PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 268, 9 November 1907, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

VOTES TOTAL £2,106,851.

RAILWAY APPROPRIATIONS £775,000.

£5000 TOWARDS AUCKLAND'S NEW POST OFFICE. PENROSE DUPLICATION, £60,000. GOLDFIELDS DEVELOPMENT, £33,000. tßj; Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Sir J. G. Ward, Acting-Minister for Public Works, presented the Public Works Statement in the House to-night. After a reference to the illness of Mr. Hall-Jones, he said: —The year that I have to review has been one of marked progress. The total expenditure on all works and services borne upon the Public Works Estimates amounted to no less than £ 2.205,605, or, if we exclude special accounts havtng their own ways and means and take into consideration only actual charges against the Public Works Fund, the total amounted to £2,040.319, which is the largest expenditure on such works for many years past. A very large amount of work has been accomplished, and my task this evening is to give an account of the same in as brief a manner as possible. TOTAL EXPENDITURE. The following figures show as regard 3 each, class of work the expenditure for the late financial year: —Railways: New construction expenditure, £919,730; additions to open lines, £308.150; utilisation of waterpower, £4664; roads, £347,470; public buildings, £227,025; immigration, £14,353; purchase of native lands, £9135; lighthouses, harbour works, and harbour defences, £74,504; tourist and health resorts, £42,272; telegraph extension, £114,068; development of goldfields, £11.064; defence isrorks (general), £14,874; departmental, i£ 16,710; payment to Midland Railway bondholders. £150,000; minor works and services, £6300. WAYS AND -MEANS. 'At March 31, 1906, the available balance of ways and means for Public Works purposes was £492,295, and further funds were received as under: —Bal-; ance of £1.000,000 raised under the Loan Act oi 1905. £182,056; amount raised under the Act of 1906, £943,600; premiums Teceivea on sales and "renewals of. debentures, £15,534; transferred from revenues, £775,000; miscellaneous receipts. £ 1560; making a gross total of £2.410,375. The ordinary expenditure of the year amounted to £2,040,319, and charges and expenses in connection with financing amounted to £10,659, thus bringing the total disbursements up to £2.050.978, leaving a credit balance at the end of the year of £359,400. For the current year it is proposed to provide additional funds as follows: —Balance of 1906 loan, £56,400; new loan of 1907, £1,000.000; transfer from Consolidated Fund, £SOO,OOO. This will give a total available way 3 and means of £2,215,800. The estimated expenditure for Public Works for the current year, excluding separate accounts having their own ways and means, amounts to £2,106,951, thus leaving a balance of £ 105.849 to be carlied forward to nest year.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. The late financial year was the most active as regards railway works of any year during , the last quarter of a century. On new construction alone £919,----730 was expended. In addition to this, the Railway Department's outlay on improvement works amounted to £426,065, additions to open lines £305,150, Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Account ,£35.955, Railways Improvement Authorisation Act Account £81,957, thus bringing up the gross total expenditure on railway works for the year to the very large sum of £1,345,795. Numerous requests have been made during the present session for new works to be started, or for works in hand to be proceeded with at an accelerated speed. In view of the present large disbursement the Government have been compelled to adopt a cautious policy of expenditure.

NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

During the year, including the value of permanent way materials, the expenditure on the line aomunted to over £400.000. For the current year a vote of £330,000 is proposed. Next year ■will see the completion of this great work, and a very large expenditure will cease, and the money be available for other purposes. Since the last Public Works Statement was brought down 50 males of railway have been completed and opened for traffic. Rails have been laid and ballast trains are running on an additional SO miles. A large amount of work was carried out on this railway during the year, the expenditure having greatly exceeded that of any previous year since the works commenced. At the north end the railhead has advanced to the top of the spiral, two miles and a-half beyond Baurimu, and 201 miles from Auckland, and rail-laying is now in hand southwards of that point. Formation works beyond the spiral are well advanced, so that rail-laying as far as "Wairp.arino and Makatote will probably proceed without interruption. A great deal of work has been done at Makatote

viaduct, but the structure is still far from completion. The contract thne expired on June 15 last, but it is unlikely that the viaduct will be ready for rails to'be laid over it until March next. The concrete piers and abutments of the Manganuioteao and Mangaturuturu viaducts further along the line have already been constructed, and the Department is awaiting the erection of the superstructures. Messrs. Anderson's contract time for these works expires in February next, but it seems unlikely at present that they will be completed by that date. The rails will easily reach Makatote by March, that is, if the viaduct is completed, and then rail-laying will be carried on at Manganuioteao. As soon as the latter viaduct is ready the rails can be continued to Mangaturuturu. At the south end of the line the section from Taihape to Mataroa, six miles in length, was handed over to the Railway Department for regular working in June last. The section between Mataroa and Waiouru, 18* miles, is nearly completed, and a ballast train has been running on it for some time. It will be ready to hand over to the Department at Christmas. The section from Waiouru to Rangataua, has been used for goods traffic since May last. The rails now extend to Ohakune, three miles further, and as far as Hapuawhenua viaduct, another two miles, making altogether an advance in the position of the railhead at the south end of the line during the year of 26 miles. The first three miles beyond Waiuru, however, is a temporary line; the permanent line along this section embraces some heavy earthworks. It is well in hand, and .is expected to be ready for plate-laying in the course of a few months. When ■the rails are laid on this section and ballasting completed the whole . line in Ohakune will be handed over for regulax traffic. Ballast trains between Taumarunui and Raurimu) and between Mataroa and Rangiita.ua, have been carrying passengers for some time, and running- at the southern end has now been extended to Ohakune. It is also proposed to shortly commence the issue of through tickets between Auckland and Wglling ton. The gap between the railheads is now only 24 miles, and over this length a coach service has been established on a good metalled road constructed by the Department in conjunction with the railway works. By Christmas I expect to be able to arrange to carry passengers at the north end as far as Waimarino, which will reduce the coach service to 18 miles'; by March, 1908, to Makatote, which will further reduce the gap to 11 miles. The last link in the chain -will stiU take some little time to complete, as the 11 miles , section embraces three viaducts, four large bridges, one tunnel, besides other heavy works. Two of these viaducts are being carried out by the Department's own workmen. That over the Toanui is nearly completed, and Hapuawhenua (which is the longest viaduct on the line) is well in' hand, but at present is only in the foundation stage, though much of the steel works is already manufactured at the Department's workshops at Mangaonoho, and a , start with its erection will probably be' made during the present month. All the work is progressing satisfactorily, and with favourable weather conditions I confidently expect that the rails wilt he connected between Auckland and Wellington not later than Christmas, 190S, as previously predicted. The expenditure on the railway last year, exclusive of permanent way materials, was £362,101, and for the current year an appropriation of £330,000-is proposed. KAWAKAWA—GRAHAMTOWN.'

Work on this railway has been in progTess in three places, viz.,. extensions from Kawakawa south, and from Hukerenui northwards, and from Whangarei . to Grahamtown. The early closing of _the gap between Kawakawa and Hukerenui is very desirable, not only in the interests of settlers and to secure the thorough opening up of the district, but also from a railway point" of view. It will be more satisfactory and alsi 'more economical to work the line as one undivided section than as at present, with different sections several miles apart. The number of men employed on the section northwards of Hnkerenui accordingly has been increased. The expenditure on the line last year amounted to £ 10,624, and the vote proposed for the current year is £15,000. HELENSVILLE NORTHWARDS. The work done on this line last year constituted quite a record, the expenditure, including permanent way materials, having amounted to £46,004. The section between Kaipara Flats and Tauhoa was completed and handed over to the Railway Department for regular working on June 11 last. The next section, to Wayby, is already in use for both passengers md goods traffic connection. Ballasting the formation work on the further section to Wellsford is well in hand, and is progressing satisfactorily and a new section extending to Te Hana is just being started. Beyond Te Hana, a survey party is at work locating the railway towards Maungaturoto and the line has already been pegged over 10 miles. The location of this section has given rise to a good deal of local eontroversay, a considerable section of the settlers desiring the westerly diversion of the route so as to carry it across the Otamatea River, near Young's Point, through the Bickerstaffe Estate. The officers of the Department in the Auckland district advised a more central route, but in deference to ."the strongly expressed wishes of the settlers the then Engineer-in-Chief (Mr W. H. Hales) made a special visit to the locality in December, 1905, and went personally over both routes. He reported after due inquiry and full consideration that the central route, via Te Hana, Topuni bridge, Kaiwaka and Mount Pukekaroro was the best. Such a route would leave North Albertland, Te Arai, Hakaru, and Mangawai on the east, and I Port Albert, Wharehine and Otamatea [on the west., and would almost equally divide the country and bring the various settlements on both sides of the line within practicable distance of the railway. This report did not seem to settle the matter to the minds of many settlers, as the agitation for a change of route still continued, and in May last the newlyappointed Engineer-in-Chief (Mr L. W. Holmes) was sent to the locality to personally look into the matter. Mr Holmes went carefully over the whole route in company with Mr Vickerman, the district engineer. He entirely supports the view taken by Mr Hales. Mr Holmes points out that immediately northwards of Maungaturoto there is a ridge several hundred feet in height, which the line must cross, and to do this with the greatest ease it is necessary to keep at a good elevation. This object is secured by locating it as proposed, viz., through Kaiwaka, close to Mount Pukekaroro. To divert the line via Bickerstaffe would entail the railway crossing navigable water, close to Maungaturotd, and would locate it in a basin, from which the only outlet would he by a long tunnel. As all engineering authorities agree that the central route is the most direct and the bestj-itias been finally decided to adopt

that route. It will be quite- possible to connect-this route with the navigable waters of the Kaipara Harbour, namtly, Te Hana, Topuni bridge, and Kaiwaka. The vote proposed for the HelensviHe Northwards railway for the current year is £40,000. MAMAKU-TAURANGA. The proposed trial survey for this railway has been in hand during the year, and field work between Mamaku and Te Puke has been completed, but the report and plans are not yet to hand. As soon as these have been prepared, the survey will be extended to Tauranga, as promised. WAIHI-TAURANGA. Strong representations have been made to the Government regarding an alternative line to Tauranga from Waihi, and as there'is-a.good deal to be said in favour of this Toute I have decided to have a trial sußvey made, so that a comparison can be made' with, the route via Mamaku and Te Puke. ' gisborne-b.ot.ok.ua. The section between Te Karaka and Puha, about two miles in length, was opened for traffic in May last. A further section 'to Waikohu is well in hand, and a tender for the Waikohu bridges has been accepted. The permanent survey of the line, is finished for another three miles and a-half, or as rfar as the 27th mile peg. From that point, going tc- the summit at Rakauroa, a distance of 14 miles, the location is not free from, difficulty. -Two trial lines have been run over this distance. The first, with gradients not steeper than one hi 50, has had. to be abandoned, on the ground ot expense, and the second, with grades up to one in 35 in places, is now under consideration. It is probable that a practicable line at a moderate cost will be obtained on the steepef gradient. From Rakauroa to Motu township, a further distance of 14 miles, the country is of a much easier character. The expenditure on this railway last year amounted to £18,428, and for the current year a vote of £20,000 is proposed. NEW PLYMOUTH-SENTRY HILL DEVIATION. The deviation of the New PlymouthSentry Hill line commences near the Waikakaiho bridge, and extends to New Plymouth station, covering a distance of about a mile and three-quarters. The work has been undertaken with a view to reducing the grades of the existing route; some of which are as steep as one in 40, and also for the purpose of avoiding the numerous level crossings at present existing, more particularly that at Devon-street, which is the main thoroughfare of town. The new line is approaching completion, and will be ready for traffic at an early- date. The expenditure last year amounted to £ 24£43. The proposed vote for the present'year is £1500."

STRATFORD-ONGARUE. The Stratford-Ongarue section as far as Huiroa, nearly 16 miles from Stratford, is nearing completion, and will shortly be available for traffic, and a commencement has been made w.th the Tewera section. The new section is an important one, as "it will bring the line into touch Arith the main road from Whangamomqna, and will thus be the means of drawing largely increased traffic' to the railway. Petitions have been presented to Parliament praying for a commencement to be made with the works at the-Ongarue end of this line, and on the'completfidh of the NortlTTaland Main Trunk, railway (from which this would really" be a branch line) it would probably be convenient to commence this work. . Before this can be done it will be necessary to have surveys made and definitely determine the point on the main line that will best serve as a junction station and exactly define the route of the first -few miles of the branch line, which has not been definitely fixed at present. It is possible that Puketutu, in the Mokau Valley, may prove a better point for the junction. 1 propose to put the necessary surveys in hand to determine the question as soon, as a suitable officer >is at liberty. The expenditure on the Stratford-Ongarue railway during the financial year was £12,881. A vote of £20,000 is proposed for this year.

MOUNT EGMONT BRANCH. The works of this railway up to and including the crushing etation are nearing completion. It is expected that a portion of the line, will be handed over to the Railway Department and the regular crushing of the stone commenced by Christmas next. The expenditure has been £ 17.255, aud a vote of £ 15,000 is proposed.

OTHER RAILWAY WORKS. The amount expended on additions to open lines during the year was £ 308,150. The bulk of this, expeuditure was on.; rolling stock, and the remainder on essential works. To enable the Railway Department to deal efficiently with its business for the current' year, a vote of £350.000 is required under thi3 head. Coslderabls progress has been made in connection with the Hutt railway and road improvement. The line has already been duplicated for about four miles, extending from the Lower Hutt to Paparangi Point. The vote proposed for the current year is £70,000. Under the Railways Improvement Authorisation' Act, 1904, work has been carried out between Auckland and Penrose, Addington and Rolleston, and Dunedin and Mosgiel. In conjunction with, the first-named work, provision . has been made for thesubstitution of .bridges in place of level crossings over all,public Toads, and also for the re-construction of the Parnell oridge, whibc has been designed to cross the road in one span, instead of three, as formerly; The duplication is making good progress* and,' with the exception, perhaps, of the Parnell bridge, will be! nearly completed by the end of the financial year. The total expenditure under the Railways Improvement Authorisation Act Account rast year amounted to £81,957.. For the curren year provision has been made oin the Estimates to the extent of £200,000, namely,- AucklandPenrose ■ £60.000. Addington-Rollcston £ 40,000, and Dunedin-Mosgiel £ 100,000. WELLINGTON-MANAWATU RAILWAY. As the North Island Main Trunk line is expected to be completed by the end of next year, it is desirable that the question of the purchase of the Welling-ton-Manawatu railway should again re-ceive-attention, as if it is decided" Co purchase it in the terms of the Railways Construction and Land Act, ISSI. it will j be necessary to give 12 months' notice [ to the company. Such notice should therefore be given at an early date if it is to mature before the Main Trunk line is finished. Haying given the matter very careful consideration, the Government has decided to at once give notice to the company of its intention to take over the railway in 12 months' time. OTAGO CENTRAL. The section between Chatto Greek and Alexandra was opened for public traffic in December, and -the further section, to

Clyde in April last. On the coriipletiori of the line to Clyde construction works were discontinued, and it is not proposed to take any further section of this line in hand at present. The expenditure on the Otago- Central railway last year amounted to £ 38,274, which, with the value ,j of * the 'permanent way materials issued,'brings the gross total expenditureon the .line.up to "£1.270,918. For the current year a vote of £10,000 is required to meet expenditure since April 1 last and a few small liabilities at present existing. MIDLAND. '.. The* expenditure on the Midland railway .during .'the late" financial year amounted to' £ 129,649. The amount was especially large In consequence of the efforts made to complete the line to Broken River. For the current year a vote of £60,000 will be needed. TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS. Tbe total proposed appropriation for railway construction purposes (exclusive of the Waikaka Branch Railway Account) is £775,000. This is less than last year's vote, but is still a very substantial sum, and its expenditure will add materially to our existing railway facilities. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. The following table shows the amounts expended on railways during the year 1906-7, and the amounts al- j located for the year 1907-8:— NORTH ISLAND. ,

AGRICULTURE. The work done under this head last year was small. The expenditure was principally in connection with the buildings at the pathological laboratory at Wallaceville and a residence at Hamilton for the inspector of stock. A fruitfumigating shed at Wellington, an office at Balclutha, and a dairy produce-grad-ing store at the. Bluff was also erected. For the current year a vote of £3000 is proposed to- provide additional buildings at the experimental farms at Ruakura, Arataki, and Weraroa, accommodation for cadets at Ruakura, and also some further buildings at Wallaceville. Provision is also made, for residences for 'the inspectors of stock at Te Kuiti, Te Puia,. Gisborne, Waipukurau, and Seddon, and for offices at Gisborne, Wairoa, New Plymouth and Palmerston North, and additions to the offices in Auckland. IRRIGATION. On the Estimates provision is made for a vote of £3000 (on account of £100,000 proposed to be provided for the.purposej for irrigationand.water-supply in agricultural and mining districts. The vote is primarily for the purpose of assisting in opening up and developing fresh lands for settlement in arid territory. The appropriation is included in the "lands improvement" class, and the work will "be'under -the coritrST of the "Minister for Lands. Some preliminary work, in the shape of explorations and surveys has already been done, but during the approaching summer season it is hoped to proceed with actual construction operations. ROADS, BRIDGES, ETC.' Now, to refer to the important question of roads, including bridges and other works," essential to their proper construction and maintenance. In view of the great necessity for roads and 'their maintenance, both in new and recently settled lands it is proposed to provide as large a sum as possible this year. The total net expenditure for the late year by the Roads Department upon road works, etc., was £415,037. The work was Bomewhat restricted owing to labour being scarce, and to most of it being in places remote from supplies and civilisation, which renders the life of the labourers more arduous than on" similar woik' more conveniently situated. Therefore, as other work was plentiful, it was very difficult to obtain labour for the back blocks. The work done during the year was as under: — Dray roads made, 637; miles of dray roads maintained, 2722; miles of bridle roads made, 512; miles of bridle roads maintained, 1891; miles of engineering surveys made 612J; miles of dray bridges built, over 30ft span, 17,800 lineal feet. The average number of men employed during the year on road works was 2392. The appropriations proposed for the current year are as follows:—Departmental roads, £20,850; roads generally, £"390,238; tourist roads, £27,463; Loans to Local Bodies Account, £50,000; total, £485,551. This amount is, of course, in addition to the £25,000 voted for the maintenance of roads on the Consolidated Fund Estimates. TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. The expenditure last year was £42,271. The new bath buildings at Rotorua absorbed £ 10,508, and the water supply works at the same place £14,776. During the year the installation of electric light in the Department's premises, in the baths and domain at Te Aroha, was completed, and a start was made with bringing in the new water supply at Hanmer, The accommodation house, land, etc., at the foot of Lake Te Anau were purchased during the year. The addition to the sleeping-room at the Hermitage. Mount Cook, was finished in time 'for last season's traffic. In consecjuenee, the receipts increased by 50 per cent, over the previous year. The main building is rapidly falling to pieces, and it is proposed to re-erect it in stone, the latter material being very plentiful, at a cost of between £8,000 "and £9,000, and you are being asked for a vote on this account. The electric light plant at Rotorua has been overtaxed for some time, and tenders are being called for the necessary additions. The estimates for the current year include £20,000 for new bath buildings at Rotorua, £4,000 for, Rotorua drainage, and £9,000 for Rotorua waterworks, which sums should complete these undertakings. Provision is also made for needed improvements at Te Aroha, Whakarewarewa, Hanmer, i and Mount Cook, and for the cost of the Tepuia Hot Springs accommodation house, which was recently acquired. The gross authorisation asked for»is £61,233, on account of which a vote of £32,000 is proposed. MENTAL HOSPITALS. Tlie proposed vote for the current year provides for improvements in the laundry and for a medical superintendent's house at Auckland, for an addition to the annexe at Porirua, for a new engineroom, boiler, and workshop, also

new bathrooms and other improvements, at Christchurch, for a dormitory annexe and other additions at Seacliff, for an extension of farm buildings at Waitati, and for necessary additions to the Camp buildings. It also provides for going on with the Wolfle Bequest Home, at Auckland, and for additions to the Home for Defectives at Richmond. SCHOOLS. The total expenditure on school buildings during last year was £195 3 835, of ■which £86,376 was debited to revenue and £ 109,459 to the Public Works Fund. For the current year, in addition to the vote under the Consolidated Fund, an appropriation of £100,000 is asked for out of the Public Works Fund, to provide for school buildings generally, also buildings for' native and industrial schools, reformatories, home for defectives, the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Auckland, and the. School for Deaf Mutes, also grants for providing technical schools and training colleges, and for buildings for the Victoria College and for 10 secondary schools. UTILISATION OF WATER POWER. Reference is made to the various schemes submitted for the utilisation of water power, and the report continues: —As soon, however, as the expenditure on the North Island Main Trunk railway ceases, and tlie demands on the Public Works Fund generally are less pressing, it would doubtless be advantageous to take action in the matter of developing one or more of the most promising of the schemes outlined. In the meantime it is proposed to lease some of the water power available for actual use by private enterprise. At) amount of £4664 was expended out of last year's vote, and for the current year an appropriation of £2000 is proposed. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The total expenditure on public buildings out of the votes controlled by the Minister for Public Works amounted during last financial year to £259,631, namely, £32,713 under the Consolidated Fund and £226.D1S under the Public Works Fund. This is in excess by over £70,000 of the previous year' 3 figures, and by over £100,000 of the figures for 1904-5. For the current year votes totalling £39.007 under the Consolidated Fund and £251,800 under the Public Works Fund are proposed. This is in addition to the substantial provision for school buildings under the Consolidated Fund in the votes under the control of the Minister for Education. GENERAL. The buildings under tlifc head are increasing. During 1905-6 the expenditure amounted to £2303 only, whereas last year £15.263 was expended, and for the current year a vote of £30,000 is proposed. The principal items provided for in the proposed vote are the additions to Parliament Buildings and to the Departmental Buildings in Auckland and Wellington, offices for the Geological and Health Departments in Wellington, and for other Departments at Westport, Grcymouth, etc. HOSPITALS. Under.tlie- head of general hospitals there was an expenditure of £ 10,259 for hew buildings and improvements. The vote for the current year is, to a large extent, a revote of the unexpended balances on last year's appropriations, but provides also for further; additions at Rawene, Coromandel, and Hokitika, also for the St. Helens Hospital at Wellington and the_ purchase of a property for a similar hospital at Dunedin and for a small new hospital for emergency cases at Te Aroha, also for wards for special cases at each of the four centres. PUBLIC HEALTH. The vote for the current year provides for a new wharf at the quarantine station at Auckland, for completing the wharf at the similar station at Wellington, and for some other necessary work at the quarantine stations at Lyttelton and the Bluff. A considerable vote is also proposed under the head of subsidies to local authorities on the cost of erecting infectious diseases hospitals and sanatoria and annexes for consumptives.". •'. •'_. . ROADS ON GOLDFIELDS. The expenditure last year under this head was £38,970. The sum proposed to be authorised for the current year is £77621, on account of which a vote of £41,000 is proposed. It would perhaps be as well to summarise the total of the proposed appropriations for road works:—Roads Department, .under Public Works Estimates, £455,551; Roads Department, under Consolidated Fund, £25,000; Mines Department, £41,000? gross total proposed, £554,551.

DEVELOPMENT OF GOLDFIELDS. AND MINING. The importance of the mining industry to the Dominion may be gauged from the fact that the value of the precious metals and minerals produced during the past year amounted to £3,871,811, being an increase of £249,025 compared with 1905. The export of gold was the highest for a period of 35 years, and silver showed a corresponding increase. During the past year 563,8430z of gold, valued at £2,270.904, was exported, and 1.390,5360z of silver, valued at £143,----572 —these two items showing an increase of £199,998 compared with the preceding year. The output of coal also shows the substantial increase of 143,780 tons over that of J 905. The amount expended in the last financial year on works for the development of goldfields was £11,065. It is proposed to take a vote of £33,000 for the current year. Under this heading will be inchided subsidies towards assisting deep level developments at Ross and Thames. These works, which arc of great importance, will shortly be put in hand. Boring for petroleum still continues near New Plymouth, and near Lake Brunner, on the West Coast. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. During the financial year £114,068 was oxpendud on telegraph and telephone extensions. New lines erected and under erection totalled no les3 than 251 miles, and telegraph offices were opened at 14(5 townships, while 2070 new subscribers were added to the telephone exchange system. The sum asked for this year is £105,000. This includes £75,110 of liabilities, principally for material under order. LIGHTHOUSES, HARBOUR WORKS. AND HARBOUR DEFENCES. Considerable repairs to the Ponui Passage lighthouse tower have been carried out, and a new flagstaff has been erected at Cape Campbell. The cost of these works has been defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund. For the current year a vote of £2100 is proposed under the Public Works Fund. This includes provision for a lighthouse on Tuahine Point, near Gisborne, for fog signals, -which have been ordered, for Godley Head and Cuvier Island, for the connection of some of the lighthouses with the telegraph system, and for a new dwellinghouse at Nugget Point. The expenditure last year on harbour works amounted to £2963. For the current year it is proposed to renew several of last year's

votes, which were unexpended,, and to provide among others for the following in addition: —Removal of rocks at Kaipara .Harbour,, wharves at Tangiteroria (Kaipara), Whangamata, Uretara (Bay of Plenty),'Matata, Omofcorpa, and Okarito, landing slip, etc., at Nugget Bay, deepening channels at Ngunguru and Awhitu, Okuru and Freshwater River improvements, and Waipu River protection. Provision is also made for the acquisition of-the Tata Islands as a harbour of refuge, for completing the survey at Point Elizabeth, and for obtaining a suitable sand-pump dredge for use in the smaller harbours. . Under the head of harbour defences, the expenditure was small, having amounted to £1541 only. A vote of £5000 is proposed for the current year. GROSS TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS. In addition to the votes already mentioned, the Estimates include the following charges:—Public Works Departmental, £21,000; immigration, £10,000; purchase of native lands, £7000; rates on native lands, £1000; contingent defence, £10,000; and lands improvement, £ 17.500, thus bringing the total amount of the proposed appropriations up to £2,106,951, against £2,352,789 last year. I should perhaps mention, as regards the vote for contingent defence, that certain items which were previously charged against the capital account have been removed from the Public Works Fund, with a view to their being provided for on the Supplementary Estimates of the Consolidated Fund. CONCLUSION. The present rate of our public works expenditure is undoubtedly high, but the continued and well-established prosperity of the Dominion fully justifies it. There are indeed many persons, and some members of Parliament amongst them, who would approve of even a higher rate, but if our borrowing for public works purposes is to be limited to £1,000,000 per annum it is impossible to do more than we are doing. I claim that the proposals submitted to the House are of a thoroughly progressive nature, and at the same time are fair and equitable as regards their distribution. The needs of each and every part of the country have been carefully considered, and it will, I think, be conceded that an honest effort has been made to apportion the funds available with even-handed justice, and in the best interest of the people as a whole.

1900-7. £ Kawakawa-Grahamtown , 10,600 Helensvllle Northward .. 46,000 Glsborne-Rotorua 18,400 Main Trunk 362,000 New Plymouth Deviation 12,800 Mount Egmont 17,250 1907-8. £ 15,000 40,000 20,000 330,000 20,000 15,000 - SOUTH ISLAND. Blenheim-Waipara 46,000 Midland 129.000 Westport-Inangahua 8.500 Ngahere-Blackball 11,500 Otago Central 38,000 Hokitika-Ross 21,000 Culverden Haumer — Lawrence-Roxburgh 15,900 .Catllns-Waimahaka 18,000 Riverslde-Swltzers 3,500 Orepuke-Walau 9.900 40,000 60,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 20,000 4,000 20,000 40,000 8,000 20,000