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D.—2

APPENDIX F.

Sm,— District Traffic Manager's Office, Auckland, 24th April, 1901. I have the honour to report on the working of the Auckland Section of the New Zealand Government railways for the year ending 31st March, 1901. The revenue for the year was £185,138, as against £168,640 for the previous year, being an increase of £16,498. The following table shows the traffic under the various headings:—

There were some slight decreases under the headings of pigs and chaff. The number of parcels also shows an apparent decrease, owing to an alteration in the method of counting; but the increase of 10 per cent, in the revenue indicates the improvement in the business. The substantial reduction in the ordinary passenger fares, which operated from the 24th June last, has greatly increased that branch of the traffic. The ratio of increase in numbers on the business of the previous year rose from about 12 per cent, for the months of April, May, and June to 22 per cent, for the remainder of the year. The bookings at ordinary and excursion fares were as under (season tickets omitted) : — 1900. 1901. At ordinary fares ... ... ... ... ... 563,766 692,579 At holiday-excursion fares ... ... ... ... 165,226 179,732 At school and factory fares ... ... ... ... 8,498 7,886 Totals ... "... ... ... ... 737,480 880,197 The issue within the suburban area of workers' cheap weekly tickets has produced fairly good results. The number of these tickets issued during the eleven months the rates have been in operation was 6,611. The additional train-services put on in connection with this business are likely to prove remumerative. The system of checking passengers' luggage has not yet become popular. The improvement in the live-stock traffic is due to the increased export of frozen meat. Goods traffic generally shows considerable expansion. The revenue from this source has increased 10 per cent, as compared with the previous year. Additional rolling-stock is urgently needed to deal with the increased business. The dairying industry is making good progress in the districts served by the railway. There have been no serious accidents or interruptions to the train-service. There is every indication that the ensuing year will be one of prosperity. If the present fares and rates are maintained, it may be anticipated that the present rate of increase in the revenue will continue. I have, &c, H. Buxton, District Traffic Manager. The General Manager, New Zealand Bailways, Wellington.

Totals for Year. Increase over previous Year. No. Tons. Amount. No. Tons. Amount. £ s. d. £ s. d. Passengers Season tickets... Parcels Horses Carriages Dogs Cattle Sheep Pigs Chaff, &c. Wool Firewood Timber Grain Merchandise ... Coal Other minerals Eents and miscellaneous 880,197) 16,076) 68,673 1,059 85 ■ 3,756 23,272 135,051 1,962 72,331 18 6,006 11 9 1 (142,717 I 5,542/ J " 16 °. I "629 f 6,609 10,947 5,805 6 5 603 19 10 ... 1 14,289 1,862 3,992 - 23,052 32,249 42,589 77,803 41,177, 102,123 5 7 I i ... 17 116 1,637 4,223 3,964 3,579 3,589 10,035 18 6 4,076 3 10 53 2 10