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PUBLIC
PECORD
لسناك
OFFICE
Peference :-
C.O.882/12
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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vacancy). We propose to abolish this post, but to retain the lesser superintending post on Rs.7,500, which the department is prepared to abolish. This adds Rs.5,000 to the savings. We propose also to reduce the posts of Chief and Assistant Controller, as the special system of train control (which, we understand, is not yet in opera- tion) will certainly not be required under the conditions of traffic which the new scheme will establish. For the same reason we fail to see why overtime need be paid to ticket clerks, etc. The detailed allocation statement shows that the overtime item, 47, for guards. etc., is divided in the proportion of 80 per cent. for passenger work and 20 per cent. for goods work; yet the proposal of the departinent makes the respective percentages 60 per cent. and 40 per cent. This is not justified and we make a further reduction.
Wages
D. RUNNING SHED.
Reduction. Resulting Cost Further Cut.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
83,430
108,950
20,000
Overtime
13,450
14,100
5,000
Coal
210,000
150,000
Materials, etc.
38,200
37,800
5,000
Total
345,080
310,850
30,000
The proportion between the amount of coal appropriated to passenger traffic and the amount still required for goods is an indica- tion of the excessive allotments which are suggested under the other running shed charges; these allotments are not based on the detailed costing statements, although it is obvious that the great decrease in traffic must at once be reflected in the running shed. The pro- portions should be changed, and we therefore recommend a total cut of Rs.30,000 in this branch. Of this Rs.1.760 will be the result of the general retrenchment. We cannot consider that in the new conditions it will be necessary to pay Rs.7,400 to eight brake examiners; the guards and brakesmen have ample time to do this work themselves when the trains stop at the stations. Apart from these items we propose a reduction of Rs.10,840 for labour.
11.
E. GENERAL CHARGES.
Reduction. Resulting Cost. Further Out.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs,
Salaries Miscellaneous
36,804
83,608
4,220
1,855
8,120
Total
38,659
86,728
4,220
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The general retrenchment will reduce cost by Rs.1,220, and we propose a further reduction of two clerical posts on Rs.1,800 and Rs.1,200. There has been a great increase in the number of clerks since 1918, and even with this reduction 22 clerks will remain for the General and Accounts branches. We have proposed else- where that these clerks should be brought on the new general grade. The resulting expenditure under the principal heads will there- fore be
Permanent Way Mechanical
Traffic
Running Shed General
Total ...
Rs. 232,310
209,969
221,893 280,850
82,508
1,027,530
12. Apart from the main branches of railway expenditure, which we have thus examined in detail, there remain for consideration certain lesser branches.
We propose to deal separately with the Electrical Branch the great part of the work of which will be for other departments: this branch costs the Railway Department Rs.43,000 (recurring), and the departinent puts the charge which would have to be incurred, if the railway became a goods service only, at the low figure of Rs.20,000. It is not an important element in railway finance.
Rs.48,000 is at present being paid under a contract for certain bus services on behalf of the railway, to replace passenger services which have already been closed down. The services are in areas where the population is sparse and there is very little traffic; they are therefore unremunerative and the amount paid is out of all proportion to the value. The contract expires during the cur- rent year and should not be renewed; the area should be left to private enterprise.
The Government maintains the Bois Cheri Light Railway in the south of the island for the carriage of sugar cane. This line is quite unremunerative, the costing figures showing only a revenue of Rs.14,800 and costs of Rs. 25,521. The position of this small line was examined in 1928 by the Railway Commissioners, who, in a somewhat hesitating report, recommended that the line should be kept on, but that the position should be reviewed every year: the staff of the branch was to be kept on a temporary basis. This branch used to serve a number of estates, but now its public value is very restricted: it should normally be an estate tramway. As the line has been fully tested and does not pay, we recommend that it should be closed and the material sold.
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