 9 April 1936, Page 6

A BRISK EASTER

VISITORS TO WANGANUI RAILWAY DEPARTMENT BUSY SPECIAL TRAINS NECESSARY The influx of visitors to Wanganui this Easter has necessitated the running of several special trains. Throughout the holiday period the Railway j<e partment will be kept busy. Premature bookings, even at this early stage, indictate that many people will be ou the move this Easter, and that ail ordinary and special trains are likely to be taxed to their utmost capacity. A com parison with last year, however, wiil not be possible until after the holidays, although indications at present point towards the forthcoming holiday period as being one which will com pare favourably with Easter of 1935. -* The many attractions in Wanganui this year will mean a large number of visitors to the city, the pipe band eon test alone being responsible for two extra trains. Over 300 bandsmen an 1 their supporters will arrive at Wanganui between to-day and Saturday. As many as possible will, of course, be conveyed on the ordinary services, but a special train, leaving Wellington ut 10.7 a.m. today and arriving here at 4.34 p.m., will bring 95 bandsmen to th<‘ city. Jn addition to this number there will be a large percentage of other travellers. Those bandsmen travelling by this train, incidental,'/ are all from the South Island. Owing to the congestion which was apparent on several trains last Easter, several extra specials have been arranged foi this year, with tho result that indi viduai trains will be less heavy and late running will be considerably mini mised. A later train leaves Wellingal 11.12 p.m., but owing to the fa I that last year this train comprised 1’ cars and ran behind schedule, th former special has been arranged. J has been found that more people travel between Thorndon and Wanganui than between Thorndon and New Plymouth, hence the extra trains running as fm as Wanganui only. Relief Trains. A third relict train is scheduled to leave Wellington nt .10.7 a.m. on Good Friday only. This will run as far as Wanganui and is due here at. 4.27 p.m. In addition to members of the general public it will bring about 40 pipers v. ho are to participate in the Easter festival. An additional special wi I leave New Plymouth at 8 p.m. to-night and Wanganui at* 11.50 p.m. for Wellington. This train will connect at Marton Junction 'vith a special Auckland, running behind the “ United, ” and at Palmerston Norin with a train for Napier. Passengers for Hawke’s Bay will not require to change trains, nor will those for Wellington. Auckland passengers, how ever, will change at Marton, a specid train for the north leaving Wellington at 10 p.m. to-night. Last Easter this trai left earlier with the result th-.u a, connecting train to Auckland was not axailable to those who travelled <>n the 11.50 p.m. for Wanganui. Bandsmen who will participate in the Easter < ontest will arrive at Wanganui to-day, to-morrow, and even as late as Saturday. Influx of Visitors. .In view of the abnormal influx of visitors t Wanganui this Easter it has been necessary to arrange a special train which will leave the city station on Tuesday for Wellington. This train is due to depart at 10.37 p.m. and in addition to ordinary passengers will \ convey at least 200 bandsmen whose destination is the South Island. Not unremarkable is the fact that for every pipe band from the North Island which will compete at Wanganui, at least two are arriving from the South Island. The department immediately responsible for the organising of special trains in this district is always wide awake to eventualities. Immediately it became known that a pipe band contest, in addition to other attractions, would be held in Wanganui this Easter, its officers made inquiries and ascertained the approximate number of people who would visit "Wanganui and travel by rail. The specials which will arrive here between to-day and tomorrow were organised and every effort lias been made to cater for the iequirements of travellers.