]>. — 8 A

1910. NEW ZEALAND

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS: COMPARATIVE RETURNS OF SYSTEMS, WAGES, FREIGHTS, ETC.

Return to on Order of tin tiouat of Representatives dated tin MM November, 1909. Ordered, "That there hi' laid before this House a return showing, (I) Tin- average wages ami salaries paid pel capita to the railway employees in the service of the (lovernmenl of New Zealand huh I the different States of the I iommonwealth of Australia, respectively : (2) the number of isolated sections in tin- railway systems of New Zealand and the different States of Australia, respectively : (3) the length of each section in the railway systems of .New Zealand and the different States of Australia, respectively : (ll the cost of coal per ton for railway us.- in New Zealand anil the different States of Australia, respectively : (5) a plan of the Common wealth of Australia ami of New Zealand respectively, showing prominently the lines of railway respectively which come into competition with the water carriage; (6) the length of mileage and rates for workmen's tickets in New Zealand and ihe different States of Australia, respectively : (7) the passenger-fares for first and second class fur 25. 50, 100. 200, 300, inn. and 500 miles in New Zealand and the different Australian States, respectively; (8) the freight on wool, grain, meat, sheep, cattle, horses, milk, cream, butter and cheese, timber (imported and native), fruit and poultry, coal, and genera] merchandise, in New Zealand and the different Australian States, respectively." (Mr. Kll.) NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. Return prepared iii conformity with motion of Mr. H. (1. Ell, M.P., and ordered by tin' I louse mi the 11th November, 1909. Tables and maps attached hereto. T. EtONAYNE, 2nd December, 1910. General Manager. (1.) Statement showing the Average Rate of Pay per Capita of Railway Employees, New Zealand, Victoria, New South Walks. South Australia, and Queensland. Avenge Count rv. Rate. c New Zealand . .. .. .. .. .. ..11l Victoria .. .. .. .. . ■ .. .. 136 New South Wales .. .. .. .. 120 South Australia .. .. .. ..119 Queensland . . .. . . 122 (2) and (8). Length of Railway links in New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand. Australia. Section. M. eh. State. Miles. Kawakawa . . . . 7 39 New South Wales . . . . 3,472 Whangarei .. .. •• 22 14 Victoria .. .. .. .. 3,415 Kaihu .. . • •• 17 15 South Australia .. ... .. 2,033 North Island main line and branches 1.072 67 Western Australia .. .. .. 2,045 Gisborne .. .. •• 23 68 Queensland.. .. .. .. 3,498 South Island main line and branches 1,321 27 Westland 137 62 Total 14,463 Westport . . • • • • 30 17 Nelson .. •• ■• 47 55 Note.—Of the above the Western Australia Picton . . . . . . 33 44 system is by itself, but the other railways are all connected with the exception of 1,304 miles oi Total . . .. 2.714 38 isolated lines as per attached schedule.