3
43
staff.
$75,000 each is a high figure compared with the
cost of the original cars which averaged $17,000 each.
The maximum number of through express passengers
carried in one day of late years, was on Ching Ming
Festival this year when 5,100 passengers were carried in
six express trains. The two relief trains being provided
by the British Section which clearly shows that the Chinese
Section should acquire more 3rd class stock before 1st class.
No reference is made to any additional attractions
for goods traffic, which is very poor.
7. Page 6 (b). Time. The railway journey averaging
4 hours is already quicker than the fastest boat journeys
by about an hour.
The substitution of fancy names for 1st, 2nd and
3rd classes needs no comment.
8. Page 7 - (c).
low. They have on provious occasions been reduced to
compete with the boat fares, but always with the result
that the boat fares have been further lowered. Rail fares
cannot compete with waterborne fares, until we get our
fair share of freight, the revenue from which the boats
principally rely on.
The present fares are already very
9. Page 7 (d). Paggage Facilities. Very desirable
certainly, but this is the first time I have found the
suggestion to separate the local native from his luggage,
soriously put forward by a Chinese. We have tried but
failed, and in view of the Customs and Police examination
thereare many difficulties to be overcome.
10. Page 8 - (e). Even supposing the total of 5,000
passengers were carried by train, the average through fare
is below H.K. $1.00 (actually 97.8 cents for 1928), and
only 65% of this would go to the Chinese Section on account
of Through express traffic. I should not imagine the