WHAT COMMISSION RECOMMENDS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18265, 26 December 1924, Page 11

WHAT COMMISSION RECOMMENDS.

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT.

NEW SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS.

rollowing is 3 summary of the principal recommendations of the Commission:--• Tinance. (\) That railway tinariee be taken out of the control of the Treasury, and the Railway department be given full control of its own fund?. v- N T)i3t reserve funds be established to provide for obsolescence and voting assets of perraaiient-way and rolling-stock. (S> That the Railway Department be recouped by consolidated revenue for losses incurred upon development lines, less the net value of traffic contributed by such lines to main linos.

(4) That, the Railway Department pay the actual rate of interest upon loans raised for railway purposes. (.i) That the railways' be so -worked and managed that the gross receipts shall bo sufficient to cover workinpexpense*, reserves, and interest on capital, including sinking funds. In the event of any surplns, this to be devoted to reductions of rates and lares, and in the case of ,1 deficit rates and fares be increased. (<i) That a yearly balance-sheet, showing capital. Tovonnc, and net revenue, followed by department:*! accounts in the usual company form, ami a forecast of capital commitments for the following year, be rendered to the House of Representatives.

(71 That the value of stores found ou hand with branches and not on charge in the book 3 of the Comptroller of Stores be used as the nucleus of a reserve fund for arrears upon rolling-stock.

Organisation. (SI That the Railway Department, be managed by n Railway Board, comprising a chairman and two other members.

(!>) That a secretary, cashier, ami sin operating and euipment assistant be appointed. (10) That a chief mechanical engineer, fully qualified and thoroughly conversant 'with up-to-date methods ot' railway working, be appointed. (11) That general superintendents, one for the North Island system with headquarters at Auckland, the other for the South Island system with headquarters at Christchureh, bo appointed, responsible to the Board nn.l acting under regulations and instructions applicable to the system as a whole, for operation, commercial matters, and maintenance within their respective divisions. (12) That the number of traffic and civil engineering district# be reduced to six, three to each Island. (13) That one divisional mechanical engineor in each Island is sufficient and that consideration bo given to the question as to whether tho North Island divisional enginoer could not act as assistant to the chief mechanical engineer. Engineering. (14) that new lines likely to become main lines bo laid with 701b section rails as a minimum. (15) That consideration bo given to the employment of flying gangs for tho maintenance of branch lines. (16) That modifications be made in the proposals for improvements and new works essential to copo with present aud prospective traffic. Mechanical. (17) That modern machinery be provided iu tho locomotive workshops and the goneral arrangements reorganised. ' (18) That a progress system for dealing with repairs be adopted in the works.

(19) That a system of standard gauges be introduced in connexion with locomotive maintenance and renewal. '

(20) That at Addington works a separate shop be provided for tho maintenance of points and crossings. (21) That the methods of bringing iu locomotives for repair be carefully reviewed, to avoid engines being brought in for thorough overhaul too frequently. (22) That Pctono and Addington works deal with the wholo of the locomotive requirements in both Islands.

(23) That Napier, Whangarci, East Town, Greymouth, and Jnvereargill be closed down for locomotive work.

(24) That improved methods for getting engines through the shops be introduced, in order to reduce the average time for heavy repair and thorough overhaul. (26) That largo expenditure on running-sheds is not warranted, as the proportion of the engines under cover would appear to be sufficient.

(26) That the capital stock of locomotives be regarded as ample for requirements, bearing in mind the small annual mileage per engine. (27) That as the average age of the existing stock of locomotives is high, indicating a number of obsolete types, these bo replaced as early as possible.

(28) That, in addling n to perpetuating the A, Aa, Ab, Wab, and Wb classes, a powerful type of shuntingengine with three cylinders, also a main-line express engine having sft 6in driving-wheels and three cylinders, be designed, and for taking goods trains of heavier weight over steep inclines a suitable Garratt engine be utilised. (29) That new locomotives be purchased from oatside, rather than built in existing shops, which are not laid out for doing this economically. (30) That consideration be given to utilising old classes of engines, such as L and La, with one or two vehicles attached, instead of ordering special rail motors. (31) That consideration be given to the purchase of Welsh coal, which, as has been stated in evidence, would reduce consumption. (32) That trials be given to ascertain to what extent it would be possible economically to use New Zealand coal.

(33) That consideration be given to the maintenance costs of carriages and waggons, which would appear to be capable of reduction. (34) That as the waggon stock appears to bo high, careful consideration be given to this matter. (?,')) That as the avcrago ages of carriages, brake-vans, and waggons arc respectively 22.77, 27.4-j, and 2L\79 years, indicating a number of obsolete types these bo replaced as early as possible. (36) That standardisation be introduced in connexion with the length of carriages over headstocks. The types should not exceed three, or at the outside fonr. Bogies and undertimes also to be standardised. (37; That suitable statistical returns comparing costs, etc., be introduced, Operation. (38) That a complete revision of time-tables is essential. (39) That mixed trains be reduced to a minimum. (40) That tourist, excursion, and half-day suburban triffle be encouraged by increased facilities and popular fares.