1937-02-27 — Page 7

POPULARITY OF THE

TRAM CAR

Figures Revealed At Annual Meeting Of Company

The annual meeting of the Hong Kong Tramways. Ltd. was held in the Board Room of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. Ltd., yesterday afternoon when a satisfactory state of affairs was revealed by the Chairman in his address to the shareholders.

The following Company officials were present:-Hon, Mr. J. J. Paterson (Chairman), Mr. A. H. Compton. Mr. M. T. Johnson, Mr. F. A. Joseph, and the Hon. Sir Shan-son Chow, directors: Mr. L. C. F. Bellamy, general manager: and Mr. W. F. Simmens, secretary.

CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH

·Chairman said:-

In the course of his speech, the fare charged on the Calcutta Tramways. I therefore suggest it is highly improbably that lower fares than those now in force on your tramway undertaking exist elsewhere.

An unusual step was taken by your Directors last August in issu- ing an interim report to share holders. This pointed out that the result of the first five months'

SUFFICIENT ROLLING STOCK working was so poor that--on May 31-no interim dividend was con-

Although it is necessary to templated. On June 1. however, operate almost 20 per cent, more tram fares (except on the Shau- tramcars than was the case this kiwan-Western Market route) were time last year we had sufficient reduced from Len

1st rolling stock in reserve cents.

for Class and Ave centa 2nd class average day. But the great peaks

six cents bo

and three cents in the traffic curve which we have respectively and shareholders were experienced in the past, at Chi- wold that not only did this result | nese New Year and to a less de- in an Immediate recovery in the traffic revenue but that the out- look had so materially improved that the payment of a small to terim dividend had been decided

upon.

It was explained in the interim report that so long as prospect re- mained of bus fares being restor ed to the level which we had al- way maintained was the true ineaning and Intention of the terms of tender for the motor bus franchise, your Board refrained from taking up the challenge to

a war of cut rate.

IN SELF-DEFENCE

ап

gree-Dragon Boat and other Chi- nesc festivals may, in the future, be greatly intensified under the influence of the existing level of fares. Hence it has been neces- sary to order six new tramcara which are now in service. This brings our total number of tram- cars up to 97 which

compares

with 57 fifteen years ago. At pre- sent, in the busiest periods of a normal day one car passes through the centre of the town (in each direction) every 50 seconds. This is about 14 cars per hour less than on the afternoon and even- ing of the 10th instant.Chinese New Year's eve-on which day we carried the record number of 207, 000 passengers and 65 tramcars per hour passed in each direction

It was only after fallure of every effort to have bus fares restored to the minimum originally laid down. by Government that ine, a sheer self-defence-a drastic re- duction in tram fares was au- thorised by your Board. ·

During the year 344 million pas. sengers were carried but of that number 24 million were carried In the last months of the year 1.e. since the reduced fares came into force. This is at the rate of 42,000,000 passengers per annum which tompares with the high re- cord of 35 million in 1932.

To transport this great number It was necessary in that 7 months' period to operate 2,363,814 miles or at the rate of over four million miles per annum.

OPERATING COSTS This, of course, has increased

operating costs very considerably whilst the average fare per pas- senger has fallen by approximately 30 per cent. To take a typical day; on January 29th last we car- ried-excluding monthly ticket holders-107,250 passengers which exceeded the number carried on the corresponding day of the pre- vious year by 45,093 or 721 per cent. Receipts, however, were up by only 16 per cent. To do this it was necessary to operate 10,864 car-miles against 8,778 or an in-

creased mileage of nearly 24 per

cent.

I am not going to make the

tram every 421 seconds. The new double track to Shau- kiwaz via King's Road has now been completed and no less than 20 minutes has been clipped off the time which, in the old days of single line and loops, a tram took to go Shaukiwan and back,

from Causeway Bay to

The remainder of the track in addition to the rolling stock, over- head equipment and plant gene- rally has been maintained in first class condition.

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1937.

DR. MISTOWSKI HONG KONG VOLUNTEER

DEFENCE CORPS

DUE HERE

Well-Known Musician

A well-known musician, Dr. Al- fred Mistowskl. Mus D., F.T.C.L.

ORDERS, BY LT.-COL, R., O. B. ANDERSON, MO, COMMANDANT

HONG KONG VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS)

11

- A CATEGORY M.G. COURSE

will arrive in the Colony from Parade on Thursday, 4th and London aboard the P. and Q. £..Friday, 5th March at Corps HQ, at Rajputana on March 31 en route 8.30 p.m." to Japan.

On his return to the Colony, Dr. Mistowski will conduct the Trinity College of Music examinations

RANGE TAKERS COURSE Parade on Thursday, March 4 at Corps H.Q. at 5.30 p.m.

ANTI-GAS COURSE

The next lecture will be on FT-

which will be held between Mayday, 10 and May 27 on which date Dr. Mistowski will leave Hong Kong on his homeward journey.

It is anticipated that local en- tries for the examination, which closed yesterday, will exceed over 200.

Examination for practical (vocal and instrumental music) will be held from about May 10 to May 27, while examination for theoretical (paper work) will be held on June 12. The last day of entry in the latter examination is March 5.

Mr. J. E. Anderson is Local Se- cretary of the Trinity College of Music, London.

WITA

SIR JAMES O'BRIEN

On Way To Africa

Sir James J. O'Brien and Lady O'Brien were passengers on board the Dollar liner President Hoover which arrived in Hong Kong yes- terday afternoon.

an American,

|

March 6 at Corps HQ. PARADES

Art' Battery

"A" Section: „Any member de eirous of watching "L" Section shoot should report to the Section Commander by 9.20 a.m. on Sun- day. 28th Instant. Haversack rations should be brought.

"L" Section: Next parade is at Volunteer HQ on Thursday, March at $.30 p.m. for Squad and Riffe drill.

Dress: Overalls, blue caps. web belt and frog, rifle and bayonet.

No. 2 Improvised Battery

|

{

Any body who has not yet fired MG. Part II must Are on March 7 at Stonecutters

Thursday, March 4-

No. 2 (Scottish) 'Company No. 6 Platoon at Kowloon Dock. No. 7 Platoon at Corps H.Q.at 5.30 p.m. for M.G. Instruction. All classes "Night Alming and use of Night Lamp.

Aprons: All ranks who are not in possession of kiit apron mukt draw same from Company stores without delay, before 0.0.0.8 inspection and night operation.

No. 3 (M.G.); Company Parade at H.q. at 8.30 p.m. on Monday, March 1: BF. Muzzle Attachment.

Corps Infantry Company's Annual Shoot will take place on Sunday, February 28 at Stonecuttèra.

Range Officer: Lt F. F. Sequeira Launch, Service: 1st Launch leaves K. 8 a.m.; Kowloon 8.15

(M Section)": Wednesday, March 3: Parade at | a.m. 2nd Launch leaves HK. 8.13 Deep Water Bay.

a.m.; Kowloon 8.30 a.m. From Dress: Overalls, S.D. ap.

Stonecutters: 1st at 2 p.m.; 2nd at 4.30 pm.;

Corps Engineers Monday, March 1: Miniature Range.

Corps Signals Sikh Section will parade at the Signal. Once at Command Head- quarters at 5.25 pm, on Tuesday, March 2. for Instruction in Signal- Office duties.

}

There will not be a parade at Corps HQ, on Tuesday, March 2.

There will be no parade on Tues- day, March 2

LEAVE L/Bar. H. 8. Jones, 1st Battery, A Section, is granted nine months' leave from 27.2.37 to 28.11.37.

Tpr. D. Black, M.G. Troop, is granted lenge trom 26.2.37 to 30.9.37, STRENGTH

Gunner J. H. B. Lee, C.§.0, No. 2 Imp. Bty. (M Section), 2.237.

Signr. O. K. Wong, H.K. Univer-

(Std.) G. 8. FRIZELLE.

Captain.

All members of the company. who are deficient of any articles of clothing and/or equipment must | sity, M.G. Bn. Signals, 25.2.37. notify C.QMA. Millington not later than Tuesday, March 9.

M.G. Troop There will be no parade on Tues- day. March 2

Armoured Car Section There will be no parade on Tues-

Sir James 15 though Canadian by birth, and le travelling through the Orient on | his way to South Africa to Inspect some of the gold mines there in which he has large vested inter-day, March 2 esta. This is rat the first visit that Bir. Jame has paid to the Far East, for be has been in China several times, during which he has travelled extensively in the inter- for.

Besides South Africa. Bir James also has interests in various enterprises in the Orient.

Sir James O'Brien was born in Montreal, which is also his present home where he is staying at the Ritz-Carlton. He was a captain in the Royal Air Force for almost four years prior to his adoption of American citizenship. His father was a former Senator of Canada.

DONATIONS

REDUCED NET PROFIT Now with regard to the at-

The Hon. Treasurer of the So- counts. As foreshadowed in the acknowledges with grateful appre

ciety of St. Vincent de Paul Board's report issued in August.clation and thanks the receipt of net profit for the year in review the following donations to the appears again at a reduced figure Society's Funds.

-namely,

of

+

In Memory of the late Dr.

F. M. Graca Ozorio Mrs. Henrietta Noronha and

daughters

$1,00

Motor M.G. Platoon Parade at H.Q. on Monday, March at 5.30 p.m

B and C Classes: M.G. Instruc- tion Night Aiming and use of night lamp.

¦

Adjutant, H.K.V.D.C. NOTICES

Athletic Committee Meeting There will be in Athletic Sports Meeting at 5.45 p.m. In the Lecture Room on Monday, March 1.Os. C. Units are reminded to send their representatives.

Annual Athletic Meeting The Annüil Athletic Meeting will be held on the Arès Sports Ground at Bogkumpoo on Saturday, April 24 at 3.30 p.m.

All ranks are reminded of the tactical ride which will be held on Füll particulars will be forward- Sunday, March 14. A, B and oed in due course to Ca. C. Units sections, should make every effort from whom particulars can be ob- to attend.

tained.

No. 1 (MG.) Company Friday, March 5: Parade at H.Q. at 5.30 p.m.

Category B and Cl: Preparation for firing when target obscured Night Alming and use of Night Lamp.

Gategory C1: LA. 3rd and 4th Positions.

WEDDING

nounced between Alexander Mc- The forthcoming wedding is an

Kellar, mercantile assistant, No. 21 Feak Manalors, and Catherine Maclean Ferguson, of "Courtlands," Kennedy Road."

AFFILIATED UNIT. Nursing Detachment, HK.V.D.C.

The next lecturé on Home Nur- sing will be held on Monday, Mar. 1 at the P.W.D. Omces at 5.30 p.m.

(920) K. DURRÅN. Commandant. Nursing Detachment.

HKV.D. Corps.

WOMEN'S WELFARE IN HONG KONG

A meeting of foreign ladies interested in the proposal for an for rescue Internationa Co-operative Centre work among women and children in Hong Kong, was held at the St. John Ambulance Brigade headquarters yesterday REO.CA DANCE.

morning, when plans were dia- The next fortnighty dance of cussed. The chief mover in the the Royal Engineers Old Com- scheme is Mrs. R. A. Jaffray, wife rades' Association will be held in of the Rev. R. A. Jaffray, of the 5.00 the Peninsula Hotel. Kowloon, on Christian and Missionary Alliance.

despite à concurrent increase in $541,127.00. However,

operating costs already referred to, the present basis of our re- gained traffle offers every prospect

maintained recovery in the Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Bond "1.00 current year, which has opened Mr. and Mrs. G.

A. de Figueiredo with most encouraging results, vestment and sundry sources has

Supplemental revenue from in- In Memory of the late

Mr. H. K. Hurr continued in good comparison with Mr. Seu Kon Chi previous years,

IN Memory of the late Mrs. Melania Botelho

Capital expenditure laid down during 1938 amounts to $159,223.74,

2.00

ANNOUNCEMENTS"

Saturday, March 6, commencing at

2.00

8.30 pan. Music will be provided by the Band of 1st Battalion Royal

1.00

$12.00

Ulster Rides, by kind permission BAN ON PULPIT of Lt-Colone! R. M. Rodwell arid Officers:

MR. J. L. BAIRD

the major part in respect of the Mr. C. A. Lopes...... newly opened King's Road double- Mr. and Mrs. P. Yvanovich track. This work has involved a over $80,000.00 annually for the construction expenditure averaging

past twelve years.

Investimentá

stard - at $1.236,008.63, opportunity having recently been taken of adding

now

Berlin, Feb, 25.

bold assertion that the present tares are the lowest tram or tus fares anywhere in the world fur the reason that if I were suddenly

In some parts of Germany. confronted with the statement

Household furniture. including Church ministers have made it a that in Pletermaritzburg, Pernam-

a fine selection of black wood, habit of reading out from the Mr. J. L. Baird, head of the as sold by public auction at pulpit the names of the people buco or Petrograd the tram fares were less than in Hong Kong $71.399.00 to this account which is Baird Television Company, was the Messrs. Lammert Brothers yester who have given up their church. should be unable to challenge it. returning a very satisfactory in- guest recently of members of the

day afternoon. Other articles This is now forbidden by a de- International Faculty of Sciences POPULARITY OF TRAMS

come yield. I am glad to point and was presented with a medal auctioned Included a grand plane cree enacted by the Ministry for in recognition of his outstanding by bach" two radio sets, six the Interior, acting in agreement volumes of "International En-with Dr. Hans Kerrl. Minister for vision, Mr. Baird is the Arst Bri-cyclopaedia of Surgory" and a Church Affairs fish subject to receive the Faculty's Protector and camera medal, which is awarded annually.

out that at present quotations the

contributions to the science of tele-

The Times of May 13, last in re-realisable value of these invest porting the 1936 Ordinary General ments is within 8 per cent. of the Meeting of the Calcutta Tram- cost figure. At December 31, 1935, ways Co., Ltd. held in London therë was a market depreciation quotes the Chairman. Sir Geoffrey of 145 per cent. Clarke, as follows:-

Replying to the presentation, Mr. DEPRECIATION FOR YEAR Baird said the B.B.C. television Depreciation for the year has service was the only one in the tramways continues, and when I been fully provided; and, the usual world, and we were the only coun- tell you that the average standard amount of $88,000.00 Ls written try to possess a cinema with a tele-

"Despite the intense bus com-

petition. the popularity of the

fare charged per mile' is less than of in Tramway Undertaking vision screen.

1/3 of an anna and at certain against. Goodwill and Construction

times of the day 1/4 of an anna

Expenses which, it will be noted,

The transfer of $100,000.00 as an

OTHER BUSINESS

per mile, it is not difficult to un- now rapidly approach the point of leaving a balance of $101.661.51 to derstand why they are popular. elimination from annual need of be carried forward, Undoubtedly tramways provide the appropriation. cheapest form of transport in the

· The Chairman then proposed, world to-day and under no other addition to General Reserve has Mr. Williams seconding, that the system of transport would it be been also allocated in the Profit | directors" report and the statement possible to carry our passengers at and Loss Account.

of accounts be passed, which were these low fares."

An interim dividend, amounting unanimously approved by the At the present rate of exchange to $130,000.00, was paid in August. meeting. the 3rd class färe between Shauki Your Directors now recommend a Mr. B. Wong Tape, proposed, MÉ wan and Western Market and be- final dividend of 40 cents per Allen seconded the re-election tween Causeway Bay and Kennedy share absorbing $200,000.00, max-or the directors for the next term Town is at the rate of 75 of a centing-ar against 80 cents for 1935- The re-appointment of the audi per mile or nine miles for a periny a total distribution of 60 cents tors was proposed by Mr. B. R. This is less than half of the lowest per share for the year 1936, and Sturt, second, by Mr. Chau.

....

Saut Server

A group of happy Chinese ladies having a quiet rest at the Race.

Cotirse,

ACCESSORIES

for

The Smart

Woman

SATIN,

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LADIES'

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A GLASS OF

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A NECESSARY REFRESHMENT WHEN GOOD COMPANIONS MEET.

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