D.—4

52

Methven Branch : Rakaia-Methven (Distance, 22 miles 20 chains.) 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, £12,396 ; feeder value, £2,715 ; total revenue, £15,111 ; working-expenses, £12,850; interest, £3,864: total loss, £1,603. No saving could be effected on this branch, except by discontinuing the passenger service, the revenue for which is decreasing. If there is no improvement in the passenger traffic during the next twelve months your Commission recommends that it be discontinued. Springburn Branch. (Distance, 27 miles 27 chains.) 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, £5,500 ; feeder value, £828 ; total revenue, £6,328 ; working-expenses, £12,526 ; interest, £3,108 : total loss, £9,306. The services on this line cannot be reduced. A suggestion has been made as to the desirability of closing that portion of the branch between Mount Somers and Springburn, about four miles, whereby a saving of £500 per annum could be effected. Your Commission is of opinion that this might have the effect of inducing motor competition which would affect the revenue of the whole branch. Your Commission therefore recommends the closing of this extension unless full use is made of it by the settlers for the carriage of all classes of goods. Fairlie Branch. (Distance, 36 miles 13 chains.) The operating revenue and expenditure per mile for this Branch for the past four years was: —

Year Branch Feeder Total Working- Tntil T.rvw Revenue. Value. 1 Revenue expenses. Interest. 1 . £ £ £ £ £ £ 1927 .. .. 489 136 625 568 166 109 1928 .. .. 525 141 666 653 163 1 150 1929 .. .. 597 162 759 574 162 ; 23* 1930 .. .. 539 118 657 558 168 J 69 * Indicates profit.

A7 - Branch Feeder Total Working- T , , mj.iT Year. AT , i Interest. I otal Loss. .Revenue. Value. Kevenue. j expenses. £ £ £ £ £ £ 1927 .. .. 225 41 266 318 108 160 1928 .. .. 203 39 242 295 107 160 1929 .. .. 206 38 244 391 107 254 1930 .. .. 196 30 226 447 111 332

I I I Branch Feeder ; Total Working- T , , Year. T) v i -n ° Interest. lotal Loss. Kevenue. Value. j .Revenue. expenses. 1 I £ £ £ £ £ £ 1927 .. .. 446 62 508 488 186 166 1928 .. .. 437 53 490 546 187 243 1929 .. .. 455 58 513 614 188 289 1930 .. .. 415 46 461 536 195 j 270