D.—2

XXXIV

Engine Headlights. The electric headlights on engines have proved entirely satisfactory, and the equipping of locomotives running the important long-distance mail and express trains is being pushed on to completion. Carriages. The popularity of the ladies' carriages provided on long-distance express trains continues, and the policy of improving the type and fittings of passenger-vehicles is receiving constant consideration. Progress is being made with the installation of electric lighting and other improvements, tending to additional comfort of passengers 011 long journeys. In connection with the running of the night " Limited " express between Wellington and Auckland, which necessitated the provision of more sleeping-cars, a trial was made of converting an ordinary Main Trunk day car into a Pullman type sleeping-car. These cars have served their purpose satisfactorily as a temporary measure. Another new sleeping-car, having nine two-berth compartments, with hot and cold water in each compartment and other improvements, is in course of construction, and it is intended to place this vehicle on view in the forthcoming Dunedin Exhibition, where it will serve to advertise not only the latest type of sleeping-carriage, but also the high class of work that is turned out in the New Zealand Railway workshops. An order for ten of these cars is now in hand. Wagon Stock. Having regard to the tonnage capacity of the available goods wagons, and to the opinion expressed by the Royal Commission with respect to the number of wagons in use in the Dominion, special attention is being devoted to the matter of the control and distribution of wagons to ensure that the best possible use is obtained, in order to reduce to a minimum the inconvenience which arises at busy periods through the impossibility of the Department at once meeting all demands for trucks. The closest, attention is also being given to promptitude in the loading, movement, and discharge and in this respect it is possible for our clients to assist the Department (and incidentally themselves) by using special efforts to reduce the time during which rolling-stock is rendered immobile while being loaded or discharged. It is hardly necessary to stress the fact that railway-wagons are essentially for the transport of traffic, not for the storage of goods ; and, while it is true that provision is made for imposing demurrage charges in cases where wagons are unduly delayed, the Department prefers, and it is also in the interests of all users of the railways, that, wagons should be available for their legitimate purpose for the greatest possible time. Electrification. Messrs. Merz and McLennan, of London, consulting engineers, have been asked to report on the electrification of suburban lines. On receipt of their report recommendations will be made as to which, if any, of the lines should be electrified. Railways Improvements. The expenditure during the year on works authorized under the Railways Improvement Authorization Act, 1914, and charged to capital, was £251,228, making a total expenditure to the 31st March, 1925, of £1,174,717. During the year the whole programme was reconsidered and brought up to date. With the large annual increase of business it became imperative to provide the facilities necessary to deal with the growth of work, more particularly at the terminals and large station-yards. The programme as included in D.-2a last year provides for an expenditure of £8,081,500, spread over a period of eight years. Work has been commenced, and will be pushed on so as to keep to the schedule as far as is feasible and advisable. The programme of new works as outlined in D.-2a was submitted to the Royal Commissioners who reported on the railway system last year, and met with their approval generally. In the few cases where the Commissioners considered amendments to the proposals necessary the matter is being reconsidered. Housing. Considerable progress has been made with the house-building programme. During the year 300 five-roomed houses wore cut at Erankton Junction factory, of which 253 were erected, at a total cost of £170,977, and at an average cost of —five-roomed houses, £674 ; six-roomed houses, £972. This cost includes all factory and overhead charges, but not cost of land, roading, drainage, watersupply, &c. The addition of these charges amounts to £87 per house, and brings the total cost up to £761 and £1,059 respectively. The actual costs for the year were — £ Cutting and erection of houses .. .. .. .. .. 170,977 Preparation of sites .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,871 Roading of sites .. .. . . .. . . . . . . 1,680 Drainage and sewerage .. .. .. .. . . .. 6,442 Water-supply .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,230 Work on reserves .. .. . . .. .. . . 490 Stock of material . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,653 Land .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . 35,494 219,837 Completion of work in South Island .. . .. 215 £220,052