Traffic Improving.

The latest figures in regard to our traffic show that, despite difficulties arising chiefly from adverse weather conditions, railway business has remained buoyant, the operating revenue for the current financial year to the 25th May showing an improvement of £9,561 over that of last year.

We appear to be gaining the confidence of travellers still further through the comfort in travel we are able to provide, compared with other means of transport, during the winter months. The recent extension of steam-heating to cars on additional train services has had a definite effect in making the services more attractive. Special passenger traffic, helpful to revenue and of definite service to the community, has been secured from the various Farmers' Excursions run between districts in the North and South Islands. I feel sure the result of information gained by the hundreds of farmers making these excursions will have definite favourable reactions in the returns secured from the land, and we hope to share in the benefits obtained through increased freight traffic in both primary and secondary products.