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Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5601, 6 February 1879, Page 4

The railway receipts for the per.'l ending December the 14th last are very satisfactory. They enable some comparison to be made between the estimate of the Colonial Treasurer for the year’s railway revenue, and the result that may be expected from the jea* work. In the calculation it mas; borne in mind that tbe railway accounts are divided into thirteen periods each tt four weeks. Tbe first six of these have produced £293,494. The next six wu; produce as much more at least, and th thirteenth may be put at the sent; figure as the sixth, which realise! £57,357. The total for the year ending June 30, 1879, reckoned in ruts fashion, would reach £644,345. But as the grain season belongs to mo second half of the year, it is clear that 'the calculation on which the al'O v result is based is unfair. Somethin.mnst be added to the recentof the second half to give reason to the figures. Our practice - 1 former years has been roughly add to the amount estimated for -

year —when considering the y.\.. probable result in the middle o. - year—twenty-five per cent, et -■ amount received during the fcrst months of four weeks each, to rep; ■ - the increase to be expected from -- grain and wool traffic and their ;v. ' sories. This has usually proved ■ -

sanguine, but the present ye;* 1 ’ -y shown an increasing railway without any help from the grain seuThe probabilities are that this inci - - ' of business will supplement tae - creased business of the grain season. - that twenty-five per cent, on the of the first six months will not bo -- immoderate estimate for the inc:e ‘ :: traffic of the grain season. Tins will be found on calculation to £73,467, which, added to tho am '- already calculated, gives for - 1878-79 a probable revenueof £ ■ 1 ■ As the estimate of the Colonial Insurer was £710,000, the prospect will be readily seen, very goou. *

railway figures have never, in tao ■ die of the year, looked so well hotel