“HOPEFUL OUTLOOK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 539, 17 December 1928, Page 10

“HOPEFUL OUTLOOK”

MR. STERLING’S MESSAGE INCREASE IN REVENUE “Already there are indications for a more hopeful outlook,” says the railways general manager, Mr. H. H. Sterling, in his Christmas greeting to railway employees published in the Railways Magazine. “I wish to convey to all members of the service my thanks for the splendid way in which they have backed up my efforts to meet the transport requirements of the community since taking control of the railways in June last, and to wish all. staff and public alike, a merry Christmas and happy New Year.” he says. “I have been looking over last year’s returns for the first seven periods of that year up to October 15, and I find that then a comparison with the previous year showed a decrease in revenue of £64,000 and an increase in expenditure of £89,000, or an adverse total of over £153,000. “BETTER SHOWING”

“When I look at this year’s returns to October 13, I find the revenue- has increased by £75,000 over the similar term last year, while the expenditure has increased by £92,000, an adverse total of only £l7,ooo—with two less days accounted for. Comparing the two adverse balances, £153,000 last year, with £17,000 this, it seems evident that the dangerous downward tendency has been substantially checked. This gives hope that by the time the end of our present financial year is reached the railways will be able to make a better showing financially than they did in the previous 12 months, besides giving the public a service more in keeping with present day transport needs.

“Much still requires to be done, and I confidently look for that measure of support front the staff in 1929 that will enable us to discharge our duty to the public in a. manner that will reflect credit on ourselves and bring satisfaction to the users of our services.”