Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/199

 4ft. 8½in. In the original construction the rails were carried on longitudinal concrete stringers, but in 1904 this method was changed to hardwood cross sleepers, 8ft. x 9in. x 4½in., 2,640 being used to the mile of track.

The first tracks were laid with 92lb. girder rails, but owing to these being found too light for a heavier type of car subsequently used, girder rails weighing 110lbs. per yard (116lbs. on curves) were substituted, in 1913, for all renewal and extension work.

Owing to the unstable nature of the ground in Queen Street, recurring trouble was experienced up to the year 1913, when a complete reconstruction was carried out and the tracks relaid on a pile foundation. Track to the extent of 5,541 square yards is paved with Neuchatel asphalt, 43,308 square yards with bituminous macadam, and the balance with water bound macadam.

The steepest grade is one in 8.77, and the sharpest curve has a radius of 53ft.

In March 1922, the tramways staff numbered 895, viz:—