RAILWAY STATEMENT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4870, 26 August 1925, Page 2

RAILWAY STATEMENT

PRESENTATION TO PARLIAMENT. PROFIT OF 3.55 PER CENT. Tiic Minister for Railways, the Hon. J. G. Coates, presented to Parliament last night the Railway. Statement for tlie past year. Tlie ihattei is dealt with at considerable length, and important changes in policy which have been given effect to and brought into operation on April 1 last are outlined. The net revenue amounted to £1,567,108, equal to 3.55 per cent, on the capital invested in lines open for traffic. The Minister states that, taking into consideration the extraordinary circumstances that prevailed, and the exceptional demands that had to be met during the financial year, the results are very satisfactory. The complete cessation of operations l for eight days, as the result of the disagreement with one section of tlie railway employees, resulted in a loss estimated at £150,000. Increased contributions to tlie Government Railways Superannuation Fund amounted to £Bo,ooo'. The infantile paralysis epidemic adversely affected the department’s revenue during the summer months, and wits- responsible for a loss of about £lOO,OOO. The returns from'goods traffic showed much improvement oven the previous year. Dealing with the commercial branch, great credit is given to the officers for valuable work accomplished. PAEROA REARRANGEMENT. Dealing with local works, the report states: “Good progress has been made with the new station yard at Paeroa, and the construction of a new double-track bridge over tlie Ohineniuri River, which forms part of the work. A contract lias been let for the Supply of plate girders for' the bridge. The yard is to be electrically interlocked, and .material is now to hand for tlie work. It is expected that the new yard will be completed during the financial year.”