TRAMWAY BOARD DEFICIT

Evening Star, Issue 22626, 19 April 1937, Page 15

TRAMWAY BOARD DEFICIT

LOSS DESPITE £IO,GOO INCREASE IN GROSS REVENUE EPIDEMIC AND COSTS FACTORS [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 18. Despite increases of almost a quarter of a million in the number of passengers carried and of more than £IO,OOO in the gross earnings, the Christchurch Tramway Board’s deficit for the last financial year increased by £4,646 bringing it to £20,258. The net earnings were down by £476, and the expenses increased to £11,137. , The chairman of tho board (Mr G. Manning) remarked at a meeting of the board on Saturday that when the increase in earnings was noted and when tho infantile paralysis epidemic was remembered the board had some grounds for satisfaction. Had costs remained tho same as in 1935 the deficit. would have been only £5,000. Operating costs had, however, more than absorbed the increased earnings. A pleasing feature of the year’s figures was the increase of almost a quarter of a million in tho number of passengers carried. In its report to the board the Works and Traffic Committee pointed out that the year under review had included two Easters. The 40-hour week, which was instituted in the workshops in 1936, had been extended to all. departments •in September last. The concession fares were increased in February, and tho committee also recalled that the travel restrictions owing to the epidemic were not removed until February 6.