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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 2 (June, 1926)
Variations in Traffic and Revenue — as compared with last year—1st April to 15th May, 1926
Variations in Traffic and Revenue
as compared with last year—1st April to 15th May, 1926
| District | Passenger. Number. | Season. Number. | Bearer-tickets. Number. | Cattle. Calves. Number. | Sheep Pigs. Number. | Timber. Tons. | Other Goods Tons. |
| Auckland | -67,268 | -4,657 | 825 | 2,220 | -779 | 430 | -11,357 |
| Ohakune | 2,929 | -97 | 14 | 3,287 | 9,362 | -3,715 | -108 |
| Wanganui | -3,320 | -470 | 1 | 731 | 18,252 | -231 | -7,418 |
| Wellington | -102,897 | -823 | 2,650 | 14,417 | 33,196 | -1,872 | -5,321 |
| Total N.I.M.L.B. | -170,556 | -6,047 | 3,490 | 20,635 | 60,031 | -5,388 | -24,204 |
| Westport | 70 | 13 | 3 | 26 | 108 | 73 | -16,585 |
| Christchurch | 45,216 | 2,988 | 398 | -379 | 27,728 | -1,466 | -640 |
| Dunedin | 56,905 | 158 | 2,500 | -508 | -22,111 | -652 | 773 |
| Invercargill | 31,070 | -1,119 | 82 | 346 | 1,469 | -3,050 | 378 |
| Total S.I.M.L.B. | 133,191 | 2,027 | 2,980 | -541 | 7,085 | -5,168 | 511 |
| Grand Total | -37,295 | -4,007 | 6,473 | 20,120 | 67,224 | -10,483 | -40,278 |
| Revenue | |||||
| District | Passenger. £ | Parcels. £ | Goods. £ | Miscellaneous. | Total increase or decrease. £ |
| Auckland | -3,846 | -675 | 15,681 | 498 | 11,658 |
| Ohakune | -241 | -368 | 5,246 | 393 | 5,030 |
| Wanganui | -562 | -860 | -2,030 | 86 | -3,366 |
| Wellington | -4,711 | -2,135 | 4,876 | 2,403 | 433 |
| Total N.I.M.L.B. | -9,360 | -4,038 | 23,773 | 3,380 | 13,755 |
| Westport | 3 | -7 | -3,099 | 249 | -2,854 |
| Christchurch | 12,778 | -2,502 | 6,030 | 762 | 17,078 |
| Dunedin | 11,822 | -867 | 3,347 | 4,146 | 18,448 |
| Invercargill | 12,059 | -660 | 4,214 | 1,106 | 16,719 |
| Total S.I.M.L.B. | 36,669 | -4,029 | 13,591 | 6,014 | 52,245 |
| Grand Total | 27,312 | -8,074 | 34,265 | 9,643 | 63,146 |
Note.—Indicates decrease.
The above statement is compiled from the weekly traffic returns, which are found most useful when forecasting the approximate revenue for the period, and tracing the weekly fluctuations in traffic.
In surveying the above figures it must be borne in mind that Easter Monday 1926, was 5th April, and in 1925 the 13th April, so that the current year's passenger figures would be slightly affected on account of a portion of the advanced bookings being included in March period. However, the large decrease in the number of passengers carried in the North Island, viz.: 170,556 is due almost entirely to motor bus competition in the suburban areas of Auckland, Wellington and Napier, while the increase in the South Island is mainly accounted for by the Exhibition traffic.
Livestock shows a substantial increase due to the late season, and to the fact that sheep have been moved owing to shortage of feed in Wellington and Hawke's Bay districts.
Timber has dropped over 10,000 tons—almost every district showing a decrease. This is mainly attributable to heavy importations of poles for Power Boards last year and also to unfavourable weather conditions-interfering with loading operations, particularly in Ohakune district.
Under the heading “Other Goods” there is shown a decrease of 40,000 tons and the main factors bearing on this decrease are:—
The strike at Glen Afton coal mines, the shipping hold up at Lyttelton, and severe weather at Westport seriously affecting the shipping.
Turning to the revenue, the increase in passenger receipts is due to more long distance bookings this year—mainly issues to Exhibition visitors. The decrease in parcels revenue is explained by the fact that horses and motors are now booked through the goods.
The new tariff is responsible for the increase in goods revenue.