D.—*2

6

RESULTS OF WORKING. The following is a summary of results of working, for year ending the 31st March, 1913, as compared with 1912: —

CONCLUDING REMARKS AND FORECAST. The Hutt Road having been completed in readiness for handing over to the local bodies, a Commissioner was appointed in terms of the Act to hear evidence and apportion the charges incurred in connection with the formation of the road. The report of the Commissioner has now been received, and is engaging the attention of the Government. I anticipate that a final decision will be come to at an early date, and, as it is essential that the Railway Department should be relieved of the responsibility attaching to the upkeep of the road, over which it has practically no jurisdiction, arrangements are being made to vest the control of the

Year ended 31st March. Particulars. — 1912. 1918, Total miles open for traffic ... ... ... 2,808 2,860 Average miles open for year ... ... ... 2,801 2,840 Capital cost of opened and unopened lines ... ... £32,689,179 £33,831,783 Capital cost of open lines ... ... ... £30,506,089 £31,611,220 Capital cost per mile of open lines ... ... ... £10,864 £11,053 Gross earnings ... ... ... ... £3,676,509 £3,971,002 Working-expenses ... ... ... ... £2,465,896 £2,705,609 NET PROFIT ON WORKING ... £1,210,613 £1,265,393 PERCENTAGE OF PROFIT TO CAPITAL INVESTED 398 404 i PERCENTAGE OF WORKING-EXPENSES TO EARNINGS ... ... 6707 6813 Earnings per average mile open .'.. ... ... £1,314 £1,400 Working-expenses per average mile open ... ... £881 £954 NET EARNINGS PER AVERAGE MILE OPEN £433 £446 d. d. Earnings per train-mile ... ... ... ... 105-25 105-50 Working-expenses per crain-mile ... . ... ... 7052 71-84 NET EARNINGS PER TRAIN-MILE 3473 3366 Passengers, ordinary .... ... ... ... 11,891,134 13,123,879 Season tickets ... ... ... ... 236,957 265,259 Goods tonnage ... ... ... ... 5,599,756 5,957,005 Live-stock tonnage ... ... ... .... 288,152 289,123' Train-mileage ... .... ... ... 8,371,687 9,016,224 Locomotives ... ... ... 493 513 Passenger-cars ... ... ... ... 1,212 1,282 Wagons and brake-vans ... .. ... ... 18,521 19,515