BOAT AND BUS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 67, 20 March 1931, Page 3

BOAT AND BUS

EASTBOURNE AFFAIRS

Traffic returns for February, with figures for February last year in parentheses, were submitted to the monthly meeting of the Eastbourne Borough Council last night as follows:—T.S.S. Muritai: Number of round trips, <S6 (68); total distance steamed, 690 miles (1020); oil fuel used, 24.5 tons (38.25); number of passenger* carried, 25,644 (35,981). S.S. Cobar: Number of round trips, 132 (162); total distance steamed, 1980 miles (2430); coal used, SB tons (73); number o£ passengers carried, 14,002 (23,403). During the month the buses ran 545 trips to Wellington, covering 20,030 miles (19,330) and using 2133 gallons (2083) of benzine. It was reported that a permit for one building, valued at £25, had been issued in February. " The Town Clerk (Mr. C. L. Bishop), m his report for February, stated that to the end of February approximately the same amount of rates had been, collected as tor the corresponding period last year. Ihe amount collected this year, however, included a greater proportion of arrears than in the previous year, and thus there was a larger amount of current rates still outstanding this year than last year. Approximately forty men were being employed from two to four days per week under the No. 5 scheme of unemployment relief. These men were engaged m extending the concrete wall along the beach front and in clearing and levelling sand. Arrangements would be made to have the new scale of ferry fares brought into operation as from the Ist April, and the time-tables as soon thereafter as possible. Ferry receipts fell considerably in i<cbruary. The falling off of £700 was the heaviest on record. It was the result of the general depression, the earthquake disaster, and the cancellation of all Government Department picnics. . . . To the end of February the gross revenue showed a falling off of £1900 as compared with tue same period last year. The expenditure for the same period shows a reduction ot £2100. Bus revenue showed a decline of £200, the largest in any one month, lo the end of February the gross revenue exceeded that for the same period last year by approximately £200. The expenditure, on the'other hand, was slightly higher on account of the additional mileage run with the extra night services. The position for this financial year, while it would perhnps not be quite so good as» last year, would nevertheless be quite satisfactory. If a falling off in revenue is to continue for any lengthy period, and I think a continued falling off must be expected, the financial matters of this department will require very careful review. No doubt the best time to review this department would be directly after the end of (he present financial year, and I suggest that my special report on the omnibus department be held over until then.

Messrs. II- Krnest, Leighlon, Ltd., are holding a special sale of residential properties find sections to-morrcm', when tli'ey will oiler at 2.15 p.m., (it St. Albuns avenue, a. new storey and a halt Jionse of 7 looms, also adjacent building sections:, at 2.4i5 p.m.. at Mai re avenue. close to AVobm-n bowline green and croquet courts, a five-roomed bungalow, and at 3.15 p.m., at Mills road, Mr. Daily's own residence of five rooms. Full details will be found iv our advertising columns,

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