NEW ZEALAND-MADE LOCOMOTIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 6 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND-MADE LOCOMOTIVES.

Christohurch, Friday. Scott Brothers having completed the contract for locomotives, a special excursion was run to Little River to-day, the train being drawn by the engine last finished. About 150 gentlemen were present, including the Minister of Public Works, the Locomotive Superintendent, and nearly all the prominent members of the business community. The haulage work of the engine was very well and smoothly done. The company partook pf luncheon in the goods shed at Little River. At the luncheon the Mayor of Christchurch presided. Mr. Mitchelson said he trusted the completion of the first locomotive made within the colony would have a marked effect in encouraging manufacturers to vie with one another in preventing the importation of what could be made here, as the high wages hero prevented to some extent competition with European makers. It was the duty of tho State to render some assistance, and he trusted that the Tariff Bill to be introduced next session would tend to promote industry, and satisfy manufacturers and the people generally. When in office, in 1884, he had given instructions for the preparation of plans and specifications for twelve locomotives to be made within tho colony, and Mr. Richardson, the succeeding Minister of Public Works, was to be thanked for carrying out his intentions. Mr. Mitchelson paid a high tribute to the excellence of Scott Brothers' work, and congratulated them on the successful completion of the contract. Sir John Hall, who was very well received, replying to the toast of " The Parliament," said that the present House was inferior to none of recent years. The recent additions to it should be the cause of great satisfaction, though the younger members had yet to learn to give and take with great readiness.

Mr. John* L. Scott said that in future locomotive contracts the conditions would require considerable modifications. Under those of his contract every trivial thing had to be locally made. His firm had done more than was done by any other maker in the world, excepting the London and North* Western Railway Company, and the steel castings had cost a dozen times as much as they would hud they been procured from firms making them a special business.