RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2842, 5 August 1916, Page 3

RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK

■" ' • t "A HIGH STATE OF EFFICIENCY."

A special report upon the rollingstock of tho Railways was presented to the House of' Representatives yesterday by .the Minister of Railways. ;

It contained the following summary:— "The , whole of the officers _ state in the most definite manner possible: , "(1) That the rolling-stock has been maintained in a high state of efficiency. (2) That repairs have not been neglected. . *'(3) ; That there has never been any necessity' or.' occasion to direct attention to-rolling-stock" -running in an unsafe cftnditidn,' '.]ior ; do.."they know of any iiistances- in which vehicles have been placed 'on trains when nnsafe'to run. . .That they : have:., never, .received any .instruction that undernames and 'running gear : were.not.. .to_.be .repaired ivhen ; required..-.On the.contrary, such gear ."is. c safety. . ■■ .. .

../.te)Jii^t,.^v]ii|e..'ecbnomT-.liaß ; r .l}een ex-eroised;,'-it-,-hasyhoiHir*an,v- way—reduced the 'efficiency of tlic rolling-stock, nor have Tepairs been allowed to stand over to the detriment of safety. "(G) That the instructions in regard to the upkeep of rolling-stock have not been .relaxed during the past three years, and before any vehicle, either new or repaired, is allowed' out,.' of .'the' shops a personal and detailed inspection is. mode for the purpose of seeing that it is in a thoroughly safe condition." The General Manager adds this comment:—"l state positively that lam not aware of anything to warrant the assumption that the rolling-stock has been' neglected, and that neither directly nor indirectly has any instruction been given for the curtailment of expenditure on the upkeep of the rolling-stock. The constant aim of the Department is not only to maintain its rollmg-stook in the highest standard of efficiency, but to improve the class of vehicle employed, with a view to increasing tlie accommodation and conveniences afforded io the public."