71

V.—2

Populations in Boroughs. As instances of the increases in municipal populations, the following may be cited :— Populations. 1875. 1881. Christchurch ... ... ... ... 12,000 Christchurch with Sydenham ... ... ... ... 23,673 Blenheim ... ... ... ... 1,050 2,107 Lyttelton ... ... ... ... 2,014 4,127 Timaru ... ... ... ... ... 1,000 3,917 Nelson ... ... ... ... ... 2,761 6,764 Populations in Country Districts. In the case of the Ashburton County, through which the Hurunui-Bluff Railway passes for a distance of about thirty-eight miles, the land within ten miles of the railway on each side is more or less fit for agriculture, and the population, which was only 1,206 in 1875, increased to 8,691 in 1881, being at both periods centralized principally within ten miles of the railway route. The railway was opened for traffic at the end of 1874. In the six years following on the construction of the railway there appears therefore to have arisen an additional population in this case of, say, 7,500. The area of lands, more or less agricultural, in this case opened up was (38 miles X 20 miles) 760 square miles, equal to about 480,000 acres. Again, in the case of the Geraldine County, through which the railway passes for a distance of about thirty-four miles, for about half of this distance there is land more or less agricultural to the extent of about ten miles on each side of the railway, while for the other half of the distance the line runs close to the sea-shore, having agricultural lands on the west side only. In this case, therefore, the area of more or less agricultural lands opened up within a distance of ten miles of the railway route would be, say, about 500 square miles, equal to 320,000 acres. The population in 1875 was 6,911, while in 1881 it became 12,729. The railway was opened for traffic at the end of 1875. Increase of population during six years following on construction of railway, say 5,700. Again, in the case of the Waimate country. Length traversed by railway, thirty miles. "Width of more or less agricultural land opened up by railway, say, on west side ten miles, and on east side from the railway to the sea, say, on the average, two miles. Total width twelve miles ; area (30 miles X 12 miles) 360 square miles, equal to about 230,000 acres. Railway opened (average) early in 1877. Population in 1875 1,464, and in 1881 5,038. Increase in six years (during four years of which the railways existed) say 3,500. Revenue of Railways. First, on basis of population. It was found in several instances, by reference to railway statistics and population statistics, that the railway revenue in moderately thickly-populated agricultural districts, and where the railway had been opened for traffic for from seven to ten years, varied from £1 7s. to £2 3s. per head of the population existing within ten miles of the railway route, depending, as in the case of the populations themselves, on the quality of the land and the proportions of women and children to adult males. Again, on the basis of the agricultural lands traversed. It was found in a few instances that an approximation to the actual revenue on existing railways was arrived at by assuming that one-fourth of the agricultural lands traversed was cropped each year, and that the consequent railway revenue, including return freight and passenger fares, was equivalent to one ton per acre cropped, carried throughout half the length of the railway at tariff rates for grain. Again, still on the basis of agricultural lands traversed, and where a railway had been opened for traffic for about seven years: in a few instances tried, where the agricultural lands were fairly good and reached to the extent of about ten miles on each side of the railway throughout its whole length, the revenue of the railway was found to average from about £1,000 to £1,300 per mile per annum; while on average lines, where the width and character of agricultural lands were variable, and the width sometimes less than ten miles on each side, the revenue varied from £500 to £800 per mile per annum. Again, from the returns published by the Working Railways Department, it will be seen —first, that the revenue of railways passing through fairly good agricultural districts fairly well populated varies from about £800 to about £500 per mile per annum, while the revenue for railways passing through land of inferior quality, or lands very sparsely populated, as for instance the Picton to Blenheim and the New Plymouth to Waitara lines, varies from about £400 to £300 per mile per annum; second, that for lines yielding revenues of £500 per mile per annum and over, the working expenses may fairly be assumed at from 66 per cent, to 60 per cent, of the gross revenue, while for lines yielding less than £500 per mile of revenue the working expenses should be taken at fully twothirds of the revenue ; and, third, that the minimum which could safely be assumed for working expenses in any instance is £200 per mile per annum. In further explanation of the results arrived at in the tables, it may be well to state as follows : As regards the items headed " Further Portions which are provided for by Loan Act of 1882," it should be explained that the £180,000 mentioned in the Public Works Statement as provided for " Main Trunk Line Extension Northward " has been assumed as being available for construction of railway along the southern end of whichever route may be recommended by Commissioners as the best one to adopt for a through line, except to such extent as the Government stands committed to works already undertaken. Thus it has been assumed that the whole of this £180,000, together with the liabilities upon and estimated cost of completion of the Weka Pass section, and the line from Waikari to the north side of the Hurunui (£80,000), which has been otherwise provided for, will be available for extension northwards along the Tarndale route in the event of that being the one adopted; while, on the other hand, the Government being, as I understand it, already committed to the completion of the present northern railway to a point on the road to Waiau Township, about ten miles north of the Hurunui, near the Red Post, only £140,000 out of the aforesaid £180,000 has been, assumed as being available for construction of extension northwards from Waipara along the East