D.—lla.

Table showing the Number of Engines and Vehicles sold whole, as asked for in your Letter of 10th August, accompanying the Return sent back.

The question may be asked, " Is this value sold in any way in diminution of the accommodation or value of the rolling-stock originally provided out of capital? The reply to this question is "No." The engine-power brake-pcwer carrying-capacity of the wagon stock, and seating-capacity -of the carriage stock, have all been increased from the railway vote during the three years named. The capital value of the stock has thus been increased, and not diminished. The most complete information about the railways is given in the Commissioners' annual report. The value of the workshop cash recoveries, both for new and old work, parts and materials •of all descriptions, rolling-stock or otherwise, is shown thereon. The amount for the three years was £56,600. There is another feature in connection with such a question as has been asked which it is necessary to refer to. The work of the railways, and the transactions in connection with stock of all kinds, is continuous, and erroneous views are likely to be obtained by taking observations of particular periods. The labour of reconstructing, simplifying, and improving the rolling-stock was commenced under the previous management, some years before the Commissioners were appointed, and was going on upon a large scale when the Government Eailways Act came into operation. The later transactions and improvements are mostly the result and outcome of the previous undertakings, and should be considered accordingly The Commissioners have gone into this question very exhaustively on account of the explanations winch they, gave in the return not having been accepted. They feel that this occurred because neither the question nor the explanation has been properly understood. It cannot be supposed that the Commissioners have any desire to withhold any information ordered by the House which it is in their power to give. To place particulars now given, in pursuance of your request, in the return would, in the Commissioners' opinions, be misleading and incorrect. The last part of the portion of the question stated on the fifth sheet of the return—viz., " The account, vote, or fund to which the proceeds of the sale, or disposal of the same, have been credited," is answered on the fifth sheet of the return. The Commissioners respectfully request that this explanation may be presented to Parliament, together with the original return. James McKekbow, J P Maxwell, W M. Hannay, Railway Commissioners. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (12,60 copies), £-2 12s. Gd.

By Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB92. Price 3d.]

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Purchaser. Description. Value. Manawatu County Council Gear Company Nelson Brothers Midland Railway Company Manawatu Eailway Company 'Stewart and Hunter Longburn Company Canterbury Meat Company Manawatu Eailway Company Nelson Brothers Hokonui Coal Company Kaitangata Coal Company Nelson Brothers Sash and Door Company •Castlecliff Eailway Company One locomotive, Class A Two high-sided wagons Seven frozen-meat vans Ten low-sided wagons Twelve high-sided wagons One locomotive, Class C Two wagons Seven frozen-meat vans One locomotive, Class A Twenty high-sided wagons One locomotive, Class A £ 500 100 1,750 800 1 080 500 260 1,750 500 1,800 500 500 400 300 500 100 50 100 720 6,000 8,000 ir ti One passenger-car and van One frozen-meat van One locomotive, Class A One Price's car .John McLean and Son Western Australian Government „ wagon „ „ car One locomotive, Class C Three locomotives, Class S One hundred low-sided wagons a 26 210