RAILWAY WORK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15717, 9 September 1911, Page 2

RAILWAY WORK.

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS

RENARD ROAD TRAINS ORDERED. [Fr.ou Orit Cop.r.r.sroNDES'T.] WELLINGTON, September 8,

The Railways Statement, presented to-day by the Hon J. A. Millar, showed that the net profit on last year’s working was £1,190,910, and that the earnings totalled £3,494,182, the highest in the history of the department. A profit of 4.00 per cent on thq. invested capital is shown. An active developmental policy is foreshadowed by tho Minister, who will ask Parliament to sanction an expenditure of £IOO,OOO on grade reduction work, to be spent at tho rate of £25,000 per annum. The cash on delivery system in respect to parcels will be brought into operation, making it possible for tradesmen to consign goods to clients, the department collecting the charges and paying the amount to the consignor. A practical test of the Renard road trains, one of which the Minister saw operating in Queensland, will be made in Central Otago, and if successful similar trains will be brought into use elsewhere, to provide a reliable moaii3 of transport to the nearest railway station for settlers in sparsely populated districts. Motor-car services, referred to in last year’s Statement, will he in operation this year. Regarding railway men’s wages, the Minister states that'llo. will submit proposals to the House for further improving tho pay of the second division men.