52. Coal. Although the total amount of coal purchased during the year was 605 tons, an increase of 155 tons on the previous year, the actual consumption was only 350.65 tons. A reserve of suitable coal had to be obtained in the event of delay in delivery of the new diesel locomotives. The average price of coal was $132.37 per ton delivered to bunkers.
53. Light Fuel Diesel Oil. The price of diesel oil fell slightly in the course of the year. At the commencement of the year, it was $267.00 per ton delivered to Railway tanks, and after several reductions in price it remained at $256.00 per ton for the last seven months.
With the arrival of three new diesel locomotives, the consumption of diesel oil went up considerably, and the quantity purchased during the year was 1,603.71 tons compared with 765.06 tons for the previous year, an increase of 838.65 tons.
54. Furnace Oil. As in the case of diesel oil, the price of furnace oil also fell slightly from $177.00 to $158.00 per ton. The total quantity of furnace oil purchased was 270.099 tons, a decrease of 481.445 tons on the previous year.
The decrease in consumption of coal and furnace oil is shown in Appendices XI and XII.
55. Local Purchase and Government Stores. There was a decrease of $39,913.11 from last year's direct local purchases from firms, but an increase of $30,660.62 in purchases through Government Stores.
56. Crown Agents. Some fifty indents were forwarded to Crown Agents through Government Stores for materials, at an estimated cost of £19,300. Five of the above indents were for materials of United States origin, the cost of which was US$15,000.
Several indents were sent direct to Australia for diesel electric locomotive spare parts at a total cost of £A. 6,000.
In consequence of the change-over from steam to diesel electric traction, spare parts for steam locomotives costing over $100,000 in stock were sold at a loss of approximately $74,000.
STAFF
57. The establishment of the Railway as at 31st March, 1958 was as follows:
116 Pensionable Officers
429 Non-pensionable Officers
63 Daily Rated Staff
608
12