NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 197, 20 August 1900, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

MINISTER'S ANNUAL STATEMENT,

(By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Friday

The Minister for Railways (the Hon. J. G. 'Ward), in his annual statement on tne New Zealand Railways, says:—The year 18!)'J-1000 has proved to be the record yeai for the New Zealand Railways, the business carried on, and the revenue received, not only having exceeded that of .any previous year, but the increased receipts of the pant year over the immediately preceding year have exceeded all former increases. Tne free carriage of lime, use on farming lands, has now had two years' trial, but apart from the Otago and Southland, where the consumption has doubled, very little advantage has ben taken of the. concession. The total quantity carried free last year was 12,455 tons. The Government has decided to extend the period of the concession for another year. The reduction of 20 per cent, in the rates for agricultural produce, determined upon last year, amounted to a rebate on previous Charges of £44,234 for the year. I have given instructions to provide, with all -possible speed, second, as well as first-class, lavatory accommodation on ail trains outside the suburban areas, and to materially improve the second-class seating accommodation, more especially for the long-distance journeys.' I have appointed a traffic superintendent for each island,viz Mr. A. Grant, of Welington, for the North Island, and Mr. W. S. Gaw, of Dunedln, for the South Island. The Plntsch gas steam, adapted for lighting our railway carriages, continues to give satisfactory results, and meets with the approval of the travelling public. In order to provide for greater safety and punctuality, the Government has determined to gradually equip the whole of. the rolling stock with the most modern type of the Westinghouse automatic continuous brake. A contract has been lot for the North Island, stock, to be completed within three years. The number ofpassengeis(exclusive of season and' commutation ticketholders) who have travelled is 5,408,284, or 512,731 more than last year, and 8,308 more season tickets have been sold. The revenue from passengers exceeds that of last year by £39,468. The number of passengers increased 10 per cent., and the revenue BV4 per. cent. The revenue from excursion fares continues to increase; C 57.323 tickets were sold last year, .producing £100,-. 907, an increase of £9,896 over the previous year, and £43.428 over 189 G. School excursions show a falling off. The revenue derived from parcels, luggage, and malls was £68,488, as compared with £00,418, an increase of £2,070. Parcels increased by 34,743 in number. In the goods department 3,251,716 tons, Including equivalent weight of live stock, has been carried, producing a revenue of £1,040,383, an increase of, 507,----274 tons, and £112,089 over last year:' This enormous increase, is mainly due to the bountiful harvest In the South Island, and which was carried at freight rates averaging 20 per cent, below those ruling In the previous year. , This factor Is very noticeable when the relation between earnings & expenses is taken into consideration. The number of sheep carried was 2.523,787, as compared with 2,518,233 last year, an Increase of 5,554. In response to numerous inquiries and recommendations, the check luggage'system was introduced during, the year, out so far the public have not made use of the system to any extent. The cost per mile of railway for maintenance has advanced from £172.92 in 1898-99 to £187.99 In 1899-1900, or £50 per mile per annum in excess of the amount spent In 1894-95. Immediate steps are being taken to largely augment the,carriage and waggon stock as well as to improve the railway stations and provide- for better brake power, and safety appliances. To enable the work to be .carried on continuously, authority will be necessary to provide £500,000 for five years. Expansion of traffic has now rendered the duplication of those portions of lines between Auckland and Penrose, Wellington and Lower Hutt, • Chrlstchurch and Rolleston. Port Chalmers, Dunedin, and Mosgiel, and Milton and Clarkesvllle, a' necessity, and provision will be made for starting the most Important and urgent of these wprks forthwith. Taking, into consideration the reductions in fares and freights recently gazetted, I estimate the revenue for the year ending March 31, 1900, at £1,560,000 and the expenditure at £1,046,000.