I).—1.

Considering the natural obstacles encountered in the construction of the South Island Main Trunk Railway, the depletion in staff and specialist workmen owing to enlistments for war service, and the difficulty in securing adequate supplies of certain materials, it can be said that very satisfactory progress has been maintained. . Westport-Inangahua Railway. —Throughout the year work trams have been run over the Westport — Cascade Creek section of this railway. On the Cascade-Inangahua Junction section formation work reached an advanced stage. Bridge-construction has progressed most satisfactorily, four bridges having been completed, including those spanning the Stable, Newman, and Welshman Creeks. The three remaining bridges are in the course of erection, while the necessary culverting has been almost completed. Over 5 miles of platelaying were completed during the period, as well as nearly 3 miles of ballasting. . The use of bulldozers proved particularly effective in reducing unstable batters in the vicinity of Tiroroa and Inangahua Junction. RAILWAYS: IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONS TO OPEN LINES. The net expenditure out of the Public Works I 1 unci was £2,785,130 for the year ended 31st March, 1940, the amount expended being as follows:— Wellington new station . . .. ■ • • • (iX > 901 Wellington-Paekakariki electrification .. .. 17,886 Christchurch new station and yard . . ■ • 63,795 Oamaru foreshore protection . . • • • ■ 10,000 Dunedin bus garage and social hall .. •• 19,865 Duplication of lines— . £ Morningside - Mount Albert .. .. 5,149 Papakura-Horotiu .. . ■ .. 211,207 Levin-Koputaroa .. .. •• 6,772 Plimmerton-Paekakariki .. .. 102,790 Tawa Elat-Porirua .. •• 3,817 St. Leonards - Sawyer's Bay .. 51,810 381,545 Grade and curve easements — Swanson-Waitakere . • • • 27,108 Glen Eden - Henderson . . • • 5,686 Greatford-Kakariki ■ • • • 4,989 Picton .. ■• •• 12,057 Miscellaneous . . • • • • 33,422 83,262 Deviations — Turakina-Okoia .. •• •• 107,268 Scroggy Hill . . • • • • 13,562 Palmerston North .. •• 59,866 180,696 Otira substation .. • • • • 23,850 Extensions of crossing-loops, additional sidings, and improvements to station-yards .. • • 43,019 O.verbridges and elimination of level crossings .. 11,500 Dwellings . . ■ • ...■•• • • " ' 79,655 Workshops buildings and facilities . . • • 106,200 Stock-yards, turn-tables, rail-car sheds .. •• 23,032 Signalling and communications .. .. •• 44,527 Miscellaneous works and additions .. •• 35,519 Rolling-stock — _ £ J locomotives .. • • • • 678 > 445 Ka, Kb locomotives . . • • 235,276 Cars, vans, wagons, and service vehicles 678,157 1,591,878 £2,785,130

XIV