Ta
178
and stacked on the wharf, because shed.
had no waggons to bring it over to the coal
The minimum number of waggons required is.
15-ton covered waggons 12-ton open waggons
100 47
In addition, I beg to recommend the purchase of 10 10-ton brake-vans for goods trains, as there are more goods trains running now, and we are short of brake-vans.
It is also very urgent that our engine power be increased. We are at present running on the North line engines introduced into the Colony when the railway was first opened nearly 40 years ago. These engines have become too weak for the work they have to do, and the result is frequent delay to the traffic. These North line engines have repeatedly been patched up, and if not "scrapped" will have to under- go, in a year or two, extensive repairs and be re-boilered, without making the engines much better and it is the best course to spend a little more and purchase new engines.
I suggest that three six-wheel coupled sixteen-inch engines be ordered to be here in time for the next crop.
The total expenditure to be incurred to put the railway on a proper footing to cope with the goods traffic next year will thus be:
3 engines at Rs. 35,000
17 open waggons at Rs. 2,750
100 covered waggons at Rs. 3,500
10 brake-vans at Rs. 2,000
Rs. 105,000
129,250
350,000
20,000
179
the
crop of the present year, provided a complete night service of goods trains is organised.
The Governor still hopes this may be done, but, in the meanwhile, His Excel- lency has telegraphed for 25 additional cane waggons. These waggons can hardly arrive much before November, and as only three waggons can be put together in a week, it would be useless to order a greater number. For it is obvious that whilst some of the 25 waggons now ordered may be of service for the coming crop, any larger number could not be completed in time to be of any service at all."
There is, moreover, another point to be considered. It seems to be impossible that the additional trains which it would be necessary to establish to employ 200 extia waggons could be run by day without seriously interfering with, or being interfered with, by the passenger traffic.
It is evidently necessary, therefore, to have recourse to the system adopted else- where, of running goods trains largely, or even mainly, by night.
The Governor considers that it would be well for the General Manager of Rail- ways to consult with the Dock Companies and the representatives of the sugar estates with a view to arranging plans and making preparations for as complete a night service as possible during the crop.
June 1, 1903.
Annexure IV.
A.
GRAHAM BOWER,
Colonial Secretary.
PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
8
Total
Rs. 604,250
The expenditure will no doubt appear large, but if it is considered that in 1898, the average goods tonnage carried was 280,000 tons a year, and the average goods revenue Rs. 750,000, while last year the figures were 375,077 tons and Rs. 923,144, or roughly speaking, 30 per cent. more, and that this year the tonnage will be 450,000 tons and the revenue Rs. 1,000,000 at least, I think that it is clear that in order to meet this large increase, a corresponding increase in the carrying capacity of the railway should be authorised. The increase of rolling-stock is the more necessary that new lines have been and are being opened. No new waggons were ordered for the Montagne Longue and Black River Railways, and if these lines yield anything like the traffic anticipated, it is evident that they will give employment to a good many new waggons.
To conclude, I earnestly beg that His Excellency the Governor may be pleased to favourably entertain this application. It is, I consider, of vital importance for the railway and for the Colony that an adequate rolling-stock be supplied, and it is only because I am convinced that the expenditure is absolutely necessary and urgent that I venture to ask His Excellency to sanction it.
October 6, 1903.
L. EMILE PITOT,
General Manager.
Amount paid for rails, sleepers and other permanent-way material from 1st July, 1902, to 30th June, 1903, amounts to Rs. 379,242.71.
B.
L. E. PITOT,
General Manager.
STATEMENT of Expenditure for Locomotive and Carriage Branches from 1st July, 1902, up to the 30th June, 1903.
Expenditure for material for repairs Locomotive Branch in
England Expenditure for material for repairs Locomotive Branch in the
Colony
Rs. 46,867.68
Expenditure for material for repairs Carriage Branch in England Expenditure for material for repairs Carriage Branch in the
Colony
3,588.48 43,917.16
28,229.88
Rolling-Stock.
Four new locomotives (Part payment for) 50 high-sided four wheels waggons of 12 tons.
Total cost, approximately, Rs. 137,500.
176,361.12
98,681.92
Total
Rs. 397,646.24
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Z 2
Annexure III.
MINUTE FROM THE HONOURABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE RAILWAY BOARD. The resolution of the Railway Board, passed at a meeting held on the 29th ultimo, advising that 200 waggons be immediately ordered by telegram was received and considered by the Governor in Executive Council on that day.
It appears that since the large crop of 1899, a crop which amounted to over 185,000 tons, which may be taken as an approximate estimate for the coming crop, 62 waggons have been received by the railway, namely, 50 12-ton cane waggons and 12 30-ton bogie covered waggons; in addition 50 waggons are under order and will be received in June and July. This makes 112 additional waggons received since the year of the record crop.
The large crop of 1899 was carried and it has been hoped that with the additional waggons since received or shortly expected it would be possible to carry
Locomotive Office,
October 3, 1903.
J. G. WATSON, Locomotive Superintendent.
N.B. Besides the 50 above referred to, 33 more 12-ton high-sided open waggons have been requisitioned for in July, 1903, and 25 have been received.
L. E. P.
19237