Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 6 (October 1, 1928)

General Manager's Message

page 8

General Manager's Message

The turn for the better in railway revenue, predicted in my last message, is borne out by the completed figures for the August period and the preliminary returns to the 15th September. The September period shows an increase in traffic revenue of approximately £20,000.

An analysis of the August figures indicates that, for the first time in many months, the number of “ordinary” passengers carried increased, whilst the ordinary passenger revenue increased by £11,000. Season ticket passengers increased by no less than 72,000 and the revenue therefrom by £500.

The increase in “ordinary” passengers was due mainly to the popularity of our Spring Vacation excursions. The indications are that the Department's policy of granting cheap excursion tickets for an extended period during the autumn and spring school vacations, catering as it also does for a large body of people who are unable to take advantage of the Christmas and Easter excursions, will become still more popular as its advantages become more widely known.

Livestock traffic showed an abnormal increase. As the result of the development of the boneless veal industry, the number of cattle and calves carried was 93 per cent. higher than last year; while the traffic in sheep and pigs increased by 31 per cent. Traffic increases were also recorded in grain and potatoes, agricultural seeds, fresh meat, firewood, agricultural lime and manures, benzine and motor cars. Flax and flax fibre, native brown coal and imported coal, imported timber, cement and frozen meat continue to show decreases, but there are definite signs that the decrease in native timber traffic has been arrested.

Goods revenue increased by £17,000 or 6 per cent.; the North Island Main Lines showed an improvement of 3 per cent., the South Island Main Lines 10 per cent., and Nelson section 23 per cent.

Through Booking by Rail and Sea.

It is worthy of special note that the facilities provided for the through booking of goods and parcels by rail and sea are being much more extensively used, the increase for the current year over last year's figures being no less than 29 per cent. This system, under which the sender, by simply filling in a railway consignment-note, can have his goods transported by rail, road and sea to practically any part of the Dominion, is the cheapest and most expeditious means of distribution yet devised. To meet the expanding requirements of merchants, retailers and producers, extensions of this service are now being arranged.

Improved Operating Efficiency.

I have pleasure in recording the continued improvement in operating efficiency. The most noteworthy increases in gross and net ton miles of goods traffic conveyed per train hour were the following:—

Increase per cent.
Gross. Net.
New Zealand 8.7 8.0
Auckland District 9.7 6.3
Wanganui 10.1 8.6
Wellington 14.7 11.3
Christchurch 10.7 13.3
Dunedin 8.5 10.0
Invercargill 7.4 9.7
Westport Section 10.5 17.4

The performance on the Westport Section was especially good, having been achieved in spite of a considerable decrease in the volume of traffic offering.

page 9

Expenditure decreased slightly, principally in Maintenance of Way and Works and Locomotive Transportation. In view of the heavier traffic and an increase of 44 miles in track mileage, the decrease must be regarded as satisfactory.

Special Features for October.

This month marks the commencement of holiday weather, and with it we are putting into operation an extensive week-end and special excursion programme throughout the Dominion. Special interest will be taken in the visit of the Empire Forestry Delegation (whose whole tour of the Dominion will be in the hands of our Department) and in the “Commerce Train” arranged for business travel in the Auckland District. It is by enterprises such as these that I hope to reduce the handicap of uneconomic conditions that have arisen in the transport field.

Improved Train Services.

It is with pleasure that I have to record evidence of public appreciation regarding the new and improved train services recently provided. The night expresses of the South Island and the fast passenger trains between Wanganui and New Plymouth are increasingly patronised.

Arrangements are in hand for improvements in the Hawke's Bay train service, and the whole field of transport in the Dominion is being carefully watched to bring and keep the suitability and quality of the service provided up to the highest point of economic efficiency. From my travels about the Dominion I am convinced that the staff is in good heart and is co-operating to give the public that efficiency in operation which is necessary to win and hold business.

General Manager

General Manager

Functions We Have Never Witnessed! The Chief Mechanical Engineer opens the Amusement Park at the Winter Show.

Functions We Have Never Witnessed!
The Chief Mechanical Engineer opens the Amusement Park at the Winter Show.