HOLIDAY TRAFFIC NORTHWARDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1017, 5 January 1911, Page 4

HOLIDAY TRAFFIC NORTHWARDS.

BIG INCREASE IN RAILWAY BETTj'ItNS. IBy TelegrapU.-Spcml Correspondent! Auckland, January 4. During the recent holidays the railway traffic in Auckland 'ivas 50 per cent, heavier than in previous years. The difference has been particularly marked in the business to Auckland from the Wellington end. In regard to llotorua, the traffic from Wellington has been greater during the recent holidays than ever before. This 'is nartly duo to. the fact that the extra expresses r, mining from "Wellington have obviated the long delay of nino hours at Frankton, which takes placo when passengers from the south have to leave the ordinary express at 4 a.m. and wait till 1 p.m. for the Kotorua train. In Wellington, whilo tho extra express has been running, tho railway officials refused to issue tickets to Kotorua except by that special train.' Another feature which no doubt had some bearing on this year's holiday traffic is the fact that tho excursion fares meant a greater concession this year than last. In January last the ordinary fares between Auckland a;ul AVellington were considerably increased, and those who 1 could manage'to arrange their travelling to fit in with that period when excursion rates wero offering On the Auckland railways in particular the traffic has been very heavy, and on December 2C and January 2 grer.t crowds visited the ■Thames races and the gala at Te Aroha. Likewise between Auckland and Henderson the conveyance of picnic parties Was very large, and would no doubt liavo been oven larger had tho weather not been so satisfactory for water excursions, Tfiis morning the Main Trunk express from Wellington was the bigfecst of the season, and consisted of 19 vehicles. Altogether it is estimated that COO passengers arrived by tho train in question.