D.—2

XIV

Tarpaulins. —The tarpaulin stock on the Ist April, 191.9, was 18,232, and on the.3lst March, 1920, the number was 18,817. Five hundred and eighty-five now tarpaulins were, made, in railway workshops ; 1,517 worn-out tarpaulins were condemned and written off and replaced with a similar number of now tarpaulins. The, following tabic gives details of tho work on tarpaulins for the year : —

Seven hundred and sixty-five tarpaulins wore being manufactured in the railway workshops at the close of the year. Stationary Engines and Cranes. —The repairs and renewals during the year wore as follows :-

General. —ln addition to the engines, cars, brake-vans, and wagons shown as passing through workshops for repairs as mentioned above, during the year 26,432 engines, 37,023 cars, 8,818 brakevans, and 76,321 wagons were repaired at out-depots in order to keep vehicles out of service the shortest possible time. Axles- -During the year 270 car, van, and wagon axles were replaced with modern steel axlesThis number does not include axles for new rolling-stock. Westinghouse Brake. —The work of equipping tho, balance of engines and rolling-stock on Westland Section with the, Westinghouse brake is in hand. Efficient arrangements are in force for the, examination and upkeep of the Westinghouse brake. All new engines and rolling-stock built for sections upon which the air-brake, is in operation are equipped with it before being put into service. Gar-lighting. —The oil-gas manufactured at the five separate Pintsoh-gas works during the, year amounted to 8,170,302 cubic foot, and cost to manufacture ss. 2-86 d. per 100 cubic foot. The increase in cost of production is again duo to the extra cost of oil, &c. On sections not provided with Pintsch gas all cars are lighted with acetylene gas. Rail Motor-cars.- -The Thomas transmission rail motor-car was out of commission, duo to repair parts not being obtainable. The Westinghouse petrol-electric rail motor-car was available for service. Steamers. —The control of tho Lako Wakatipu steamers is now in charge of the Traffic Branch. Train Running and Mileage. —There has been a decrease of 68,975 miles in train-mileage as compared with 1918-19. Tho engine mileage has increased by 30,435 miles as compared with 1918-19, due chiefly to increased shunting mileage. The following tabic shows particulars of the expenditure per train mile : —

Description. j Condemned Number passed Manufactured j and replaced through Shops. new. with New Tarpaulins. 20,091 585 1,517 Repaired. 17,989 Tarpaulins

TH Ph 9 8 » rQ "IB Description. Ph.s II I 1 -H "a Ph A r»' C8 OS w rH "3 Ph as Ph * OS -rS> HSS A a rf 2 Ph a J o a o +-> 3 Ph Boiler-: Ph ' '3 "I n, eg cc r> 0- © . « Ph Sj as .Lh° as •—* W r3 iZi I j •epairs. l«<»rTj HH tr 1 * £ O s s land-cranes .. .. .. 23 .. .. .. 27 ■Stationary engines .. .. 12 Pile-drivers and hoisting-engines 3 5 11 18 3 16 1 2 2 6 12 I i '.'. 7 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 5 2 1 1

Cost, in Penoe, per Train-mile. Year. Train-mileage. Engine-mileage. Locomotive Car and Wagon „, , , Branch. Branoh. lotal ' 45-61 12-56 58-17 34-89 9-83 44-72 1919-20 1918-19 7,408,608 7,477,583 10,023,309 9,992,874 The increased cost ii due to the adv; .need price of fuei , and stores, and the extra cost of wages.