GENERAL SURVEY
1. The stringent immigration and emigration regulations brought into force by the Chinese Government on February 15th, 1951, and restrictions on the export of various commodities from the Colony were in operation throughout the year. These restrictions coupled with those in force in China on exports to Hong Kong resulted in a large decrease in both passenger and goods traffic to and from the interior.
2. Gross income was $5,509,916.32 compared with the previous year's record figure of $10,366,796.75, while nett " revenue was only $850,131.86 compared with $6,122,363.83.
3. The year was comparatively uneventful, many of the difficulties previously experienced disappearing by virtue of the ¡ drop in traffic. The shortage of coaching stock was still felt at week-ends during the winter months when there was consider- able overcrowding, but this will be alleviated by the arrival of new coaches which are expected towards the end of 1952. The delivery of new goods rolling stock was nearly completed, only 10 of the 192 wagons ordered remaining outstanding at the end of March 1952.
A.
There was one serious accident during the year. This occurred at Yaumati Station on December 16th, when a passenger train ran into the siding and collided with an engine and several wagons stabled there. The damage to rolling stock was extensive and costly. The accident was caused by a porter acting as a pointsman opening the siding without authority, with a duplicate key, which he had no right to possess but which he had obtained during the Japanese occupation, after the point had been correctly locked and signals pulled off for the passage of a down passenger train. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries or loss of life to passengers or railway personnel.
1