506
$ 12
83. Running Expenses were $207,826.11 against an estimate of $281,180.00. Under sub-head Coal $72,872.98 lapsed as both the price and the consumption was less than estimated for, but under Lubricants, Locomotive Oil, $1,863.44 more than the amount provided was required owing to the additional trains run. Savings under other sub-heads however brought the total savings to $73,853.89.
84. The amount provided for Maintenance of Equipment was $81,123.00. The vote for Locomotive repairs was exceeded by $2,862.55 as unforeseen repairs had to be undertaken to four boilers. Further two 2nd class coaches were fitted with new seats, tables etc. and one first class coach was rebuilt instead of a 3rd class, which resulted in an excess under the sub-head Carriage Repairs of $2,494.85. The provision under sub-head Power Electric Fans was also inadequate, and an additional sum of $391.86 was required to complete the year, there were however savings under other sub-heads which reduced the total excess over estimate to $3,976.59.
85. Maintenance of Way and Structures Expenses were $6,584.33 less than estimated as rigid economy was again exercised. Owing to a slip which occurred in No. 5 Tunnel, the expenditure under sub-head Tunnels exceeded the estimate, but savings appear under all the other sub-heads.
86. Referring to the Operating Account, the local passenger receipts amounted to $704,183.04 as compared with $491,711.16 for the previous year an increase of 43.21% and 75.46% more than 1931.
87. The local goods receipts were $30,306.07 or $411.07 less than for 1932.
88. The extraordinary increase in the receipts from local passenger traffic over those of 1932 was due partly to an increase of 15.55% in the number of passengers using the railway and partly to the increased numbers travelling in higher classes.
89. The cost of Government servants travelling on duty on warrants, and of Government goods conveyed by Railway, and other incidental services was debited monthly to the depart- ments concerned.
90. The total charges for these services amounted to $11,200.29 and this sum was credited to Railway Receipts by transfer through the Treasury.
91. Part of the rent for Railway Quarters occupied by members of other departments was credited to Railway Revenue
S 13
by transfer accepted by the Treasury. The portion not payable by the occupants which amounted to $121.63 was adjusted in the accounts, and appears in the Income Account.
92. The foreign passenger receipts were $650,278.84 as against $577,085.30 in 1932, an increase of $73,193.54 or 12.68% in comparison with an increase of 11.40% in the numbers of passengers, the difference being accounted for by greater patronage of the higher classes.
93. The exchange between Cauton and Hong Kong continued to fall. The average for the year being 148--100 thus adversely affecting the British Section's share of receipts on conversion to Hong Kong currency.
94. The foreign goods earnings were $43,085.84 as compared with $33,550.84 for the previous year, an increase of 28.27%.
95. The income from rents increased from $13,587.41 to $18,487.44, and incidental revenue was $6,696.45 as compared with $4,999.02 for 1932.
96. Under sub-head R.10 Auxiliary Operation Foreign Haulage, the receipts were $30,881,40 more than 1932, as the result of additional week-end trains and also a fast goods train from 30th September to the end of the year. These trains were hauled over both Sections of the Railway by British Section locomotives. Further to cope with the heavy traffic by express trains, it was frequently found necessary to attach coaches in excess of the normal number, the haulage of additional coaches being charged for in accordance with the provisions of the Locomotives Agreement.
97. The revenue under sub-head R.11 Interchange of rolling stock increased from $3,647.35 to $5,669.89. The British Section's preponderance of all classes of rolling stock, particularly of 4-wheel 15-ton wagons, for which hire is paid when used by the Chinese Section, again accounted for this increase.
98. The total Operating Expenses amounted to $919,558.41 or $42,818.64 less than the previous year.
99. The salaries of the Junior Clerical Service, which were formerly grouped with those of other Government Departments under the head of Junior Clerical Service were this year provided for in the Railway Estimates of working expenses. Other items of expenditure whether provided for in the Railway Estimates or otherwise are taken into account and included in the total Operating Expenses.
507