WAKATIPU STEAMERS

Southland Times, Issue 22158, 28 October 1933, Page 5

WAKATIPU STEAMERS

SMALLER *jOSS FOR 1932-33. RAILWAY BOARD’S REPORT. The following reference to the Lake Wakatipu steamer service is made in the annual report of the New Zealand Railways Board:—

The revenue for the year totalled £7864, a decrease of £149 (1.86 per cent.) compared with the previous year. Passenger journeys were 17,139, a decrease of 7724 compared with the previous year. Passenger revenue amounted to £2860, a decrease of £309 (9.75 per cent.). The revenue did not decrease in the same proportion as the decline in passengers, owing to adjustment in fares which become effective in June, 1932. Goods revenue amounted to £4083, an increase of £lB5 (4.75 per cent.) which is due to the increased rates brought into operation in June, 1932. General goods declined by 157 tons, and timber traffic decreased by 6 tons. Live-stock decreased by 612 head. The number of motor-cars conveyed by the lake steamers was 328, a "decrease of 39 compared with the previous year. Parcels traffic declined by £29. The expenditure for the year totalled £B2OO, a decrease of £lB6B (18.55 per cent.) compared with the previous year. The principal reduction was in salaries and wages, which decreased by £1471. The decrease is due to salary and wage reductions and to general economy measures. The mileage run decreased from 24,461 in 1932 to 21,483 in 1933, and this decrease accounted in some measure for the decrease in running-costs, which fell from 98.4 d per mile in 1932 to 91.6 d per mile in 1933. The cost of fuel and stores declined by £333. The decline under this heading would have been greater but for the fact that the prolonged strike on the Ohai Coalfield necessitated the use of mo:|i expensive coal. Repairs to the two steamers amounted to £732, an increase of £344 compared with last year. Repair .vork for 1932 was considerably below normal. The average repair bill for the four years ended March, 1931, was £2708 for three steamers. It will thus be seen that the expenditure for the year under review has been kept at a minimum.

The net loss for the year was £336 as compared with a loss of £2055 for the previous year and with a loss of £4898 in 1931.

1932-33. 1931-32. Decrease. Revenue Expenditure £ 7864 8200 £ 8013 10,068 £ 149 1868 Loss 336 2055 1719