1949-1950 — Page 11

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Health authorities. The fact that there were no serious acci- dents or loss of life in the area (when shunting), and no major leakage of revenue, reflects creditably on all staff concerned in the working of this station; particularly is this so, when it is realized that the staff had to work long hours under uncomfort- able conditions, and with less time off than subordinate and clerical staff in most Government departments.

35. Apart from the desirability of resuming through run- ning for the convenience of the travelling public, the position would be greatly improved by the provision of additional rolling stock. It is, therefore, disappointing to record that there is little hope of the coaches ordered in 1946 arriving before 1952.

36. At the end of the year the daily service consisted of 20 local passenger trains, with extra trains on Saturdays and Sundays for Military personnel returning to the New Terri- tories. Goods trains were operated when required and averaged one per day in each direction, and additional trains were run when necessary on Sundays and holidays to relieve the heavy passenger traffic at Shatin.

37. One hundred and ninety six special trains were run during the year, most of them in connection with military move- ments and military rations. Ballast trains operating at night for the engineering department numbered one hundred and seventy six.

38. Accidents were as follows:-

Trespassers killed by trains

3

injured by trains

2

Passengers killed by trains

6

""

injured by trains

10

Engine failure

5

Derailments

3

Level crossing gates damaged by motor traffic.

4

2

Collision of engine with lorry

Accidents to personnel were in all cases due to persons jumping from moving trains or infringing railway regulations in one form or another. The three derailments occured during shunting operations.