The price of coal was more favourable than that of the two previous years. The cost per long ton delivered to Railway bunkers averaged $107.26 as compared with $133.62 and $117.73 } for 1952/53 and 1953/54 respectively.
The total amount of coal purchased during the year was 3,892.5 tons compared with 5,346 tons in 1953/54, a reduction i of 1,453.5 tons. The decrease was principally due to the drop in traffic and the continued substitution of furnace oil for coal as much as possible.
61. Furnace Oil. Oil was purchased under Government contract at an average price of $120.09 per long ton delivered to Railway tanks. As in the case of coal the price of furnace oil was cheaper than in the previous two years, viz., $189.31 and $125.11 in 1952/53 and 1953/54 respectively.
The total quantity of oil purchased was 1,801.21 tons, an increase of 134.21 tons on the previous year.
62. The reduction in price of both coal and furnace oil | together with economies effected by revised driving methods, has resulted in a 23.91% decrease in expenditure on these two items, or $206,321.81.
63. A new Thames lorry costing $10,200.00 was purchased ] to replace one which was beyond repair.
64. A summary is given below of the main items received from the Crown Agents during 1954/55 and their approximate i cost:-
Bogie 3rd class coach
Quantity
11 nos.
Total Cost i
$3,007,334
Bogie 2nd class coach
1 no.
305,800
Carriage wheel tyres
93 nos.
28,333
Telescopic water crane, 9" dia.
A
Tonum positive plates
Switches and Crossings
Tonum (13 plate) cells
1 no.
19,090
2,000 nos.
24,579
31 sets
158,320
14
71,869
Tonum (21 plate) cells Copper ingot
Copper rods
2
13,600
>>
22,405 lbs.
41,000
7,028
15,841
>>
16
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