D. 2

XLII

It must not be overlooked that the old workshops had been a matter of growth over a long period of years, and inevitably a point arrives in the process of such growth at which the more or less patchwork method breaks down and a clean sweep has to be made. It is plainly indicated in the report of the Fay-Raven Commission that this point had definitely been reached in connection with our old workshops. The tinai estimated cost is £2,279,459. The scheme as originally planned was estimated at £1,880,000, including £60,000 which had previously been allocated for electrification of the old shops. All additions to and variations of the original scheme were subjected to the closest scrutiny and examination by special technical committees set up for the purpose, and no alterations or additions were made unless the expenditure was considered to be justified. The variations and additions are as follows Original Final Increase Estimate. Estimate. £ £ £ Land .. .. .. .. 42,900 83,226 40,326 Buildings and layout .. .. .. 1,193,300 1,175,967 17,333 Dec. Machinery and equipment. . 583,800 849,225 265,425 Electrification .. .. 60,000 171,041 111,041 Totals .. .. £1,880,000 £2,279,459 £399,459 The additions and variations are fully discussed in the following paragraphs under the respective headings Land. Original Final T Estimate. Estimate. n^rease. £ £ £ 42,900 83,226 40,326 In acquiring land it was assumed that the development of the country would continue, and provision has been made for the future extension of the workshops when necessary. The additional expenditure on land was incurred at —Otahuhu, £30,000; Hutt, £3,500 ; Addington, £5,000 ; and Hillside, £2,000. At Otahuhu the land cost £12,000 in excess of the amount allowed (£2.1,500) and £18,000 was spent on levelling. The area acquired is greater than is necessary for present requirements of locomotive and rolling-stock activities only, and allowance has been made for concentrating at Otahuhu the Maintenance Branch shops (now at Penrose) and the Railway stores (now at Newmarket). The area of land purchased at Hutt is sufficient to accommodate the Locomotive, Maintenance, and Signal and Electrical workshops, Railway stores, and garage for the Hutt Valley road - motor service, also for future extensions of all these facilities, some of which developed after the initial schemes were prepared. At Addington it was found necessary to purchase a small area of land to compensate for a portion of the workshops yard required to give access to the Middleton yard for traffic purposes. Land was purchased at Hillside, outside the workshops yard, Cargill Road, for a site for a diningroom and social hall not provided for in the original estimates. The following sites occupied by the old workshops and stores, all of which are in valuable city or suburban areas, will be vacated and made available for leasing or for other railway purposes : —-

lii addition to these areas, 4-8 acres on the new Wellington reclamation, costing approximately £9,000 per acre, or £43,000, previously set aside for Railway stores and Signal and Electrical workshops, will now be available for leasing at an annual rental of, say, £2,000.

Approximate Value of Area available Approximate Area ! for Leasing. Location. Total Area. available for ! Leasing. Capital. Annual. A. R. p. A. B. p. | £ £ Newmarket (shops) .. .. 18 2 37 15 0 0 100,000 6,000 Newmarket (stores) 1 2 0 1 2 0 3,000 150 Penrose .. .. .. 5 0 30 4 0 0 5,000 250 AVellington (Waterloo Quay) —- Stores shipping shed and yard 1 1 24 1 1 24- 60,000 3,000 Signal workshop .. .. 0 1 20 Stationery store .. .. 0 1 20 Kaiwarra .. .. . . 1 3 32 1 3 32 7,000 500 Petone .. .. .. 17 3 35 10 0 0 25,000 1,500 47 1 38 33 3 16 200,000 ; 11,400 I I