H—4o

(Note. —The conventions followed are set out in the following of the Tribunal's decisions; — Area schedules .. Decision re Franklin, &c., areas dated 15th February, 1944. Town schedules .. Decision re Borough of Hamilton dated 10th April, 194-5.) During the year investigations of operators' accounts were made on the lines set out above in respect of the Grisborne, Southern Hawke's Bay, North Auckland, Marlborough, and Christchurch applications. The number of vehicles covered by the samples was 300, and the revenue £275,232, or an average of £917. The total number of vehicles in the districts was 1,085, and, on the assumption that the average revenue earned by trucks not included in the sample was much the same as that earned by the trucks included, then the total revenue of licensed goods-services in the five districts, and which is subject to the increases-granted by the Tribunal would be approximately £1,000,000. 66. Road Transport Costs. —Late in 1945 a check was made of the accounts of selected operators in the North Otago, Central Otago, and Gore Districts following applications made for increases in rates. The accounts, which were for the financial year 1944-45, were adjusted by the committee of accountants in accordance with the conventions. Costs were amended to bring them into line with those ruling as at 31st March, 1946. The following table gives the number of operators whose accounts were dealt with, the number of vehicles, and total and average mileages :

The 95 trucks included in the foregoing samples belong to the following heavy traffic classifications : Heavy Traffic Classifications Sample of 95 Trucks : Gore, North Otago, Central Otago Areas H.T. Class. No. H.T. Class. No. A .. ..1 L .. .. .. 2 D .. ..2 M .. .. .. 1 E .. ..2 0 .. .. ..1 F .. ..4 P.. .. .. 2 Gr 7 Q 4 H 9 I ...... 41 95 J .. ..13 _ K .. .. .. 6

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; District. Number of Operators. Number of Vehicles. Total Vehicle Mileage. Average Vehicle Mileages. Gore . • North Otago Central .. .. 12 5 10 39 24 32 413,937 313,000 380,362 10,614 13,042 11,886 ' .Total : . •\ ; 27 95 1,107,299 11,656