D.—2.

XLVIII

Electrification of Workshops. Locomotive Workshops, Petone. A complete change-over was made from gas-engine driver to electrification of these shops. Hutt Valley New Workshops. A complete electrification scheme was prepared in 1926, tenders were called, materials are to hand for the substation, generating machinery, and general reticulation. The work of installation in the substation and in the shops is proceeding as the shop buildings are completed. The connected day load will be approximately 600 h.p., and the night load will be approximately the same figure. Otahuhu Workshops. Schemes for Otahuhu were prepared and tenders were called during 1926-27, and the majority of material is now to hand for installation work. Final materials to connect up the individual machines have now been ordered on the Chief Mechanical Engineer's finalized plans. The total connected load will approximate 3,700 h.p. Hillside Workshops. The schemes were finalized and tenders called for in 1926-27. The majority of materials are now to hand and the work of installation is proceeding as rapidly as the change-over in the shops is being carried out. The final materials for the complete machinery reticulation have been dealt with and should be to hand shortly. The connected day load will approximate 4,000 h.p., with a probable night load of 2,500 h.p. Addington. The scheme for Addington was prepared and tenders received during 1926-27, and the majority of materials are now to hand. The new substation has been practically completed, and the changeover from the existing substation gear to the new arrangements is being carried out as rapidly as possible. Some new switch-gear has been delivered in readiness for transference of the existing switch-gear from Petone to Addington to finalize the substation. The work of cable-laying, &c, is proceeding and the final materials for connecting up machines have been dealt with. The approximate load will be in the neighbourhood of 3,500 h.p. Invercargill Shops. This installation has been completed, and the connected load amounts to 200 h.p. East Town Shops. This installation is practically complete, with the exception of one or two motor-drives, and the majority of the work has been in operation for some time. The connected load is 500 h.p. Picton. The electrification of Picton Workshops is nearly complete, pending one or two mechanical alterations to enable the work to be finalized. The connected load is 70 h.p. Nelson. This installation is in hand and will be completed shortly. Connected load is 60 h.p. Workshops Reorganization. Under the D.-2a programme works involving alterations to workshops, engine-depots, &c., to the amount of £460,000 were included. On a. comprehensive survey of the workshops position it was decided to scrap this programme and substitute a scheme to provide modern workshops, fully equipped with the latest machinery, electrically driven, and lifting-appliances, at a cost of £1,820,0(X). Of this amount about £320,000 is a charge against working-expenses, leaving £1,500,000 as the cost against capital account. The work was put in hand and is being pushed to completion in a very satisfactory manner. The short notes hereunder on the various shops will show how closely the construction is adhering to time-table. Otahuhu Workshops. Excavation : Completed. Sidings : Six miles and three-quarters laid ; one mile and a quarter to do. Storm-water drainage : Almost completed. Sewerage : Almost completed. Electric cables and reticulation : Practically completed. Roadways : Formation completed and concreting commenced. Foundations for all buildings : Completed. Power-house : Completed except floor and a few details. Covered timber-store : Completed. Reclaim depot: Steel frame erected and concrete floor laid.