INCREASE IN RAILWAY REVENUE AT MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, 13 November 1950, Page 2

INCREASE IN RAILWAY REVENUE AT MARTON

A considerable increase in the cattle and timber traffic at Marton Junction over the past three months is mainly responsible for the increase of nearly £2400 in the railway revenue at Marton, compared with the same period last year. Passenger traffic, however, has slightly decreased. The amount of barley and dry feed transported from Marton ’in recent months, has assisted in the increased tonnage'of general goods carried from Marton. In the following figures for the last quarter, those for the corresponding period last year are shown in parentheses: Passengers), 4951 (5518); road service passengers, .267 (31); cattie and calves, 3190 (2157); sheep and pigs, 11,142 (11,016); timber, 727 tons (553 tons); general goods* 1663 tons (1409 tons). Revenue: passengers, £2350 (£2448); parcels, £2121 (£257); goods, £6641 (£4224); miscellaneous, £l5O (£190); road service passe®gi®S7 : £172 (£16); total, £9525 (£7136). INCREASE OF REVENUE NECESSARY. In a review of some of the problems faced by the council when it assumed office three years ago, the Mayor, Mr T. E. Barton, at a recent meeting of the council, said that at the close of the financial year, ended Match 31, 1948, the council had a debit balance in its general account of £lO4O. It was faced with substantial rise in costs of labour and material, and a pile of necessary work that had accumulated over the war period due to restrictions on available labour and material, and lack of finance. The first major problem was to increase revenue, as increased costs could not be met by the resources of the council then available, said Mr Barton. The council was bound by law to collect a general rate not exceeding 2d in the £ on capital value, and the council at this time was required to strike the maximum general rate, which was insufficient to make adequate provision for general purposes. The council had no option but to classify water closets and levy an annual charge of 10s to obtain additional revenue. This charge, said Mr Barton, was levied in many municipalities throughout JNew Zealand, including Invercargill, Wanganui and Waipukurau.

The supply of water to other than domestic consumers was also reviewed by the council and the installation of meters for extraordinary supply resulted in a substantial increase in revenue, said the Mayor. PIPE BAND TO PARADE. The screening of the film “Bonnie Prince Charlie" at the Marton Civic Theatre tomorrow night is to be preceded by a parade of the Marton Scottish Society’s Pipe Band in Broadway. The band will later play Scottish airs outside the theatre. “Bonnie Prince Charlie.” which is a Scottish film, stars David Niven and Margaret Leighton. MARTON ROSE SHOW. Rather an attractive schedule has been prepared for the Marton rose show', to be held in the Civic Theatre next Thursday. One of the distinctive features of this show will be that it is an all-rose display—no other flowers have been included in the schedule. Altogether there are 74 classes divided into seven sections. The schedule caters for both professional and amateur growers and novices, while there is an artistic section. The children have not been forgotten either. A valuable collection of trophies has been made available and the society has been fortunate in securing a perpetual challenge cup and bronze medal from the National Rose Society (England) to he awarded the winner of the 12 best blooms in the amateur section. The National Rose Society has also donated a bronze medal for the champion bloom of the show. The schedule has been compiled io cater for all rose enthusiasts and. there are even classes for growers with not more than 18 rose plants. MARTON LADIES’ GOLF. A Stableford points match for a trophy donated by Miss Beckett will be played on the Marton golf links today and Tuesday. The draw is:— No. 1 tee: Mrs Grut v. Miss Ladley. Miss E. Galpin v Mrs Fullerton-Smith, Mrs Stanford v. Mrs Sladden, Mrs Crawford v. Mrs Caithness. Mr:: Morrison v. Mrs Henderson, Mrs W. T. G.elnin v. Mrs Joblin, Mrs A. H. Marc shall v. Mrs Knox, Mrs Scoon v. Mrs Wilson. Mrs Frederick v. Miss S. Galnin, Miss P. Galpin v. Mrs Mogridge, Mrs Tolley v. Mrs Cornfoot, Mrs Glasgow v. Mrs Fenwicke, Mrs Bending v. Mrs Popnleweli. No. 5 toe: Mrs Whale v. Miss Beckett, Mrs McFarlane v. Mrs Sherriff, Mr-. McDonald v. Mrs Low. Mrs Co’.ensan v. Mrs McConachie. Mrs Trotter v. Miss Fullerton-Smith, Mi’s Slo-