Railway Statement.

Hastings Standard, Issue 70, 17 July 1896, Page 2

Railway Statement.

ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY. [By Telegraph] [Special to Standard.] Wellington, JulylG. The Railway Statement laid before Parliament to-day shewed that during the year £1 16s per cent, was earned on the capital of the railways compared with £1 13s 6d last year, a net increase of £23,762, and estimates the value of concession made by the Government in fares and freight at £4300. In the first time in history of the railways over four million passengers were carried. Popular holiday fares were largely responsible for the increased revenue, and school excursions were also largely patronised, but experience of the Department, apart from the benefits indicated, is that the rates were unrenumerative. The Government have decided to insure casual hands employed on State railways. Men disabled by accidents secure the sum of £1 per week for twenty-six weeks, and £l5O in case of death from accidents, the premium of this insurance being a charge against the railway revenue.

Mr Cadman estimates the revenue for the current year at £1,200,000, and expenditure £762,000 for additional rolling-stock and machinery lor the current year; £64,743 will be required for increased accommodation at stations, and £26,669 to meet the demands for faster and better train services. Provision will also have to be made for a complete relaying of the main lines with heavier rails and strengthening structures in accordance with locomotive reguiremeots.