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house property standing on the site. As the original roofing ordered for these two buildings was unobtainable, and the asbestos-cement corrugated roofing sent out from England as a substitute proved to be totally unsuitable to the requirements of this country, it was decided to construct the Running Shed in reinforced concrete and brickwork, roofed with Marseilles tiles, while a reinforced concrete roof was adapted to the Locomotive Shed Extension.
In February, the tramway system was adopted on the Fanling Branch Line, seven new halts were made and a two cent fare charged between each. This has so far proved a success and seems to be appreciated as the earnings of the line show an increase of $3,923.17 over the previous year, the number of passengers carried being 67,608 as against 47,028 in 1915.
One first class restaurant car was completed by the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company and placed in service during April, but owing to late delivery from England of the fittings, the work on the first and second class composite carriage had to be suspended for several months. These fittings have now arrived and the coach will be completed and available for service early in 1917.
The estimated Capital Expenditure for the year was $386,198 but, owing to the delay in the delivery of materials from England, only $209,388.74 of this sum was required and after the deduction of $10,670.25 received by sales of old construction plant and materials, the year's expenditure amounted to $198,718.49.
The Construction Cost of the Main Line to end of the year now stands at $14,710,917.29 and of the Fanling Branch at $89,808.57.
The Working Expenses amounted to $296,691.63 or $574.34 less than the previous year and when compared with Gross Receipts show a decrease the percentage being 81.02 against 86.47 for 1915.
The Revenue derived from Local Traffic amounted to $141,799.41 or $12,704.58 more than in 1915 and the Earnings of Through and Joint Sectional Traffic $213,441.04 against $207,622.20 for 1915. Fanling Branch Receipts increased from $7,052.05 to $10,975.22.
The Excess of Earnings over Expenditure for 1916 was $69,524.04 an increase of $23,020.93 when compared with the previous year.
Passengers booked by Stations in British Territory to Stations in China, 1915. 1916. 271,382 307,310 Passengers booked by Stations in China to Stations in British Territory, 326,839 344,220 Passengers travelling on the British Section, Main Line, 257,650 277,800 Passengers travelling on the British Section, Fanling Branch, 47,928 67,608