NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2492, 4 May 1909, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

RETURNS CONSIDERED SATISFACTORY.

(Per Press*Association.)

INVERCARGILL, May 3

The railway business for the yeai ending 31st March last, the Premier stated in' his speech, had been very satisfactory, the revenue being approximately £2,929,525, as against £2,761,9 7 for the previous year, an increase or no less than £107,588. The- passenger traffic, which had grown m a most remarkable manner for many years past, showed an increase of over 700,000 passengers for thef year, the number or tickets issued being in round figures 101 millions. The total tonnage handled' exceeded that of 1908' by .no .loss than- 37,349 tons, the mileage of lines open for traffic had been increased by 170 miles. The railways superanmuiation tuna provided for over 300 persons, involving an annual liability of, in round figures, £40,000. The accrued balance standing to credit of the fund on March 31st last was £157,000 Notwithstanding a concession totalling the result of the working railways system during the last financial year had ben very satisfactory, and the net return would again exceed the 3 per cent., which the Government decided m 1898 that the railways should be expected to return. . . , The Union Steamship Company had intimated its willingness to adopt a suggestion made by the Railway Department to undertake .at the Wellington office the sale of ; rail tickets for the journey between Lyttelton ancl Christchurch. This would comemnee in a few days’ time, and would prove to be a considerable public convenience and assist in somewhat reducing tne time that elapses between the arrival ot the ferrv steamer at Lyttelton and the departure oi the train for Chnstchuich.