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Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 225, 21 June 1939, Page 10

Proposals for the enlargement of the Devonport Naval Base are being considered and negotiations are proceeding for the purchase of additional ground outside the eastern boundary. Part of this area is at present not occupied, and a further portion is used as a timber yard. The purpose behind the proposals is to increase recreation facilities rind playing grounds in order to further recruiting, since accommodation is at present limited in these respects.

The first of the six new Kb railway engines arrived in Christchurch from Dunedin recently, but not under its own steam. With its huge tender filled to capacity with water —1650 gallons of it —the railway’s most up-to-date locomotive would have been too heavy to cross some of the bridges on the main south line. With some of its driving gear dismantled, the Kb was therefore brought up as part of the goods train, its 140 tons dwarfing the utility Ah engine which drew it. Trial runs with the new locomotive will be made, when a trip to Springfield will be undertaken. Bridges on the Midland line have been strengthened to bear the weight of the new engines.