1932 Australasian Railways

Note: This is a sub-section of 1932 Railway Year Book

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INTRODUCTORY,

RAILWAYS throughout Australasia have been developed mainly by the respective States, though in a number of cases the earliest lines were due to private enterprise. Except in a few of the first developed districts, railways have had to open up the country, so that Government action was essential, and on the whole, State ownership and operation in Australasia has proved satisfactory. In Australia itself, the railways are directed by a Commissioner or Board of Commissioners more or less independent of Parliament as regards management, though, of coarse, dependent thereon for the voting of money and in reference to matters of policy. New Zealand has, however, a general manager, answer able to the Minister for Railways.
A vexed issue on the mainland of Australia is that of differences of gauge. This arose from early events. New South Wales and Victoria first agreed to build their railways to the 4 ft. 81 in. gauge. On the suggestion of New South Wales, however, Victoria and South Australia agreed to adopt the Irish gauge of 5 ft. 3 in. as the standard, though New South Wales actually adopted the 4 ft. 8i in. gauge. As more suitable for pioneer lines, Queensland and Western Australia introduced the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge, while South Australia built some of its country lines to that gauge, so that inter-State traffic involves transfer or change at several of the boundaries. Consequently the present railway systems, which were built in the first place to serve local and State requirements, do not give a full measure of service for inter-State trade and commerce.
Various conferences on the gauge question were held, each in turn confirming the urgent necessity for uniformity. In 1912 a conference, consisting of the Chief Engineers of the various States, and the Commonwealth recommended the adoption of 4 ft. 8i in. as the standard for Australia. The Commonwealth Government accordingly employed this gauge for the Trans-Australian Railway, the opening of which, in October, 1917, made through connection between the Eastern States and Western Australia possible ; but this railway can never give to the people of Australia a return commensurate with the expenditure incurred until such time as the present breaks of gauge are removed. In 1921 a Royal Commission was appointed to consider and report on the whole question of gauge unification. The recommendation of the Royal Commission was that the 4 ft. 8^ in. gauge be adopted, and this has now been accepted as the standard gauge for Australia.
Most of the private railways which still operate in Australia are of an industrial character, the Midland of Western Australia being the most extensive of those catering also for general traffic.

I. —COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS.
Offices : 623, Collins Street, Melbourne. (Telegrams: “ Coinrails,” Melbourne).
Commissioner : G. A. Gahan.
Secretary : E. Simms, M.Inst.T.
Comptroller of Accounts and Audit: J. P. Monro, B.A.
Agent in England : Sir Granville Ryrie, K.C.M.G., C.B., V.D., High Commissioner, Commonwealth of Australia, Australia House, Strand, London, W.C. 1.
Official Secretary : T. Trumble, I.S.O.

WORKING RAILWAYS.
Headquarters : Port Augusta.
Chief Officers:; Chief Traffic Manager and Comptroller of Stores, W. L. Artlett; Chief Mechanical Engineer, E. S. Race ; Chief Engineer of Way and Works, J. E. F. Stokes ; Manager, Eorth Australian Ey., A. W. Lawrence, Darwin.
General Particulars : The Trans-Australian Ry. (4 ft. 8J in. gauge) from Port Augusta (S.A.) to Kalgoorlie (W.A.) provides the only rail connection between South Australia and other States and Western Australia. Its construction, crossing the Nullarbor Plain, was a very great undertaking. Through traffic was commenced Oct. 22, 1917. For 300 miles there is no curve. The Central Australia Railway from Port Augusta to Alice Springs, 770 m., is 3 ft. 6 in. gauge. In North Australia the section from Darwin was completed December 4, 1917, to Emungalan, 198 m. 54 chs., 3 ft. 6 in. gauge, to Katherine River, on December 14, 1926, 200 m., to Mataranka, 264 m, 67 chs., on July 1, 1928, and to Birdum, 316 m, 20 chs., on Sept. 4, 1929. Surveys have been made for extensions southwards to join the Central Australia line. In the Federal Capital Territory the Queanbeyan-Canberra line, 5 m., 4 ft. 8^ in. gauge, is owned by the Commonwealth.
Statistics: Year ending June 30, 1931.
Trans-Australian Ry.—Cost of construction, £7,840,504 ; Earnings, £187,681; Working Expenses, £241,490 ; Mileage (4 ft. 8J- in. gauge), 1,051 m. 68 ch. Train mileage, 403,615. No. of passengers conveyed, 19,209. Goods tonnage. 12,360. No. of locos., 68; coaching vehicles, 54; goods vehicles, 728.
North Australia Ry.—Cost of construction, £2,750,718; Earnings, £29,010; Vforking Expenses, £55,330. Mileage (3 ft. 6 in. gauge), 316 m. 40 chs. Train mileage, 40,686. No. of passengers conveyed, 3,384. Goods tonnage, 3,296. No. of locos., 13; coaching vehicles, 12; goods vehicles, 312.
Central Australia Ry.—Cost of construction, £4,760,548; Earnings, £88,479; Working Expenses, £155,438; Mileage (3 ft. 6 in. gauge), 771 in. 33 chs. Train mileage, 200,051. No. of passengers conveyed, 31,107 ; Goods tonnage, 38,831. No. of locos., 24; coaching vehicles, 20; goods vehicles, 313.
Federal Territory Ry.—Cost of construction, £84,429; Earnings,£3,964; Working Expenses,£6,363.
Mileage (4 ft. Sj in. gauge), 4 m. 75 chs. Train mileage, 6,900. No. of passengers conveyed, 31,248 ; Goods tonnage, 10,077.

NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS
Headquarters : Sydney.
Commissioners and Chief Officers: Chief Railway Commissioner, W. J. Cleary; Asst. Railway Commissioners, G. W. Brain, A. D. J. Forster ; Area Commissioners : Acting Metropolitan Area Commissioner and Chief Traffic Manager located at Sydney, K. Attwill; Area Commissioner for the Southern System located at Goidburn, (Vacant); Area Commissioner for the Western System located at Orange, F. J. Williams, and Area Commissioner for the Northern System located at Neiccastle, W. C. Quinton ; Secretary to Commissioners, W. II. Newman ; Asst. Secretary, S. R. Nicholas ; Information Officer, Ji. W. Bennett; Comptroller of Accounts and Audit, T. J. Hartigan ; Comptroller of Stores, F. C. Garside; Chief Civil Engineer, R. L. Ranken ; Signal Engineer, W. F. Barton Chief Mechanical Engineer, E. E. Lucy, Redfern, Sydney; Chief Electrical Engineer, W. H. Myers.
Agency in England : The Hon. A. C. Willis, Agent-General, Australia House, Strand, London, W.C. 2. Secretary, J. W. Fergusson.
Consulting Engineer:
General Particulars : The Sydney, Paramatta and Liverpool Ry., the first in N.S.W., was commenced in 1850 and opened for traffic 26 Sept., 1855. This and another projected line was taken over by the Government in 1855, and since then all except two or three small industrial lines nave been constructed by and are the property of the State. The main Southern line runs from Sydney to Albiiry (399 miles), there connecting with the Victorian Government Rys. There is also a South Coast line from Sydney southwards. The Western group of lines extends across the State to Bourke (512 miles), and Broken Hill(699 miles), while the Northern section runs fromSydney via the Hawkesbury Bridge and Newcastle to Wallangarra (492 miles), where connection is made with the Queensland (?overnment lines.
The North Coast line branches from the Northern line at Maitland (120 miles) and terminates at Murwillumbah (579 miles), near *the Queensland border. Connection over the Clarence River is at present by train ferry at Grafton, pending completion of bridge, The Capital cities of New South Wales and Queensland are linked by a line of standard gauge railway, the route from Sydney being via the North Coast line to Casino (498 miles from Sydney), and thence over 93 miles of new line to Brisbane (611 miles from Sydney).
The Sydney suburban system is electrified, 88 route miles being operated by multiple unit trains. Through connection is made with the City Underground Railway, a section of which, temporarily terminating at St. James’ station in the east centre of the city, was opened in 1926. In March, 1932, the harbour bridge, connecting the city with the suburbs on the northern side of the harbour, will be opened, together with another section of the City Underground Railway which will form a link between Central station and the Harbour Bridge, and direct rail communication will then be possible between the city and the suburbs on both sides of the harbour. All steam services terminate at Central Station, 15 platform faces being used for this purpose. The remaining 8 platform faces are run-through platforms for electric trains serving the City Underground system.
The Hawkesbury Bridge, Sydney-Newcastle line, is a noteworthy engineering work ; it has seven spans of 416 ft. Longest tunnel is Woy Woy (Northern line), 1,957| yards. Westinghouse brake equipment is standard. All new rolling stock is fitted with automatic couplings.
Statistics : Year ended June 30, 1931.—Amount expended on Construction and Equipment. £132,565,362; Gross Earnings, £15,205,741; Working Expenses, £12,899,646; Net Earnings, £2,306,095, exclusive of contribution of £800,000 from the Government towards loss on working of country developmental lines ; Interest on Capital (including £737,633 exchange), £7,527,715. Mileage (4 ft. 8i ins. gauge), 6,044. Passenger journeys, 126,811,993. Freight tonnage, 10,743,109. Train mileage, 25,493,640. Rolling stock, 1,432 locomotives ; 37 motor passenger vehicles ; 2,720 coaching vehicles ; 22,469 freight vehicles ; 1,527 service vehicles.

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS.
Headquarters : Brisbane
Minister for Railways : Hon. Godfrey Morgan, M.L.A.
Commissioner and Chief Officers : Commissioner, J. W. Davidson ; Workshops Superintendent,
A. S. Deacon ; Secretary, C. A. Murton ; Assistant Secretary, J. Grant; Inspecting Superintendent, P. R. T. Wills ; Chief Accountant, J. Alder ; Chief Railway Auditor, T. Johnston ; General Storekeeper, C. W. Reeve ; General Managers, J. Chambers, Brisbane ; W. A. Hooper, Rockhampton ; A. J. Crowther, F.C.I.S., Townsville ; Chief Mechanical Engineer, R. J. Chalmers, M.I.Mech.E., Ipswich ; Chief Engineer, N. J. A. Amos.
Acting Agent-General in London : L. H. Pike, 409-10, Strand, W.C. 2.
General Particulars : The first section, 21 m. in length, was opened on 31st July, 1865. The mileage open for traffic on 30th June, 1931, was 6,632, including 103 m. of privately-owned tramways. The Queensland Government State Railways include 6,430 m. of 3 ft. 6 in. gauge and 30 m. of 2 ft. gaug^ line, and the Commonwealth Railway 69 m. of 4 ft. 8| in. gauge line, being the greatest mileage of railways operating in any Australian State. The lines extend south from Brisbane to New South Wales at Wallangarra, 223 m., the Border tunnel, 69 m. (standard gauge) and Tweed Heads, 69 m., and also south-west to Dirranbandi, 416 m. The western line extends to Cunnamulla, 604 m., a branch at 496 m. going to Quilpie, 125 m., which line forms part of the Great Western scheme for linking up the Southern, Central and Northern Division railways. A coastal line runs north from Brisbane to Cairns, 1,043 m. Main trunk lines run from the Coastal line, Rockhampton to Winton, 537 m., Townsville to Dajarra, 582 m., a branch at Hughenden (236 m.) going south 132 m., and connecting with the Central Railway at Winton. A number of lines branch from the main centres and trunk lines to various agricultural, pastoral and mining districts. The rolling stock is fitted with the Westinghouse brake.
Statistics : Year ended 30 June, 1931.—Gross Capital Expenditure, £64,184,569 ; Gross Earnings, £6,412,211 ; Working Expenses, £4,993,918 ; Net Revenue, £1,418,293 ; Net Revenue, £1,418,293 ; Interest on Capital, £3,037,458. No. of passenger journeys, 21,955,076. Tonnage, Goods and Live Stock, 3,838,420. Train mileage, 10,816,812. No. of locomotives, 785 ; coaching stock (carriages, etc.), 1,315 ; goods stock (wagons, etc.), 19,213.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS
Headquarters : Adelaide.
Commissioner and Chief Officers : Commissioner, C. B. Anderson; Secretary, C. J. Boykett; Comptroller, H. L. Goldbeck; Chief Engineer, R. H. Chapman ; Signal and Telegraph Engineer, G. H. Williams; Chief Mechanical Engineer, E. J. Shea (Islington, near Adelaide); General Traffic Manager, A. N. Day ; Director Railway Institute, B. H. Gillman ; Superintendent Adelaide, S. H. Watson; Assistant Superintendents, Adelaide, B>. Boothby, W. J. Ross, A. E. Eerry, D. Collier, R. B. Caldwell; Superintendent, Peterborough, E. Yeomans; Assistant Superintendents, Peterborough, C. H. T. C. Smith and A. L. Keltic; Superintendent, Murray Bridge, J. E. Walton; Assistant Superintendents, Murray Bridge, H. H. Tucker, P. J. Conole, O. 1). Howard; Superintendent, Port Lincoln, S. J. Hudson ; Assistant Superintendent, Port Lincoln, W. E. Turner.
Agent in England : Hon. Sir Henry Barwell, Agent-General. Australia House, Strand, London. W.C. 2 ; Secretary, R. M. K. Lewis ; Inspecting Engineer, H. E. C. Burton.
General Particulars : Railway construction was inaugurated by the Adelaide City and Port Ry. opened 21 April, 1856. Erom Adelaide the gauge is 5 ft. 3 in., but most of the more northerly extensions are on the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge. The Murray River bridge has three large spans, of 187, 188 and 242 ft. measurement, and 18 small spans of about 70 ft., the approximate total length being 1,880 ft. Westinghouse brake equipment is employed.
Statistics: Year ending 30 June, 1931.—Total Capital Cost (open lines), £27,877,282; Gross Earnings, £2,600,559; Expenditure, £2,859,738 (includes Depreciation £200,330; Retired Assets £43,538; and Sinking Fund Contribution, £106,246); Interest on ("apital, £1,426,741; Deficit, £1,685,920; Ko. of passengers, 15,452,646. Total goods tonnage, 2,174,817; Mileage: 5 ft. 3 in. gauge, l,451i ; 3 ft. 6 in. gauge, 1,078. Train mileage, 4,991,695. 5 ft. 3 in. gauge ; No. of locos. 252, coaching vehicles 460, inter-State vehicle^ 43, goods vehicles 3,453, service vehicles 200; tram stock 3. 3 ft. 6 in. gauge: No. of locos. 188, coaching vehicles 197, goods vehicles 5,263, service vehicles 419, tram stock 51.

TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS
Headquarters : Hobart.
Minister of Railways : Hon. Claude E. James, M.H.A.
Commissioner and Chief Officers: Commissioner, E. P. St. Hill; Secretary, C. J. Rollins; Chief Engineer, A. H. Wherrett; Chief Mechanical Engineer, H. B. Bennett; Chief Accountant, W. H. Crawford ; Comptroller of Stores, A. B. Rapp ; Traffic Manager, C. H. Harrison.
Agent in England : H. W. Ely, Acting Agent-General, Australia House, Strand, London, W.C. 2 ; Engineer, L. Murray.

General Particulars: Opened Launceston to Deloraine, 45 m., 1871, by the Launceston and Western Ky. Company (taken over by the State in 1872), and throughout between Hobart and Launceston, 15 March, 1876, this section being purchased from the Tasmanian Main Line Ry. Company in 1890. This main stem has been extended to serve the north coast of the island to Stanley, Smithton and Trowutta, with a southward branch from Burnie to Zeehan, 87 m. 29 ch., by Emu Bay Railway Company, opened 21 December, 1900 ; Zeehan to Regatta Point (part of Government Railways’ system), 28 m. 30 ch., opened 4 February, 1892, and 1 m. opened 16 October, 1900. There are also branches to Herrick, St. Mary’s, Apsley, Fitzgerald, Oatlands, Mole Creek, Nietta and Maweena, etc.
Statistics: Year ending 30 June, 1931.—Capital cost, £6,549,965 ; Gross Receipts, £400,176; Working Expenditure, £448,838; Deficit after paying Interest charges £334,543. No. of passengers conveyed, 1,852,145 ; goods tonnage, 466,153. Mileage : (3 ft. 6 in gauge), 653|; (2 ft. gauge). Hi; Train mileage, 1,257,062. Rolling stock (3 ft. 6 in. gauge) : 88 locos, 12 rail motor cars, 206 coaching vehicles, 1,877 goods vehicles, and 63 miscellaneous vehicles ; (2 ft gauge): 6 locos., 6 coaching
vehicles, 77 goods vehicles.

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS
Headquarters : Spencer Street, Melbourne. Minister of Railways: Hon. J. Cain, M.L.A. Commissioners and Heads of Branches
Cameron; C. H. Perrin ; Chief Engineer, Way and Works, J. M. Ashworth ; Chief Electrical Engineer, H. P. Colwell ; Comptroller of Accounts, T. F. Brennan ; Acting Auditor of Receipts, D. H. Falconer ; Chief Mechanical Engineer, N. C. Harris; Chief Engineer of Signals and Telegraphs, S. P. Jones; Comptroller of Stores, C. W. J. Coleman ; General Supt. of Transportation, M. J. Canny ; General Passenger and Freight Agent, J. McClelland ; Supt. of Refreshment Services, W. D. Bracher.
Agent in England: The Agent-General for Victoria, Melbourne Place, Strand, London, W.C.2. Secretary, A. H. Wright.
General Particulars : Flinders Street, Melbourne, to Port Melbourne., opened by Melbourne and Hobson’s Bay Ry., 13 Sept., 1854 (the first railway opened and operated in Australia). Several other lines constructed by private enterprise, though principal development has occurred under the State, commencing in 1858. Practically all private lines were taken over in 1878. Almost the whole of the State is covered by a network of lines and branches centring upon Melbourne. Trains connect with systems of other States at Albury and Tocumwal for New South Wales, and at Serviceton, Mt. Gambier and Pinnaroo for South Australia. The Melbourne suburban area involves about 169 route miles, all of which are electrically operated. The electric trains carry over 149,000,000 passengers yearly. In Melbourne the two great stations at Flinders Street (15 platforms) and Spencer Street (14 platforms) are connected by a viaduct carrying four lines. Brake equipment is Westinghouse.
Statistics: Year ending 30 June, 1931.—Earnings, £10,089,884; including amount received in respect of loss on certain lines, £176,056 ; Working Expenses, £7,770,341 ; Net Revenue, £2,319,542; Interest Charges and Expenses, £3,614,244 ; Pensions and Gratuities, £425,334 ; Deficit, £1,478,564; No. of passengers, (railway) 134,655,220; Goods tonnage, 5,557,176; livestock tonnage, 542,134; Mileage: (.5 ft. 3 in. gauge), 4,595 (2 ft. 6 in. gauge), 122. Train mileage, 16,481,063. No. of locos.: Broad gauge, 628; electric locomotives, 12; narrow gauge, 17. Coaching vehicles: Broad gauge, 1,682 ; narrow gauge, 55. Rail motor vehicles, broad gauge, 97. Electric coaching stock, broad gauge, 856. Electric tramway stock, 33. Goods vehicles : Broad gauge, 19,984 ; narrow gauge, 243; service vehicles, 753 ; road motor vehicles, 42.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS.
Headquarters : Perth.
Minister for Railways : Hon. J. Scaddan, M.L.A.
Commissioner and Chief Officers : Commissioner, E. A. Evans, M.Inst.M.E.; Secretary for Railways and Assistant to Commissioner, J. F. Tomlinson ; Chief Mechanical Engineer, J. W. R. Broadfoot; Chief Traffic Manager, C. S. Gallagher ; Chief Civil Engineer, H. A. Cresswell, M.Inst.C.E.; Comptroller of Accounts and Audit, W. H. C. Bromfleld ; Comptroller of Stores, C. S. Holm.
Agent in England : Hon. W. C. Angwin, Agent-General, Savoy House, Strand, London, W.C. 2 ; Secretary, C. B. Rushton.
General Particulars : Early developments were chiefly due to private enterprise, including the Lockeville-Yoganup line, 12 m., opened 1871; and Geraldton-Northampton, 34 m., 1879. These lines, built by the Western Australian Land Company, were acquired by the Government in 1896. Perth obtained its first railway in 1881, to Fremantle. At the present day there is a connected system of main or trunk lines between the ports of the State and the agricultural, pastoral and mining districts, while there are also two lines, one in the North-West and one on the South Coast, which are unconnected with the main system. The chief sections are : Metropolitan, Central, Eastern, South-Western, Northern and Southern Lines. Standard brake equipment on the Western Australian lines is automatic vacuum.
Statistics : Year ending 30 June, 1931.—Total Capital expended, £24,083,950 ; Gross Earnings, £3,198,913; Working Expenses. £2,610,839; Balance, £588,074 ; Interest on Capital invested, £968,066. No. of passengers, 11,702,741. Total goods tonnage, 3,064,835; live-stock tonnage, 88,690. Mileage (3 ft. 6 in. gauge), 4,181. No. of locos., 422 ; coaching vehicles. 489 ; brake-vans, 202 ; goods vehicles, 11,032.

II—PRIVATE RAILWAYS.

CASTLECLIFF RAILWAY. (New Zealand.)
Managing Secretary : Wm. C. Curtis, Tanpo Quay, Wanganui, New Zealand.
General Particulars : Mileage (3 ft. 6 in. gauge), 4 ; No. of locos., 3 ; coaching vehicles, 3 ; goods vehicles 40.

EMU BAY RAILWAY. (Tasmania.)
Head Office : 39, Queen Street, Melbourne ; Secretary, W. B. Arnold.
London Office: Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2 ; London Secretary, E. Habben.
Chief Officers at Burnie, Tasmania: Manager, J. Stirling; Assistant Manager, A. C. Kent; Chief Mechanical Engineer, A. B. Richardson.
General Particulars: Mileage (3 ft. 6 in. gauge), 104. No. of locos., 13 ; coaching vehicles, 12; goods vehicles, 157; passenger rail motors, 3.

JARRAH BELT RAILWAYS. (Western Australia.)
Owners : Millars Timber and Trading Company, Ltd.
Secretary : E. E. Bew, Pinners’ Hall, Great Winchester Street, E.C. 2.
Australian Offices : St. George’s House, Perth, Western Australia.
General Particulars : Yarloop line, 63 m. Mornington line, 44 m.; Jarrahdale and Rockingham line, 57 m. ; Wellington line, 17 m.; Marrinup line, 4 m.; Kirup line, 26 m.; Jarrahwoodline, 13 m.; Canning line, 15 m. Total mileage, 239. Gauge, 3 ft. 6 in. No. of locos., 25 ; wagons, 700.

MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
Secretary: W. Tait, 298-302, Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2.
Assistant Secretary : J. S. Lewis.
Consulting Engineer : W. C. Weight.
Chief Officer: General Manager, J. J. Poynton, Midland Junction, W.A.
Statistics: Year ending 30 June, 1931.—Gross Receipts, £176,728; Working Expenses, £84,593 ; Net Receipts, £92,135. Mileage (3 ft. 6 in. gauge), 277. No. of locos., 23 ; coaching vehicles. 23; goods vehicles, 459; brake vans, 13.

MOUNT DUNDAS AND ZEEHAN RAILWAY. (Tasmania.)
(Owned by Emu Bay Ry. Worked by the Tasmanian Government Rys.)
General Particulars: Mileage (3 ft. 6 in. gauge), 7|.

MOUNT LYELL MINING RAILWAYS. (Tasmania.)
Secretary : D. G. Lumsden, Collins House, Melbourne.
London Secretary : E. Habben, Palmerston House, E.C. 2.
Headquarters in Tasmania : Queenstown.
Chief Officers : General Mankger, R. M. Murray ; General Superintendent, A. H. P. Moline ; Engineer for Railways, Huntley J. Clarke ; Loco. Superintendent, H. G. Fanil.
General Particulars : Includes the Strahan-Regatta Point-Queenstown, and Linda-Gormanston- Kelly Basin lines. 41 m. of the former line is worked on the Abt rack-rail system. Mileage : 3 ft. 6 in. gauge (including rack section), 26; 2 ft. gauge (including | m. operated by cable), 17. No. of locos. 19; coaching vehicles, 19; goods vehicles, 330; motor-cars, 6.

NEW CALEDONIA STATE RAILWAYS.
(Noumea-Faita Line.)
General Particulars.—^Mileage (metre gauge) 21. No. of locos., 4; coaching vehicles, 6; goods vehicles, 30.
Manager: M. Godefroy, Noumea.

SILVERTON TRAMWAY. (New South Wales.)
Directors: Chairman, V. J. Saddler; T. B. Birkbeck, Rt. Hon. W. A. Watt, P.C.; Business Director, L. H. M. Avery.
Secretary: B. R. Gardiner.
Head Office : 314, Collins Street, Melbourne.
Chief Officers: Superintendent, S. J. Berry; Mechanical Engineer, N. R. Wilkinson; Accountant, A. G. Phillips.
Consulting Engineers in London: J. Coates & Co., 115, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W. X.
General Particulars: Mileage (3 ft. 6 in. gauge), 36. No. of locos., 20 ; coaching vehicles, IV ; goods vehicles, 850.

WOLGAN VALLEY RAILWAY. (New South Wales.)
(Newnefil Junction to Newnes.)
Owners : John Fell & Co., George Street, Sydney.
General Particulars : Mileage (4 ft. 8i in. gauge), 33. No. of locos. (Shay geared type) 4.

III. — NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS
Headquarters : Wellington.
Minister f Railways : Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes.
Government Railways Board : H. H. Sterling, Chairman, Sir J. H. Gunson, C.M.G., C.B.E.; D. Reese ; E. Newman, C.M.G. ; G. W. Reid.
General Manager : P. G. Roussell; Asst. General Manager, G. H. Mackley.
Chief Officers : Chief Engineer, E. Casey ; Asst. Chief Engineer, G. J. Bertinshaw; Traffic Superintendent, J. C. Schneider ; Comptroller of Stores, E. J. Guiness ; Chief Accountant, H. Valentine ; Superintendent of Workshops, E. T. Spidy ; Locomotive Superintendent, P. R. Angus ; Commercial Manager, D. Rodie ; Signal and Electrical Engineer, G. W. Wyles ; Controller, Refreshment Branch, F. Lindsay ; Publicity Manager, G. G. Stewart; Manager, Outdoor Advertising, W. Lee (Acting).
Agent in England : Sir Thomas Wilford, High Commissioner, 415, Strand, London, W.C.2. Consulting Engineer : R. J. Harvey.

General Particulars : Necessarily the North and South Island railways are operated as separate systems. South Island obtained its first railway, Christchurch to Lyttelton, 1863-7 ; while in North Island the first section opened was Auckland to Drury, 1867. Originally lines of both 4 ft. 8| in. and 5 ft. 3 in. gauge were built, but in 1869 the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge was decided upon, and earlier lines converted. Several lines were built by private enterprise with land-grant assistance. The New Zealand Midland Ry. was built by private enterprise, but taken over by the Government in May, 1895. In 1889 Railway Commissioners became responsible, though in 1894 control passed back to a Minister for Railways, with a General Manager as executive chief. In 1924 a Railway Board, composed of a Chairman and two members, became responsible, and then in 1928, the system again came under the administration of a General Manager. Under the Government Railways Amendment Act, 1931, the control and management of the railways were handed over to a Board of five members, of which one member was appointed Chairman. This Board assumed office in June, 1931. Owing to the mountainous character of much of the interior, the South Island railways are mostly along the coast, while severe gradients in both Islands are very frequent. The steepest is the Rimutaka incline (North Island) with three miles at 1 in 15, worked by Fell centre-rail locomotives.
The West and East Coast sections in the South Island are linked up between Otira and Arthur’s Pass by a tunnel 51 miles in length. The grade in the tunnel running from west to east is rising 1 in 33. Trains are worked through the tunnel by electrically operated engines.
The electrification of the Lyttelton-Christchurch portion of the South Island main line was completed on 14th February, 1929.
The three position and colour light signalling systems are in operation in various parts of the Dominion for an aggregate distance of 253 miles.
In order to counteract the heavy decline in short-distance passenger traffic, due to competition by privately owned motor-buses, some of the services have been purchased and are now operated by the Railway Department. The first to be taken over was a fleet of thirteen buses running between Napier and Hastings, which have been operated by this Department since November, 1926, others having been taken over since that date.
The Department has a total of 52 buses, operating services in the Wellington, Napier, Oamaru and Dunedin districts. A Railway Bus Manager with headquarters at Wellington controls these services.

Statistics : Year ended 31 March, 1931.—Capital Cost, £60,545,154 ; Total Earnings, £7,571,537 ; Total Expenditure, £6,882,810 ; Net Profit, £688,727. No. of passenger journeys, 22,813,708 ; Goods and livestock tonnage, 6,409,831; Mileage (3 ft. 6 in. gauge), 3,303 ; Train mileage, 11,281,898; Engine mileage, 15,618,776. No. of locomotives, 657 ; Rail cars, 5 ; coaching vehicles, 1,578 ; wagons and brake vans, 28,409.

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