t>.—2

4

On account of the difficulty in obtaining tradesmen, coupled with the limited workshop accommodation, machinery, and stores, it has been necessary to work some of the shops overtime. Steps have been taken to light the Petone Workshops with electricity. This should be extended to all of the workshops. The work of seating second-class cars with cushions has been put in hand. On account of the difficulty experienced in procuring iron eastings it was found necessary to build a foundry at Petone. This is now in working order. Three dining-cars for use on the Hurunui-Bluff Eailway have been completed during the year, the cooking being done by compressed gas, which is the only instance in the colonies. Seven hundred and ninety-eight car, van, wagon, and crane axles have been renewed during the year. This work should be pushed forward. With a view to insure greater safety on the Pell incline, nickel-steel crank axles have been ordered for the Pell locomotives. The following table gives particulars of repairs, &c, to locomotives for the year:—

Five Class B heavy consolidation locomotives for goods traffic are being built at Addington. Three Class Wα locomotives for mixed traffic on heavy grades are being built at Hillside, to replace one Class A, one Class C, and one Class D locomotives, which are unsuitable for further service. The conversion of six Class L locomotives to Lα and six Class P locomotives to Fα is in hand. The following table gives particulars of repairs, &c, to locomotive boilers for the year : —

Number. Class of Engine. Number passed through shops ... 254 1 A, 9 B, 6 C, 17 D, 3 E, 42 E, 14 Fa, 2 G, 10 H, 26 J, 5 K, 2 L, 3 La, 2 M, 12 N, 7 0, 7 P, 14 B, 2 S, 8 T, 22 U, 7 V, 3 W, 26 Wa, 2 locomotives for Castlecliff Eailway Company, 1 locomotive for Kaitangata Coal and Eailway Company, and 1 locomotive for Public Works Department. 1 B, 2 U, and 1 Wa. 4 B and 6 U (imported from Great Britain). L to La. 2 C, 4 D, IE, 7 F, 2 Fa, 1 G, 2 H, 2 J, 1 K, 2 M, 1 N, 1 P, 4 E, 1 V, 1 W, and 1 locomotive for Public Works DepartBuilt new Erected Converted Thoroughly overhauled 4 10 1 33 Heavy repairs 84 ment. 1 C, 5 D, 1 E, 16 E, 5 Fa, 1 G, 3 H, 12 J, 4 K, 2 La, 3 N, 5 0, 2 P, 5 E, 1 S, 5 T, 3 TJ, 5 V, 4 Wa, and 1 locomotive for Castlecliff Eailway Companv. 1 A, 4 B, 3 C, 8 D, 1 E, 19 F, 7 Fa, 5 H, •12 J, 2 L, 8 N, 2 0, 4 P, 5 E, 1 S, 3 T, 11 TJ, 1 V, 2 W, 21 Wa, 1 locomotive for Castlecliff Eailway Company, and 1 locomotive for Kaitangata Coal and Eailway Company. 1 B, 3 C, 5 D, 9 F, 2 Fa, 2 H, 7 J, 1 La, 2 M, 1 N, 1 0, 3 E, 3 T, 4 U, 3 V, 4 Wa, and 1 locomotive for Castlecliff Eailway Company. 4 B, 1 C, 2 D, 14 F, 6 Fa, 6 J, 4 K, 1 L. 1 La, 1 N, 4 0, 3 P, 7 B, 1 S, 2 T, 12 U, 3 V, 6 Wa, 1 W. Light repairs ... 122 Painted and varnished ... 52 Touched up and revarnished 79

Year ending 31st March, 1900. w 2 CD & is si-" Br Cl) a '3 m oi ft © K > cS CD w CD 5-1 'c8 ft © rS DO 3 or S H & 0) CD O . Q "p. ca CD r^ H CD CO u u <D -8 * ft I M Q ft ft o g*ft S- 3 So & S O EH OJ3 O £H a A ■6 CD A\ o -rJ <s -H CC 'o M Boilers ... 163 17 48 90 I 32 32 2 5 7 5 45 Twenty-five new boilers are in hand.