The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1888. False Economy
• — The alterations in the Railway time table about to be made, are estimated, by the local Traffic Agent, to effect a saving of £1200 a year, and we have no reason to dispute the accuracy of his calculations. This, with the discharging of forty men, whose aggregate wages may be estimated at £4000, ought to make a total saving on the Foxton-New Plymouth line of £5200. The question naturally ariseß — If this saving can be effected now, why was it not done before ? In proportion to revenue the Wanganui section has always been the most expensive in the North Island, therefore the necessity for greater economy must have been patent to the authorities. The average for a twelve monthly period, ending June 23rd, was: revenue per mile, £337 Is 2d ; expenditure per mile, £291 Is 7d. We do not mean to advocate an economy which reduces the number of trains, and impairs the condition of the permanent way by discharging experienced surfacemen. The economy we would like to see is that of increasing the revenue by finding work for the power now available. It would be far more profitable to run full than empty trains. As a case in point, we may mention that of the order for timber for the Melbourne Exhibition, which our local sawraillers had to refuse on account of the prohibitive freight charges. Had the concession asked for been granted some £1500 or £2000 would have beeD earned at not one farthing increased charge to the then working expenses of the railway section. By encouraging traffic the Department could increase the receipts by one, or even two hundred pounds per week, which would be far better than the plan adopted of cutting down expenses and curtailing the traffic. To carry out the mode we suggest would be an evidence of plain common sense, but as that is a quality not exercised by the Department, we do not expect to see any change in the direction indicated.
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Bibliographic details
Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 27, 14 August 1888, Page 2
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339The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1888. False Economy Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 27, 14 August 1888, Page 2
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