D.—6

8

The maintenance of cars and wagons is just as good at the present time as it was three years ago, and the instructions regarding the upkeep of condition of rolling-stock affecting the safety have not been amended or relaxed in any shape or form. I have not at any time received an}' instruction to allow any car or wagon to run in an unsafe condition, and no car or wagon has to my knowledge been run in an unsafe condition. I quite recognize that I am responsible for sending vehicles in need of repair to the shops, and also for seeing that they are efficiently repaired and tit for service before I pass them out. When I read Mr. Wilford's question in the House I at once thought he alluded to draw-bar springs, although he mentioned bearing-springs. As regards tin' latter, no vehicle, either car or wagon, has been allowed to run with a broken bearing-spring. Broken draw-bar springs have been pieced up, owing to the shortage, but this in no way affects the safety of the vehicle, and this has been done often in years past. The underframes and running-gear of the stock in my control are in first-class runningorder, and are in as efficient condition as they were three 3 r ears ago. I have never allowed any vehicle, either car or wagon, to run in an -unsafe condition, and I have never been debarred from sending vehicles for repair to the workshops. C. G. Kelly, 18th July, 1916. Car and Wagon Inspector,

Locomotive Branch, Invercargill, 31st July, 1916. Locomotive Engineer, Adington. Condition of Rolling-stock. 1. Regulations regarding repairs and upkeep of rolling-stock have not been altered or relaxed during the last three years. 2. I have not been debarred from sending stock in for repairs when I considered it necessary. 3. I fully understand by Loco. Instruction 328 that I am responsible in seeing that rollingstock is kept in safe running-order, and I have not allowed cars and wagons or vans in an unsafe condition to remain in service. 4. The general conditions of running-gear' and underframes of rolling-stock under my charge is the same now as it was three years ago. E. H. Freed, Car and Wagon Inspector.

Approximate Cott of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (750 copies), £+ 10g.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington. —1916,

Price fid.}