THE RAILWAYS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 235, 30 June 1922, Page 6

THE RAILWAYS

SHRINKING REVENUE NORTH ISLAND LINES AFFECTED ECONOMIES IN EXPENDITURE A comparative statement of passenger and freight traffic, revenue and expenditure, on the New Zealand railways, for the period, April 1 to Alay 27, was issued yesterday. There is a decrease of first and sec-ond-class passengers of 8 and 4 per cent, in the single tickets, compared with the corresponding period of last year, and an increase of about 4 per cent. in. 'return fares and season tickets. -A general decrease of 12 per cent, is shown in the freight and' live stock carried, of cattle 13, and sheep and pigs 2 per cent.; of timber, 33 per cent. The total revenue and expenditure of the North and South Island lines for the period referred to are as fol-

While the revenue shows a shrinkage of 12 per cent, in the North Island, ■ and 3 per cent, in the South, there has beep an all-round decrease of 17 per cent, in expenditure. The extra mileage open for traffic was 20 miles. on the North Island main line and branches, that is, excluding Whangarei, Kaihu, and. Gisborne services, fell from £661,173 to £587,433, and the expenditure! from £592,108 to £489,330. For the South Island main lines and' branches (excluding Westland, Westport, Nelson, Picton, and Lake Wakatipu) the revenue showed a decrease from £404,633 to £099,009, and. the expenditure from £424,925 to £349,156. The expenditure on all North 1 Island lines is 85 per cent, of the revenue, as compared with 90 per cent, the comparison, In regard to the South for the same period of last year, and Island lines is 86 and 102 per cent, respectively. x The total capital cost of lines open* ed to date is £37.235,254,. and of unopened lines £4,190,243. ,

lows: — Revenue. 1922 period. 1921 period. Decrease North Inland ... 605,719 684,479 12%' South Inland . ... ,462,127 475,516 3% Totals 1,067,646 1,159,995 Expenditure. 8% North Island . ... 512,678 612,610 South Island . ... 399,329 483,286 Totals ... 912,007 1,096,896 17%.