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17. There has been some cause for anxiety during the year through failure to obtain semi-hardwood sleepers. As a result, renewal of the track on a 5-year programme has been delayed. Contractors have failed to fulfil their contracts owing to inability to secure export permits from Thailand for two years running. An effort has now been made to procure direct from the Thai Government, on a government to government basis, and it is hoped that supplies will soon be forthcoming.
18. The passenger rolling-stock, in view of the strain to which it has been put, has given cause for continued uneasiness. The number of passengers mentioned in this report have nearly all been carried in less than the 34 coaches listed as the stock on hand, due to the fact that vital repairs were being carried out on one or two coaches continuously throughout the year. No new coaches will be obtained until 1952, and the age of the stock suggests that fatigue under such intensive use can mani- fest itself at any time. On the other hand, with the Pearl River blocked, every effort must be made to maintain the balance Such conditions of between outgoing and incoming passengers.
travel, however, are not a good advertisement for British Rail- way management. An official of the Crown Agents who visited the Colony recently was deeply concerned by the conditions as he saw them, and it is hoped that every effort will be made in the United Kingdom to expedite delivery of coaches which have been on order since 1946.
19. The first through goods train from Shanghai arrived The train consisted of 12 in the Colony on March 12th 1950. wagons, the contents of which were rapeseed oil, bristles and raw silk. The value of the cargo was estimated at H.K.$14,000,000. The train was fully fitted throughout and the It returned from Kowloon wagons were in excellent condition.
at 17.45 hours on the 13th March, loaded with raw cotton and lubricating oils. A number of trips have been made since.
20. In last year's report it was mentioned that the end of the road towards restoration of the railway to its pre-war con- dition was in sight. The current year has been one of steady progress towards this goal and provided adequate materials are forthcoming the year 1952 should mark the fulfilment of this task. By then all the rolling stock ordered should have been received and the renewal of the main line track completed.
21. The staff have given of their best and by their con- tinued efforts have set new records for numbers and revenue.
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