D.—2

WAY AND WORKS BRANCH. The following are the principal features connected with the operations of the Way and Works Branch during the year : — Permanent Way. —The relaying of track carried out during the year was as follows Main Line and Branches. m. c. l. 100 lb. rails relaid with 100 lb. new material .. .. .. .. 0 13 12 70 lb. rails relaid with 85 lb. new material .. .. .. .. 14 63 13 56 lb. rails relaid with 85 lb. new material .. .. .. .. 0 20 99 53 lb., 55 lb., 56 lb., and 70 lb. rails relaid with 70 lb. new material .. 2 45 23 55 lb. rails relaid with 55 lb. new material .. .. .. .. 0 05 68 52 lb. and 53 lb. rails relaid with 56 lb. second-hand material .. .. 0 28 37 53 lb., 55 lb., 56 lb., and 70 lb. rails relaid with 70 lb. second-hand material .. 304 19 Total 21 20 71 Sleepers and Ballast.—During the year 187,611 new sleepers were laid, while a total of 256,963 cubic yards of ballast was placed on the track. Protective Works. —Further progress has been made with the Oamaru foreshore protection work, some 26,910 cubic yards of stone having been deposited during the year. Fences, Gates, and Cattle-stops. —General repairs have been effected as required. Boundary fences have been erected and renewals carried out. The scarcity of materials has necessitated the curtailment of the fencing programme. Level Crossings, cfee. —During the year two level crossings were eliminated. Bridges.—The strengthening and renewal of bridges has proceeded according to programme during the year, the principal bridge works undertaken being new bridges over the Rangitikei and Wairau Rivers completed ; construction of concrete foundations for the Waiau Bridge ; completion of construction work on piers and abutments for new bridge at Opawa. Water Services and Appliances. —All water services and appliances have been maintained in good order. Wharves. —All wharves have been maintained in efficient working-order. Platforms and Cattle-yards.—Alterations and additions to cattle-yards at various stations have been carried out during the year. Several pig-pens and stockyards have been surface-concreted. Buildings. —All buildings have been maintained in a satisfactory condition. Alterations and additions to numerous buildings have been carried out in the twelve months under review. The programme of painting of buildings has been proceeded with during the year. Departmental buildings in several localities were damaged by fire during 1940-41. Dwellings. —All dwellings have been maintained in good order. During the year nineteen dwellings were equipped with hot-water installations. New houses erected totalled twenty-two, while five privately-owned houses were acquired for departmental purposes during the year. New Works.—Further progress has been made with the work of duplicating the main line between Papakura and Horotiu. At the close of the year the earthwork was practically completed to Pokene at the north end and to Te Kauwhata at the south end. The greater portion of the earthwork in connection with the Scroggy Hill Deviation and gradeeasement works between New Lynn, and Glen Eden is now complete. Satisfactory progress is also being made with the Henderson - Swanson - Waitakere grade easement and St. Leonards - Sawyers Bay duplication, while a similar position obtains in respect of easement and/or duplication works of a less important nature undertaken in various other parts of the system. Major improvements and/or additions to facilities at stations and elsewhere in hand or completed during the year were as follow : — Westfield and Otahuhu : Rearrangement of station-yard. New Plymouth and Breakwater : Provision of 25 ton weighbridge and additional marshalling and delivery sidings in station-yards. Feilding : Additional sidings for local delivery provided. Pukerua Bay: New station building completed. Wellington : New building completed for joint use by Stores Shipper and Road Services Branch. Napier : Additions to engine-shed and provision of improved siding accommodation. Gisborne : Rearrangement of station-yard, including removal of station building to new site and provision of additional facilities. Timaru : Rearrangement of locomotive depot and provision of 70 ft. turntable. Oamaru : Provision of new locomotive depot and installation of 70 ft. turntable. Dunedin : Alterations and additions to locomotive depot. At Ohristchurch the completion of the new goods-shed has been held up pending the delivery of supplies of steel from overseas. This and other factors arising from the war have adversely affected the prosecution of the preliminary works associated with the scheme for the provision of a new station and yard at Christchurch. Unemployed Relief. —During the year an average of 691 casual workers have been employed on earthworks for grade easements, deviations, improvements to track, cutting noxious weeds, &c. Mileage of Track.—The total mileage of track open for traffic on 31st March, 1941, was 3,389 miles 74 chains,

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