P.—2,

XXX

Statement showing Goods Tonnage and Wagons available and suitable for dealing with same at 31st March, 1924.

*In this case the wagons can bo mado uso of at least four times per week; the capacity therefore considerably exceeds the traffic. Average capacity per wagon— 1924 .. .. .. 9-57 tons. 1908 .. .. .. 8-11 tons. The foregoing statement will show that if the trucks are given reasonable despatch there is ample rolling-stock to meet the requirements of the business. The difficulties that arise in connection with tho supply of trucks are, indeed, not through any shortage in the number of trucks, but in the delay which occurs in releasing trucks under load. The losses which the Department sustains through neglect of consignees to give due attention to this matter is the greatest obstacle to the efficient performance by the Department of its functions in the matter of wagon-supply. Tho charges which are imposed for demurrage do not adequately recoup the Department for its losses in this connection ; and while consignees who are debited with those charges generally resent their imposition, they seem quite oblivious of the fact that the Department would much prefer to have the use of its rolling-stock for carrying purposes than to allow it to be used for warehousing consignees' goods, and that the demurrage charges are necessary in" the interests of the users of the railways themselves, and are really the only effective moans which the Department has to ensure that the trucks shall be made available within a reasonable time for their legitimate purposes. Car Accommodation. The desirability of ensuring the maximum degree of comfort for passengers travelling on the long-distance trains has always been a particular care of tho Department, and from time to time important improvements have been made to attain this end. In this connection it has been found that the running of ladies' cars has been a step in tho right direction, and one that has boon much appreciated by ladies making long journeys alone or with children. On the Main Trunk trains where night travel is involved a female attendant is provided to travel on each of these cars, whose duty it is to give personal attention to the comfort of lady passengers and assist those travelling with young children. Ladies' cars have now been placed on the mail-trains between Wellington and Napier, Wellington and New Plymouth, and on the express trains in the South Island. A further addition to the comfort of long-distance passengers is to be found in the provision already made in a number of carriages of separate lavatories for ladies and gentlemen respectively. Arrangements have been made for similar conveniences being provided in all cars now in service and all new cars under construction. The alteration will be effected as opportunity offers and cars running are taken into the shops for overhaul. Another important alteration that the Department has in hand is the abolition of the system of gas-lighting and the substitution of Stone's system of electric lighting. The superiority of the electric iight over the gas-lighting formerly in use is amply. demonstrated by the cars that have already been equipped with electricity and placed in service. Better illumination is obtained from electricity ; the lights can be manipulated with greater facility, and the possible danger of fire which may arise in an accident through tho escape of the gas will bo eliminated. It will also be possible with electric lighting to provide a light on the platforms of the carriages, and this will afford a greater measure of safety in entering and leaving carriages during hours of darkness. Paper drinking-cups having been tested out and found to bo efficient and satisfactory, suitable fittings of an artistic type have been designed as holders therefor, and those cups are now being added to the equipment of all trains, in substitution of the enamel and other similar drinking-vessels which from the hygienic standpoint have been the subject of complaint.

Wagons used exclusively for Goods Traffic. Section. Goods Traffic for Year ending 31st March, 1924 (exclusive of Live-stock). Number. Tonnage Capacity per Bay. Capacity per Annum at 1} Trips only per Week. Excess of Capacity of Wagons over Traffic offering. Kaihu Gisborne ,. North Island Main Trunk including Whangarei Picton Nelson Westport South Island Main Trunk including Westland Tons. 10,984 57,223 2,864,422 60 141 10,604 Tons. 382 1,526 104,821 Tons. 29,796 119,028 8,176,038 Tons. 18,812 61,805 5,311,616 59,310 42,853 476,484 3,001,447 201 150 755 10,093 1,626 1,180 6,072 94,910 126,828 92,040 473,616* 7,402,980 67,518 49,187 -2,868 4,401,533 Totals 6,512,723 22,004 210,517 16,420,326 9,907,603