D.—2

XXII

ANNUAL BEPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGES OF THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS. • Sir, — Now Zealand Government Railways, Head Office, Wellington, 17th September, 1924. I have the honour to report on the working of the railways for the financial year ended 31st March, 1924. The Kaikohe-Okaihau Section, 8 miles 22 chains ; the Tarawhati-Donnelly's Crossing Section, 4 miles 53 chains; the Napier-Eskdale Section, 11 miles 67 chains; and the Runanga-Rapahoe Section, 2 miles 27 chains, were opened during the year, making the total mileage open for traffic on the 31st March 3,053 miles. The capital invested in the linos open for traffic, including the steamers and plant on Lake Wakatipu, on the 31st March, 1924, was £41,399,4.27, as against £40,275,161 for the previous year, an increase of £1,124,266. This amount includes £366,648, construction charges on lines already taken over from the Public Works Department; £643,648 on new works charged against Capital Account under " Additions to open lines " ; £20,520 expended under the Railway Improvement Authorization Act, 1914; and the Cape Foulwind line, £93,450. The gross receipts for the year amounted to £6,984,211, as against £6,727,802 for the previous year, an increase of £256,409. The net revenue, £1,580,445, is equal to a return of 3-83 per cent, on the capital invested in the linos open for traffic, and 3-24 per cent, on the capital invested in the opened and unopened lines. The train-mileage for the year, 9,024,503, was 677,772 more than the previous year. The lines on which the additional mileage was run are —Whangarei, 11,837 ; Kaihu, 3,020 ; North Island Main Trunk, 437,542 ; South Island Main Trunk, 156,800 ; Westland, 78,902 ; and Nelson, 623. Decreases totalling 10,952 miles were made on the Gisborne, Wostport, and Picton Sections. Floods and slips during the year have been more extensive than usual, the railway-lines being considerably damaged thereby in the Hawke's Bay, Christchurch, and Dunedin districts. During June and July a number of slips (but not of an extensive nature) blocked traffic to some extent in the Ohakune district. Unfortunately, one of these slips caused a very regrettable accident to the south-bound express at Ongarue on the 6th July, 1923. The following figures, which include delays from every cause, and give the record of the late arrival at destination of the principal trains during the year, indicate that —notwithstanding the difficulties experienced in connection with slips, floods, and other unforseen circumstances —the trains have, as a whole, run well up to time : — Average Late Arrival. Mm. Mm. Long-distance passenger-trains .. .. .. 3-51 against 2-57 last year. Suburban trains .. .. .. .. 0-71 ~ 0-61 ~ Long-distance mixed trains .. .. . . 4-26 ~ 3-66 ~ The number of ordinary passengers carried during the year was 13,836,311, a decrease of 420,299 when compared with last year. 433,185 passengers were carried at holiday excursion fares, 114,701 children and teachers and 86,047 adults at the schools, factories, and friendly-societies rates. Season tickets issued numbered 525,744, an increase of 40,063. Workers' twelve-trip tickets issued numbered 133,002, an increase of 5,990 ; and workmen's weekly tickets issued on suburban lines numbered 313,111, an increase of 31,891. The goods and live-stock tonnage was 6,925,517 tons, an increase of 306,929 tons over the preceding year. The increases were : — Cattle .. .. •• •• .. .. .. 26,504 head. Sheep and pigs .. .. .. .. ... .. 356,208 ~ Timber .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 60,903 tons. Other goods (including minerals) .. .. .. .. 223,747 ~ The increase in general goods was 64,010 tons, and in minerals 159,737 tons, mainly represented by traffic under the heads of dairy-produce, grain and general merchandise, and native coal. The increase in the number of cattle carried was due to the operation of Australian buyers in the early part of the year, and the unsatisfactory weather conditions in certain parts of the Dominion causing the culling of herds. The increase in the movement of sheep this year was caused by the freezing-works commencing operations this season earlier than usual. The closing of certain works necessitated the railing of sheep which had previously been driven by road, and a shortage of feed in the south making it necessary to depasture certain flocks. The increases were —North Island, 198,348 sheep ; and South Island, 157,860 sheep. The increase in timber tonnage is attributable to increased activity in the building trades and the importation of poles for electric-power lines. The coal railed from the Westport mines was 454,851 tons —a decrease of 131,833 tons on the previous year's traffic. The output from mines operated by co-operative parties increased by 24,297 tons. The fluctuations were due to the closing of certain mines for a period of four months on account of labour troubles, which did not affect the co-operative mines.