D.—4

22

Walter Guard Watson, train-examiner, Taihape; Ernest Wilmot Smith, train-examiner, Woodville; Kdward Samuel Creelman, train-examiner, Cross Creek; William Seaton, leading lifter, Lambton; Charles Henry Burridge, train-examiner, .Lambton; John Zealandia Hobbs, trainexaminer, Thorndon. The following witnesses were recalled by Mr. Myers, on behalf of the Railway Department, and further examined : Henry Archibald, Depot Chargeman, Palmerston North (late Depot Chargeman, Picton); Sidney Percival Evans, Locomotive Engineer, Petone. The Chairman asked that blue-prints of draw-gears in use on the New Zealand railways, and also of axle-boxes showing bearing-springs, be put in. The Commission adjourned at 8.15 p.m. for the purpose of inspecting rolling-stock at Lambton, Thorndon, and Petone, and also the repairing-facilities at these places. The Chairman intimated that the Commission would leave for Picton and Nelson on Friday, 23rd February, 19.17. Mr. Maxwell would inspect Picton Section, and Mr. Marchbanks and the Chairman would inspect Nelson, Greymouth, and, if possible, Westport.

Wednesday, 21st Febkuary, 1.917. The Commission met at Lambton Station at 9.&0 a.m., and proceeded to inspect rolling-stock in the yards, also the repairing-facilities. The Commission met at Thorndon Station at 2.30 p.m., and inspected rolling-stock in the yard, also repairing-facilities.

Thursday, 22nd February, 191.7. The Commission proceeded to Petone by train, leaving Lambton at 10 a.m., and inspected the workshops, car- and wagon-repairing facilities, and rolling-stock in yards, returning to Wellington at 3.45 p.m.

Friday, 23ed February, 1917. The Commission left by s.s. " Pateena " for Picton and Nelson. Mr. Maxwell, accompanied by Mr. Pearson, Assistant Chief Mechanical Engineer, Railway Department, disembarked at Picton, and inspected rolling-stock at that place, leaving by train at 6.15 p.m. for Blenheim.

Saturday, 24th February, 1917. Mr. Maxwell inspected rolling-stock at Blenheim, returning to Wellington by evening's steamer. The Chairman and Mr. Marchbanks, accompanied by Mr. Jackson, Chief Mechanical Engineer, Railway Department, arrived at Nelson at 9 a.m., and proceeded to inspect rolling-stock at the port, and town stations. They also inspected the repairing-facilities at Nelson

Sunday, 25th February, 1917. The Nelson party proceeded by motor to Murchison, inspecting rolling-stock at Glenhope.

Monday, 26th Fbbruaey, 1917. The Chairman and Mr. Marchbanks, accompanied by Mr. Jackson, Chief Mechanical Engineer, continued their journey to Westport. At 2 p.m. they proceeded to inspect rolling-stock and repairing-facilities at Westport. Mr. Maxwell left Wellington for Lyttelton by ferry-steamer.

Tuesday, 27th February, 1917. The Chairman and Mr. Marchbanks, accompanied by Mr. Jackson, Chief Mechanical Engineer, left Westport for Reefton, where an inspection of rolling-stock was made, leaving by train at 4.20 p.m. and arriving Greymouth 7.35 p.m. Mr. Maxwell inspected rolling-stock at Lyttelton. ,