1974-1975 — Page 10

1973/74

1974/75

Decrease

Increase/

Percentage Increase/ Decrease

Carriages of general

merchandise

$8,451,558

$8,343,681

- $107,877

tons

(1,246,457)

(1,167,292)

(- 79,165)

1.28

6.35

Other freight services

Handling charges,

baggage, parcels,

$2.229.218 $5.215.357

+2.986.139

+$2,878,262

+133.95

+ 26.95

etc.

Total freight revenue $10,680,776 $13,559,038

32. Negotiations were concluded during the year for a 32% average increase in freight charges to take effect at the end of the year. The first increase since 1960.

33. Diesel oil was imported for the first time from China. The first train arrived in Hong Kong on 10th August, 1974 and was unloaded at the partially completed Hung Hom Terminal, 102,867 tons of oil were transported and there were indications that the volume would increase.

34. The principal commodities imported by rail into Hong Kong during the year were :-

Apples

Steel Bars

Beer

Cement

Cotton piece goods

Eggs

Frozen Meat

Diesel Oil

Pears

Fresh Vegetables

26,609 tons 21,890 33,834

#

14,369

##

15,151

H

40,118

21,252

"

102,867

43,996 15,445

**

35.

These amounted to 47.81% of the total tonnage.

The head of livestock conveyed by rail for the same period was 1,517,766 including 1,468,734 pigs.

36. A total of 6,010 cold storage wagons carrying 110,311 tons of cold/frozen goods were sent to the British Section from the Chinese Section including :-

No. of wagons

1,769

1,673

881

Description goods

Eggs Fresh Fruit

Meat

Tons

26,568

30,741

21,252

37.

Other cold or frozen goods included chestnuts, preserved meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, milk and ice cream, prawns and sea-shells.

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