The Railways Report.

Hastings Standard, Issue 437, 28 September 1897, Page 2

The Railways Report.

A LOAN IMMINENT. [By Telegraph.] [By our Special Reporter.] Wellington, This day. According to the railway report for the year ending March 31st last to be laid on the table of the House to-day the increased earnings throughout the year have been general. The receipts per train mile have been 7s Gd as against 3s 4d the year previous. The increase in revenue in the carriage of goods was £78,813. The expenditure amounted to Gl-35 of the revenue, as compared with G3-51 in 1885-6. Maintenance has cost 140-77 as against 141-49. The estimated revenue forlhe current year is £1,275,000 the expenditure £820,000. The Minister says it will be necessary to spend a considerable sum on locomotives, carriages, wagons, and safety appliauces, as the successful carrying on of trade is being seriously interfered with at present owing to the want of necessary facilities. During the current year steps will be necessary to provide additional locomotives, cars, and wagons. " These works," the report prqjceeds, " cannot possibly be paid for out of working expenses, owing to tho increased expenditure necessarily incurred ia consequence ol the increased

exr< nditure on li.i . t,gr.:.ui Napier line as a result, of the floods. Parliament wiH be asked to vote a sum of £200,000 to be expended on the capital account." This latter remark may be regarded as significant, as showing the intention of the Government to raise a loan. The revenue for the year was £1,286,158 as against £1,188,041 for 1895-96. The excess of revenue over expenditure was £497,104. This result enabled the Government to show a return of £3 3s lOd per cent., as against £2 lGs last vera - .