“OVER THE KNOT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 21, 16 April 1927, Page 13

“OVER THE KNOT”

EASTER TRAIN TRAFFIC BIG PASSENGER INCREASE “Yes, we have certainly gone over the knot.” That was a railway official's way of describing the increase in the number of passengers leaving Auckland on Thursday for the Easter holidays. “ 1 think it is the sunshine and the promise of a fine Easter,” said the stationmaster, Mr. J. C. Duncan, as he paused awhile among the streams of travellers and looked up into the clear blue sky. “ There has been a wonderful increase in passenger traffic —much more than we ever expected.” That is also the opinion of every railway official who was working at the station this morning. One look at the various platforms between 9 and 10.30 o’clock was sufficient to convince anyone that Aucklanders intend to make the best of this Easter and to forget all cares and worries. Every outward train was packed to capacity; every inward train brought hundreds of holiday-makers into the city. Piles of luggage stood everywhere. Bundles of golf clubs and numerous tennis racquets told the tale of those who are in search of a sporting Easter at the health resorts. It is at a time like this that one sees how inadequate the Auckland Station is to carry the huge amount of inward and outward traffic. Officiajs work in a congested area, doing their best to cope with any emergency. Trains have only a limited amount of platform space and must immediately be backed out as soon as the passengers have disembarked. This evening every train leaving Auckland will carry capacity loads. Three expresses will leave for Wellington—the Limited, carrying 214 passengers; the 7.45, carrying 552 pasgers; and the 8.40, carrying 592 passengers. Two expresses will leave for Rotorua, one at 9.20 o’clock, carrying 292 passengers, and the. other at 10.20, carrying the same number. A train for Opua, Bay of Islands, will carry 305 passengers. It was found necessary to-day to put more carriages on all the outgoing trains. A Limited left for Wellington this morning carrying 259 passengers. In addition to these trains there are all the usual country district ones. The Limited from Wellington arrived at Auckland this morning at 10.30 o’clock. She had been held up by the extra trains. Another express arrived from Wellington at 9.40 o’clock. Both were well filled. There is no pessimism In the Railway Department with a sky of clearest blue and passengers eagerly demanding seats in every train.