34 



single specimen ; and a lucrative trade was driven in manufactiii'ed 

 specimens for a short time in France, until the swindle was discovered. 



3. Ml". Crawford read a paper throwing ont suggestions as to the 

 advisability of using india-rubber tires on wooden tramways. The idea 

 suggested itself to him by reading in the news by last mail, that one of 

 the road traction engines at home had run over carrots and turnips 

 without crushing them. As the use of india-iaibber tires is general in 

 road steamers, he thought the subject worthy of consideration. If we 

 could, by means of elastic tires, effect economy, and retain a fair rate of 

 speed, we might be enabled to dispense with iron rails. 



Mr. George thought that from the market value of india-rubber, the 

 suggestion, although worthy of consideration, would be expensive if 

 acted on. 



Mr. E,. Phai'azyn said it had been found in practice that the india- 

 rubber wore too quickly, that the tires became soon abraded, and had 

 led to the practice lately of covering the tires with small bars of steel. 



Mr. Gillies said his experience had led him to a quite contrary view. 

 So far from the india-rubber wearing away lupidly, it had been found to 

 last in a remarkable manner. He had caiised enquiries to be made 

 before importing one of these engines for the Province of Auckland, and 

 heard that one had been in constant use for six months on a granite 

 metalled road, and after that wear and tear there was still observable on 

 the tire the name of a workman, which had apparantly been cut with a 

 knife or something of that sort. 



Several speakers were of opinion that india-rubber tires did not wear 

 out at all rapidly, and had been originally introduced to prevent vibration, 

 which was found to have a destructive effect on the engines ; while 

 another thought india-rubber was used not so much to prevent vibration 

 in the vehicle, as it was to preserve the road, as traction engines had 

 been found so destructive to macadamized roads, as to lead almost to 

 their prohibition. A thii-d was of opinion that india-rubber tires had 

 become unpopular at home because they were positively dangerous, the 

 engines passing along almost noiselessly, are often on top of a heedless 

 traveller before he is aware of it. But all were of opinion that india- 

 rubber would be found a most expensive addition to rolling stock. 



Some interesting information relative to the Southland (Invercargill 

 and Oreti) railway was given by Mr. Hamilton. The rails on that line 

 were originally of timber, being planks eight inches square and twelve 

 feet long. They were well supported by sleepers. But it was found 

 that the wood warped so much through the effects of sun and weather, 



