The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JAN. 19, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2578, 19 January 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JAN. 19, 1889.

I'itoM the last four weekly returns of the railway traffic and revenue we glean the following information, it will be soon, notwithstanding all the great efforts made

l> y the Depiu'tniunt, imdor Mr Maxwell's niaiiiigonioiit, to reduce the (,'xpomlitiiro in every possible way in order to assimilate it more with tho revenue, that they are a long , wav from a successful accomplishment of tho much-desired result. As tho recent appointments to tlie JJoiird of Commissioners apparently commit tho colony to the transfer of the entire railway system to tlie personal control of, virtually, the same men who have hitherto being responsible for all its past unsatisfactory state, it is only reasonable to say that, without a complete change of policy, we need expect no improvement in the general returns, no hopeful indications that the industry and settlement of the country are to be better encouraged, or that they will be paying interest on their capital cost and, consequently, relieve the burden of taxation from tlie shoulders of the people. Taking the Auckland section lirst, it is shown that during the four weeks, ending Bth December last, there were conveyed on the lines 22,0G5 passengers of both classes ; during tho corresponding period in 1887 the number was 25,471, a difference against the Department of 3,40 G. The traffic improved, but to a very trifling extent, Thus, in tlie ISSS period there word 3,935 parcels, Arc, as against 3,927 during 1887; goods and live stock, -1,747 and 4,637 respectively; produce, merchandise, minerals, etc., 9,573 tons against 9,553 tons. The revenue, however, still continued to decline, being £7,717 for the four weeks in ISBS compared with £5,577 for the same period in 1887. During the periods under review the total number of passengers of both classes carried over all the lines of the colony, were as follows: —For the four weeks in ISBB nearly 220,000, and for the corresponding period in 1887 nearly 229,000. The total revenue for the nine months of the past year, to Bth December, was—North Island, £203,000 ; South Island, £448,000. For the same period in 1887 it was £214,000 and £447,000, respectively, or a grand total for tho colony of £651,000, against ■£GGI,BOO. The total expenditure to date was, in 1888, £444,000, equal to 68-13 percent, of the revenue, whilst in 1887 it was £480,000, equal to 72-G4 per cent. The excess of revenue over expenditure was a little over £200,000. Taking into consideration that the capital cost of the lines has been about fourteen millions, on which we are paying interest at tho average rate of 3 J per cent, it will be seen that the railway system of New Zealand produces a result far on the wrong side of the ledger.