NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16965, 29 March 1917, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS

CONDITION OF ROLLING STOCK; COMMISSION'S FINDINGS. "•'.'" (Pxk United Pxess Absooiatiox.) WELLINGTON, March 28. The report of the Railway Rolling Stock Commission has been presented to the Governor. The commission finds: — 1. That the rolling stock on tho Now Zealand Government railways was in July, 1916, in Rood and safe running order. 2 That such rolling stock has been maintained in good and efficient', order -and condition during the three years between August, 1913, and July, 1916. 3. That, generally, proper provision has been made for the upkeep and' renewal 61 the rolling stock, but that the facilities for lifting at the- station yards are not sufficient for dealing with the present volume of traffic; that this fact has been recognised by tho responsible officers of the department, but tho execution of the necessary works has been delayed by the v.ar conditions.

4. That the condition of the carriage and wagon springs has not at any tune been inefficient. '

i> j ■ li; k nofc correct as has been alleged, that where broken springs havebeen found under carriages two such springs have been put into one instead o£ being replaced by one sound carriage spring, that no broken bearing springs have been pieced; that such have been ' immediately removed and new springs substituted, that}, it has not been the practice to piece carriage drawbar springs; that pieced drawbar springs have been used to the extent '•£ about 10 per cent, of the total number in the wagon stock; that this practice is justi liable, and introduces no element of danger. 6. That tho safety of the public has not been adversely affected at any tune during the three years preceding July, 1916, by the condition of the under-frames and running gears on carriages and wagons, that the condition of this gear has been exceedingly good.

• iP 181 '' no : ' 2ls P. ec tar or other officer having charge of rolling stock or responsible for its condition has a* any time during the three years aforesaid reported adversely on the condition and upkeep of tho rolling stock or notified any of h> superiors that he declined, to carry the burden of his responsibilities by reason of the condition of the rolling etock. 8. That the allegation that the undergear of coaches and wagons is wearing out, and that there has not been a sufficient supply of spares available during the three , - years specified, is not justified; that there has been a temporary shortage of drawbar springs, due to delay in the arrrval of shipments during 1914 and 1915. 9. That there has been no inefficiency want of thought, or neglect of public interests on part of the responsible, officers of the department; that the allegation to the contrary is unfounded. i The_ commission has been impressed by the high standard of the personnel of -the officers and men with which it has -cdme in contact, and by the precautions taken to maintain the rolling stock in a condition of.safety, which is.properly regarded as of paramount importance. Tie inspection arrangements are thorough, and the train lifters and examiners are a-remarkably intelligent and trustworthy body of men. rhe result of this care is manifest in the in--,i creasing train. mileage run per derailment due to causes other than slips end obstruc- 1 tions. This has increased from 530,366 trauT" miles in 1912-13. to 936.342 tram miles in ..1914-15, and 1.169,565 train miles in 1915-16. Basing its opinion largely on personal'inspection and investigation, the commission, considers that the rolling stock of the New ' Zealand railways is being maintained in'an efficient and thoroughly safe condition, i' *