D.—2

L

Boiler-shop : The steelwork is completely erected for this building, and sarking is being laid on the roof. The construction of engine-pits in the erecting-bay is in hand. Midway : 50 per cent, of the steelwork for the midway gantry is erected. Tube-store : Steelwork complete. Pattern shop : Steelwork erected and sarking fixed on roof. Iron-rack : Steelwork complete. Reclaim depot : Steelwork complete. Subsidiary contracts have been let for the construction of small concrete structures, such as engine and wagon pits, concrete bins, oil-tank pits, &c, and for the building of Workshops Manager's office, dining-room, &c. A contract for concrete flooring and machinery-foundations was let recently, and tenders for asphalt paving for roads and floors are under consideration. The traverser-pit is completed. The Workshops Manager's office is now completely erected, roofed and weatherboarded, and internal work is well adyanced. The dining-room, &c, foundations have been laid, and the erection of the timber framing is well forward. Tenders for the erection of painting-sheds and for the building of a social hall will be invited shortly, and the letting of these contracts will see all parts of the work in hand. Two floodlight-towers have been constructed. Foundations for a steel wa ( ter-tower, 30,000 gallons capacity and 70 ft. head, have been completed, and erection of the tower will begin shortly. All cranes for these shops are on order —viz., one 100-ton, one 25-ton, seven 10-ton, five 7|-ton, one 5-ton, and one 2-ton. The traverser, 100 tons capacity, has just been landed. The machinery position in percentages is as follows : — In New Zealand. On Order. Yet to Order. Locomotive machine-shop .. 75 15 10 Erecting-shop .. .. .. . . 20 75 5 Boiler-shop .. .. .. ..50 40 10 Foundry .. . . .. .. 20 50 30 Blacksmiths' shop .. . . .. 25 25 50 Reclaim-shop .. . . .. .. 60 30 10 Wagon-shop .. .. .. ..50 25 25 Power-house .. .. .. .. 50 25 25 About 90 per cent, of the machinery on hand is temporarily erected in old shops. Addington Shops. Repair cars and carpenters' shop : The building is nearing completion. The following work remains to be carried out : Fitting of steel folding doors ; laying of bitumen and gravel coat on roof ; completion of internal painting ; completion of lavatories and offices. The floors-contractor has his work well in hand. The approximate dates for completion are as follows : Main structure, 14th April; flooring, 24th March. Wheels and bogies shop : The contractor is concentrating on this building, all the work being well in hand. The approximate dates for completion are as follows : Main structure, 14th April; flooring, 14th April. Woodmill: The steelwork is completely erected, and the construction, will be further advanced immediately the first two shops mentioned above are completed. Wood-wagons' shop : The assembling and erection of the steelwork has been commenced. Reclaim depot: The erection of the steelwork is completed. Light-plate structural shop : The erection of the steelwork is in hand. Midway gantry : The work of assembling the columns is in hand. Traverser-pit No. 2 : The traverser-pit will be completed before the end of the current month. Coal-bins : The coal and coke bins are completed. Tarpaulin-shop: Completed and-in use. Yard rearrangement: The rearrangement of sidings, with alterations and additions to the existing storm-water services, sewerage lay-out and water-services is all well in hand. The work is being carried out with a view to its completion by the time the main contracts are completed. All cranes for these shops are on order —viz., five 10-ton, four 5-ton, two 2-ton. The traverser, 50 tons capacity, has just been landed. The machinery position in percentages is as follows : — In New Zealand. On Order. Yet to Order. Wood-wagon shop .. ..... 70 20 10 Machine-shop ."".' .. .. ..85 5 10 Steel-wagon shop .. .. .. 70 20 10 Structural shop .. .. ..60 20 20 Blacksmiths'shop .. .. ..80 10 10 Car-repair shop .. ... ..70 20 10 Mill .. .. .. ... .'. 55 10 35 Reclaim-shop .. .. .. ..70 20 10 Tarpaulin-shop „ .. .. 100 0 0 Power-house .. .. .. ..90 0 10