MARTON RAIL TRAFFIC SHOWS SUBSTANTIAL DECLINE OVER HOLIDAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 January 1948, Page 2

MARTON RAIL TRAFFIC SHOWS SUBSTANTIAL DECLINE OVER HOLIDAYS

A substantial decrease in holiday rail traffic from Marton is noted in the latest passenger returns from Marton Junction. The lower returns is because of the infantile paralysis, and the reluctance of people to travel. For the 1947-48 financial year the department appears to have been having a busier time than the previous year, as to date there have been increases in the total number of passengers, cattle, sheep, timber and goods railed from Marton. As a result there have been corresponding increases in revenue.

Holiday passenger traffic for the month ending January 3 showed a decrease of 752 passengers on the previous year’s figures, but to. th- financial year to date a considaranla increase in passenger traffic has been evident, present figures being more than 12,000 in excess of those for the same period last year.

The number of fat lambs transported by train to freezing works over the past month has been considerably greater than in December and early January of 1946-47, the present period's figures showing an advance of 6781. However. the over-all figures for the financial year show that a considerable leeway has yet to be made up before the total can compare with the previous financial year. With three months to go, the figures are 2866 less than at the same time in 1946-47.

Possibly indicating an increased rural housing programme, the amount of timber carried from Marton last month was eight times greater +Xan for December, 1946, while the total amount for the year is about two and a-half tunes greater than 1946-47.

In the following figures, those for the corresponding period last year are given in parentheses:— Month ending January 3: Passengers, 2002 (2756); cattle, 129 (67); sheep, 14,842 ( 9061); timoer, 376 tons (47 tons); goods, 172 tons (682 tons). Revenue: Passengers, £667 (£840); parcels, £BB (£106); goods, £2372 (£1573); miscellaneous, £55 (£5l). Total, £3182 (£2570).

Financial year to January 3: Passengers, 38,540 (26,201); cattle, 5592 (4966); sheep, 68,746 (71,612); timber, 1084 (409); goods, 375 ( 7419). Revenue: Passengers, £7266 (£8416); parcels. £1165 (£1031); goods, £16.933 (£14,373); miscellaneous, £558 (£525). Total, £25,942 (£24,345).