Railway and Motor

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 48, 26 February 1938, Page 4

Railway and Motor

TRANSPORT FIGURES. Railways.—Railway return# during the current railway year show a substantial improvement in the volume of both passenger and goods traffic as compared with the totals for the same period of 1926-37. The net ton-miles run in the thirty-six weeks ended on 11th December totalled 383,684,000, an increase of 16.3 per cent, above the total recorded in that period of the 1936- year, while the number of passenger journeys was 14,977,909, an in crease of 6.3 per cent. Comparison of j the figures for the current railway year with those for the same portion of recent years reveals some interesting features. Between 1930-31 and 1932-33 sharp decreases in both goods and passenger traffic are indicated by the statistics for ths period of the year; while figures for subsequent years show a continued improvement, the increase in 1937- year actually exceeded the 1930-31 total for that period by 17.4 per cent., but the number of passengei journeys run was 5.3 per cent, below the 1930-31 figure. Working revenue during the thirtysix weeks ended on Tlth December totalled £5.015,090 and working expenditure £4,977,434. Corresponding figures for that period of 1936-37 were— Revenue, £4,403,419; expenditure, £4, 225,372. Motor Transport.—The number of motor-vehicles licensed on 31st December, 1937, was 267,257, as compared with 241,915 at the end of 1936 and 216,905 on 31st December, 1935. The latest figures represents a record level for Dominion, the previous highest being 255,748, on 31st March, 1937. Shipping.—The total manifest cargo (inwards and outwards) handled at ports in the Dominion during 1937 was 8,220,712 tons, an increase of 9 per cent above the total in 1936 (7,538,532 tons) and of 25.1 per <jent. above the total in 1935 (6,569,794 tons). Both coastal and overseas shipping shared ik the increase, coastal tonnage in 1937 being 8.2 per cent, higher than in 1936 and overseas tonnage 9.4 per cent higher,

The keniiel section of the Hawke’s Bay Autumn Show is always a very attractive feature. The cash prizes and specials are very liberal and it is anticipated entries will be exceptionally strong. Fanciers are reminded that entries close on Thursday, March 3 and are requested to make sure their entries reach the secretary (P.O. Box 145, Napier) on or before that date. A separate schedule is issued for this section.

“We want men employed, and we want the assets, yet the cheapest and easiest way out of our difficulty would be to put all the men on sustenance, pay them, as the fund could, £3 a week and we would then be saving money,'* said the Minister of Employment, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, when, in receiving a deputation from the Christchurch City Council, he expressed doubt of reports that suitable major works for the employment of men could not bepfotuadi