D.—2

Comparison of Tonnage and Wagons, 1890-1906.

This statement shows that the average load per truck is exceedingly small, due to the length of time the bulk of the trucks are allowed by consignees to remain under load; it also shows that the rolling-stock has increased at a greater rate than the traffic, the figures being—traffic increase, 105 per cent.; rolling-stock capacity increase, 111 per cent.: difference in favour of rolling-stock, 6 per cent. The report and balance-sheet of the Government "Railways Superannuation Fund for the year just ended shows that the fund is making satisfactory progress. On the 31st March, 1903, the accumulated fund amounted to £7,056 11s. 9d. In 1904 it was £40,357 17s. 3d. In 1905, £68,670 7s. Bd., and at the 31st March, 1906, it stood at £90,984 11s. 10d. The allowances paid during the year amounted to £21,521 10s. Id., representing grants to 525 persons. £422 4s. 3d. was paid to legal representatives of deceased members, and £1,830 18s. 6d. refunded to contributors who left the service voluntarily or otherwise. The annual liability of the fund at the 31st March last was £25,462 Is. 10d. The following statement shows in a concise form the progress of the railways during the period 1900 to 1906 :— Comparison of the Railway Traffic and Rolling-stock Accommodation in 1900-1906. 31st March, 31st March, T Per Cent, of 1900. 1906. Increase. Increase . Passengers (number) .. .. 5,468,284 8,826,382 3,358,098 61 Season tickets „ .. .. 63,335 147,989 84,654 134 Parcels „ .. .. 624,115 892,037 267,922 43 Horses „ .. .. 11,474 17,008 5,534 48 Carriages „ .. .. 1,159 2,376 1,217 105 Dogs „ .. .. 27,066 40,097 13,031 47 Drays „ .. .. 1,345 2,350 1,005 74 Cattle „ .. .. 65,063 119,311 54,248 83 Sheep „ .. .. 2,523,787 3,348,685 824,898 32 Pigs „ .. .. 36,049 92,702 56,653 157 Chaff, lime (tons) .. .. 77,292 144,884 67,592 87 Wool „ .. .. 104,621 116,086 11,465 11 Firewood „ .. .. 92,126 106,510 14,384 15 Timber „ .. .. 334,677 534,533 199,856 59 Grain „ .. .. 764,033 772,258 8,225 1-07 Merchandise „ .. .. 536,428 628,603 92,175 17 Minerals „ .. .. 1,218,698 1,938,548 719,850 59 Total tonnage .. .. .. 3,127,874 4,241,422 1,113,548 35 Total revenue .. .. .. 1,623,891 2,349,704 725,813 44 Locomotives (number) .. .. 304 395 91 30 tractive power (lb.) .. 2,407,279 3,920,993 1,513,714 63 Passenger-cars (number) .. .. 577 906 329 57 Passenger-cars, seating accommoda- 22,090 37,083 14,993 68 tion Brake-vans .. .. .. 220 315 95 43 Sheep-trucks .. .. .. 609 846 237 39 Total trucks, all classes .. .. 10,075 13,812 3,737 37 Truck carrying-capacity (tons) .. 63,778 101,005 37,227 58 Train mileage run .. .. 4,187,893 6,413,573 2,225,680 53

VII

Average Tonnage carried per Wagon. Year. Goods Tonnage. Goods Wagons. Wagon-capaoity. Per Annum. Per Day. 890 ... 906 ... Tons. 2,073,955 4,241,422 Number. 7,198 12,292 Tons. 44,576 94,047 Tons owt. qr. 288 2 2 345 1 0i Tons owt. qr. 0 18 2 12 0 Increase 105 per cent. 71 per cent. Ill per cent.