The success of the New Zealand Railways Department in reducing expenditure in line with the fall in trade due to the present difficult economic conditions is well worthy of study. It indicates that this Department of State is functioning in a most efficient manner. One phase of this “efficiency campaign” is found in the Locomotive Department.—States the “Evening Post” (Wellington).

Two years ago, the mechanical engineering staff of the New Zealand railways undertook a complete survey of the available locomotive power, and as a result it was decided that the time had come when a comprehensive policy of replacement was essential if costs of operation were to be reduced.

It has to be remembered that locomotives have a maximum useful life, and after this life is reached the cost of maintenance increases out of all proportion to the service obtained. Apart from this factor, development is continually being made in design to forward efficiency in both boiler and engine.