D.—4

48

The operating revenue and expenditure for the whole branch for last year was as follows: Branch revenue, £15,860 ; feeder value, £1,996 ; total revenue, £17,856 ; working-expenses, £28,157 ; interest, £33,216: total loss, £43,517. This line extends from Stratford to its present terminus at Tahora, and will eventually connect with the main line at Okahukura. The capital cost of construction up to date amounts to approximately £764,000, which is an average of £16,000 per mile. In view of the fact that it is a Main Trunk line and is nearly completed, your Commission has no recommendation to make. A portion of the traffic now being carried via Marton will then go via this line when completed. Last year the total tonnage carried via Marton to stations in Taranaki, including Wanganui and New Plymouth, was 75,474 tons, and from these stations to Taumarunui and northwards 4,565 tons, or an average of 260 tons per day. The operation of this line will result in a heavy loss without any apparent increase in revenue, unless by the development of a coal-mine at Tangarakau. Opunake Branch. (Distance, 23 miles.) The operating expenditure and revenue per mile for the last four years was : —

The operating revenue and expenditure for the whole branch for the last year was as follows : Branch revenue, £5,224 ; feeder value, £2,803 ; total revenue, £8,027 ; working-expenses, £9,525 ; interest, £19,642 : total loss, £21,140. There is practically no passenger traffic on this line, and it would be better to abandon such traffic and thereby reduce the cost of maintenance. During the last three years, however, goods traffic on this line has increased appreciably. Your Commission recommends that goods traffic only be worked on this branch. The estimated saving amounts to £600 per annum. Motor competition is very keen in this area, and unless the settlers and others support the railway and the position materially improves consideration should be given to abandon the line altogether. Greytown Branch. (Distance, 3 miles.) The operating revenue and expenditure per mile for this branch for the past four years was : —

The operating revenue and expenditure for the whole of the branch for last year was as follows : Branch revenue, £488 ; feeder value, £1,132 ; total revenue, £1,620 ; working-expenses, £2,92.1 ; interest, £555 : total loss, £1,856. Owing to the heavy loss incurred in working this branch, the Department has recently made arrangements to work the traffic to and from this branch by means of a rail tractor. The clerical and running staff located at Grey town are to be transferred elsewhere. A porter will be located at Greytown who will operate the rail tractor and carry out the station duties at the latter town. The estimated saving will amount to £1,800 per annum,

I I I I Branch. Feeder Total I Working- T . , rp . i T Year. -r> \t i Interest. lotal .Loss. .Revenue. Value. Revenue. expenses. 1927 .. .. 110 78 188 219 506 537 1928 .. .. 172 110 282 370 817 905 1929 .. .. 198 143 341 387 829 875 1930 .. .. 227 122 349 414 854 919

Year. ® ranch ?>® der p Total ' Working- Interest. Total Loss. Revenue. Value. Revenue. | expenses. £ £ £ £ £ £ 1927 .. .. 235 627 862 1,156 184 478 1928 .. .. 189 526 715 1,116 181 582 1929 .. .. 184 543 727 1,080 180 533 1930 .. .. 163 377 540 974 185 619