D.—2

XIV

grindstone, two punching- and shearing-machines; one rivet-, bolt-, and nut-making machine; one hydraulic wheel-making plant (complete), and one forging-press and one hydraulic riveter, one Brown's patent screwing- machine, one 10-in. centre lathe, two 12-in. centre lathes, one 8-in. centre capstan lathe, two wheel-turning lathes, one wheel-tyre boring lathe, one wheel-centre boring and turning lathe, four multiple drilling-machines, three vertical drilling-machines, three radial drillingmachines, one vertical milling-machine, one chain-saw mortising-machine, two sewing-machines, one small drilling-machine, two double-action steam-pumps. During the year, two hundred and fifty-two cars and one bogie covered goods-van were fitted for the use of compressed gas, and compressed-oil gasworks have been erected at Palmerston North, Christchureh, and Wellington. Three travelling storeholders for gas have been fitted on bogie platform wagons during the year. The work of replacing old rolling-stock axles which have been in service for a period of years is in hand. On 11th March, a rear collision occurred at Eakaia, resulting in the death of three adults and one child, and injury to fifteen persons. The locomotive (American-built U) escaped with slight injury; three carriages were telescoped, and the end of one bogie brake-van severely damaged; also, eighteen cars were more or less damaged. The following table gives particulars of repairs, &c, to locomotives for the year ending the 31st March, 1899 :—

The following new work is in hand: Six locomotives, Class B, heavy consolidation for goods traffic ; two locomotives, Class U, for passenger traffic ; and one locomotive, Class Wα, for mixed traffic on heavy grades. The conversion of seven Class L locomotives to Lα is also in hand. The following table gives particulars of repairs, &c, to boilers for the year ending the 31st March, 1899 :—

Twenty-four new boilers are in hand.

Number. Class of Engine. Number passed through shops ... Built new Erected Eebuilt Converted Thoroughly overhauled 259 1 A, 6 C, 15 D, 6 E, 45 F, 15 Fa, 3 G, 7 H, 28 J, 3 K, 3 L, 2 La, 4 M, 13 N, 8 O, 14 P, 14 E, 6 S, 5 T, 16 U, 7 V, 4 W, 31 Wa, 1 locomotive for Public Works Department, 1 locomotive for New Plymouth Harbour Board, and 1 locomotive for Manawatu County Council. 2 U, and 1 Wa. 10 U, 12 Wa (imported from America). 3 22 Heavy repairs Light repairs ... .„ / 40 68 1*26 4 D, 3 E, 12 F, 3 Fa,' 2 H, 7 J, 1 P, 2 E, 3 S, 1 W, 1 locomotive for New Plymouth Harbour Board, and 1 locomotive for Manawatu County Council. 1 C, 3 D, 17 F, 6 Fa, 2 6, IH, 9J, IK, 1 L, 2 N, 3 0, 4 P, 5 E, 4 T, 1 U, 4 V, 1 W, and 3 Wa. 1 A, 5 C, 8 D, 3 E, 16 F, 6 Fa, 1 G, 4 H 12 J, 2 K, 2 L, 2 La, 4 M, 11 N, 5 O, 9 P, 7 E, 3 S, 1 T, 3 U, 3 V, 2 W, 15 Wa, and 1 locomotive for Public Works Department. 1 C, 5 D, 2 E, 17 F, 3 Fa, 1 G, 2 H, 10 J, 2 M, 1 0, 1 P, 1 E, 4 T, 2 U, 4 Wa, and 1 locomotive for Manawatu County Council. 1 A, ID, IE, 12 F, 4 Fa, 7 J, 2 K, 2 L, 1 La, 2 M, 2 N, 2 0, 4 P, 8 E, 3 S, 1 T, 13 U, 3 V, 2 W, 2 Wa, and 1 locomotive for New Plymouth Harbour Board. Painted and varnished ... 57 Touched up and revarnished 74

Year ending 31st March, 1899. -si to O I? i H 4^ "a OQ f4 <D M I*. cS a cc u '3 Ph CD « -r-=> 3 <D rC 3 EH is ft o 'Si <D n t->. rf n IS o ft M o Cj Oj a <?• *■§ © © SrS cd g Ph O ft O O W ft 5-1 CD CD Ph e3 O 'f ft B T3 CD ,3 O 3 Pi © o Boilers 144 18 53 73 32 42 44