HOLIDAY TRAFFIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1939, Page 15 (Supplement)

HOLIDAY TRAFFIC

The holiday traffic on the railway yesterday was hardly so large as usual. At a rough estimate about 400 people went in and out of Masterton station during the day, the greater proportion of whom travelled to the Opaki racecourse. The evening train from Wellington on Saturday received' the most patronage, there being a large number of double carriages all well filled. The “special” which arrived at 3.30 o’clock on Sunday morning was a comparatively small train. At both Greytown and Carterton the traffic was less than on former years. With the exception of the Martinborough races, there was, however, practically no extra attraction at that end of the Valley yesterday. CHRISTAUS EVE AND OLD-TIME CELEBRATION. Christmas Eve in Masterton passed off very pleasantly and quietly, there not being a single case of rowdiness or larrikinism, the presence of our popular Sergeant-of-Police, no doubt, exercising a wise deterring influence over those who would otherwise have been inclined to enjoy themselves too noisily. One of the most charming reminders of the glad period, was afforded by Mrs E. Kibblewhite, and a party of ladies and gentlemen, who from about one o’clock to half-past three on Christmas morn, serenaded their friends and fellow townspeople with a beautiful and appropriate selection of carols and other pleasant music. The singers were in a brake and had with them a harmonium, on which the accompaniments were played.