D.—4

8

Mr. T. M. Wilford, MP. Mr. Wilford appeared at the invitation of the Commission. He disclaimed any technical knowledge of rolling-stock and knowledge of any difference between bearing and draw-bar springs. He considered that the statements of Messrs. Bargh, Kydd, Valentine, and Mackley, in parliamentary paper D.-6, proved that broken springs had been used, and that there was a shortage of draw-bar springs. Mr. Wilford declined to name the person whose information he referred to in Parliament, and stated that the man who told him the story had, he believed, already given evidence, and "to save his own skin told a different yarn." He desired to call no witnesses, but relied on the statements contained in parliamentary paper D.-6. Evidence as to the General Condition of the Rolling-stock. All the evidence given before the Commission is distinct on the point that during the years 1913-17 the whole of the rolling-stock has been maintained in good, safe-running order. The great majority of witnesses considered the present condition to be superior to that of by-gone years : this is practically the overwhelming opinion of the officers and men who appeared before the Commission. The evidence also shows that during the period 1913-17 many improvements have been introduced calculated to increase the safety and durability and diminish the cost of upkeep of the rolling-stock. These improvements have consisted in the fitting of standard axle-boxes with broad-bearing horn-plates, lead-lined brasses, and waste-packing in lieu of spring pads; the fitting of grabirons and steps on wagons, and higher side gates on cars; the supplying of heavier axles to, and proportionately increasing the carrying-capacity of, wagons; the removal of the Pintsch gas-cylinders from below the cars, and the substitution of small cylinders in a safer position within the framing of the car. Evidence was given that the Westinghouse brake has been maintained in the highest state of efficiency. Evidence regarding the Piecing of Springs. All witnesses affirm that the piecing of bearing-springs has never been practised. The evidence shows that vehicles under which broken bearing-springs are found are immediately removed from traffic; that broken bearing-springs are rarely found; that pieced draw-bar springs have been used in wagons, but not in carriages." (There is a single exception to this—the Wanganui district. —where it appears that pieced springs have been used without instructions in the case of a few cars.) That the practice of using pieced springs in wagons has existed for many years on the New Zealand railways, but has recently been considerably extended. That pieced draw-bar springs have for many years been used in times of shortage of spares, and their use on the ground of economy was officially considered and approved some twenty years ago. (See evidence of A. L. Beattie, p. 152, and G. A. Pearson, p. 95.) The practice was again directed by Mr. G. E. Eichardson's circular of 10th of June, 1914. All witnesses are emphatic that the use of pieced draw-bar springs introduces no element of danger. Most consider that pieced springs are efficient and durable. Evidence regarding Painting. The evidence with regard to painting was to the effect that the former practice had been continued during the period 1913-17. Evidence regarding Supply of Stores. All witnesses agree in stating that during the period covered by the inquiry there has been no difficulty in procuring material or spares other than draw-bar springs, of which there was a temporary scarcity in portions of 1914 and 1915.