IMPROVEMENT IN REVENUE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22002, 28 January 1937, Page 10

IMPROVEMENT IN REVENUE

Business Of The

Railways

MR SULLIVAN'S VISIT

TO MARLBOROUGH

[From Our Own Reporter.]

PICTON, January 27,

Railway revenue figures continue to show a considerable improvement, as indicated by a statement issued this evening by the Minister for Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), who is touring the northern districts of the South Island. Mr Sullivan said that the returns for the four-weekly period which ended on January 2, showed that for the current financial year to date railway revenue had increased by £ 575,417, as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, notwithstanding the serious loss of passenger revenue because of the infantile paralysis epidemic, estimated at £40,000 during the Christmas period. The indications are that the budget increase in revenue for the year, namely £691,000, will be exceeded by approximately £25,000. . "But for the epidemic, the budget revenue figure would probably havo been exceeded by at least £100,000,' Mr Sullivan said. "A careful review of the expenditure of all branches shows that the budget will probably be exceeded by about £25,000, leaving the revenue as budgeted, namely £886,000. Expenditure on the operating accounts should not exceed the budget figure, the excess expenditure mentioned being mainly due to expansion of our road motor services. "j. trust that the day is not far distant when, as a result of the decision to complete the South Island Main Trunk, Marlborough will have the opportunity to play a larger part in the economic life of the country," said the Minister, when speaking at Picton this evening. The Minister told members of the Picton Borough Council of his satisfaction when the Cabinet, after receiving reports on the line from his officers and those of the Public Works Department, decided on the basis of those reports to proceed with the completion " the work. Mr Sullivan arrived at Picton thisafternoon to start a comprehensive tour of all the northern districts of tho South Island, ins.: acting railway services there and also dealing with business associated with his other portfolios, principally as Minister for Industries and Commerce.

Mr Sullivan's party includes Mr G. H. Mackley (General Manager of Rai! J ways), and Dr. E. Marsdcn (director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research).

This evening the Minister received a welcome from the Picton Borough Council, and later he went to Blenheim to attend a social function arranged by the local branch of the Labour party. The party spent the night at Picton. While with the Picton Borough Council, Mr Sullivan heard representations about affairs of local interest. When giving him a welcome, the Mayor (Mr G. J. Riddell) told the Minister that "the whole world was watching the Labour Government's administration, and he thought the world would not be disappointed with the Government's actions."

Mr Sullivan also received a welcome by letter from the Picton branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, lack of time preventing tho branch from giving an actual function of welcome.

To-morrow the Minister will inspect the railway service between Picton and Wharanui. and he will then leave for Nelson, where he will spend the night.