THE HOLIDAY TRAFFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 164, 10 January 1912, Page 4

THE HOLIDAY TRAFFIC.

AND THE TOURIST SEASON. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, January 8. The traffic during the Christmas holidays' season lias been much heavier than it was last year. Not only have more people travelled in search of the change that is always the object of the holidaymaker, but as a general rule their wanderings have, been over greater distances than in previous years. It is impossible to set forth statistical proof that this season has brought larger crowds than any previous one, but the officials in the tourist bureaux, and others who closely observe the stream of traffic, agree in their general estimate of a large increase. As one of the principal centres for the congregation and the distribution of visitors, Auckland has been wonderfully busy during the past few weeks. During the few days at which the volume of traffic was at its highest every hotel or boardinghouse in the city was occupied to the limit of its permanent and temporary accommodation, and many, persons who had neglected or had been unable to reserve it had the greatest difficulty in obtaining a place of residence. A result of this was that many visitors curtailed their stay in Auckland City and hurried away to other resorts. The congestion in the city has been appreciably relieved by the departure of a number of visitors, but the principal hotels and boarding-houses have still some difficulty in accommodating all the guests who are offering. Tho season has been a good one in Rotorua, but, although the hotels were well filled, it was at no time impossible to secure accommodation. The attractions of the north of Auckland are 'becoming more widely known and the traffic to several centres in the north was considerable. Overseas traffic this season will be very heavy. The tourists who have planned tours of the Dominion have not yet begun to arrive in large numbers, as they usually wait until the rush of the' local holiday traffic has subsided. The ocean liners are bringing many visi-' tors from all directions. Many New Zealanders have arranged visits to the United Kingdom and Europe. All the Homegoing steamers which cater for the tourists are well .booked, and the accommodation remaining available is limjted, especially in the second class.