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and reorganization of the Transportation Department", and, in short, resulted in the savings of Rs.161,000 for other economies, which apparently could be introduced whether there is any change of system or not," as quoted from page 135 of the Commissioners' report, being proved to be an underestimate on my part of what was immediately possible in the way of economy. I therefore put up Scheme "A early in November. Under this Scheme econo-
mies to the extent of about Rs. 235,000 for seven months were shown possible.
6. In discussing the matter Your Excellency wished the Commis- sioners' recommendations, from the notes they had left behind, to be included. Scheme" B", involving staff dismissals, due to a restriction of the passenger train service, as the result of bus competition, Scheme "C", providing for a third reduction, if the Curepipe-Port Louis passenger service alone was inaintained, and Scheme D", whereby passenger services might be entirely eliminated and the railway used for goods traffic only, were added.
7. The approval of the Secretary of State was given, the Council of Government's approval to Scheme "* A was obtained on 19th
A January, and on 1st February Scheme was put into force. I have now prepared a new Scheme "B", of further economies which is herewith submitted. I hope it may be possible for Your Excellency to give me authority to put it into immediate
execution.
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8. The output of work from Plaine Lauzan, during the last two months, has actually increased, and all work is now so well in advance, that it will be necessary to work on 5 days a week only and possibly less at any rate for four mouths. Whilst the services of 63 non-pensionable men must, I regret to say, be dispensed with, the dismissal of a larger number of men will thereby be saved, though of course, economy due to short time will be effected.
9. The passenger time-table has been altered twice and is at last, I believe, adjusted to suit the present needs and convenience of the public. There are now eight trains a day instead of 12 as in October, running from Fort Louis to Curepipe and eight in the re- verse direction. Some of these trains also run to and from Mahe- bourg. In addition there is one train a day running from Port Louis to Rose Hill and back. The Commissioners recommended five trains a day each way between Port Louis and Curepipe. Although I have slightly reduced the service on the Savanne Branch, the Branch services remain practically the same, as they form valuable feeders to the Main Line and keep up a very fair volume of traffic.
10. A small Halt Station Cascade Road, between Rose Hill and Beau Bassin, has been erected at a cost of Rs.226, and a number of bus passengers recovered to the Railway. Some further ideas of this kind nay be developed. I regard it as advisable to
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spend a little money in other small ways of a like nature in order to attract more passengers to the Railway, but as this would in- volve an outlay of some Rs.5,000, I have not, for the time being. included it in my proposals for the future until Your Excellency may come to the conclusion that some further expenditure than that of running the Railway on its present lines, as economically as possible, is justified.
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11. The organization of the Railway has been modified on lines more suitable to its present functions. I do not think the post of Engineer is necessary. The former system of combining the post of General Manager and Engineer should be reverted to. Assistant Engineer, in conjunction with a Contract Surveyor and five Inspectors, to supervise repairs to buildings and to look after the permanent way, will be required, but at considerable economy, as regards cost, to the Railway. Provision has been made and a contract will be placed in a few days, whereby all jobbing repairs to buildings, fences, signals, &c., will be carried out on a schedule of prices by an outside Contractor. The serious waste arising from the permanent employment of 70 men in the Engineer's Branch
(See Scheme "B"). will thus be eliminated.
12. The Accounts Branch are being given certain functions hitherto carried out mainly by the Transportation or Traffic Branch, as I prefer to call it, viz., Contract tickets, Claims, and Rates, as well, of course, as Stores. I have instituted one Central Registra- tion and Filing Bureau in my office, thereby saving clerical assist- ance and much redundant Branch expenditure.
13. I am hoping shortly to have contracts signed for the convey- ance by rail and road, instead of by road only or sea, of the product of three sugar factories with their return traffic of general goods. I am also negotiating, through the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, for the recovery of some of the retail Chinamen's shop business by the containers" to be carried on passenger trains where urgent, and the more convenient storage and railing of their goods at Central Station, with assurance of prompt road delivery at destination.
use of
14. With regard to the Montagne Longue Line it does not appear to me reasonable, should the conveyance of heavy goods, including sugar-cane, by rail be made obligatory, as recommended by the Commissioners, to close any portion of the Railway system. Nor is it at present necessary. By using a special coach carrying a ticket-issuing guard for passengers on this Line, eliminating, during the entrecoupe, the Station staff and stabling an engine at Long Mountain, the costs of this Branch have been brought down so as to give a slight surplus of revenue over direct expenditure. Given a guarantee of payment for cane traffic by the single Sugar Estate using the Line during 1932-33, I do not, for the time being, recommend the closing of this Branch Line.
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