Railway Excursions Popular.

“The popularity of the Railway Department's Sunday excursions was well exemplified in the case of the large train which left Dunedin for Timaru with practically a full complement of passengers a few Sundays ago (says the Otago Daily Times). The early hour of departure did not appear to deter many from taking advantage of the cheap rates offered, and the Railway Station was a scene of unaccustomed activity just before the departure of the train at 7.20, the total number travelling being 664. There were fifteen cars on the train when it started on its 130-mile journey, and it was found necessary to add two more cars at Oamaru. The excursionists were favoured with true Summer weather conditions and the journey was consequently a decidedly pleasant one, the train arriving at Timaru on time and just before the excursion train from Christchurch, which also brought a large number of holiday-makers to Caroline Bay. The beach, always a strong attraction for visitors to Timaru, provided the majority of the travellers with picnic sites, and not a few took advantage of the warm weather to enjoy a swim in the surf or to bathe in the sunshine during the greater part of the day. Small boats were also in considerable demand, many of the visitors spending enjoyable hours on the placid surface of the harbour.”

* * *