CO885-(11-12) — Page 264

189

Commis-

Late Ag.

236

6. I propose to give a detailed examination of the Commissioners' figures for each Branch, though I may say I consider that the very short time which the Commissioners were able to give to this matter, so essentially technical in character, rendered the value of their observations in matters of detail at least open to doubt. An examination of the details will show large discrepancies.

7.

Permanent Way Branch.

Financial

9.

Traffic Control

237

Transportation or Traffic Branch.

Financial Commissioners'

Late

Ag. G.M.R.'s

Estimate,

Estimate.

G.M.R.'s present Estimate.

Ra.

Ra.

Rs.

24,690

38,337

44,000

Engine Staff

47,220

47,220

45,170

Overtime

10,000

16,200

11,000

Guards, etc.

27,649

29,810

26,980

Station Masters

33,974

38,013

39,745

G.M.R.'s

sioners'

Present Estimate.

Clerks

27,050

27,280

39,820

TI

Wages

44,810

44,810

59,801

Estimate.

Estimate.

Overtime Clerks

4,400

3,000

Ra.

RB.

Rs.

Wages

6,600

13,600

10,000

Salarice

25,558

37,800 Salaries

31,080

Wagea

116,754

116,764 Permanent Way-Wages

110,000

Rs.221,893

Rs.259,870

Rs.279,516

Materials, etc.

66,000

67,000

Materials

61,500

**

Overtime

Sidinga...

24,000

2,000 Overtime 24,000 Bridges, Buildings, etc. Vis

2,000

37,500

Sidings, Level Crossings,

Water Supplies, Signals, Roads, and Yards

36,230

Motor trollies, Stationery

and Miscellaneous

6,800

Ra.284,110

Rs.232,310 Rs.247,580

It would appear that the Commissioners omitted to provide for maintenance of buildings, bridges, level crossings, &c. I should also mention that new sleepers alone will require an annual ex- penditure of Rs.116,000 allowing for a 15 years' life, as soon as the supply of good second-hand sleepers from the demolished lines comes to an end, as it shortly will do.

It is quite impossible to supervise the Transportation Branch at a cost of Rs.24,690 as shown by the Commissioners. The necessary staff, allowing for the abolition of the Operating Superintendent's post of Rs.12,500 and replacing it by that of Traffic Superintendent at Rs.8,000 per annum, will cost Rs.44,000 per annum. A con- siderable number of Station Masters and Clerks have been dis- charged under Scheme "A and Station wages reduced, so that it is now possible to determine with certainty what further posts could be dispensed with, should the Railway be reduced to pro- vide a Goods service only. My estimate is based on the minimum present requirements having regard to the safety and efficient working of the line.

10.

"

Running Shed.

8.

FELIC

PECORD

π l l l l l l l l l

Is la de la li

Financial Commissioners'

Late Ag. G.M.R.'s

Mechanical Branch.

Estimate. Ra.

Estimate.

G.M.R.' present Estimate.

Financial Commissioners' Estimate. Rs.

Late Ag. G.M.R.'s Estimate.

G.M.R.'s present. Estimate.

Wages

Overtime Coal

88,950 9,100 150,000

Ra. 108,950

Rs.

65,995

14,100

150,000

8,200 135,000

Rs.

Rs.

Materials

32,800

37,800

44,000

23,140

25,860

29,070

83,320

113,320

92,240

Rs.280,860

Rs.310,850

Rs.253,195

103,509

103,509

65,665

14,000

Ra.209,969

Rs.242,689

Rs.200,975

OFFICE

Peference -

C.O.882/12

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. LONDONĮ

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE AT REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-| Acopyright PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Power

I think that this Branch is probably one concerning which the Commissioners would have had the greatest difficulty in gauging the situation. A large amount of unnecessary expenditure due to the employment of superfluous men, since discharged, was, during the Commissioners' visit, being incurred and all allowance for power appears to have been omitted. Pending the institution of Scheme B" the men are only working four days a week and the work at Plaine Lauzun is more advanced than it ever has been.

11.

Under this Head the Commissioners erred on the generous side. The figures I have given above are correct subject to the proviso that the price of coal owing to exchange, &c., does not rise unduly. General Charges.

Financial Commissioners' Estimate. Rs. 79,388 3,120

Salaries

Miscellaneous

Rs.82,508

10430

Rs. 99,837

Lale Ag. G.M.R.'s

Estimate.

G.M.R.' present Estimate.

Rs.

83,608 3,120

3,630

Rs.86,728

Rs.103,487

Q

Salaries

Wagee

Materials