NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.
WELLINGTON, June 27.
The annual report of the General Manager on the New Zealand Bailways has been issued. After summarising the results for the first seven years, Mr Maxwell remarks, with regard to the proppecta for the current year, that the agricultural produce traffic hne remained! stationary. The diminished area of land under grain crop in the Middle Island, and the wet season, must lead to a diminished traffic and revenue under this head for the current year. The live stock traffic in all parts of the colony chows a rapid growth, and there is every reason to expect that it will increase. Hurunui-Bluff shows the greatest growth in this class of traffic; Auckland, Wellington and Wanganui follow next in order. With reference to results of there-, duction of rates, Mr Maxwell says, while the traffic has grown, there has not been a corresponding increase in the grjes revenue.' By the exercke of economy, however* and owing to a great improvement in the condition of the lines * made and the better appliances for working available, the expenses have been kept down, so that the net revenue for the j ear is £357,078, against .£355,680 for the previous y< ar. The Manager .goes on to say " the construction of carriage and waggon stock in the colony has been successfully carried on, and colonial made lubricating oil has been introduced aa an experiment for rollicg stock; its use so far proves to be economical." He further offers tbe following advice:—"lt is deeirable to continue to be»r in mind the need to restrict the &tat ; ons and stopping places on the score of public safety, convenience and economy. Too many stations make the line more unsafe and expensive to work, and occasion loss of convenience to the general public without giving aey adequate return in revenue, and it often happens that demands are made which, if complied with, would sacrifice the convenience of extensive districts for "comparatively insignificant local advantages It ia desirable that the public should recognise that in the general interests many of the demands should »ot be agreedto.* .
J A report on rolling stock ia the colony shows that the number of engines now in use on the Government railways is 243, of twenty-two different classes. Three old classes hive been eliminated, and Iheir letters given to new ones. Out of the 243 engines, 28 are American built and the rest English. The engines on the respective lines are as 180 j
Auckland, 30; Wugunri, 87; Wellington, 23} Napier, 12 j Oreymouth, Xekon and Weatport, eaco 4; Pioton, Wangasui and Kawakaws, each 3. The total number of oarriagee is 486, and goods waggons 4770. j The return of railway accidents ft* the, year shows that no passengers were killed or injured from " causes beyond their own control," but four were.killed and injured through their own conduct and want of caution. Two railway servants were killed and fifty-five u>jured from causes beyond their own control; fourteen were injured but none killed through their own misconduct or carelessness. One person was killed and five injured at level crossings. Thirty-one were injured in workshops, and under the heading " miscellaneous " there were one killed and one injured. The total for the year ie ten killed and 115 injured. The number of employes now on the Government railways is 4733, as ae&inst *500 last year. » -»
NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.
Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6492, 14 July 1886, Page 6
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