E.—l

APPENDIX L. ANNUAL REPORT OP WORKING RAILWAYS BY THE COMMISSIONER OP RAILWAYS, NORTH ISLAND. The Commissioner of Railways, North Island, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir,— Wellington, 31st July, 1879. I have the honor to report on the working of the North Island railways for tho twelve months ending 30th June, 1879. The following table shows the progress of railway extension in the North Island to date, and also the lines now in course of construction, and likely to be opened during the current financial year. Mileage Open for Traffic on 30th June, 30th June, 30th June, Now under Section. 1877. 1878. 1879. Construction. M. Ch. M. Ch. M. Ch. M. Cli. Kaipara ... ... 15 6S 15 68 15 68 0 43 Auckland ... 45 42 96 29 96 29 27 75 Napier ... ... 58 21 64 4 64 4 6 0 Wellington ... 19 44 27 7 44 79 23 72 Wanganui ... 59 3 85 27 94 57 12 65 New Plymouth ... 11 13 19 73 19 73 13 40 Totals ... 209 31 308 48 335 70 84 55 Of the lines under construction the greater part is in a forward state, and nearly ready for handing over. In October last the line from Kaitoke to Featherston (17 miles 72 chains), in the Wellington Provincial District, was opened, giving access to the Wairarapa, previously approachable only by a most difficult and expensive communication over the Rimutaka Range by coach and dray. The opening of this extension has been of great convenience to the settlers, and a very considerable increase of revenue to the department has resulted. The fragmentary character of the North Island lines naturally induces a higher rate of expenditure than would otherwise be the case if connected, inasmuch as the permanent staff now necessary is capable of conducting a much heavier traffic; and when it is also considered that "extra haulage mileage due to gradients against the load means extra expenditure of fuel," and that "one-fourth of the running expenses consists of cost of fuel," the average percentage of this year's working is well within the revenue, leaving 25^ per cent, (nearly £10,000) towards interest of construction cost, being equal to 1$ per cent, upon £2,300,000, the approximate cost of opened lines to 30th June, 1879. Owing to the increasing a^e of the rolling-stock, bridges, and other maintenance work, the repairs and renewals have been very costly during the past year; and this, coupled with the exceptionally heavy grades and curves on several of the lines, is a still further testimony to the satisfactory result above referred to. The want of workshops and necessary tools, to effect the locomotive and other repairs, has been a great drawback to economy of working; but this will be remedied during the current year by the erection of workshops at Wellington, Wanganui, Napier, and New Plymouth, all of which are now r under contract. Hitherto Auckland has had the only Government workshop in the North Island. Through the courtesy and willing co-operation of Dr. Lemon, General Manager of the Telegraph Department, great facilities in the working of the trains have been afforded during the past year by connecting many of the principal crossing and other similar important places with each other, and the local head-quarters, by wire; and I trust an extended and complete system will be inaugurated during the current year. Too much importance cannot be attached to this aid in the working of single lines of railway. During the past exceptionally-dry season many serious fires have occurred, alleged to have been caused by defect in the locomotive spark-arresters. Much attention has been given to this subject throughout the colony, with a view to abate the evil; but, although partially successful, it is felt that a total abatement is incompatible with the working power of the engines. The question of fencing the railways has excited much severe comment from the sufferers by the destruction of live stock trespassing on the lines through collision with passing trains. Notwithstanding every care and precaution of the drivers, numerous accidents of this kind have occurred during the past year ; and as settlement progresses so will these accidents, unless some effectual means are adopted. Fencing is the only cure ; but whether this should be done by the owners of adjoining property, by the Government, or jointly, is a matter for your consideration. The very frequent necessity for pulling up the trains to avoid collision with animals on the line, and the consequent loss of time m running, is also a very serious matter. The collisions rareh' occur except on the curves and places where the obstruction cannot be seen in time to avoid contact; hence, perhaps, it might be well to abate the evil by fencing such places, and blocking each end by " cattle-stops." The cost even of this partial measure would involve a very largo expenditure. During the latter part of the past year considerable modifications were made in the train services on the Auckland Section, resulting in a saving of train mileage equal to upwards of 90,000 miles per annum. This has been done with some inconvenience to a portion of the travelling public, but without

76