D.—2.

XXVIII

This satisfactory result fulfils the prediction contained in my 1898 report, and indicates clearly that the large amount of new business which was secured on completion of the line through the-Eorty-mile Bush to Woodville has not only been retained, but also that traffic generally has improved. The following table will also show the principal items of traffic dealt with, and the most material increases and decreases in quantities respectively as compared with last year's working : —

Net increase of tonDage, 13,599. Traffic originating on the Palmerston-New Plymouth lines and carried over the Wellington or Napier lines is not included herein. The revenue for the two years 1898 and 1899 shows an increase of £52,746 as oompared with 1897. This table shows there has been a substantial improvement in the carriage of all classes of traffic, with the exception of wool, firewood, and coal. Last year I had to report an increase in the carriage of 10,000 bales of wool over and above the quantity carried in 1897 ; the year under review shows a decrease in carriage of 5,200 bales as compared with last year. The decrease is due almost entirely to shortage of the wool-clip, the average quantity per sheep produced being less last season than for the previous one, which, was abnormally high, owing to a particularly fine winter and late shearing. The decrease in the quantity of firewood carried is attributable in a great measure to the diminishing supply available adjacent to railway-stations within such distance of consuming centres as would make its cutting and transit profitable. The quantity of coal carried remains practically the same, the slight decrease representing one ship-load only. An experiment of running trains .between Napier and Hastings at cheap fares was tried during the summer months, but it did not prove successful. The Saturday and Sunday cheap fares between Te Aro and Upper Hutt are largely availed of and appreciated by passengers. The Wellington suburban passenger traffic continues to improve, and suggestions are frequently made that the suburban train services should be accelerated, but unfortunately this cannot be done to any extent with the present speed restrictions rendered necessary by the curved nature of the track between Wellington and Petone. With the exception of a female passenger being killed at a flag-station, owing to her want of care, there have been no fatal accidents or injuries to passengers. Injuries to members of the staff have been of a very trivial nature. The train services have been well maintained. The only serious interruption to traffic was caused by some heavy slips on the Eimutaka Eange and its vicinity in November last, due tophenomenally heavy rains. The Fell service has proved to be more than equal to the heaviest traffic which has had to be taken over the Eimutaka Incline. Passengers, goods, &c, amounting to a gross weight of 2,338 tons have been conveyed over the Incline in one day without the service having to be worked to its full capacity. The large additions to rolling-stock during the year permit of orders for wagons being fulfilled with promptitude, excepting during the wool season. Heavy expenditure is required at many stations to provide conveniences for the public and facilities for properly carrying on the largely increased business. The conduct of members of the staff has been good, and they have performed their duties in an intelligent and zealous manner. I have, &c, T. E. Donne, District Traffic Manager. The General Manager;-New Zealand Eailways, Wellington. Sir, — District Traffic Manager's Office, Christchurch, 29th April, 1899. I have to report on the working of the Christchurch district of the New Zealand Government railways for the year ending the 31st March, 1899.

Description. Number. Tons. Increi ,se. Decrease. Revenue. Increase. Decrease. Passengers Season tickets Parcels ... Horses Carriages... Dogs Cattle Sheep Chaff, &c... Timber ... Grain Merchandise Other minerals Wool Firewood... Coal 827,87.7 14,981 114,938 2,064 189 4,883 6,894 561,158 Number 72,433 2,290 15,410 47' 74 576 326 99,854 Tons. Tons. £ s. d. 80,587 14 5 10,877 2 10 £ s. 11,133 2 2,171 5 d. 7 2 £ s. d. 7,684 75,164 15,203 51,338 12,358 15,873 23,496 19,990 383\ 6,212 809 - 4,200 3.773J 132,986 10 9 14,353 15 7 1,040) 4131 325)