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1919. NEW ZEALAND.

RAILWAY TIME-TABLE COMMISSION (REPORT OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

REPORT. To His Excellency the Right Honourable Arthur William de Brito Savile, Karl of Liverpool, Member of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Knight of Justice of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,— In pursuance of the appointment dated 18th September, 1919, instructing us to inquire into and report upon the following matters : — (1.) The condition of the rolling-stock on the 2nd July, 1919 ; (2.) Whether such rolling-stock has been maintained in a good and efficient condition, and whether proper provision has been made for the upkeep and renewal thereof ; (3.) Whether the number of engines, carriages, and wagons under repair on the 2nd July, 1919, was excessive ; (4.) Whether any Inspector or other officer having charge of rolling-stock and responsible for its condition has reported adversely on the condition and upkeep of the rolling-stock ; (5.) Whether the curtailment (if train services made on the 2nd July, 1919, was due to the unsafe condition of the rolling-stock ; ((i.) Whether an excessive number of engines, carriages, and wagons has been passed through the repair-shops since 2nd July, 1919 ; (7.) Whether the curtailment of train services was brought about solely by shortage of coal, and what reserve stock of coal was held by the Department on the 2nd July, 1919 ; (8.) The causes to which the depletion, if any, of stocks of coal was due ; (9.) Whether proper diligence and foresight were exercised, by the Railway Department in obtaining coal-supplies to meet its requirements ; (10.) Whether the Department was brought under the jurisdiction of the Coal Trade Committees or other authorities under the Coal Trade Regulations and rationed in the same way as other industries, and, if so, whether the Department regularly kept such Committees or authorities apprised of its requirements ;

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