D.—2

XXV

protective works were completed, with the object of protecting the line in view of these floods and damages. The principal of these works were on the Big Grey Eiver, between the road and railway bridges; on the Little Grey Eiver, at Batira's; on the bank of the Grey Eiver, near the Brunner Tunnel; and on the Poerua Creek, besides water-openings constructed for overflows of the Snowy Creek. The ballasting, restoration of earthwork, and bridge-works have been increased in consequence. The Teremakau Bridge, near Jackson, was considerably damaged by a very severe flood, and several piles which were insufficiently long were washed out. The damaged piers have been reinstated and strengthened with longer piles. A considerable amount of scraping, tarring, and painting has been done to the iron and steel bridge structures. This is a work that requires incessant attention, as there is an unusual liability to corrosion in the climate of the West Coast. Six new cattle-stops have been rebuilt in silver-pine and ironbark. A quarry of fine granite was opened on the Jackson line, a quantity of stone from which has been used for the protective works. Springfield Section. —This line suffered through floods during the year, which have entailed additions to the protective works in the Kowai and other streams. A new concrete open culvert was built at three miles to take a flood overflow for which no provision had been made, and which was causing considerable damage to the lines in heavy storms. The consumption of sleepers has somewhat increased, and will in future considerably increase, by reason of the decay of those in the track. Motupiko Section. —This section was opened for traffic on the Ist March, and, having been in hand for so short a time, there is nothing particular to report. The Public Works Department have still some works in hand nearing completion. J. Heney Lowe, Chief Engineer, Working Eailways. The General Manager, New Zealand Eailways.

APPENDIX G. Statement of Eevenue and Expenditure, New Zealand Midland Eailway, Year ending 31st March, 1899. Revenue. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Passengers ... 6,365 18 8 Maintenance ... 11,239 0 7 Parcels, &c. ... 589 1 7 Locomotive ... 3,413 15 9 Goods, &c. ...11,518 10 6 Traffic ... ... 2,121 7 1 Percentages ... 1,730 10 11 General charges, including rates, as under* ... 3,226 3 10 New rolling-stock... 2,703 19 2 Protective works ... 1,344 4 5 20,204 1 8 24,048 10 10 Deficiency ... ... £3,844 9 2

Summaey of Eevenue and Expenditure from 27th May, 1895, to 31st March, 1899. Year. Revenue. Expenditure. Net Revenue. £ a. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1895-96 ... 13,205 1 9 8,831 4 5 Cr. 4,373 17 4 1896-97 ... 17,768 8 8 14,885 4 6 Cr. 2,883 4 2 1897-98 . . 19,381 11 8 14,187 16 5 Cr. 5,193 15 3 1898-99 ... 20,204 1 8 24,048 10 10 Dr. 3,844 9 2 £70,559 3 9 £61,952 16 2 £8,606 7 7 Less amount handed over to Public Works Department antecedent to Ist April, 1898 ... ... ... 8,629 19 2 New Zealand Midland Eailway Company ... ... ... Dr. £23 11 7 A. C. Fife, Accountant's Office, 11th May, 1899. Accountant.

Particulars of Rates.

Local Body. Period. Amount. Grey County Council Westland County Council .. Inangahua County Council.. 1st April, 1897, to 31st March, 1898 1898, „ 1899 1897, „ 1898 1898, „ 1899 1897, , 1898 .. 1898, „ 1899 1897, „ 1898 .. 1897, „ 1898 .. 1898, „ 1899 .. £ s. d. 836 0 0 782 5 8 22 12 3 24 10 3 123 6 4 586 16 2 259 2 2 "179 9 0 160 8 6 Waimea County Council Brunner Borough Council .. £2,974 10 4