D.—2

XXXII

Up to the 31st March, 1924, the Architectural Branch had completed the erection of 223 houses, besides other works such as dining-rooms, hostels, &c. ; and from the time of the commencement of the working of tho factory until tho end of the financial year forty-one houses had been cut and actually erected, while 193 " cut-to-fit " houses arc now in process of erection, or contracts have been let for the erection of the same. During the year the existing buildings, drainage-systems, settlements, &c, have been kept in good order. Level Crossings. In my report of last year I dealt at some length with the question of accidents occurring on railway-crossings. As previously mentioned, those accidents are almost wholly confined to motorvehicles colliding with trains. The Department during the year undertook a " safety " campaign with a view to bringing home, in some measure, to the drivers of motor-vehicles the necessity for exercising a proper degree of care when approaching railway-crossings. This campaign took the form of the public exhibition in conspicuous places of suitable posters. These posters, and some " stickers " suitably designed for placing on licenses and other documents which arc likely to come into the hands of the drivers of motorvehicles, were also provided and distributed to automobile associations and local bodies. The Department also adopted the policy of prosecuting in the Courts every motorist who, through failure to take proper precaution, caused an accident at a level crossing, and the cumulative effect of these activities on the part of the Department has, it is believed, had some effect in the direction desired. There are, however, still too many accidents taking place at level crossings, and, practically without exception, circumstances have shown them to be due to want of care on the part of the motorist. Warning-bells and other automatic similar appliances, as well as the signals of crossing-keepers, are not infrequently disregarded, with the result that accidents have happened. The only absolutely effective means of safeguarding motorists against their own carelessness is the provision of subways or overbridges ; but, as I have previously had occasion to point out, and as is, indeed, sufficiently obvious, it is not practicable to make such a provision at every level crossing, nor would the financial burden which would bo cast upon the community be warranted in order to guard against the carelessness of the comparative few. The Department is, however, continuing to install warning-appliances at crossings where conditions involve any substantial clement of danger, and has also co-operated and is still willing to cooperate with local bodies in the provision of overhead bridges where the circumstances of the case justify the outlay involved. Apart from this, the Department proposes to continue its policy of prosecuting every motorist who by omitting to take proper precautions when using tho level crossings endangers the safety not only of himself but of the users of the railway. Refreshment Branch. During the year the operations of the Rofroshment Branch were further extended by the opening or taking over of the refreshment-rooms at Maungaturoto, Hclensville, and Taumarunui. The. temporary room at Arthur's Pass was closed, and the new dining and refreshment rooms at Otira were opened. In order to cope with the growing business, additions wore made to the dining-rooms at Marton and Oamaru, and to the counter room at Frankton Junction. Tho number of refreshment-rooms now under the control of this branch is eighteen, and in addition the branch performs the catering-work on the Lake Wakatipu steamers. A very considerable addition to the functions of the branch has been in connection with the purchasing of supplies for other Government Departments. This is a development of the principle of control of the Government stores by the Stores Control Board, and the Refreshment Branch of the Railway Department has been constituted a purchasing Department on behalf of the Board in connection with provisions and groceries. This has thrown a large amount of work and responsibility on to tho branch, and has involved a fairly heavy expenditure, for which the Railway Department receives no credit whatever. The benefit that has accrued to other Departments through the operations of the Railway Refreshment Branch in connection with tho purchase of provisions and groceries is, however, beyond question, and from the point of view of the Government Service as a whole there is no doubt as to the advantages of the present system. The staff of the Rofroshment Branch now numbers approximately 240, and the annual turnover is in the vicinity of £96,000. As in the case of the Advertising Branch, the decision to constitute a Refreshment Branch has, without doubt, been amply justified by results. The standard of the refreshment service has been very considerably raised by the operations of the branch, and is being fully maintained. Many eulogistic references to the quality of the service given by the branch reach the Department from time to time, and world-wide travellers have expressed the opinion that the standard of the meals served in the Department's dining-rooms will bear comparison with those served on any railway in the world, and the comparison is especially favourable when'the comparatively low price charged by the Department is taken into consideration. The policy of extending the operations of the branch as opportunity offers will be continued during the coming year. Stores Control Board. This Department has been constituted a purchasing Department for the purposes of the. Stores Control Board, and in this connection the Department performs a very large amount of work in respect of the provision of stores and material for other Departments. This matter has already been touched on as affecting the Refreshment Branch of the Department, but in addition to the work done by that