E.-5

5

Auckland to be higher than in Canterbury, it might seem that bad management or poor stock was the cause; but the higher rate in Auckland might really turn out on close examination to be a cheaper result than the low rate in Canterbury, bearing in mind the different conditions due to gravity. The reason of this is: that the term "" ton-mile," meaning the haulage of one ton through one mile horizontal, conveys no adequate information about the work done by the locomotive. In the case before quoted the work done in hauling one ton a mile, caeteris paribus, is 15 times greater on the lin 40 grade than on the level. I now append particulars of nine months'' performance of two types of American and English locomotives running on the favourable lines of the South Island during 1878, procured when I was writing my previous memorandum : — New Zealand Railways.—Locomotive running Nine Months, Christchurch District.

These engines w rere working in the Christchurch district, under the same Locomotive Engineer (Mr. A. D. Smith) to whom I was indebted for these figures. The engines are those of which I had previously compared the first cost. Having regard to the relative cylinder-power, the English engines appear to have been running the cheapest. The American engines were running faster trains than the others during two months and a half of the period; but, while the American engines were new, the English had been running for several years. There is one misquotation in the pamphlet which, although it is personal and does not affect the issues, I draw attention to. The writer says, — " Mr. Maxwell says that this engine subject is taken up as if it were new, and not before discussed. I beg to differ from the gentleman. It is well known to every railway engineer and investigator as an old subject, written on and discussed in various ways during the past forty years," &c, &c. Here is the remark which I applied to Messrs. Evans's and Brereton's letters : " The subject has been taken up as though it were- new and previously undiscussed: it has, however, formed a subject of minute examination by some of the best engineers in both countries for years past." Sufficient has now been said to show that my previous memorandum was thoroughly justifiable. Time does not permit criticism of the many figures the writer gives ; but I take one case to examine. The writer takes four engines—two Fairlies and two Rogers—and compares the " foot-pounds of work done per hour per ton of weight on the driving-wheels alone, exclusive of engine." He obtains about 9,000,000 lb. for each Eairlie, and about 41,000,000 lb. and 25,000,000 lb. respectively for the Rogers. lie gives no data, and for all purposes, therefore, of comparing the merits of the engines, his figures are useless. The grades, speeds, weights, and numerous other data are necessary to enable any one to compare: without these the supposed comparison has no meaning to the reader. The principle of excluding engine-weight is also misleading in comparing the merits of the engines, unless all data are given, because widely-differing results may be shown with the same engine by it. Following are some particulars of the cost of recent importations of American and English carriage-stock. The American carriages have two 4-wheel bogies. The English carriages have Cleminsorr's flexible wheel-base. The cost is the actual net price alongside in port in New Zealand, excluding all local colonial charges for receiving or erecting, which, in the case of the American stock, chanced to be somewhat heavy. Cleminson's carriages have only been imported into the North Island.

The prices on the whole show in favour of the English stock, notwithstanding that its shorter length would make it relatively more costly. The American Ist class is more luxurious, provides for only thirty-five seats; English Ist class is of simpler construction and allows of seating thirty-two passengers.

Diameter of diving-wheel. Train-miles. Total Cost. Cost per Tram-mile. Cj Under. Inglish Do. Do. .merioan Do. in. in. 14x20 in. 42 42 42 48 48 23,380 23,511 21,378 22,867 22,350 i £ s. a. 927 16 10 938 0 3 969 17 5 727 11 5 716 8 0 ra. 952 9'57 10-88 7'63 7-69 12x20

j Clas.. Clas.. Number of Wheels. Diameter of Wheels. Length inside. Breadth. Coat. Coat. Cost per foot run, inside dimensions. .merican Do. luglish Do. ! 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 8 8 C, C 30 30 30 30 Ft. in. 37 0 87 0 25 0 25 0 Ft. in. 7 6 7 6 7 o 7 0 £ 685 5i6 446 347 £ s. a. 18 10 0 14 15 0 17 13 0 13 18 0