D.-2

VI

RESULTS OF WORKING. The following is a summary of results of working, for year ending the 31st March, 1910, as compared with 1909:—

VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. In accordance with the intimation given to honourable members last session, I took the opportunity during the recess of visiting Australia for the purpose of meeting and conferring with the Railway Commissioners of the various States in reference to the methods of railway working in Australia. I had the pleasure of

Particulars. - Year endei 1909. Year ended 31st March. id 8 31st March. 1910. i9oy. 1910. i auy. lyiu. rotal miles open for traffic 2,682 2,682 2,717 2,717 \verage miles open for year ... 2,556 2,556 2,704 2,704 Capital cost of opened and unopened lines £29,052,432 £30,321,191 Capital cost of open lines £27,762,592 £28,513,476 Capital cost per mile of open lines ... £10,351 £10,494 3ross earnings ... ... ... ... | £2,929,526 £3,249,790 Working-expenses ... ... ... ... £2,114,815 £2,169,474 NET PROFIT ON WORKING £814,711 £1,080,316 PERCENTAGE OF PROFIT TO CAPITAL INVESTED ... 313 380 313 380 PERCENTAGE OF WORKING-EXPENSES TO EARNINGS 72-19 6676 6676 Earnings per average mile open £1,148 £1,203 Working-expenses per average mile open £828 £803 NET EARNINGS PER AVERAGE OPEN.. MILE £320 £400 arnings per train-mile ... d. 94-00 d. 98-75 Working-expenses per train-mile 67-89 65-84 IET EARNINGS PER TRAIN-MILE 2611 3291 Passengers, ordinary 10,457,144 11,141,142 Season tickets 192,547 199,371 Goods tonnage 4,871,874 5,223,414 Live-stock tonnage 263,534 266,604 Train-mileage 7,458,236 7,889,166 Locomotives 452 465 Passenger-cars Wagons and brake-vans ... 1,116 16,476 1,140 17,220