RECORD RETURN

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1939, Page 3

RECORD RETURN

REVENUE FROM RAILWAYS. (Per Press Association-Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, April 30. The total revenue earned by the railways in the financial year ended March 31, reached the record figure of £9,345,388. According to details released by the Minister of Railways, lion. D. G. Sullivan, in an interview.j on Saturday, tne net earnings amount- j ed to £701,0(34. The gross revenue was ,£9,345,388. i| i “Having in view a decrease of one<;.i 1 million in sheep traffic, following the | unfortunate outbreak of facial eczema ! last year, it is pleasing to see that a: record gross revenue was earned,“• said the Minister. “This reflects the general prosperity that has prevailed throughout the Dominion during the financial year just concluded. On the expenditure side, there is an in- | crease of £642,935. Of this amount, £225,003 was due to expansion of the existing road services and 'to the operation of additional goods and passenger road services, which have been acquired during the year, , while . £38,000 was due to additional business at- the Department’s refreshment ! rooms, and bookstalls. Concessions to the staff increased the expenditure by I approximately £160,000, Coal cost-s r increased by £43,000, of which £20,000 | I is due to increased prices, and £23,000 to increased consumption, consequent on the additional engine miles. Approximately 400,003 additional train miles were run during the year, and this, together with an extraordinary I expenditure of some £60,000 in reI pairing the line between Napier and I Putorino, which was seriously damaged by flood in April, 1938, accounts for the balance of the increased expenditure. The net results obtained for the year, with increase in fares and freight charges operating for *f> weeks only, are very satisfactory, and there are indications that the'net returns for the eurrent year will show an improvement in the figures for the financial year just closed.