TRAMWAYS AND POWER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 20, 18 October 1917, Page 6

TRAMWAYS AND POWER

FIGURES FOR THE YEAR

THE EXTRA PLANT DIFFICULTY

The annual report of the general manager for tho Wellington Corporation Tramways and Electric Light Departments (Mr. W. H. Morton) were made available for the press In introducing his review of the year's tramway operations, Mr. Morton gives the final figures, which snould give seriousminded citizens something to think over. The reference is to ,the laot that whilst the revenue of the trams has increased £20,082 during the year ended March 31 lasj, the working expenses have leapt np £26,568, so that viewing the tramways finance from the point of comparative Increases, the city is £6568 to the baa on the, twelve months' working. The real cause for alarm is that with all items of expenditure increasing during £ne year under roview (and to a greater oxtwat since), the net surplus is only £18,'960, compared with £27,120 last year —a decrease of £8160. The power supply returns will be found to be more satisfactory. The figures are as follow:—

TRAMWAYS. 191R7 1015-16 Kevenue .' 207,946 187',864 Working expenses 145,385 118,817 Capital charges ... 43,601 41,927 Nee surplus 18,900 27,120 POWER SUPPLY. 1916-17 1915-16 £ £ Kevenue 15,440 12,763 Working expenses- 8,173 6,098 Capital charges ... -.5,538 ,5,359 , Not surplus 1,729 ..1,306 Out of the net surpluses of the Tramways and power accounts, ,£20,1)89, the buui of .£7826 was spent on special work, active service pay, and an amount writton off preliminary expenses, leaving a net credit balance tor the year of ,£12,863. How Other Funds Stand. The report goes on to say: The amount to the credit of the depreciation, and renewals account is now JE177.147. Of this amount ,£145,01)9 has been expended to date on new works, and a sum of is on at the- Union Bank of Australia, Ltd., and is v oarhiarked for - "renewal purposes." ' , . The Accident Fund account is now in credit -to tne extent of ,£13,302, the whole of" which amount is represented by cash at the bank. The fund was inaugurated in 1909, the nucleuß of tlio fund being created by the transfer of .£IOUD from the tramways revenue account. During the eight years, it has been in operation the corporation has therefore made a clear gain to date oi .£12,362 by its system of self-insurance. The Tramways, Power Supply,, and Public Lighting Sinking Funds now - total

£85,114. Of this amouut J25293 hasteen apnlied in. repayment of loans, Xi3,im has ueen invested by the Commissioners, and tbe balance, .£6614, was available for investment at the beginning of the current year. ; Capital Account.—The expenditure on new works during the year amounted to . £41571. After allowing for the annual writing down of Preliminary Expenses, the net increase in the capital account for the year; was £10,186. The total : capital expenditure as S.I March 31, 1917, amounted, to .£799,358, made up as follows:— „ | Tramways ! Power supply , *VrJ } Public lighting ■•-••; f'}^ These assets have been built up oi the ■ following funds-.— . Loans ~ ..........™..... : . 553,230 J Hntaitai Land Company s Contribution to cost of tunnel IU,WW Contributions from Depreciation Fund ;; 14a ' fIG 9 Contributions from revenue, (less _ amounts written off) oo.bl-l Sinking Fund applied in repaynient of loan • i >>- J,i Temporary advance from Bank on new works account 30,409 Amount yet owing to lliramar Borough '■° 3j _ '800.GC8 Less Wadestown tramway loan moneys unexponded 1.310 ,£799 358 Rolling Stock. The great' difficulty experienced in obtaining material and equipment for the construction of new cars restricted operations in the department's car building shops, and as a result only six passenger cars were turned out for the year ended March 31, 1917. With the addition of these cars the rolling stock now nun - hers 11:1 vehicles, comprising 113 passenger cars, two freight cars, two service cars for dealing with breakdowns and track repairs, and one sprinkler car. The increase in the. volume of traflic handled ha-- necessitated all available cars being in service during rush hours, and as this ha's left only a small margin of care in the works undergoing repairs ami overhaul, the car maintenance stall lias experienced considerable difficulty throughout Iho year in meeting all requirements. New Cars. With the existing outlook it is not anticipated that last year's building programme will be improved upon during the present year. Immediately, however, n.aterial becomes available, It. will be necessary to greatly accelerate building operations, not only to provide'additional cars for traffic, but also a sufficient margin to enable the whole of-the rolling stool; receiving n thorough and periodical overhaul. Additional cars cannot-, however, be' put into service until the plant in the generating station is increased. Car Shed Accommodation. After being greatly delayed on account of" llif shortage of 'labour, the new car shed at Onepu Road, Kilbirnie, was completed and occupied early in December, 191G, and over thirty cars are now accommodated there. This shed, which is of r-inforced concrete, has accommodation for 42 cars, and when the necessity arises ,n be extended to hold over 90 cars. The erection of the proposed additions for 'car building and repair workshops this shed is a work whicli will require to bo undertaken immediately conditions are again normal.