Annual Report on Working Railways.

Manawatu Herald, 23 July 1892, Page 3

Annual Report on Working Railways.

The Commissioners report that fth* outcome of the year's work is as ifoJlows : — Gross earnings, £1,115, 481, and working expenses, £706,517 leaving a net profit of £408,914 which on £14,656,691, the estimated capital cost on the 1869 miles of railways open on the 3 1st March 1892, gives a return of £2 15s 9d per cent.

The deficiency in the harvest of

1891 caused a large diminition in

■the grain traffic, as predicted lin the last report. There was a falling off in the quantity of grain carried of 86,000 tons. The growth of traffic in other ways, especially in passengers', would have more than balanced

this deficiency had not the state of -the Home markets and other causes •brought about a diminution in freezing operations, which has resulted in a large unforseen falling-off in the sheep and meat traffic. While this traffic has temporarily diminished in volume, the cost of working Vo has at the same time increased, o-^o fc 0 the larger number of freez : iQ *_pi a c es which require more rolling-stock to* work them. Having regard to the gpecial disadvantp jges arising from the deficient production and export of gram ar^ meat - the reve nue . v 1 ?; 7^&v. must be regarded as satisfac^y^ •"• .e estimated capital cost of the

°P>ned lines on 81st March 1891,

>as £14,278,686. On the 31st March 1892, it was £14,656,691 an increase of £878,105. This additional capital for the most part pro duees f no interest, having been exponded on extensions of railways which at present bring no additional traffic or revenue, while the expenses are inoi eased by the additional length worked.

The passenger traffic has increased in a marked manner the reoeipti have inoreased by £11, 024.

For the coming year the revenue is estimated at £1,140,000 and the expenses at £717,000 for 1870 miles of line. , A larger traffic and revenue are expected on account of the plentiful harvest and the general progress of the colony. The rebuilding of locomotives has during this year for the first time been carried on upon a large scale. In this process, engines of a more powerful type, and fitted with modern improvements, replace those dispersed with. The Commissioners point out that there is a general public sentiment that the railways should pay a larger interest'On- their' cost. They however show that capital has been ex-

pended on undertakings unlikely to k pay any interest in the immediate future, and mention the line from Te Aroha to Grahamstown as a case in point, as it opens us practically no new country and no new markets. The building of a goods-station at Te Ard within a mile of the existing terminus at "Wellington, aa being likely Ho lead to inconvenience in working and unsatisfactory financial results/*

Railway* connecting seaports at" short '^tiinces apart, and serving only very, email areas of country are not likely to pay any interest on cost, and instance the Greymouth to JHokitika. •The lines to . Eotonru, and from Te Awamutu to Mokau cannot be expected' jip pay until the Country is occupied'. ;: They point out that owing to the diminished output of coal on the Whangarei and Kawakawa lines is such that the previously existing very light traffic has almost ceased. The rnost progressive traffic in the colony during the year has been that on the Hapier to Taranaki Section, and, after this group, that on the Wellington section.

In commenting upon the Zonesystem the Commissioners mention that last year there were made eight passenger journies per head of popu ■ lation-

The Chief engineer reports : —that new sleepers, at the rate of 74 per mile have been laid, which is an increase, but not more than is to be expected.

In repairing it has been the practice to renew in a more substantial manner than as originally built.

On the whole the railways have increased in stability and durability, and are becoming more substantial and in a better condition year by year.

The bridges on the Napier line have been strengthened to provide for heavier engines. A number of new cattle-yards ha\e been put up at various places. The cost of maintenance for the year has been at the rate of £181 17s per mile. This 13 slightly less than last years' rate, and is the lowest yet attained.

A large number of forest trees were planted- out in the Canterbury District, und supplies sent to other districts in both Islands. Planted in Canterbury 79,900 ; sent to other railway districts 33,150.

The Locomotive Superintendent reports that the locomotives rolling-, stock, tarpaulins, machinery, and general plant are in good condition and considerably improved. 150 loco, motives have been into the ahpa for repairs, of these three have been entirely rebuilt ; one rebuilt and fitted with new boiler and cylinder gear, tanks &c ; 18 are tiow being rebuilt — 2 of these will be entirely replaced, and the other will be fitted with new boilevs, cylinders, gears, tanks &c. In each case the locomotives rebuilt are of greatly-increased power. 8 bogie cars have been entirely rebuilt; 285 oars have been thoroughly overhauled ; 7 bogie brake-vans have been rebuilt ; 95 brake'Vans thoroughly overhauled ; 1824 waggons were thoroughly overhauled, 170 were entirely rebuilt ; 316 new tarpaulins were manufactured; and 4164 repaired. We point out that the NapierTaranaki Section is now the second revenue producing section ; the Humma Bluff being the largest. In 1890-91 the total revenue on the Napier-Taranaki section totalled to £159,186, and for 1891-92 it was £182,465 showing an increase of £28,279.