RAILWAY REFRESHMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1925, Page 4

RAILWAY REFRESHMENTS

PROFIT OF l.i PER CENT. WELLINGTON. September -I. In reference to the hist railway statement, in the "Gazette,” in which the refreshment room figures were given in addition to the usual receipt-, and expenditure, more details in toiir.eetion with the catering side of the railway business, are contained in the annual statement which !.;*.-• just been placed on t!nSs,:ib!e in the House. The revenue derived from the refreshment servi'-e in the year li'2-1-1 (ended March -Mist was £'101.700. against CO.'i.J-H for the preceding year. The expenditure amounted to L'Ol.l-'O. showing a profit of £'!:’.(lo7. only a decimal short of 1:5 pe-r cent., while fur the preceding year i: was 1 W cent. The expenditure included—wages i'.Tl .lo I. provision- consumed £ll.lOl, the balance living .oread over renewals. freight, light, imd. water, rents, repairs, etc. Out of t'e profit. C>'So7 was applied 1 I hot!l'-ni'ent.s expenditure, licit i-, improving tie ueeommodntion and the railway revenue account as nel profit. At present, il was learned yesterday. the whole of the refreshment moms on the New Zealand railways are not run directly hy the department. Snap- -being leased, but the present policy may be for the department. as the opportunity arises, to resume the direct control of this service rendered to the passengers. When il was suggested licit the price charged for hr'-akfasi at Frankton. for instance, 2s lid yielded a substantia! m.-iiyin of leubi to the depart cion;. th * -*>!l impeee-bm-ut wr.-' ' partially lvfiit; I. ! 1 was -fated licit a fotir-eour-e Lieu!- List of poiTnlg'*. ti —li, grill ami i r-iii e-mld mu !.:• served for le-- tin’ll 2s 2;L and the profit, if any. ves very small. Il was admitted Unit the cups of tea. sandwiches, chocolates. Hr., yielded a good margin not hen* cede:' eon -üb-rat lop as yet. i; may be licit olio dav in the near fit till-* the department may consider supplying the tea and sandwiches at a popular round figure ol (id. "While the department still continues to show a good return, it is intended to cuter for the comfort, and requirements of passengers 111 regard to meals, and lo this end further substantial sums will lie truuslcrred frum il l- e.ro-.s profits to betterment account.