BRANCH RAILWAYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 28

BRANCH RAILWAYS.

THE SOUTHLAND LINES. WELLINGTON, October 3. The Railway Commission has investigated the financial position of all branch lines in the Dominion, and its report on the Southland lines is as follows: Tapanui, Waikaka, and Switzers Branches. The commission recommends that in each of these cases the passenger service be discontinued; that the locomotive depots at Edievale and Waikaka be closed and the staff removed; arrangements to be made to work the branch goods traffic as required, savin" £l5OO per annum. °

Glenham Branch.—The commission recommends that the. locomotive depot at Wyndham be closed and the staff removed; that passenger traffic be discontinued, and arrangements made to work goods traffic on the branch as required; saving, £1250 per annum. Seaward Bush Branch.—The commission recommends that, unless a distinct improvement is shown in revenue within the next six months, the passenger service be discontinued; that the goods service be operated as business warrants.

Orawia Extension of the Tuatapere Branch. —The commission is of opinion that continued operation of this extension is not justified, but that the department should offer to the settlers and persons interested an arrangement whereby it could be leased at a nominal rental and operated by the residents as a tramw’ay. By the closing down 1 of this extension it is estimated that an annual saving of £2OOO will be effected. Forest Hill Branch.—The commission recommends that the passenger services, which are now provided by private buses, be discontinued, and, if found practicable, the locomotive depot and train staff be transferred to Invercargill; goods traffic to be worked as required. This should effect a saving of £l5OO. Mararoa (Mossburn) Branch.—The cost of maintenance on this branch will in the near future have to be increased with a corresponding increase in the loss in working. The commission recommends that, in the meantime, the ordinary time table services be discontinued and the traffic be worked by goods trains as required. The position should frequently be reviewed, and if it is found that no improvement in the net results is obtained the branch should be closed.

The losses on these lines during the past year are given as follows: — Tapanui£lo,69o ' Waikaka 5,074 Switzers 5,404 Glenham .. .. .. ~ 5,528 Seaward Bush 10,923 Orawia and Tuatapere 6,052 Forest Hill .. 2,214 Mossburn . ... .. 826