MARKED INCREASE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20124, 19 December 1939, Page 3

MARKED INCREASE

WaMROA rail traffic REVENUE UP BY £lsßl MOTOR COMPETITION (Special to tlm Herald.) WAIROA, this day. Railway business at the Wairoa railway station is well on the upward grade, the figures for ihe four weekly period ending December 9, showing a marked increase over the previous periods to date. A total revenue of .£581(1 is £lsßl ahead ot the period ending November 11. Various factors such as the opening of the appraisement centre for wool at Gisborne, thus diverting this commodity there in 'nrge quantities, ll e operation of active and intense motor competition between Wairoa and Napic- diverting hundreds of tons of wool, liquor and various goods to Ihe road, and adverse weather conditions which were met with ' during the period under review meant, that only a proportion of the goods of the district was carried by rail. Indications are that when the question of road competition is settled in this aiea, the huge ■;ost of construction of the line will not be the cause of such misgivings as ..nvo bl’en expressed from time to time. Excellent Facilities Pleasing assurance., have been given from all sides as to the value o.‘ the railway on the East Coast and indications point to increasing use being made of the railway facilities at Wairoa. Nothing has been left undone to provide excellent facilities and there is no doubt that good service will be given. Bookings are very heavy lor the Christmas holidays mu supplementary railcars and special steam passenger trains have had to be put on t,., cope with the large numbers travc.ling. The following are the returns of the Irallie at the Wairca station lor the four week.; erding December 9: — Outwards.- Passengers. 1806: cattle, 71; sheep, 946; timber, 118 tons; other roods, 3837 tons. Revenue: Passengers, £786; goods, £2855: parcels, £26; miscellaneous, £39; total. £370(1. Inwards. —Cattle. 38; sheep. 1804; timber, 11 tons; other goods, 1256 tons. Revenue: Parcels, £73; other goods. £20.17; total, £2llO. Grand total, f.SBH). Nuliaka Figures The figures for Nuliaka also show that the factors operating against the handling of the goods by the railway are in evidence, particularly in the case of wool diverted to Gisborne. Details are;— Outw'.irds. — Cal.ie, 175; sheep. 1021; other goods, 288 tons. Revenue: Parcels, £6: goods, £378; miscellaneous. £1: total, £385. Inwards. —Call’o, 5; sheep, 166: timber. 97 tons: other goods. 3188 tons. Revenue: Parcels, £3; other goods. t’1532: total. £154). Grand total, £1925.