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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 1 (May 1, 1931)

Increasing Volume of Business

Increasing Volume of Business.

It may be of interest to quote some figures to indicate the measure of progress which took place in Auckland up to the years when the Great War disturbed the equilibrium of our economic life. Apart from the mounting prosperity of the district, the biggest
Looking Back Fifty Years. Mechanic's Bay, Auckland (about 1880) with the position of the new railway station indicated by dotted lines.

Looking Back Fifty Years.
Mechanic's Bay, Auckland (about 1880) with the position of the new railway station indicated by dotted lines.

impetus to railway business in Auckland arose from the opening of the Main Trunk Railway through to Wellington in 1908. We find, also, that the railway revenue in 1913 was double the revenue in 1908. Over a period of twenty-five years the passenger business in Auckland province increased at twice the rate indicated by the figures for the whole of the Dominion. It doubled itself between the years 1888 and 1902, and doubled again between 1902 and 1911. The goods business doubled itself from 1888 to 1902 and again doubled itself from 1902 to 1911.

It was not to be expected that such increases should continue indefinitely, nevertheless the railway business in Auckland has been marked by a steady growth.

It will be realised from the figures quoted that right from the inception of the Queen Street station, in 1885, the question of adequate accommodation has been an ever vital one with the Railway Engineers. Two very serious obstacles presented themselves. These were Breakwater Road and the proximity of the Parnell grade. With the development of the Auckland waterfront, Breakwater Road had become a very important thoroughfare and though provision had been made in the Auckland Railway Station Act, 1882, for the bridging of this crossing a satisfactory scheme was impossible.