1951-1952 — Page 9

(a) Invoiced to and from Lowu (non-local).

The reasons for the decline in non-local goods traffic were the restrictions on exports brought into force from time to time during the year. This naturally affected the flow of merchandize to and from the Colony as a whole, and railway revenue was considerably affected.

(b) Invoiced to and from stations other than Lowu (local).

The increase in local goods traffic was due to a rise in population in the villages along the railway.

12. Although both passenger and goods traffic showed a drop compared with the preceding year, it is interesting to record that, on the 29th January 1952-the last day of the Chinese New Year Holidays-41,734 passengers were carried. This number of passengers created a new record for this short railway.

13. In order to cut down running expenses, a new time- table was brought into operation on May 1st, 1951. The daily train service was reduced to 20 steam and 2 rail-buses with occasional goods trains when required. At week-ends through- out the year, late night leave-specials were run for the benefit of military personnel stationed in the New Territories. During the picnic season (November to March) additional shuttle services were run on Sundays and public holidays between Kowloon, Yaumati and Shatin to relieve congestion on ordinary passenger trains.

14. Platform tickets were re-introduced on September 1st, 1951, at Kowloon Station. A sum of $3,366.60 was earned from this source from September to the close of the year.

15. During the Ching Ming (3.4.51-8.4.51) and Chung Yeung (9.10.51) Festivals-grave visiting days for the Chinese-

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