D.-2

XXIII

New Lines opened. —The Te Roti-Opunake Section (22 miles 50 chains) and the Glenhope-Kawatiri Section (3 miles 75 chains) were taken over and opened for traffic during the year, making the total mileage opened for traffic on the 31st March, 1927, 3,164 miles. Train-mileage. —The train-mileage for the year was 10,723,864 miles, as against 10,319,407 miles the previous year, an increase of 404,457 miles. The particulars are as follows :— Spotirm 1926-27. 1925-26. Increase. bectlon - Miles. Miles. Miles. Kaihu .. .. .. .. .. .. 17,668 17,749 Dec. 81 Gisborne .. .. .. .. .. 84,961 78,631 6,330 North Island Main Line and Branches .. .. 6,402,044 6,168,991 233,053 South Island Main Line and Branches .. .. 4,004,155 3,854,181 149,974 Westport .. .. .. .. .. 95,309 90,680 4,629 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. .. 71,478 59,112 12,366 Picton .. .. .. .. .. .. 48,249 50,063 Dec. 1,814 10,723,864 10,319,407 404,457 The total coaching train-miles were 3,778,372, and freight train-miles 6,945,492. The total engine-mileage was 15,212,086, as compared with 14,657,039 the previous year, an increase of 555,047 miles. Line Interruptions.—The damage occasioned by storm and flood throughout the year was worse than is generally experienced, and the restoration of the track has involved hea.vy expenditure. Heavy rain in the Auckland District from the 21st to the 23rd May caused several slips and washouts, which interrupted traffic on the North Auckland line.