D.—l.

the ships home to England for the purpose of refitting. The Department has also arranged the contracts for the supply of a considerable quantity of plant obtained during the year by local bodies on hire-purchase through the Main Highways Board, and has also prepared the proposals and arranged contracts for the supply of all lighthouse equipment and machinery required by the Marine Department. The mechanical inspections necessary during the year in connection with the issue of certificates of fitness for all licensed passenger-carrying vehicles throughout New Zealand have been carried out by the Public Works Department on behalf of the Transport Department. It is gratifying to note that the total all-in running-cost per mile of the Department's motor-vehicle fleet continues to show a reduction to the present level of 3-12 d. per mile for cars and 5-34 d. per mile for trucks, as compared with 3-20 d. and 5-63 d. respectively for the previous year. The saving of , J o d. upon the total mileage run during the year represents a sum of £1,550, and the Department applies the closest scrutiny to all matters relating to the cheapest possible running of the motorvehicle fleet in the best interests of the Government. As appendices to the Statement, honourable members will find full details of the principal works carried out by the Department, together with the reports of the Engineer-in-Chief, the Chief Electrical Engineer, the Government Architect, and the Main Highways Board.

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