D.—2.

6

The following table gives particulars of repairs, &c., to tarpaulins for the year:—

Stationary Engines and Cranes. — The following table gives particulars of repairs, &c, to stationary engines and cranes for the year: —

The expenditure per train-mile has been as follows: —

* Included in the expenditure producing this result is £36,107 6s. lid. charged to the working-expenses of Locomotive Department on account of claims arising from the Bakaia accident of 11th Masch, 1899, and £11,179 for new locomotives. These items increase the cost in pence per train-mile by 2'71d., but without this extraordinary expenditure the cost would have been 18-61 d. per train-mile. The slight increase over last financial year therefore becomes purely nominal, and is due to increments paid to members under the classification schedule, to the vigorous prosecution of conversion of locomotives, carriages, and wagons to more suitable types, the reboilering of locomotives and cranes with boilers of improved designs and higher working-pressures, and to the charging of works to working-expenses for which funds were not provided out of loan. I have, &c, T. P. Eothbeam, The General Manager, New Zealand Eailways, Locomotive Superintendent. Wellington.

APPENDIX C. ANNUAL BEPOBT ON THE MAINTENANCE OF NEW ZEALAND BAILWAYS. Sib,— Chief Engineer's Office, Wellington, 28th June, 1900. I have the honour to submit the following report on the maintenance of the New Zealand Eailways for the year ending 31st March, 1900 : — Permanent-way. —The track generally has been maintained in fair condition. In most districts there is a tendency to an increased speed of trains to provide greater facilities for the public, necessitating a higher standard of maintenance. During the year sixty-four miles of the main running lines has been renewed with heavier rails, chiefly 56 lb. per yard. The advisability of providing a stronger rail for the lines of heavier traffic has been considered, and one of 70 lb. to the yard has been adopted as a standard for these lines. More rapid relaying of our light lines is a question for serious deliberation, as the increase of traffic demands engines of greater power, for which the 30 lb. and 40 lb. rails are unsuitable. The faster speeds also are a factor which must not be overlooked. Sleeper renewals show a slight advance on last year's figures, and the consumption, although heavy, is not likely to be much reduced for some years to come. A more extended use of hardwood sleepers will be economical, and as the supply of native timber is failing it will be found necessary to import from Australia, where exceptionally good timber for the purpose is to be had,

Description. Number passed through Shops. New. Condemned and replaced. .Repaired. 'arpaulins ... 6,267 350 778 5,139

cd O CHA H 3> CD 3 rO O a -H flr--3 h-. fc M CO > O oil U '«! ft CD rt r> cS CD w Boiler-repairs. Type. BCD CD 43 O CD IM H rb si p 3 r-G EH ca r-l '3 ft © Ph -0 CD 3 13 eg fl '3 Ph Pi s TJ QJ -3 CJ 3 o H yj CJ -a 3 H & CJ fc T3 CD o CD 'Si CQ CD A A H CD r3 o cS & r-l CJ 'o eq D3 K *«8 ft <u rt r"> rCS CJ tn OS '3 ft CD rt 13 CD "3 W © fc Hand-cranes Steam-cranes Stationary engines Hoisting-engines Hydraulic engines 22 20 14 2 2 1 1 8 6 1 13 11 11 4 4 2 1 2 1 1 3 1 "e 18 i 1 Totals ... 57 15 36 10 1 1 4 8 18

Year. 1899-00 ... 1898-99 ... Train Mileage. Engine Mileage. ... 4,187,893 5,596,261 ... 3,968,708 5,233,061 Cost in Pence, Cost in Pence, Locomotive Car and Wagon Branch, Branch, per Train-mile. per Train-mile. Total. d. 16-93 14-00 \ d. 4-39 4-46 a. 21-32* 18-46