Worse furnished with Rolling Stock now than they were 13 years ago.

That is the year before the Commissioners took charge, and I again "repeat that it is they who are mainly responsible for the present position, for they it was who introduced the practices that have led to this deplorable result.

In 1888 we had One Engine to every 6½ (6.49) miles of railway.

In 1888 One Passenger Car to every 3½ (3.44) miles.

In 1888 Over 4½ (4.63) Trucks per mile.

In 1901 we have

1 Engine to every (7.25) miles.

1 Passenger Car to every 3¾ (3.67) miles.

5 Trucks (4.92) to every mile.

This is the real position after the Government alone claim to have expended £659,693—to say nothing of the £400,000 liability on new rolling stock. That such a state of things can exist is nothing short of amazing. It seems incredible that, after this vast expenditure our lines should be worse furnished with rolling stock than they were 13 years ago, and the question naturally arises, What has become of the money?

I now propose, gentlemen, to speak very briefly on the