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$4
circling the New Territories was found to be obstructed so that approach from that direction was also cut off. Consequently a period of about two hours elapsed before it was possible to render full relief, and even then, the rescue work was only carried out with greatest difficulty and with considerable risk.
any
28. It is a pleasure to be able to record that in these very trying circumstances the whole staff from the Acting Manager to the lowest rating acted in the most commendable manner, and proved their readiness and resourcefulness for emergency. The result of the public enquiry held on the cause of the accident exonerated the Railway and staff from all blame, and in fact brought to light the high state of efficiency of all departments and grades, not the least those officers who have voluntarily qualified in First Aid.
29. Traffic was entirely suspended from April 21st to May 1st, and a full service of trains was resumed on May 3rd.
30. There was no suspension of the express train services on account of military or political activities during the year.
31. Typhoons were responsible for the cancellation of two local trains on August 1st and for a number of locals and one through express on September 2nd, and the return of the express on the following day.
32. The three new engines purchased by the Hong Kong Government on behalf of the Kwang Tung Provincial Government were given their trials during the period April 8th to the 20th, which consisted of three return journeys to Canton for each engine. They proved highly satisfactory from a traffic point of view, inasmuch as whilst the specification called for a test load of ten coaches behind the engine, it was found that thirteen coaches could be hauled in an emergency.
33. There were forty-two special trains run during 1931, made up of:- eleven Political Party Specials, six Military, seven Tourist, five Race Specials, two School Picnic Parties, two for the purpose of laying the China Light & Power Company's electric light cable through No. 2 Tunnel, and nine for the Hong Kong Telephone Company's cable.
34. The total receipts for goods traffic remained almost exactly the same as for the year 1930. A decrease to the amount of about $6,000 in Foreign traffic was balanced by a corresponding increase in Local receipts.