D.—2

6

In the New Zealand Government Eailway Workshops, to date, 45 locomotive engines have been built, besides 24 old locomotives rebuilt to more powerful types. Four hundred and thirty locomotives passed through the workshops during the year, details as follows:—

Included in above return are 3 engines repaired for private railways and 1 engine for Public Works Department. The following new locomotives are under construction in Government Eailway Workshops — viz., 4 large tender engines of the four-cylinder '-' balanced compound " type, 1 Class E compound double-ender tank engine for Eimutaka Incline traffic, and 3 Class Wf tank engines, making a total of 8 locomotives. In addition 3 Class Wf tank engines are being built by Messrs. A. and G. Price, Thames, being the balance outstanding on their contract for 10 locomotives of this type. Messrs A. and G. Price have made very satisfactory progress with their contract, and I am glad to be able to report of those engines already delivered that the material and workmanship are excellent, and in every way creditable to the builders. Boilers. —The work on boiler repairs, renewals, and new boilers is in a satisfactory position. Eleven new boilers were made. The following statement gives details of the work done during the year:—

Nineteen new locomotive boilers are under construction, comprising four Class A, two Class D, one Class E, two Class F, one Class P, 6 Class E. and three Class Wf. Carriages. —The car-stock on the Ist April, 1904, consisted of 809 cars ; the stock on the 31st March, 1905, was 864 cars. Fifty-five new 47-J-ft. bogie cars were built and added to stock. The new stock built has increased the seating accommodation by 8-74 per cent. Thirty-five bogie cars were fitted with lavatories during the year, making a total of 304 cars so equipped to date. Fitting second-class cars with cushioned seats is practically completed. The number of cars so equipped is now 498. The following table gives details of repairs, &c, to cars for the year : —

Number and Type. Particular*. Number passed through shops Built new ... Be-erected after shipment Converted or rebuilt Thoroughly overhauled Heavy repairs Light repairs Painted and varnished Touched up and revarnished Tender Engines, I .' ... J 185 ... j 12 68 ... 105 11 76 i ' I ' Fairlies. Tank Fell ! Engines. Engines. , ! iotal - Single. Double. 213 9 20 3 430 7 ... ... ... 7 6 6 14 '.'.'. "2 '.'.'. 28 59 9 13 3 152 127 ... 5 ... 237 24 2 9 ... 46 43 1 ... ... 120

Description. Cβ . |! : a k s C 1 2 "S Oh M I s '3 M x. oo 3 I 3 T3 o .2 CD j x o . © I! I 2 <u E a. 1° o * I -IS ii is i -i M £ <0 ! O toilers ... 188 11 71 106 51 15 2 2 i 53

Number and Type. Particulars. Bogie. Six-wheel. Four-wheel. Total. Number passed through shops Built new Converted or rebuilt Thoroughly overhauled Heavy repairs Light repairs Painted and varnished... Touched up and revamished 1,341 55 3 26 260 997 283 474 77 12 65 10 27 15 i i 13 4 3 1,433 55 3 27 273 1,075 297 504 i J ; :