S 10-
40. The punctuality of trains is summarised below, 1933 figures being given for comparison :--
Year Local trains......... Through trains On time. 1-5 mins. late. Over 5 mins. late. On time. 1-5 mins. late. Over 5 mins. late. 1934 50.19% 39.07% 10.74% 56.22% 26.06% 17.72% 1933 59.76% 32.95% 7.29% 55.96% 26.65% 17.39%The train density of 2 train miles per mile of running track per operating hour is extremely high for single track, so that the results can be regarded as reasonably satisfactory, bearing in mind the fact that through expresses and through fast trains are given preferential treatment when any question of delay is involved. There was an increase of 515 in the number of through trains compared with the year 1933, and this affected the number of train crossings to a considerable degree. The frequent late running of the down slow through train, which stops at each station from Canton to Kowloon and acts in a pick-up capacity, is responsible for the comparatively large figure of through trains running over 5 minutes late.
41. Fourteen special local trains and ten special through passenger trains were run during the year. Two of these through trains were for Tourist traffic.
42. Accidents and occurrences during the year were as follows:
Minor derailments 5 Minor collisions 5 Engine failures 6 Motor coach failures 1 Damaged points 2 Passengers killed 2 Trespassers killed by trains 0 Total accidents 27 6The fatal accidents to the two passengers were caused through their falling off trains in motion.
43. Vegetable and fruit traffic from Canton, which had previously been carried to Hong Kong by river, was diverted to the Railway on the 24th December. This traffic was conveyed by Chinese Section local trains to Shum Chun, arriving there at 9.30 p.m. The time of departure of the last British Section train from Shum Chun was altered from 9.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. to enable a suitable connection to be made. It is hoped that this service will form the nucleus of a daily evening goods train from Canton.