9

D.—2

RETURN No. 6. Estimated Amount of Expenditure on Construction of Railways, Rolling-stock, etc, to 31st March, 1918; Net Revenue, and Rate of Interest earned on Capital expended on Opened Lines for Year ended same Date.

Gisborne Section.— Matawai-Motuhora opened for traffic 26th November, 1917. North Island Main Lines and Branches.— Paerata-Patuinahoe opened for traffic 10th December, 1917; Ohakuuo-Kaetihi opened tor traffic 18th December, 1917; Whangamomoua-Kohouratahi opened for traffic 7th January, 1918. J. Maodonald, Chief Accountant.

Section of Bailway. Cost of Ooi instruction. Unopened Lines. Net Revenue. Itate of Interest earned. Opened Lines. Whangaroi £ 765,729 £ £ 15,488 £ a. d. 2 0 5 Kaihu 244,157 99,962 -1,182 Tauranga .. .. .. 17,211 Gisborne 682,706 352,761 179,919 5,811 0 18 6 North Island Main Lines and Branches 15,885,220 1,078,396 6 17 2 South Island Main Lines and Branohes.. 869,983 14,591,671 191,516 441,441 3 0 6 Westland 2,089,946 46,039 2 4 0 Wostport 605,880 687,544 54,446 8 19 9 Nolson 542,534 96,059 0 8 7 36,790 2,321 Picton 680,832 '2,887 OHO Lake Wakatipu stoatnor sorvioe In suspense — Surveys, North Island Miscellaneous, North Island Surveys, South Island Miscellaneous, South Island P.W.D. stock of permanent-way W.R.D. stock of A.O.L. stores 43,708 18,968 -854 35,900 5,169 5,752 5,168 49,834 13,244 £36,001,432 £1,644,793 £4 11 11 Total cost of opened and unopenod lines at 31st Maroh, 1918 I £2,796,731 £38, '98,163 £4 4 9 Note.—The amount stated in this return as the cost Government expenditure on railways. It also includes I Harbour Boards on railways and wharves uuder the r information regarding the last mentioned being furnish computed on cost proportionately to the time during wh financial year wore earning revenue, thus :— t of construction the Midland Rail' provisions of se( ied by the rospe lich lines taken i of opened lines i ivay and expendit :tion 7 of tho lta ctive Boards. Th wor by the Work: noludes the Prov lire by the Greym ilways Authorize e rate of interes ing Railways Depi uncial and General louth and Westport EbtiOD Act, 1885, the it earned has been artment within tho