D.—2.

At the Woburn nursery 50,050 plants, which had been raised during the previous year, were lifted and despatched to the Department's forestry area at Athenree (near Katikati). Further sowings were made during the year, and the resultant crop is one of the best tfiab has been obtained. At Athenree 226 acres of trees were planted during the year. In addition, 1,200 trees were planted alongside the railway in this particular locality. At the Athenree nursery about 79 lb. of seeds of various kinds were sown, and so far 3,310,297 seedlings have been obtained. In the event of frost being very severe it is probable that some losses will occur, but the present stock is sufficient to plant the entire Athenree area even if a 10-per-cent. loss is experienced before the planting season arrives. During the year four miles of dirt road and three bridges were constructed, and in consequence easy access is now available over the greater part of the Athenree area. Suitable accommodation for the caretaker and other facilities that were necessary for general requirements were also provided at Athenree during the year. WORKSHOPS. Seven class K locomotives were completed in the workshops during the year, making a total of thirty locomotives of this class now in service. Six class G locomotives were under construction in the workshops at the end of the year. Ten locomotives were scrapped during the year, making a total of 217 obsolete locomotives scrapped since 1926. Eleven new boilers were built for replacement purposes, while two were under construction at the end of the year. Three hundred and eighty-nine locomotives passed through the workshops during the year, and of these, 198 received a major overhaul. During the year forty-three locomotives were fitted with the new type of " Waikato " sparkarrester, while sixty-eight locomotives were fitted with electric headlights. As at 31st March, 1937, there were 575 locomotives in service—ss9 steam, 11 electric, and 5 electric-battery shunting engines. In addition, the Department has twenty-three petrol shunting units in use at various stations. The tractive eSort of the locomotives in service during the year compared with the two previous vears is as follows : — J 1937. .1936. 1935. Number of locomotives in service .. 575 578 593 Total tractive power, in pounds .. 10,691,829 10,594,084 10,685,229 Average tractive power per locomotive in pounds .. .. ■■ 18,594 18,234 18,172 Carriages. The number of carriages built during the year was fifteen, while the number in service at 31st March, 1937, was 1,477." There were twenty-two carriages under construction in the workshops at 31st March, 1937. Five of the new carriages and twenty-one existing carriages were fitted with roller-bearing bogies, making a total of 103 carriages in service fitted with these bearings. Eighteen carriages were written ofl during the year. Seventy-six carriages had their lavatories improved (water-sealed hoppers fitted), three had new lavatories added, thirty-two were fitted with steam-heating equipment, six had their bogies fitted with " Isothermos " axle-boxes, one had water-heating apparatus installed in lavatory, and six had alterations made in their internal structure. Three first-class carriages were altered to combination day-sleeping carriages. Fifty-four carriages had the seating rearranged, chairs being installed in all cases. These changes eliminated longitudinal seats in twenty carriages. The number of carriages that passed through the workshops was 1,443, and of these, 1,100 received heavy repairs. Brake-vans. There were 480 brake-vans in service at 31st March, 1937, on which date three others were under construction. Six new brake-vans were built during the year, while six were written of!. Four hundred and fifty-three brake-vans passed through the workshops during the year, and of these, 306 received heavy repairs. Four of the new brake-vans were fitted with roller-bearing bogies, making a total of ten brake-vans equipped with these bearings. There were eleven postal-vans in service at 31st March, 1937, and eleven vans passed through the workshops during the year, eight receiving a major overhaul. Wagons. The number of wagons in service at 31st March, 1937, was 26,836. There were 356 new vehicles built in the workshops and 363 were written ofi. Seven hundred and twenty-six wagons were under construction at the end of the year. The number of wagons that passed through the workshops was 21,104, and of these, 14,488 received heavy repairs. Cranes. During the year two 40 ton breakdown cranes were imported from England and placed in service in the North Island.

iv.—D. 2.

XXV