20
88. Government Stores. Purchases from Government Stores have decreased. This is due to the fact that last year's figures include a three-monthly trial period when all local stores were purchased from Government Stores. However, stores have been purchased from this source whenever possible provided that the price was cheaper than purchasing from the Railway's contractors. Debits, too, have arrived much more promptly, and it can be said that the present procedure for the procurement of stores from the Government depot is better than it has been for some time, due to the closer co-operation between the two depart- ments.
89. Crown Agents. Purchases from Crown Agents show a considerable increase on last year, owing to the arrival of more permanent way materials and machines for the locomotive workshops, most of which were ordered in 1946. ing list shows the principal items received approximate cost.
Mechanical Engineer's Department.
The follow-
and and their
Air Brake Spares
$ 13,650
Air Compressors
5,500
Bandsawing Machine
4,200
Cupola
10,400
Electro-Pneumatic Hammer, 20 cwt.
63,800
Furnace
15,050
Gear Hobbing Machine
47,600
Grinding Machine, vertical
35,500
Grinding Machine
62,650
Horizontal Boring Machine
107,800
Hydraulic Wheel Press
87,250
Lathe, 81" X 9' (2 nos.)
23,600
""
91" X 10'
15,450
121" × 12
33,550
""
221" X 181
44,450
Wheel, 7'
212,050
""
Planing Machine
43,150
Pneumatic Sand Sifter
2,750
Radial Drilling & Boring Machine
16,700
Sand & Loam Mill
5,400
Turntable
173,850
Wood Trimmer
1,050
Permanent Way Materials
Dogspikes
34,850
Fishbolts & Nuts
14,750
Rails (4,222 lengths)
943,950
Switches & Crossings
161,100