MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2445, 26 April 1915, Page 6

MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISES

PROGRESS OF WANGANUI UNDERTAKINGS. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, April 22. The Wanganui tramway returns for the year ended March 31 last show that, during the twelve months in question a total of 376,717 miles were run, and 2,210,604 passengers were carried. The average yearly retturn per head of population was £1 4s. 7d.; '.the revenue per car mile, 12.9 d.; and the total revenue £18,466 ss. 10d.» of which borough lines contributed £14,201 18s., and the Gonville-Castlecliff lines, £4204 7s. The working expenses were £14,298 15s. 6d., and after payment of. interest and sinking fund there romains a net .profit for the year of £518. In his annual report the tramway engineer draws pointed attention to the need of ah immediate increase in the power plant. . Owing to the growth of traffio and the considerable extension of existing tracks, the plant is worked to the full capacity> so much so that practically none iB available as a standby, ; and as the plant has to be kept running almost continuously the work of giving it necessary periodical overhaul is practically impossible. Loan proposals for the purpose of increasing the plant to 'meet all requirements are to be submitted to the ratepayers on April 27. In the course of his annual report reviewing the year's operations which the Mayor presented to the Borough Council last evening, : appear some striking figures relative to the growth of the Wanganui municipal gasworks since the acquisition of the works from tho original owning company in 1902. _ No less sum than £23,900 had been paid out of profits towards the relief of rates, while plant to the value of £18,161 has been paid for out of revenue. There were in 1902 only six aud a half miles of'mains; to-day thero are fifty-two miles. The gas sales by metre were then 24 million feet in the year, for the year just ended the metre sales totalled 96 million feet.