(e) Goods tonnage at 1,052,830 metric tons was 175,328 more than in 1970-71 and 8,679 more than the record of 1,044,151 in 1966-67.
(f) Number of pigs imported by rail at 1,263,929 was 99,895 more
than the record of 1,164,034 in 1970-71.
4. Imports from China amounted to 1,051,192 metric tons, repre- senting 99.84% of the total goods traffic. This figure exceeded the previous records established in 1966-67 by 11,252 tons and was 175,760 tons more than the tonnage handled in 1970-71. The export tonnage was 681 metric tons compared with 796 last year. Goods carried within the Colony amounted to 957 metric tons compared with 1,273 last year.
5. The number of local passengers carried was 10,294,458 an increase of 583,031 over the previous year's total of 9,711,427, and was also a new record (see Appendix XVI). 1,009,992 persons travelled to and from China compared with 645,825 during the previous year, an increase of 56.39%.
6. The Railway suffered a loss amounting to $225,940 as a result of several typhoons. The most extensive damage was done by typhoon 'Rose', which passed through the Colony on 17th August, 1972, necessitating repairs to the Railway embankment and seawalls at vari- ous sections of the line. The train services during this typhoon were suspended for 6 hours.
7. Considerable difficulties continued to be experienced in handling the increasing number of passengers, particularly during peak hours and holidays, and it is apparent that traffic has now reached the maximum that can be carried by a single line and the existing rolling stock. The growth of population in the New Territories, as well as the probable increase in goods traffic and in the number of passengers travelling between Hong Kong and China, are bound to create further problems for this Railway. Various proposals to improve the situation were under examination during the year and, as a first step to provide better facilities for the travelling public, it has been decided to replace 28 old carriages with modern rolling stock. International tenders for the manufacture and supply of the new carriages will be invited in the 1972-73 financial year.
8. Construction of a new terminal railway station at Hung Hom, which will replace the existing terminus at Tsim Sha Tsui, commenced during the year.
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