Railroads ill Japan.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 72, 18 October 1884, Page 5

Railroads ill Japan.

The railroad mileage in Japan is about 260, of which 188 are of most importance. The greater part is owned by the Government. The line from Tokio to Nagasaki- eeventyfive miles in length belongs to the Imperial Japanese llailroad Company. It was builfc and is run by Government employes, the Company acting only as the paymaster. The mutual agreement between the shareholders and the Government is that, in case of the railroad's not paying 8 per cent ! interest per annum, the latter was to make lup the deficiency. In February last, after the line had been in operation 157 days, the Company made a close calculation and found that they had earned at the rate of 12.54 per cent per annum, and thus needed no assistance from the Government. This illustrates how much the Japanese have yet to learn, especially in railroad accounts, for it is more than probable that if the Central Pacific system of accounts had been adopted the Company would have proved that it was running behind every day in the year. The standard railroad gauge throughout Japan is thi'ee feet and six inches. One road is built on a tvio-foot nine-inch gauge. The rolling stock is of English manufacture. Mostof the employes are natives, who are gradually displacing foreigners heretofore serving as engineers ond in other capacities. There are only two locomotivo works in the country— one in Tokio and one Kobe. No engines have yet been built in these shops, but very satisfactory ropairs are made both to engines and cars.