Series of disaggregated capital formation in the New Zealand public sector prior to 1950 remain scarce despite thirty years having passed since the series for the period 1871–1900 were compiled by J.A. Dowie. Even within his series there can be problems utilizing the estimates because of the aggregated nature of some outlay categories. The capital stock series are more deficient, reflecting methodological problems with the preparation of such series from capital formation data. Using the Dowie series as a point of reference this article focusses on one important area of public capital stock, transport infrastructure. The resulting estimates allow some exploration of public policies in respect of the provision of transport infrastructure.