D.—2

XVI

At the close of the year there were under construction in the railway workshops 268 wagons, consisting of 30 bogie and 238 four-wheel wagons. There were also 1,887 four-wheel wagons under the contract entered into with Messrs. Cammell, Laird, and Co. (Limited) to be delivered. Altogether there were on order on the 31st March, 1922, 2,155 wagons. Tarpaulins. —The tarpaulin stock on the Ist April, 1921, was 19,467, and on the 31st March, 1922, the number was 20,582. 1,1.15 new tarpaulins were made in railway workshops ; 1,527 worn-out tarpaulins were condemned and written off, and replaced with, a similar number of new tarpaulins. The following table, gives details of the work on tarpaulins for the year :—

Stationary Engines and, Cranes. —The repairs and renewals during the year were as follows : —

General. —In addition to the engines, cars, brake-vans, and wagons shown as passing through workshops for repairs during the year 36,793 engines, 51,913 cars, 10,068 brake-vans, and 83,283 wagons were repaired at out-depots in order to keep vehicles out of service the shortest possible time. Axles. —During the year 3,870 car, van, and wagon axles were replaced with modern steel axles. This number does not include axles for new rolling-stock. Westinghouse Brake. -The necessary material for equipping the balance of engines and rollingstock on Westland Section with the Westinghouse brake is now being collected, and the work will be commenced shortly. Efficient arrangements are in force for the examination and upkeep of the Westinghouse brake. Train Running and Mileage. —There has been a decrease of 586,127 miles in train-mileage as compared with 1.920-21. The engine-mileage has decreased by 605,369 miles as compared with the previous year. The following table shows particulars of the expenditure per train-mile : —

STORES. Mr. E. J. Guiness, Comptroller of Stores, reports as follows : — The values of stores, material, and plant (purchased under Railway vote) on hand at the 31st March 1922, at the, various stores, depots, and sawmills amounted to £1,545,508 Is. 7d., as against £1,553,722 6s. 7d. on the 31st March, 1.921. The value of stores on hand on account of additions to open lines amounted to £542,770 Is. 2d., as agaist £127,116 13s. sd. on the 31st March, 1921. Included in the former is an amount of £396,429 Bs. lid. for new locomotives and wagons. The value of stores on hand on account of Railways Improvement Authorization is £11,920 16s. 4d., as against £13,250 1.95. 10d., on the 31st March, 1921. The whole stock is in good order, has been systematically and carefully inspected, and is value for the amounts stated.

Description. Condemned Number passed Manufactured aid replaced through Shops. new. with New Tarpaulins. .. j 25,436 1,115 1,527 Repaired. 22,794 Tarpaulins

£h Ol o rH 'ei rH 0r> M rS I rjH 0. 1 r? Ph Ph TJ 01 rfl o 3 O 43 ■a 'c8 Ph Boiler-repairs. Description. « Ph co 2 t/? Si IT £ . r-i O 3 r=l H "7 u "8 CD A > CO n Ph CD « I a '1 Ph 01 ■a 5 A i -> s S HhS ! s a 01 OJ 9 rj 01 rH I? ijli Ph iand-cranes (team-cranes Stationary engines . . and hoist-ing-engines 25 33 23 6 3 1 7 7 2 18 23 4 1 ; i 4 2 1 13 12 2 8 2 ] 1 15 4 1 2 1 5 8 ■1 2

Cost, in Penoe, per Train-mit i. Year. Train-mileage. Engine-miieage. Locomotive Car and Wagon Branch. Branch Total. l_ i 1921-22 1920-21 8,717,265 9,303,392 i 11,829,523 12,434,892 70-69 15-00 55-14 13-72 86-29 68-86