D.—2A

22

On dangerous portions of the line, as also during stormy weather, special inspections are made at the discretion of the ganger. The average number of men employed in line gangs per mile is as follows :• —

It is not the practice on the New Zealand railways to employ flying gangs in connection with the maintenance of branch lines where the train service is light, and we think consideration might with advantage be given to this. A normal gang consists of a ganger and three surfacemen, and the average length for such a gang is approximately 6f miles. Relaying, Sleepering, and Ballasting. The relaying programme is on the basis of an approximate annual mileage to be undertaken to keep the track up to standard. The present programme is 100 miles of relaying per year. Track worn to the limit, or where corrosion necessitates renewal, is first dealt with ; then track necessitating heavier metals owing to the use of heavy engines; and then track where the traffic makes it advisable to raise the standard. During the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1924, Bif miles of line were relaid, while 235,372 sleepers were used in connection with relaying and renewals, and 202,414 cubic yards of ballast. A comparative statement for the period 1915 to 1924 follows : —

Relaying Gangs. — The usual strength of a relaying gang is twelve men, and their principal work is the relaying of the track, but they sometimes perform special work in connection with yard-construction. Rails are stacked at convenient places up to 20 chains apart alongside the track where relaying is in progress.

c ,. Number of Men per Number of Miles pef Sectl0n ' Mile. Man. I . Main lines, North Island .. . . .. .. .. 0-667 1-500 Main lines, South Island .. .. .. .. .. 0-647 1-545 Branches, North Island .. .. . . .. .. 0-578 1-729 Branches, South Island .. .. .. .. .. 0-507 1-970 Average main line and branches, North Island .. .. 0-622 1-615 Average main line and branches, South Island .. .. 0-577 1-758 Average for New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 0-600 1-686

Relaying. Twelve Months _ ended Exclusive Sleepers. Ballast. 31st March. 1001b 7Qlb _ 551b _ ; Total. of Secondhand. i ■ — - Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Number. Cub. Yard. 1915 .. .. 7()i 14 Hi 95 i 84 i 228,644 371,835 1916 .. .. 36|- 9 12 57J 45J 158,223 406,544 1917 .... 211 71 1 30 29 92,419 239,002 1918 .. .. 13| .. .. 13| 13i 93,480 164,807 1919 .. 5f .. | 7 6i 79,485 88,918 1920 .. .. 5 .. If 6§ 5 82,968 86,805 1921 .. .. 20 1J | 22 21J 105,579 89,866 1922 A 33 8f i 42-1 42J 145,734 173,911 1923 .. i 26 J 17J 4£ 48J 44 172,746 161,553 1924 .. .. 62 9§ 101 81| 7H 235,372 202,414