D.—2

16

Christchurch, Timaru, and Invercargill (part) ; grade-improvements, Auckland-Mercer; fencing, Glenavy; weighbridges, Port Ahuriri (part) and Onehunga ; turntables at Rangiora, Port Chalmers, and Mosgiel; subways at 27f m. North Island Main Trunk, Dannevirke (completion), and Manakau ; stockyards at Hukerenui, Mangapeehi (part), Erua, Pukerua, and Hawardeu ; reclamations, Mechanics Bay (part) and Bluff (part) : overbridges at Newmarket (part), Morningside (part), and Gore ; cranes, for goods-shed, Auckland (completion) ; crane, Hawera (part) ; State collieries, approach-road ; Picton, new wharf (part) ; Lake Wakatipu, wharf-extension (completion) ; Nelson, wharf-extension (part) ; Lake Wakatipu, slipway (part) ; additions to Pintsch-gas works at Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin ; Ngawapurua, fire-service (Manawatu Bridge) ; additions to Distiict Offices, Wanganui; new District Offices, Christchurch (part) ; doubling line, Westfield-Otahuhu ; engine-depots at Newmarket (part), Paekakariki, Linwood (part), and Dunedin (completion) ; engine-shed extensions, Bluff ; wagon-repair shed, Taumarunui (part) ; Wellington, culvert (Waterloo Quay) (completion) ; Otahuhu, ramps to overbridge : electric lighting at Addington.shops and Hillside ; Mount Albert, stone-crusher (part) ; Christchurch, concrete-mixer. Doubling and- Improvement of Lines. —Dunedin-Mosgiel : A further distance of about three-quarters of a mile to Abbot's Creek has been opened for double-line working. The Chain Hills Tunnel has been pushed on steadily. Bad ground has been met, but indications are now more favourable. There is a length of about 15 chains to complete this tunnel. Maintenance of the new Hutt Road is still in the Department's hands, and is being charged against the construction authority. Grade-improvements. —A sum of £33,031 has been spent during the year on the grade-easements on the North Island Main Trunk line. The improvements between Buckland and Tuakau and at Pukekohe, including new station-yard and station at Pukekohe, have been completed, and the TuakauPokeno easements are now in hand. The earthworks for improvements at the Manawapou (Wanganui district) Viaduct have been finished as far as possible till the viaduct now being erected is completed. Reclamation, Mechanics Bay, Auckland. —£11,089 has been paid for reclamation carried out by the Auckland Harbour Board under agreement with that body. The provision of new stations and station-yards at Wellington and Auckland, and of large additions at Palmerston North, Lyttelton, Christchurch, Timaru, and Invercargill, is becoming a matter of urgency as the traffic is rapidly outgrowing the capacity of the existing accommodation. It is probable that further duplications will be necessary in the near future. • Expenditure. —The cost of maintenance was £765,860, equal to about £270 per mile of railway maintained. In addition a sum of £222,501 was spent on new works and works chargeable to other Government Departments, public bodies, and private parties, making the total expenditure of my branch for the year £988,361. The increase in maintenance working-expenses was mainly caused by' the higher rate of wages paid to the workmen, amounting to over £10 per man. Mileage. —The mileage open for traffic on the 31st March, 1913, was 2,860 miles 10 chains. Opened during the year, 52 miles 34 chains. Lands and Leases. —The figures for this branch are as under:—Leases : Number of leases registered during year, 739; aggregate annual rental of same, £9,580; total number of leases current at 31st March, 1913, 4,359 ; aggregate annual rental of same, £32,660. Sidings : Number of siding agreements registered during year, 34 ; aggregate annual rental of same, £525 ; total number of siding agreements current at 31st March, 1913, 356 ; aggregate annual rental of same, £7,082. Land : Total number of Proclamations issued taking or giving up land, 67 ; total amount of compensation paid during year for land taken, £16,615. . Staff. —-Maintenance working staff, 4,223 men ; office staff, 128 men : total, 4,351 men. Signal and Electrical. During the past year thirteen stations have been fitted with fixed semaphore signals, viz. : Coalgate, Linton, Marakeke, Otoko, Porewa, Pokako, Kakahi, Okahukara, Waimiha, Hangatiki, Kawa, Rangiriri, Hikurangi. Total number of (including tablet stations) .. .. 455 Equipped with fixed signals .. .. .. .. .. .. 228 Interlocked .. .. .. .. .. ... .. 79 Unequipped .. .. .. .. ..... .. .. 148 Interlocking of Paints wnd Signals. The electro-pneumatic installation at Dunedin has worked satisfactorily. The following places have been signalled and interlocked : Gore, Abbot's Creek, Black Jack's Point, Fendalton tram-crossing, Paeroa, Pokeno grade-easement crossing, Otahuhu, Westfield. The interlocking has been added to and rearranged at Abbotsford, Pukerua, Christchurch, Thorndon, Taihape, and Remuera. The following sidings have been interlocked with the tablet system : Te Kuha Branch Junction, Westport ; Pokeno service siding, at 40 m. 18 eh. ; Whangarata service siding, at 36 m. 73 eh. ; Gilmer and McGuire's siding, near Lower Hutt; May Morn Estate siding, near Mangaroa ; Auckland Brick Company's siding, Avondale. The interlocking at Taumarunui and Ohakune is in hand. Total stations now interlocked, 79; tramway crossings interlocked, 6 ; intermediate sidings interlocked with tablet, 22. . ''~' Expenditure for the year was —New works, £10,910 17s, Id. ; maintenance, £7,183 16s. 3d,