9

r>.-2

Nevertheless there is a decided increase in expenditure on renewals of structures. A number of bridges have been entirely rebuilt on a higher standard of strength to meet demands of heavier classes of stock, and many more will require such renewals year after year All other increases are merely nominal, and are counterbalanced by small decreases on other heads. The summarised increases, therefore, on the nine months of the current financial year are, —■ Track-surfacing, increased mileage, 71 miles at, say, £30 £2,130 Sleeper-renewals 3,750 Ballasting 3,550 Banks and cuttings 1,200 Bridges and wharves 770 £11,400 Other increases and decreases bring the net increase to £11,108, as per above table. The rate of expenditure has diminished during the latter periods of this financial year, so that unless any floods or other considerable damage should arise I anticipate that at the end of the financial year the total increase over the preceding year will be less. Under the heading of " Additional works," the following are some of the principal:— Completion of Hastings Station alterations. Alteration of goods-shed, Onehunga. New overbridge at Patea Station. Terrace End New platform and station. Hawera Extension of siding accommodation. Improvements to Wanganui Station buildings and yard. Eltham and Inglewood Goods-shed and sidings—alteration and enlarged accommodation. Hydraulic wheel-pit in Wellington engine-shed. Enlargement to Eakaia Station. Timaru Improvement in approaches, north end of yard. Several new loading-banks and cattle-yards. Enlargement of a large number of employes' dwellings. Additions to several station-buildings. New weighbridge for Lyttolton. Improvements to Clifton Station, and new siding. J Heney Lowe, Chief Engineer

Memobandum for the Eailway Commissionebs in re Stock of Stoees on Bth December, 1894 Stores Manager's Office, Wellington, 29th December, 1894. I have the honour to report that the value of stores on hand on the Bth December, 1894, at the various depots amounted to £99,699 2s. 4d., as against £104,373 lis. 9d. on the 9th December, 1893. The stock is in good order, and is value for the amount stated. E. Caeeow, Stores Manager.

ACCOUNT No. 1. Woeking Eailways, Vote No. 58, 1894-95.—£725,235. £ s. d. £ s. d. Expenditure, per Treasury books, to 31st December, 1894 526,021 10 11 Less recoveries to 30th November, 1894 30,619 5 4 495,402 5 7 Outstandings .. 78,799 10 10 Balance .. 151,033 3 7 £725,235 0 0

ACCOUNT No. 2—RAILWAY WORKING ACCOUNT. Estimate showing the Approximate Revenue and Expenditure to the Termination of the Four-weekly Period ending 8th December, 1894.

2— D 2.

Miles open. Revenue. Expenditure. Net. £ s. 741,713 13 a. 2 £ 509,104 s. a. 7 11 £ s, 232,609 5 d. 3 ,971 Corresponding Pi iriod Last Year to 9th December £ s. a. 755,259 6 11 £ 498,225 s. d. 8 10 £ s. d. 257,033 18 1 1,924