HOLIDAY RAIL TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20175, 8 February 1929, Page 13

HOLIDAY RAIL TRAFFIC.

CHRISTMAS PERIOD RETURN.

INCREASE IN NET PROFIT.

HIGHEST FOR THREE YEARS.

[by telegram:.—own correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, Thursday,

Although the weather conditions were unfavourable during the Christmas holiday season, tho working profits of the Railway Department for the four weeks ended January 5 were over £19,000 higher than in tho previous year, and £9OOO more than in 1926. The amount, £202,372, was, however, exceeded in the December period of 1925, when tho excess of receipts was £239,07].

This return records the heaviest revenue of tho year. Tho amount on this occasion was which is £39,124 more than in 1927. The working expenses amounted to £513,806, an increase of £9799.

Operating revenue from tho North Island railways, £395,976, shows an increase of £10,462, against which there was also an increase in expenses by £2772 to £271,670. Tho net addition to working profit was therefore £7690.

The increase in the net operating revenue of the South Island railways was £11,280. Receipts increased by £10,742 to £254,326, while expenses at £202,762 were lower by £533. The net revenue from miscellaneous services increased by only £345. Following is a summary of the net revenue for tho 10 periods of the current financial year:—

The total working profits for 40 weeks are less by £22,768 than those for the corresponding period of tho previous year. Those from tho North Island have fallen by £34,276, against which there have been increases of £2853 from the South Island railways, and £8655 from miscellaneous services.

North South Other Island. Island. Services. Total. April 23 £71.200 £34.772 £24,189 £130,221 May 2G 41.917 32.398 17,945 95,260 Juno 23 32.037 5.995 1G.1G1 45.193 July 21 10, GPS *0,883 21,401 25,200 Auk. 18 22,221 •2.105 13,917 34.032 Sept. 15 37.777 *10.429 14,733 42,081 Oct. 1.3 23.0-10 *18.902 20,595 25,273 Nov. 10 -10,979 *10,853 15,727 39.853 Dec. 8 84.723 13,257 10,307 11-1,280 Jan. 5 124.300 51.50-1 20.502 202.372 Totals £492,5-19 £82,754 £ 187.47G £762.779 'Excess of working expenses.