D.—2

Traction, Otira Electrification. —There have been no failures of the overhead at Otira, and the system has continued to function satisfactorily. Choke-coils have been made up to check the radio interference from the Pelton set, and an extra motor-car loading-siding has been electrified. Wellington-Paekakariki.—Good progress has been made with the erection of both tractions and transmission line-poles, and a start has been made with the erection of transmission-line wires, overhead wires, and overhead supports. A considerable quantity of imported material has come to hand during the year, and orders have been placed for all remaining material. Electrical Reticulation. During the year a number of electrical installations were completed at various workshops, locomotive depots, and stations. At the close of the year a total of 2,255 dwellings and 343 railway-stations were electrically lighted, and. 13 station-yards were equipped with flood-lighting. TRACK, PLANT, AND ROLLING-STOCK. The track, bridges, structures, signalling-appliances, rolling-stock, and other plant are in good order and efficient for the work required of them. CONCLUSION. The Chairman of the Board, Mr. H. H. Sterling, is absent from New Zealand on a trip abroad. The Board records its high appreciation of the work of the General Manager, Mr. G. H. Mackley, in the direction of the multifarious interests and obligations of the Service. In that work he has been ably supported by the Assistant General Manager, Mr. E. Casey, and by all executive officers. Appropriate recognition of the work of the staff generally appears earlier in this report. The Board is greatly indebted to the Press of the Dominion for much valuable assistance and for many useful comments upon the undertaking. To the public generally the Board expresses its appreciation for widely extended support. , In witness whereof the official seal of the Government Railways Board was hereto affixed by [l.s.] resolution of the Board in the presence of — James H. Gunson, Acting-Chairman. ~ Edward Newman, r Government Railways Board. Geo. W. Reid, >Members. Daniel Reese,

XXVII