15.—2

XVII

Car-lighting. —The oil-gas manufactured at the five separate Pint ch-gas works during the year amounted to 8,137,260 cubic feet, and cost to manufacture 3s. I-Del. per 100 cubic feet, the increase in cost eif production being due: principally to increased charges for oil owing to war conditions. On sections not provided with Pintsch gas all cars are lighted with acetylene gas. Motor-cars.- -The motor-cars used on the Culverden-Hanmer service were solel during the year. Rail Motor-cars. —The Thomas transmission rail motor-car was out of commission, due to repair parts not being obtainable eiwing lo the war. The Westinghouse petrol-electric rail motor-car was withdrawn from service when the reduced time-table came into operation. Steamers. —The Railway Department's steamers em Lake Wakatipu service have been maintained in good working-order. Renewals and Replacements. During the year three second-hand tank engines, one ear, and sixteen wagons were solel ; also 692 worn-out tarpaulins were condemned anel written off. . To replace engines anel rolling-stock solel one heavy tank engine anel twelve wagons were built, and 692 tarpaulins were made. Tei replace the: balance of rolling-stock sold new vehicles are- under construction. Train Running and, Mileage. There has again been a, decrease in train-mileage, amounting tei 1,677,085 miles, as compared with 1916 17. The decrease is due to reduced train service's and the provisiein of more powerful engine's. The engine-mileage has decreased by 2,133,514 miles as compared with 1916 17. The decrease is principally due to the reduction in train services and the use of Class An engines mentioned in my last report. Me>re of these locomotives have been built, and there: are- now nineteen eif this type at work. These engines are now usee) on all express trains, and continue to give great satisfaction. During the year the heavy tank engines referred to in last report have' been regularly used between Taihape and Taumarunui on express and either trains, and have given good results. These engines on 50 per cent;, less coal-consumption are doing almost equal work to the Chiss X compounds. The following table shows particulars of the expenditure per train-mile :

The increase in cost per train-mile is distributed as follows :—

In this increased expenditure is included the cost of fuel, which in 1917 was £318,000, or equal to 9-13(1. per train-mile, while in 1918 it was £367,600, or equal to 11-81(1. per train-mile ; also war bonus anel allowances amounting to £73,600 were charged to working-expenses. Another item was the increased percentage of non-productive mileage tei train-mileage, which, amounted tei 1-63 per cent, over 1917, or equal to £10,467. Material for Repair Work. —It is now becoming more difficult to obtain the necessary material for the repair and upkeep of rolling-stock, many special lines essential for this purpose being absolutely v n procurable. General.— During the year East Town shops have been equipped with electric light, and the . Newmarket shops have been electrified and the old steam-power plant dismantled. STORKS. Mr. 11. Baxter, Comptroller of Stores, reports as follows : The value of stores, material, and plant (purchased under the Rail-way vote) on hand at the 31st March, 1918, at the various stores, depots, and sawmills amounted to £437,788 3s. 5e1., as against £392,597 13s. Bd. on the: 31st March, 1917. The value of stores on hand on account of additions to open lines amounted to £13,244 Is. 2d., as against £15,212 6s. Bd. on the 31st March, 1917. The: whole stock is in good order, has been systematically and carefully inspected, and is value for the amounts stated.

iii—D. 2,

Cost, in Pence, per Train-mile. Year. .917-18 .916-17 Train-mileage. ' Engine-mileage, i _ 7,-168,646 10,161.941 9,146,331 12,295,455 i Locomotive I Car and Wagon | „, , Branch. Branch. I ...I 31-42 9-10 40-52 25-02 6-27 31-29

Branoh. Wages. d. 3-27 2-30 I Material. d 3T3 0-53 j Total. d. 6-40 2-83 Locomotive .. Car andVagoTi Totals 5-57 3-66 9-23