An extremely important matter in connection with the future development of these lines, and, in fact, all the railway interests of the Republic, is to be found in the completion of the port works at Montevideo. Until the port works were taken in hand the embarkation of cargo at this principal outlet of the Republic had been greatly hampered by natural difficulties, and consequently heavy charges in connection with the lighterage from the railway wharf to the ocean steamers. The deepening of the inner port and the construction of extensive wharfs and piers at which ocean steamers can berth will doubtless lead to an increase in traffic, not only from Uruguay but the neighbouring State of Rio Grande do Sul. An important connection with the railway system of Rio Grande do Sul is made at the terminus of the Central Uruguay Northern Extension Railway at Rivera, and by the completion of a connecting link between the Sao Paulo Rio Grande Railway System and the lines of the Cie Auxiliare de Chemins de Fer au Bresil, a Company which controls practically the whole railway system of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (now almost completed), direct railway communication will be established between Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro. The following table shows the result of working of the Central Uruguay Main Line, exclusive of extensions, which, as far as expansion in receipts is concerned, may be regarded as indicative of those lines: -------------------------------------------------------- Year. | Receipts. | Expenses. | Profit. | Dividend. | --------------------------------------------------------| | | | | Per Cent. | 1904-5 | 414,228 | 190,165 | 223,572 | 4-1/2 | 1905-6 | 442,083 | 212,465 | 229,618 | 5 | 1906-7 | 493,682 | 244,922 | 248,760 | 5 | 1907-8 | 508,044 | 272,104 | 235,940 | 4-1/2 | 1908-9 | 557,122 | 287,505 | 269,617 | 4-1/2 | 1909-10| 577,489 | 287,959 | 289,530 | 5 | -------------------------------------------------------- The increase in gross receipts is perhaps not quite so marked as in the case of neighbouring lines in the Argentine Republic, and a reason for this is to be found in the fact that, favoured by magnificent grazing camps, cattle raising is still the principal industry of Uruguay. Agricultural development, although more marked of recent years, has been slow, but an increase in this is probably due to efforts which are being made by the Government to promote colonisation and the extension of lines in the Eastern provinces.