Holidays By Train.
Record Crowds and Efficient Transport.

The response of the public to the “travel-urge,” and their increasing recognition of the improved facilities the Railways offer for booking them speedily and safely for long distances during the all-too-brief vacation period, has been splendidly exemplified during the recent holidays. The result, although anticipated by us, has rather surprised some of the leading papers of the Dominion. These, however, make generous acknowledgment of the part played by the staff in coping with the exceptionally heavy passenger traffic. The Wanganui “Chronicle” for instance, writes:—

“Since the number of motor cars in the country is increasing every day, it is certainly surprising to learn that railway travelling has proved so popular. Moreover, there has of late been a good deal of talk of financial stringency, but it does not appear to have been sufficiently severe to prevent people enjoying the holidays. With the roads so full of motor cars and the trains so crowded with people it is surely evident that New Zealanders in general have made the most of their vacation.

“So far as the railways are concerned the rush of traffic must be regarded as a tribute to the Department's enterprise. The changes that have been made in the services during the past few years have evidently been welcomed by the public; the running of the railways in the interests of the public, as it has been somewhat cynically expressed, has produced results. The officers of the Department are entitled to credit on that account, and for the handling of the holiday crowds all the members of the staff deserve a word of praise. At a great many important stations, buildings and yards are inadequate. It is only by sheer hard work, patience and enthusiasm that the staff can cope with the heavy duties of holiday time, and during the past two or three weeks exceptionally fine work has been done throughout the service.”

Another pleasing note comes from Invercargill where the “Southland Times,” under the heading “Holiday Traffic—Records Smashed,” points out that no fewer than 46,409 tickets were issued in Southland between Boxing Day and the following Saturday, a figure which far exceeds last year's total.

It points out that “all trains ran to schedule,”. and after giving particulars of the local events patronised remarks:—“Special arrangements had been made by the Department to meet the needs of the public and it says much for the organisation that not one complaint was received throughout the holidays, during which no fewer than eleven sports gatherings were catered for.

“The Christmas and New Year holidays entail a great deal of extra work in all branches of the service and this year has proved no exception to the rule. However, thanks to the fine weather, the general feeling of good humour as a corollary and the complete arrangements made beforehand, everything went off smoothly and the lack of complaints, already referred to, should be a source of gratification to those responsible for this satisfactory state of affairs.