D.—2

XLII

The New Zealand Railways Magazine. Amongst the matters that have required attention from the Board has been tho improvement of relations both with the public and staff. With this end in view and to further develop mutual interest in the work carried on throughout the Service and beyond it amongst those in the Dominion requiring transport information and facilities, a departmental journal was initiated. This commenced issue in May, 1926, and has from its inception been cordially received within the Service and in business circles. The aim of the Department has been to convey in an acceptable manner to the staff and public useful information regarding railway work, facilities, and progress, and to bring together in good will and friendly spirit all sections of the Service, with the object of creating the right atmosphere for efficiency—an ideal admirably summed up in the motto of the magazine—" For better service." The cost of the publication has been fully warranted by the good it has done, and developments contemplated during the current year will serve to increase its already substantial circulation of over 20,000 copies monthly, while considerably reducing the net cost to the Department. Library. A reference library has been, established in Wellington for the use of officers. It comprises at present about 600 volumes on matters bearing on transportation, location, construction, maintenance, and operation of railways, and all cognate subjects. Additions will be made as later books on these subjects are published. In conjunction with the library a file is maintained of a number of the best technical periodicals bearing on the same subjects. Suggestions and Inventions Committee. The Suggestions and Inventions Committee was formed in June, 1925. Since its inception a total number of 3,4-49 suggestions, dealing with all phases of railway working, have been submitted to the Committee, in connection with, which sixty-three monetary awards, amounting to £514, and 233 commendations were granted. In addition to the number of suggestions hereinbefore mentioned, approximately two hundred have been received from the railways in Australia, one of which was adopted and a bonus of £15 awarded. Approximately fifty suggestions were forwarded to the Australian railways, two of which were adopted and monetary awards amounting to £8 granted. Rolling-stock. At the Ist January, 1925, the number of locomotives on hand was 662. Since then new locomotives have been obtained as follows :— Built by Messrs. A. and G. Price .. .. .. .. 14 Built by New Zealand railway workshops .. . . . . 20 Imported from Great Britain .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 69 In addition, three locomotives were taken over with the Cape Foulwind line. Fifty-three locomotives have been written off, the total now on hand being 679. Three Garratt locomotives of a powerful type are at present under order. These engines will have a total weight in working-trim of 146 tons, with a maximum axle-load of 14| tons and. a tractive effort of 51,580 lb. They are being provided with automatic stokers and feed-water heaters. Designs for an up-to-date shunting-engine are in hand. An improvement in the headlights of locomotives has been made by the provision of Pyle National electric headlights : 110 locomotives have been fitted since 1925, making a total now fitted of 155. Since the beginning of 1925, 64 oars and 41 brake-vans, 112 bogie wagons, and 801 four-wheeled wagons have been built in our workshops. Included in these is an improved type of sleeping-car, which is much appreciated by the travelling public. During the period 300 cars have been fitted with electric light. Prior to this only some 30 cars had been fitted. The number now stands at 330. With the increasing weights of cars, stronger axles are necessary, and, as a consequence of this, improved bogies. These are being fitted as opportunity offers, and at the same time disk wheels of the rolled-steel type fitted with Gibson ring attachments are being provided. WOEKSHOP PRODUCTION METHODS. Production methods have been introduced in the workshops, and have resulted in the following changes being put into operation : — Workshops Organization. —The supervision of workshops now consists of foremen who are in complete charge of the output of an individual department, all. locomotive shops being under a General Locomotive Foreman and all car-shops under a General Car Foreman. Previous to these changes each foreman was in charge of all the tradesmen in the whole plant of his classification. The rearrangement confines responsibility and makes proper supervision possible. Production Department. —At each of the main shops a production-office has been established for the purpose of co-ordinating the movements of materials from shop to shop, and from all other departments concerned in procuring material.