THE DOMINION RAILWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1930, Page 7

THE DOMINION RAILWAYS

LAST YEAR’S RETURNS,

MINISTER’S COMMENT ON FIGURES.

WELLINGTON. June 6

A decrease in the gross revenue end an increase in the expenditure were tho result of tho railway operations for the year ended March 31 last, according to returns just gazetted. Commenting on the figures the Minister of Railways (the Hon. AY. A. Veitcli) said the returns showed that ordinary revenue was £8,288,116, as compared with £8,249,030 last year, an increase of £39,077. Owing to the discontinuance of the recoupment of the Working Railways Account, in respect of losses on the working of branch lines and isolated sections, the gross revenue decreased from £8,747,975 to £8,288,116, or by £459,859.

Passenger traffic decreased by £128,819, mainly as a result of there being practically no Easter traffic in the year under review, whereas the previous year included the greater part of two Easters.

Goods, parcels and miscellaneous traffic increased by £77,948, notwithstanding that goods revenue suffered to tho extent of £60,000 owing to a reduction in the amount recovered from the Department of Agriculture in respect- of concessions granted on the carriage of lime and fertilisers. Details of the revenue and expenditur for the year, together with the figures for the previous year are given below:—

REVENUE

-1930 1939 . £ £ North Island .... 4,350,500 4,465,744 South Island .... 8.123,483 3,059,119 Miscellaneous ... 380,086 308,131 Lake Wakatipu ■,/ steamers 11,446 10.940 I? efreshment rooms, advertising, road motors and other subsidiary services ... 312,940 299,205 Departmental dwellings 1 09,648 105,897 Total? .... £8,288,116 £8,249,039 EXPENDITURE. 1930 1929 £ £ North Island .... 3,868,975 3;567;412 South Isiaiid L. 2,979,049 2,807,130 Lakg Wakatipu steamers 18,374 ' 17.424 Refreshment rooms, otc. .... 304,642 287,305 Departmental dweU lings 187,815 1 70,073 Totals ~..£7,358,585 £6,849,333 For the year ended .March 31 last the percentage of revenue to expenditure was 88.88. The percentage for th previous year was 78.30, with the subsidy included, and 78.03 without it.