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86. Running Expenses were $268,235.35 against an estimate of $286,730.00. Under subhead Coal, a saving of $22,186.17 was effected, but under Lubricants, Locomotive Oil, $5,762.10 more than the amount provided was required owing to a rise of 67% over last year's prices. Savings under other subheads however, brought the total savings to $18,494.65.
87. The expenditure under Maintenance of Equipment was $77,655.12, or $2,007.88 less than the sum provided.
88. Maintenance of Way and Structures expenses were $9,625.22 less than estimated, as rigid economy was again exercised. Rail renewals where possible were held over, and 1,030 old sleepers were disposed of and credit thus afforded amounted to $703.00.
89. Referring to the Revenue Account, the local passenger receipts amounted to $491,711.16 as compared with $401,328.10 for the previous year, an increase of 22.52%. The local goods receipts were $30,717.14, or $624.64 more than for 1931.
90. The substantial rise in the local passenger traffic receipts was due to an increase over the previous year of 8.88% in the number of passengers using the Railway. The heavy traffic to and from Shum Chun for the greater part of the year was attributable to considerable development at the border town of Shum Chun in Chinese Territory.
91. The cost of Government servants travelling on duty on signed warrants, and of Government goods conveyed by railway, which in previous years was shown in the Income Account, was provided for in the estimates of the departments concerned and the various debits accepted by transfer. The total charges for these services amounted to $9,993.34, and thus afforded a direct increase to the revenue for the year.
92. Rent for Railway Quarters occupied by members of other departments was also credited to Railway Revenue by transfer accepted by the Treasury.
93. The foreign passenger receipts were $577,085.30, against $479,806.96 in 1931. This increase of $97,278.34 or 20.27% may be attributed to more passengers travelling, the number being 17.32% more than for 1931. In November the express train service was accelerated, and at the same time the 1st and 2nd class through fares were increased.
94. The exchange between Canton and Hong Kong which fell from 130-100 to approximately 135-100 in 1931 went still lower during 1932. The average for the year being 142-100, thus adversely affecting the British Section's share of receipts on conversion to Hong Kong currency.
95. The foreign goods earnings were $33,550.84 as compared with $31,057.67 for the previous year.