D.—l 2

1900. NEW ZEALAND.

WESTPORT RAILWAY AND HARBOUR-WORKS (RETURNS RELATIVE TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 18th July, 1900. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return showing,—(l) The total cost of the railway desoribed in D.-2, 1899, as Westport and Westport Harbour-works ; (2) how much of such cost was paid by the colony, and how muoh by the Westport Harbour Board; (3) the total revenue of suoh railway for the past ten years ; (4) the work-ing-expenses for the same period ; (5) the rate of profit per centum each year for the same period ; and (6) how muoh of such profit has been received by the colony towards payment of interest on oost of construction, and how much has been paid to the Harbour Board towards current revenue."—(Mr. G. W. Russell.)

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.—WESTPORT SECTION. Betukn showing,—(l) The Total Cost of the Eailway; (2) how muoh of such Cost was paid by the Colony, and how much by the Westport Harbour Board; (3) the Total Bevenue of such Eailway for the past Ten Years; (4) the Working-expenses for the same Period; (5) the Eate of Profit per Centum each Year for the same Period; and (6) how much of such Profit has been received by the Colony towards Payment of Interest and Cost of Construction, and how much has been paid to the Harbour Board towards Current Ec venue. £ 1. Total cost of railway (this includes wharves) ... .. ... 394,176 2. Cost to the colony ... ... ... ... ... .... 220,773 Cost to the Harbour Board* ... ... ... ... 173,403 3. Total revenue for past ten years ... ... ... ... ... 381,372 4. Working-expenses for same period ... ... ... ... ... 180,127 5. Eate of profit per centum each year for the same periodt : — £ s. d. £ s. d. 1890-91 ... 5 10 9 1895-96 ... 7 6 7 1891-92 ... 7 6 0 1896-97 ... 10 4 11 1892-93 ... 6 13 2 1897-98 ... 12 2 2 1893-94 ... 6 17 9 1898-99 ... 13 3 6 1894-95 ... 7 4 10 1899-1900 ... 13 2 2 6. Profit received by the colony towards payment of interest on cost of construction ... ... ... ... ... ' ... ... Nil. Net revenue paid to Harbour Board ... ... ... ... 201,245 Eailway Department, T. Eonayne, Wellington, 9th August, 1900. General Manager.

* This information specially obtained from tha Westport Harbour Board for the preparation of this return, f Rate of profit per centum is calculated upon (2) oost to the colony. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation', not given ; printing (1,200 copies), 17a.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oo. Price 3d.]