MISCELLANEOUS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1898, Page 8

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Government has decided to proceed with the survey of the line of the NapierGisborne railway at once. Mr Hay, of the Public Works Department, is instructed to leave for Napier to begin the work. • The total value of the borough of New Plymouth, is assessed at £580,246, an increase of £270,254 since 1891. Objections were received to the value of 66 properties, but the total redactions allowed amounted to only £5,743.'

The rumour that the Government had arrived at an agreement with the Manawatu Railway Company for the purchase of their line, and that proposals on the subject would be submitted to Parliament, is officially and emphatically contradicted.

The Government have purchased the Starborough Estate (Marlborough), consisting of 33,000 acres of fine land, the property of the late Mr Beaumont who was drowned while journeying to Lyttelton. The price paid was £104,000. The property is to be cut up into small farms.

During the month of April 2,499 persons were employed in Government co-operative works, 1,575 by the Survey Department, 908 by the Public Works, and 16 on the Levin State Farm. During the same month the Labour Department assisted 166 persons, of whom 103 were married with 404 dependents.