D.—2

12

The following table will show in a concise form the comparisons of traffic as between the last two years:—

Comparative Return of Outward Traffic for the Financial Years 1899-1900 and 1898-99.

The total net revenue amounted to £246,243, the net increase of tonnage being 64,679 tons, and the net increase of revenue £21,792 2s. 7d. During the last three years the net revenue has increased by £74,538. The above figures show only the traffic and revenue originating on the lines between Te Aro and Spit, and do not include any traffic from the Ashhurst-Foxton-New Plymouth lines. Following table shows the proportional increase in traffic and revenue for year ending the 31st March, 1900, as compared with year ending the 31st March, 1897 : — Increase. Per Cent. Ordinary tickets (number) ... ... ... 183,131 ... 25-6 Season tickets „ ... ... ... 5,747 .... 52-2 Parcels „ ... ... ... 32,451 ... 36-1 Horses „ .. ... ... 698 ... 38-03 Carriages „ ... ... ... 77 ... 647 Dogs „ ... ... ... 1,034 ... 23-8 Live-stock „ ... ... ... 189,824 ... 48-1 Goods (tons) ... ... ... 112,869 ... 74-3 „ (Coaching ... ... ... £24,576 7 0 ... 33-8 Bevenue ) Qoods £53139 2 6 gg>6 The only falling-off in traffic has occurred in connection with school excursions, due, no doubt, to the novelty having worn off. The general prosperity which exists throughout this colony, the closer settlement of laud, the cheapness of money, the stimulating influence of largely reduced fares and freights, and the steady improvement of the dairying industry are the principal factors which have led to such a phenomenal increase of business on this line of railway. On some portions of the line the passenger-services are attaining such dimensions as to necessitate the extension of the principle of running passenger-trains entirely separate from goods traffic, and provision in this direction should be made as early as possible. During the year the mileage run by passenger-coaches amounted to 1,554,527 miles; this comparatively heavy coaching traffic has been worked without injury to any passenger. The movement of goods-wagons has totalled 7,549,046 miles, and, with the exception of a porter being fatally injured at Napier when shunting, personal accidents to members of the staff have been of a trivial nature.

Description. Year 181 19-1900. Year 1898-99. Increase. Number. 898,462 16,742 122,211 2,533 196 5,362 6,239 593 594,436 2,552 Tons. Number. 827,877 14,981 114,938 2,064 189 4,883 5,745 384 555,434 2,274 Tons. Number. 70,585 1,761 7,273 469 7 479 494 209 39,002 278 Tons. Passengers Season tickets ... Parcels Horses Carriages Dogs ... Cattle... Calves... Sheep ... Pigs ... Chaff, lime, &c. ... Wool ... Firewood Timber Grain, &c. Merchandise Coal ... Other minerals ... 8,729 16,527 27,536 89,606 25,571 55,574 17,684 23,472 7,605 12,566 23,490 70,979 14,986 47,899 12,590 12,020 1,124 3,961 4,046 18,627 10,585 7,675 5,094 11,452 Reven fE. 1899-1900. 1898-99. Increase. Passengers ... Parcels and luggage ... Goods Rents and miscellaneous £ s. 83,644 10 11,771 5 144,032 9 6,795 6 d. 0 4 0 3 £ s. d. 80,587 14 5 10,877 2 10 128,468 3 1 4,518 7 8 £ s. d. 3,056 15 7 894 2 6 15,564 5 11 2,276 18 7 Net total 246,243 10 7 224,451 8 0 21,792 2 7