ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the report of J. H. Smith special railway commissioner, upon the administration, organisation and working of the natal government railways. On leaving Natal en route for England he visited Johannesburg for the express purpose of enquiring into the working of the office established there by the Government to represent the interests of the Natal Railways. As regards the Main Line, is well ballasted with broken stone throughout, effectually drained and weeded, and for the greater part sufficiently fenced. The Richmond and Umzinto Branches he found in good order, and he was glad to see that the ballasting of both these branches was being systematically undertaken, to bring them up to a higher standard of efficiency. The Bluff Line, when relaid with the heaviest rails and well ballasted, should develop into an important Branch with the heavy coal traffic which should be dealt with at the Bluff in the future.
