1947-1948 — Page 8

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29. The timekeeping of trains generally greatly improved although it was not possible to reach a pre-war standard of efficiency. There was, however, a continual improvement in the timekeeping of through trains over the Chinese Section as their rehabilitation progressed and numerous speed restrictions over bridges and bad sections of track were removed. These improve- ments had a beneficial effect on this Section.

30. Eighty-two special trains were run during the year. These were mainly in connection with heavy passenger traffic during the Ching Ming Festivals, Chinese New Year and the Easter Holidays. Rolling stock for these specials consisted of wagons converted into coaches by the provision of windows and

seats.

31. Four hundred and seventy-three goods trains were operated of which 243 were to Canton and 230 in the reverse direction.

32. Accidents, both operating, and personal are detailed below:-

1 Minor collision.

2 Engine failure.

7

Derailments.

6 Trespassers killed by trains.

20 Trespassers injured by trains.

4 Level crossing gates damaged by motor traffic.

1 Level crossing gate damaged by rail traffic.

The most serious of these was a derailment of four wagons of a goods train at Mile 10 on April 25th, and a collision in the Locomotive Yard on June 2nd which resulted in loss of oil to the value of $5,307. The former accident was caused by a flat spot on one of the chilled iron wheels of an U.N.R.R.A. wagon which caused it to derail dragging three other loaded wagons after it.

The collision was due to a defective coupling on an oil tank wagon which was being propelled into the workshops and parted from the shunting engine when the brakes were applied, colliding with other wagons stabled near the running shed.

ACCOUNTS GENERAL.

33. A working agreement having again failed to materialise, the method and procedure for settlement of accounts continued to be the results of meetings between Executives, and correspondence between the Accounts Offices of each Section.

This inevitably caused a long delay in reaching an agreement, but although the Chinese Section have not agreed to a final settlement of the Traffic Earnings Account for the year, it is not anticipated there will be any alterations except of a minor character, and these will not materially affect the financial result shown in this report.