- S 6-
With regard to "Other Charges", the expenditure of all departments has been carefully watched. The vote for coal was exceeded by $48,053.32 due partly to the high price paid, and to a smaller extent increase in the mileage. The following figures show the cost of coal per ton to the Railway for the past four years:-
1917..... $16.78
1918..... $19.80
1919..... $19.20
1920..... $22.50
The expenditure under sub-head "Sleepers" amounted to $10,824.75 against an estimate of $6,000, it being necessary to renew a larger number of sleepers than the estimate provided for. However, small sums lapsed under other sub-heads and the total excess of "Other Charges" was reduced to $50,509.48.
37. The Local Traffic Earnings have improved. The receipts amounted to $194,041.14 against $179,434.14 or $14,607.00 more than the previous year, the increase being under passenger receipts. In May, it was decided that the Railway should discontinue its custom of debiting other departments for the transport of Government passengers travelling on duty and other services rendered, and accordingly the sum of $4,577.77 is not included in the Railway earnings.
38. Through and Joint Sectional Traffic Receipts were $318,345.37 an increase of $16,017.63 when compared with 1919.
39. The Gross Receipts for the year were $520,176.10 as against $490,092.77 for 1919 an increase of $30,083.33.
The balance after paying working expenses stands at $33,032.06 which is $40,028.57 less than the previous year. This difference however, is more than accounted for by the general increase in salaries granted to the staff, the high cost of coal, and sleeper renewals mentioned in previous paragraphs.
40. For the past 5 years the results are as follows:-
Gross Receipts. Working Expenses. Net Receipts. 1916... $366,215.67 $296,691.63 $69,524.04 1917.. 428,246.46 337,431.48 90,814.98 1918... 433,274.43 356,221.07 77,053.36 1919.. 490,092.77 417,032.14 73,060.63 1920.. 520,176.10 487,144.04 33,032.0641. The Through and Joint Sectional Passengers carried were as follows:-
1918. 1919. 1920. Passengers booked by Stations in British Territory to Stations in China...... 307,494 344,716 365,665 Passengers booked by Stations in China to Stations in British Territory........... 323,642 354,699 373,776