TRAM REVENUE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 7

TRAM REVENUE.

Deficit of £14,509 for Year BOARD'S ANNUAL MEETING. A deficit of £14,509. as against an estimated deficit of £17,000. has resulted on the workings of the Christchurch tramway service for the year ended March 31. 1934, according to the revenue account presented to the annual meeting of the board to-day by the chairman (the Rev J. K. Archer 1 . The statement dealing with the revenue account set out earnings as £179,300 (£181.838 in the previous year'. Had the present board followed the policy of the old board, the deficiencv would have been £32.143. it was stated. The present board had been faced by a deficiency for which it was not responsible. and the audit office agreed to allow the striking of a rate. The cash fare passengers showed a decrease of 1.562.674, the concession cards a decrease of 50.961. and the weekly passes an increase of 2.612,230. With all tickets together, there was an increase of 998.595, yet there was a decrease in revenue of £4617 The board, the report stated, had been handicapped by decisions of the Tramway Appeal Board which had prevented the traffic staff from being as united and contented as it might have been, but the relationship was now friendly and would be strengthened by new agreements now under negotiation. Prospects for the coming year were good. If the improvement continued there was every prospect of a reduction in the rate. * Mr Arched proposed the adoption of the balance-sheet. The motion was seconded by Mr G. Manning, who said that the balancesheet was slightly disappointing, as it was inherited from the old board. After Mr C. E. Jones had replied, Mr E. J. Hqward, M.P.. said there was no use worrying about the old board The tramways were on the upward trend, and were regaining the support and confidence of the public. The motion was carried.