62

E.—l

The long carriages obtained from England are most uncomfortable to travel in: the provision niade by the designer for passing easily round curves leaves a very unstable connection between the body and the frames carrying the end wheels, the result being violent lateral motion when running on the straight line, especially' so if the speed is at all excessive. It will be necessary to fit all the carriages for through traffic either with double bogies or Cleminson's patent radiating axles. One carriage already altered on the former principle has given every satisfaction. On the arrival of the locomotives shortly expected from America, it is intended to run one mail train each way daily between Dunedin and Christchurch, ruuning the distance, 236 miles, in about ten hours. It is also contemplated to run similar trains between Dunedin and Invercargill, running the distance of 139 miles in about six hours. These trains will stop at the principal stations only, and will be timed to leave sufficiently late in the day to allow passengers from intermediate stations to travel by the ordinary early morning train to any of the stopping-places. The amount expended out of capital in the construction of all the railways in the Middle Island, inclusive of the sections in course of construction, is, approximately, to 30th June, 1878, £5,462,000 ; while the excess of earnings over expenditure on the various sections for the financial year just ended is £145,345 18s. 5d., which is equivalent to 2| per cent, interest on the capital. It affords me much pleasure to bring under your notice the valuable and cordial assistance I have received from general managers, resident and locomotive engineers, and other officers, and employes generally. Attached herewith you will please find the following tables : —■ Statement showing dates of opening the several lengths of line ... Table A. Statement of classified expenditure ... ... ... „ B. Statement of passenger traffic ... •■• . ••• » C. Statement of wages paid ... ... ... ... „ D. Statement of revenue and expenditure for wharves ... ... „ E. Statement of accounts ... ... ... ... ~ F. Return of accidents ... ... ... ... „ G. Detailed statement of cost of maintenance, Christchurch Section „ H. Eeport of encroachments of the Eangitata Eiver ... ... „ I. Eeport of trial of native coal in locomotives, Dunedin Section ... ~ J. Eeport of trial of native coal in locomotives, Christchurch Section ~ K. Eeturn of locomotives ... ... ... ... ~ L. Eeturn of rolling-stock (carriages and brakes) ... ... „ M. Eeturn of rolling-stock (wagons and tarpaulins) ... ... „ N. Eeturn of miscellaneous stock ... ... ... ... ~ O. Eeturn of turntables, weighbridges and machines ... ... „ P. Eeturn of cranes ... ... ... ... ... „ Q. I have, &c, W. Conyers, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Commissioner of Eailways, Middle Island.

Enclosures in Appendix I. TABLE A. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. — MIDDLE ISLAND. STATEMENT showing the NUMBER of MILES of ROAD OPENED for TRAFFIC during the Year ending 30th June, 1878.

Designation of Line or Branch. Date Opened for Traffic. Length. Bernarks. M. crt. M. OH. Jheistchurcii Section— West Eyreton to Bennett's Hillgrove to Balmerston ... .., 1st Feb., 1878 ... 22nd May, 1878... 5 59 12 65 Dunedin Section — Mosgiel to Outram GUendertuid to Blueskin Balclutha Terminus to Balclutha Township Blueskin to Waikouaiti 18 44 1st Oct., 1877 ... 20th Dec, 1877 ... 22nd Jan., 1878... 7th May, 1878 ... 9 1 9 78 0 70 14 37 SECTION — G-ore to Waipahi Waipahi to Clinton Lowther to Athol Athol to Eairlight 34 26 1st Sept., 1877 ... 1 Nov., 1877 ... 28th Jan., 1878 ... 29th April, 1878... 15 74 9 68 13 46 9 20 iVestpoet Section — Westport to Ngakawau • 48 48 20th Sept., 1877... 8 29 8 29 Total opened ... 109 67