35. The year 1924 has witnessed no change for the better in the prospects of the Railway. The disturbances in Canton and Kwangtung Province, which began in January 1923, continued throughout the whole of the year.
An attempt was made on September 1st to resume the running of the Slow Through Trains, but this was discontinued after 12 days.
The receipts under Through and Joint Sectional Traffic for the year amounted to only $1,922.01, as compared with $153,447.25 for the previous year, and $500,814.90 for 1922, the last year during which traffic was normal.
36. The position as regards the retention of British Section rolling stock by the Chinese Section has improved, a number of goods wagons being returned. There are now only 15 wagons held by the Chinese Section.
37. The Railway Brigade of St. John's Ambulance Association, under the direction of Traffic Inspector Winyard, has proved itself most efficient. There are now twenty-nine members, all recruited from the Traffic Department. A First Aid Box is kept at each Station and also on each train, so expert attendance and suitable dressings are available in cases of accident.
38. During the year, 840 employees were treated at the Government Dispensary, compared with 464 last year. This increase is believed to be due rather to greater confidence in Western treatment than to any increase of sickness among the Chinese employees.
The usual annual examination of the eyesight of men employed in the Traffic Department was carried out. There were no cases of defective vision or colour blindness.
39. In commemoration of the sixth anniversary of "Armistice Day", at 11 a.m. on November the 11th, all traffic on the line stopped, and in the Workshops and elsewhere all motion was suspended for two minutes.
40. The amount provided for the year 1924 under Special Expenditure was $1,096,414.00, and during the year at various times other amounts were voted, making a total of $1,265,492.61.
A sum of $400,000 was included for the purchase of new locomotives, but $134,334.71 was not required, as the contract price was less than the estimate.
The 6 new carriages ordered from England in March did not arrive, so that only $250.26 was required, and $149,749.74 lapsed.