60. Local Passenger and Foreign Train Haulage were the only two revenue heads to register declines. The former was caused by the closure of Shum Chun Casino, whilst the latter was due to the Chinese Section performing more of the through haulage.
61. There was a collective saving of $35,389 on the published estimates for Personal Emoluments, and Other Charges.
62. General Expenses increased by $18,176.10 over 1936 figures. This was due to increased payments under Personal Emoluments.
63. The slight advance of 2.33% registered in Traffic Expenses can be attributed to increased staff emoluments.
64. Running Expenses increased by $25,106.90, directly attributable to the rise in the price of coal from $9.70 to $12.50 per ton. Kailan No. 1 Lump continued to be used as it was the most economical obtainable.
65. On Maintenance of Equipment, a reduction of $17,732.51 was obtained. $11,065.94 of this sum can be accounted for by the reduced contribution to depreciation reserves obtained by handing over three locomotives to the Chinese Section in May 1936. Locomotive repairs were down by 13.59%.
66. Expenditure on Maintenance of Way and Structures soared 66.64%, or $75,819.79 over last year's figure. This was the result of repair work necessitated by the September typhoon.
67. The average sterling exchange value for the year was 1/2 as against an estimated figure of 1/3. The exchange rate was steady, the negligible variation in the sterling value of the local dollar making estimating of expenditure a simple matter where sterling commitments were concerned.
68. The rate of exchange between Canton and Hong Kong currencies opened in January at 154 and closed in July at 149.90. The highest and lowest points touched were 154.20 in May and 146.60 in July. Chinese National Currency, which displaced Canton Currency on August 1st, opened at 103 and closed on December 31st at 104.25. The British Section's share of sectional through receipts was based on a transaction rate of 160 for the period January to June, 155 for July, and 100 from August to December. For the first seven months of the year, the exchange between Canton and Hong Kong currencies operated in favour of the British Section.