D.—2

14

Water-services, Cranes, Signals, &c. —These are all reported in good order Several additions have been made to the signals at various stations. The water-services have been increased in number and enlarged in capacity Wharves. —The principal work under this heading has been the renewal of the export wharf at Port Chalmers. Materials have been ordered for the renewal of the George Street Pier. The Onehunga Wharf has had extensive repairs to stringers, deck-beams, and planking. The Helensville Wharf has also been repaired. Wharf-repairs on a considerable scale have also been effected at Grey mouth and Westport. New Works. —A large number of new works and additions have been carried out, the principal of which are noted, as follows :— Kaihu Valley Section Engine-shed extended. Auckland Section Main line improved near Paerata. Station-buildings altered and extended, and verandah erected at Frankton. Additional sidings at Onehunga Wharf. Grades improved near Waimauku, on Kaipara Branch. Napier-Taranaki Section New Plymouth —Engine- and coal-sheds extended, overbridge at Liardet Street erected. Sentry Hill—New station and water-service. Inglewood—Goods-shed extended. Manganui—Grades improved. Hawera—Additional siding , new water-tank. Patea— New overbridge erected and main line improved. Waitotara—New water-tank. Okehu—Main line improved and new ballast-pit opened. Wangarmi—Station-buildings altered and extended, and new office erected also new siding constructed. Fordell—Windmill erected. Feilding—Goodsshed extended. Foxton Branch—New bridge for Aorangi drainage-channel. Terrace End—New station. Wellington Section Winter block system installed from Wellington to Lower Hutt. Wellington —Platform extended, engine-pits extended, and hydraulic drop-pits constructed. Lower Hutt —Additional sidings. Cross Creek—New signal-cabin, new house, and additional siding constructed. Featherston—Goods-shed extended. Christchurch Section Lyttelton—Additions to sidings, Nos. 2 and 7 wharves, traverser on No. 6 wharf new 20-ton dial weighbridge. Christchurch—New lamp-room and extension of luggage accommodation, interlocking-gear extended. Eakaia—Station-buildings added to. Ash-burton—Station-buildings moved and extended, and verandah erected. Timaru —North approach and access to wharf improved. Waikari—New house. Lake Eoad—Platform and shelter-shed. Little Eiver—New house. Dunedin Section Blanket Bay Tunnel—Extension of lining, and new front. Herbert— Sidings extended. Mosgiel—Additional sidings. Wingatui—Eeversing-triangle. Balclutha— Station-yard altered. Kurow—Three new cottages. Christmas Creek—Siding. Otago Central— Improvement to rock slopes. Invercargill Section Gore—New station-buildings completed ; electric light installed. Edendale—Station rearrangement completed, and new tank erected. Invercargill—Additional siding. Clifton—Station rearranged. Lumsden—New water-service. Greymouth Section Greymouth—Eearrangement and extension of coal-sidings. Westport Section Mokihinui —New weighbridge erected. Nelson Section Old engine-shed removed from Wai-iti, re-erected at Belgrove, and extended to form car-shed. Appleby—Sidings extended, goods-shed (removed from Wai-iti) erected, platform and shelter-shed constructed. Picton Section Koromiko —Windmill and water-tanks erected. A large number of dwellings occupied by employes have been enlarged, and additional accommodation provided in the form of washhouses, outhouses, coppers, &c. Expenditure. —The total cost of maintenance of way and works for the year was £272,717 15s. Id. This is an advance of £4,267 over the preceding year The additional mileage under maintenance very readily accounts for this increase. Lake Ellesmere. —This lake was tapped by the Selwyn County Council on the 11th July, 1894. The outlet closed again on the 24th August. Lake Forsyth. —This lake was let out twice by the Akaroa County Council on the 2nd July and the 9th September, closing again a day or two after on each occasion. Private Sidings. —There were seven new siding rights granted during the year The number of existing rights on the register is 230, with an aggregate annual rental of £4,131. Leases. —New leases were granted to the number of 167 during the year r making up the total of 1,064 leases current at the end of the year, having a total rent-roll of £11,376 per annum. .Employes. —The working staff employed during the year numbered 1,842 persons, and office staff 43. I have, &c, J Henby Lowe, The General Manager, New Zealand Eailways. Chief Engineer.

APPENDIX E. Sic, — Stores Manager's Office, Wellington, 7th June, 1895. I have the honour to report that the value of stores on hand on 31st March, 1895, at the various depots amounted to £100,119 16s. 9d., as against £98,318 ss. 4d. on the 31st March, 1894. The stock is in good order, and has been carefully and systematically inspected. Although the stock of general stores has actually been reduced during the year by £16,982, a net increase of £1,802 is caused by the accumulation of sleepers on the Auckland and NapierTaranaki Sections. I have, &c, Geo. Felton, The General Manager, New Zealand Eailways. Stores Manager.