Picnic Traffic Progress.

The latest returns for picnic traffic by rail in the Northern Districts of the South Island (headquarters Christchurch) show a splendid increase over the previous year, and a most gratifying total of passengers carried and revenue derived.

From 1st April, 1926 to 5th March, 1927, 62,901 picnic passengers were carried and the revenue therefrom amounted to £9,306 13s. 7d.

The following figures are for the corresponding periods in four successive years:—

The increase of 50 per cent. in revenue on the highest previous record shows that a vigorous canvassing and advertising campaign may be made to yield results.

A special officer was set aside by the District Traffic Manager at Christchurch to canvass firms and associations pointing out the advantage of the low picnic rates which the Railway had to offer and the splendid facilities for carrying large parties which the train service provided.

In addition to this, traffic was helped by the Householder Circular bearing on Railway rates and facilities, and special newspaper and poster advertising in the District dealing with the particular excursions and picnic resorts.

The Future Of The Steam Locomotive.

The question of the future of the steam locomotive—whether or not it will continue to be the dominant tractive agency in the development of rail transportation—was touched on in an interesting speech delivered in New York recently by Mr. L. F. Loree, President of the Delaware and Hudson Company. Mr. Loree is a man of note in the railway world (he was the recipient of the 1926 medal—awarded annually by the Holland Society to the person who, in his own particular field, the Society believes has done most to promote the welfare of mankind) and has devoted much time to the study of the railway engineering and economic problems of his country. His defence of the steam locomotive is, therefore, of special significance—and has application no less to the United States than to this Dominion.

“I have an abiding faith,” said Mr Loree, “that for the main purpose of the railroad—the transportation over long distances of heavy articles—the unit system of transportation—the steam locomotive—will be the dominant one.” By way of emphasising the remarkable efficiency of the steam locomotive Mr. Loree said that the railroads of the United States transported during the year no less than 320,019 ton—miles per individual freight employee—a performance which would, he declared, have been impossible without the modern steam locomotive.

A Wharf Not Wanted.

Settlers at Tahuna and Patetonga, who in the past had relied upon the river service for practically all their requirements, now find it cheaper to utilise the railway to Morrinsville and to have their goods taken by motor—lorry from there to their farms (says an exchange). This, they claim, is not only more convenient but cheaper than the river freights. They have, therefore, expressed a desire to forego the erection of a landing and shed on the bank of the Piako River, claiming that these facilities would be useless. A discussion on the matter took place at a meeting of ratepayers at Tahuna, when it was asked if the amount allotted for the wharf and shed could be diverted for other work. The river charges were only 1s. per ton cheaper on manure than the cost of transport by rail and lorry, but by the latter method the manure was delivered into the settler's shed. Mr. J. P. Jensen moved that the council be urged to take no further action with regard to the erection of the landing and shed. Mr. Whitechurch said he thought it would be a mistake not to go on with the wharf, as the money saved on road maintenance would pay the cost of the wharf shed.

This appeal, however, had no effect, and the motion was carried without dissent.

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