26. As in the case of passenger traffic, statistics given below show there was no through invoiced traffic, but in fact practically all traffic booked to and from Lowu were either imports or exports from China:-
1949/50
1950/51
Tons Up
Revenue Tons Dn. Revenue
Tons Up Revenue Tons Dn. Revenue
Thro' goods carried
3,825
$ 20,866
3,196
$ 23,074
Local goods
carried
invoiced to
& from
Shum Chun
5,358
$ 36,347
4,165
$ 35,025
Invoiced to &
from Lowu
60,250
422,553
12,296
76,266
211,946 $1,432,484 107,915 $630,667
Local invoices (other)
13,247
24,143
1,960
20,161
6,323
134,424
45,604 252,879
78,855
$483,043
18,421 $131,452
218,269 $1,566,908 153,519 $883,546
Total (Thro' and Local) Up 82,680
Revenue-$503,909
Dn.- 21,617
-
154,526
11
104,297
$658,435
Up- 218,269 Revenue $1,566,908
Dn. 153,519
371,788
"
883,546
$2,450,454
27. There were certain alterations to the railway goods-handling contracts which resulted in the railway receiving an increased percentage of the handling charges from contractors. Revenue from this source amounted to $385,933 as against $95,868 the previous year. This was an average of $1.04 per ton of goods handled compared with $0.92 per ton for 1949/50. Revenue from the use of railway cranes amounted to $28,228.
OPERATING.
28. The year was difficult owing to the shortage of passenger rolling stock and the necessity of using Lowu as a terminal station, a function for which it was never intended. The difficulties were surmounted from an operational point of view, but passengers suffered great discomfort from overcrowding on trains, and the lack of shelter from sun and rain.
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