D.--2

VIII

although the facilities are not likely to be availed of to any appreciable extent during the winter, it is recognised that the shortening of the journey by the oneday service will be of great benefit to the commercial community as well other travellers. The heavy demands made upon the railways by the Exhibition traffic, which continued for a period of six months, were met successfully, and I "am glad to be able to record the fact that the train and fare arrangements throughout were satisfactory. Holiday excursion-fares to Christchurch prevailed on all lines for the whole period the Exhibition was open, and special-excursion trains and fares were arranged from time to time as circumstances warranted. The steamship companies, in conjunction with whom through tickets were issued, displayed a commendable desire to assist the project, and the facilities they provided tended greatly to popularise the arrangements for through rail and sea journeys between North and South Islands. The bookings to Christchurch during the Exhibition season were:— Firt-elass. Second-class. Total. Amount. 76,649 276,104 352,753 £80,386 These results axe most gratifying from every standpoint. The opening of the new station at Duned n in November last materially assisted the Department in connection with the heavy traffic of the Exhibition, and the accommodat on provided has proved ample for all purposes. The whole of the work connected with the undertaking was carried out by the staff of the Department, and reflects great credit on all concerned. The following statement shows a brief comparison of the traffic and the rollingstock for dealing therewith when the Government resumed control of the railways in 1895 with that at 31st March of the present year : — 31stMar.h, 31st Mar.h, T Per Cent, of 189). 190/. increase. Incre . a se. Passengers (number) .. 3,905,578 9,600,786 5,695,208 146 Season tickets „ .. 28,623 165,504 136,881 478 Parcels „ .. 444,981 929,929 484,948 109 Horses „ .. 11,185 17,770 6,585 59 Carriages „ .. 750 '. 2,440 1,6£0 225 Dogs „ .. 23,517 42,081 18,564 79 Drays „ .. 705 2,496 1,791 254 Cattle „ .. 40,890 133,031 92,141 225 Sheep „ .. 1,519,921 4,661,001 3,141,080 207 Pigs „ .. 43,292 115,222 '- 71,930 166 Chaff, lime (tons) .. .. 36,972 168,316 131,344 355 Wool „ , .. .. 103,328 128,161 24,833 24 Firewood „ .. .. 85,102 109,236 24,134 28 Timber „ .. .. 198,578 567,835 369,257 186 Grain „ .. .. 388,556 770,706 382,150 98 Merchandise „ .. .. 377,938 712,399 334,461 88 Minerals „ .. .. 857,917 2,135,446 1,277,529 149 Total tonnage .. .. 2,048,391 4,592,099 2,543,708 124 Total revenue .. . . £1,150,851 £2,624,600 £1,473,749 128 Locomotives (number) .. 269 398 129 48 tractive power (lb.) 1,756,178 3,993,028 2,236,850 127 Passenger-cars (number) .. 498 966 468 94 Passenger - cars, seating accommodation .. .. 17,455 40,470 23,015 132 Brake-vans (number) .. 204 326 122 60 Sheep-wagons „ .. 390 974 584 150 Total wagons, all class c s F^l (number) .. .. 8,264 ri4,279 6,015 73 Wagon carrying-capacity (tons) 50,861 [107,585 56,724 111 Train mileage run .. .. 3,221,620 6,755,454 3,533,834 110 Notwithstanding the fact that exceptional circumstances of a non-recurring character prevailed Muring a considerable portion of the fiscal year just ended, I feel confident, from present indications, that the prosperity of the colony will continue during the year just entered upon, and that the railway receipts will therefore be as satisfactory as in the past. . In these circumstances"*l estimate the revenue for the year ending 31st March, 1908, at £2,550,000 and the expenditure at £1,830,000.