IX—2

16

Enclosure 1 in No. 28. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. Hurunui-Bluff Section. Result of Test of 82 Wagon Axles of various makers, at the Addington Workshops. Weight of test—one ton. Height of Drop—three feet. Centre of Axles—three feet six inches.

The test provided for in the contract specification was as follows, viz.:—The axles will be subjected to the following test —Bearings 3 feet 6 inches, to receive three blows from a ton falling three feet; then reversed and receive two similar blows without breaking. April 24th, 1885.

Enclosure 2 in No. 28. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. Hurunui-Bluff Section. Result of Test of 69 Wagon Axles of various makers, at the Hillside Workshops. Weight of Test—One ton. Height of Drop—three feet. Centre of axles—three feet six inches.

The test provided for in the contract specification was as follows, viz.:—The axles will be subjected to the following test—Bearings three feet six inches, to receive three blows from a ton falling three feet ; then reversed and receive two similar blows without breaking. April 25th, 1885

No. 29. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sik, — 7, Westminister Chambers, London, S.W., 22nd April, 1885. . I beg to report the further steps which I have taken in the claims of the Government on the Lancaster Wagon Company, and the Staffordshire Wheel and Axle Company, for defective axles, since my letter of the 20th January. On the 21st January, I referred the papers to Messrs Mackrell & Co., for advice as to what could be done if the Government claims were not settled soon. On the 17th February, the Lancaster Wagon Co. sent in a fresh request for the payment of their £514 balance, but were again informed of our counter-claims, and on the 26th February the same company informed me that they had not been able to arrange with the Midland Iron Company (who were the makers of the defective axles) for any allowance, and pointed out that their claim for other wheels and axles was wholly unconnected with this transaction. Both companies go on repeating their claims at intervals. On the sixth March, Messrs Mackrell advised that as the questions involved were like those in the case of Messrs Nasmyth, Wilson & Co.'s locomotive engines, they had purposely refrained from sending in any report, until the engines question had been settled.

Name of Maker. Number of Axles Tested Number Number broken broken at at first I second blow. blow. I Number broken at third blow. Number broken at fourth blow. Number broken at fifth blow. Remarks. janeaster Wagon Company BO 1 0 1 1 0 24 sustained 5 blows without fracture None sustained 4 blows without fracture Two cracked at fifth blow, and 8 sustained five blows without fracture itaffordshire Wheel and Axle Company Midland Iron Company, Warrington 26 17 5 2 2 0 26 5 3 5 1 2 Totals 82 23

Name of Maker. dumber of Axles Tested. Number broken at first blow. Number broken at second blow. Number broken at third blow. Number broken at fourth blow. Number broken at fifth blow. Remarks. jancaster Wagon Company Staffordshire Wheel and Axle Company Midland Iron Company, Warrington 23 23 0 7 1 8 0 4 3 3 5 0 14 sustained 5 blows without fracture One sustained S blows without fracture Six sustained 5 blows without fracture 28 4 2 3 1 i Totals 69 11 11 10