NEW YEAR'S BAY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1947, 2 January 1914, Page 4

NEW YEAR'S BAY.

MARRED BY WIND STORM. In a, typical heavy Wellington northerly, parrying clouds of dust and road grit, Wellington people did their batt to enjoy their holiday, but New j.car's Day Ivjishq such l&agnifidout day as tho preceding holidays bad been. Dust was the Worst iMiisnnee ashore. Picnickers in any but the most sheltered nooks were blown by the heavy wind and vexed by the dust and sand it brought, while those who went to sea suffered other torments from tiro temjsestr. Particularly trying was the lot of those wlra made a trip across the harbour, for in addition to a little mild .sea-sickness many of them found the ferry service somewhat inadequate for the crowds to bo conveyed. Tho Now Year's Day traffic on tho railways was heavy. From Wellington 2300 passengers went to Pnekakariki, 240 travelled from Pa.eknkari.ki to Palraerstoii) North, and 270 left Palmepston North for tho north. In addition, -350 senior cttdets were entrained for Auckland. The three express trains to Auckland were well patronised, <vnd the express wliicli leaves Paji'uerston North for Auckland is proving a- means of greatly .relieving the pressure. .Large numbers of passengers were carried on'tho AVairai'apa n ' : liiie, particnlarijv on the trains running to tho Tauhermita' races.

Figures are not available respecting yesterday's tram traffic, ■ but it is ofliciaily stated that the patfonage of tlia ears wi(s much less than tl» nianagement had reckoned oil. This is attributed to the windy, somewhat ■ auiplcasaiit itftenioon.

EXCURSION TO PICTON. On account of he? lato arriral in tiort from Lrttelton yesterday morninfi. the ferry steamer Maori did not leave Wellington for Pictou till 9.50 a.m. For two hours before the vessel took her departure hundreds of people conjsr»« gated oil tlifl \vharf, and soon after tho gangways were let down tlto Maori had her full complement of excursionists on hoard. When sho left tho wharf there wore 1300 people on tho ship, and kvig before she took her departure the Customs officials stopped tho sale of tickets. Consequently a great many people wore disappointed. .After a good run across tho Strait the Maori arrived at Welliiigtmi .oil the return trip at t p,m-„ atid loft again for Lytielton at 8.30 p.m.