D.—4

56

Catlins River Branch. (Distance, 42 miles 57 chains.) The operating revenue and expenditure per mile for this branch for the past four years was : —

The operations for the whole of the branch ancl for the last year were as follows : Branch revenue, £19,515 ; feeder value, £3,533 ; total revenue, £23,048 ; workingexpenses, £25,261 ; interest, £20,941 : total loss, £23,154. The evidence submitted showed that the services on this line were being economically operated, but the result of working was so unsatisfactory that consideration was given to possible suggested curtailments. Your Commission is, however, of opinion that no decrease in the time-table should be made at present, but that the position be reviewed at definite periods with a view to taking action and curtailing services if no improvement results. Tapanui Branch. (Distance 26 miles 11 chains.) Waikaka Branch. (Distance 12 miles 55 chains.) Switzers Branch. (Distance 13 miles 66 chains.) The operating revenue and expenditure per mile for these branches for the past four years was : —■

The operations for the whole of the branches and for the last year were as follows :—

Branch feeder Total Working- T , , T i i r„ nn Year. T> . r , fo Interest. lotal Loss. Revenue. Value. Revenue. expenses. £ £ £ £ £ £ 1927 .. .. 475 97 472 534 445 407 1928 .. .. MO 89 529 633 462 566 1929 .. .. 466 88 455 608 471 524 1930 .. .. 454 82 536 588 487 539

I I I II I II Year. „ Branch feeder ; w Total Working- | Interest _ Total Loss . Kevenue. Value. .Revenue. expenses. Tapanui Branch. I £ £ £ £ £ £ 1927 .. .. | 257 109 366 465 209 308 1928 .. .. 231 92 323 537 205 419 1929 .. .. 249 104 353 510 205 362 1930 .. ..I 245 79 324 506 214 396 Waikaka Branch. 1927 .. .. 215 82 ! 297 384 236 , 323 1928 .. .. 185 73 I 258 350 233 325 1929 .. .. 203 87 290 367 235 312 1930 .. .. 190 I 65 ! 255 399 247 |! 391 Switzers Branch. 1927 .. .. 134 57 191 309 254 [ 372 1928 .. .. 116 54 170 298 254 ! 382 1929 .. .. 116 60 176 356 254 ' 434 1930 .. .. 134 j 52 186 306 265 385

Branch. leeder lotal Working- T , , m ± i t „ ,t i T> & Interest. lotal Loss. Revenue. Value. Ke venue. expenses. £ i £ £ £ £ £ Tapanui .. 6,623 2,125 8,748 13,660 5,778 10,690 Waikaka .. 2,475 840 3,315 5,178 3,211 5,074 Switzers .. 1,881 723 2,604 4,298 3,710 5,404