PUBLIC WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 253, 24 October 1919, Page 8

PUBLIC WORKS.

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS --ID-WAYS GET £600,000. NORTH ISLAND £484,000 A MILLION" FOR ROADS. The Public Works Statement was presented to tbe House of Representatives this evening by the Minister of Public Works, Sir William Fraser. The principal items of expenditure for the year ended March 31. 1919, and the appropriations for th c current year are thus summarised:—

SCARCITY OF LABOUR. Discussing the principal features of the past year's operations, Sir William Fraser said: —'1 regret to say that the scarcity of labour was as apparent during last financial year as it was during the previous one. It i 3 true that as the soldiers returned to Xew Zealand a slight improvement in numbers of men available for my work was manifest, but that was only during February and .March. Since April, however, a marked change has taken place, but the number in my employ is still fully 1,500 below the pre-war mark. The truth is that the manhood of the Dominion, including also the returned soldiers, has very slightly increased in numbers since the war began, as the lads who have passed into manhood do not much outnumber those who have been killed or maimed. It. is owing to this fact that only £522.092 has been expended on railways, roads and bridges out of £970.055 provided on the Estimates. 1 am in hope, however, that the reEUlts of the operations during the current financial year will show a marked improvement. A considerable amount of machinery has been ordered, and some has actually come to hand."' REVENUE AJTO EX?EHDITTTRE. On April 1, 1016. the available ways and means for public works purposes were 5295,540. Additional funds were received, under the Finance Act, 1917. section 77. £725,000: under the Finance Act, IUIS (Xo. 2). section 29. f300,000: and other receipts and recoveries, £13,141, making a gross total of £1.393,081. The net expenditure for the year was £1,207,482. This left a credit balance in the ways and means account at March 31, 1919. of £180,199. Authority exists for providing further funds in terms of the Finance Act. 1918 (Xo. 2), to the extent of £2.140.000, making a total of £2,320,199. In addition it is proposed to aek for authority to provide a further £750,000, thus making available for expenditure during the current financial year ; '

Tlie estimated expenditure on public works for the current year (exclusive of '■ accounts which have their own ways and means) is £2,986,257, leaving an esti- . mated credit 'balance of £89,942 to be carried forward to 1920-21. | In addition to the amounts above described statutory authority exists for raising the balances under the following accounts:—Aid to Water-power Works i Act, 1910, £51,000; Waihou and Ohine- I muni Rivers Improvement Act, 1910, £50,000. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. Construction and maintenance have j been continued on 29 sections of railway | with all the available man-power that j could be obtained at reasonable rates, j No sections were handed over to the j Working Railways Department. In all cases where the lines were in a forward ! state goods have been carried for the i convenience of settlers, and in some cases '■ passengers were also accommodated. i The expenditure on railway construe- j tion and improvements during the finan- J cial year amounted to £407,297, particulars of which are as follows:— ! Construction of new lines £290,010 j 1 Additions to open lines 01,904 Hallways Improvement Authorisation Account — 79,373 Following is a summary of the principal operations during the year: — KAIHU RAILWAY EXTENSION. Work on this railway was temporarily suspended in 1910. In January last a resumption of work was possible, nnd nt March 31 40 men were employed. Three washouts caused by floods have been re- j paired, and stonewalls have been re newed and strengthened. Formation is completed to 20 miles and 40 cliains. and work is proceeding as far as 22 miles 25 chains. A stone crushing plant is being procured for the ballast quarry, and it is hoped to commence platelaying and ballasting at an early date. NORTH AUCKLAND MAIN TRUNK. The BiekereLane section has been kept open for tratiic, but considerable dilnculty has been experienced with the | maintenance of two embankments. .Station buildings in Maungaturoto .Station Yard have been completed by contract. On the Iluarau seci-ion a deviation lias { been made between SS miles 1< chains and 99 miles 70 cliains, siding in Huarau Station Yard completed, anil stntion buildings contract finished. A considerable amount of work hats been undertaken in constructing cattle-stops nnd providing proper access to cuttle yards, including fencing, gates, and metalling, j The Whole of "those three sections— | BickerstafTs. Maungatnroto. and Huarau j —from .S3 miles 75 chains to 90 miles 2. j . chains, will shortly be in a satisfactory , 1 state of completion for handing over to j the Working Railways Department. On the Paparoa section formation is | i completed for tbe first 13 chains to Hun- j ' rau tunnel. One bank, however, is still j settling nnd spreading, and requires fur-1 • ther attention. Huarau tunnel, on this ' section, when completed, will be ICi chains long. A commencement was made from j Waiotira southwards in duly, 191S, the most important works being two tunnels: one of these, the "Waikiekic, is j well advanced. Formation between the junction station at Waiotira and t'hia | tunnel is being pushed on. j A commencement was mado from Waiotira northwards simultaneously with the Waikiekie, but work has been almost entirely confined to the approach cutting at Tokatoka tunnel. This cutting has so far proved very troublesome on account of heavy slips. Work on the Okaihau section, from Ngapuhi northwards, although continuous throughout the year, has been difficult owing to the slippery nature of the country. A steam navvy was employed, but had to cease work during four months of the year owing to tho wet and heavy nature of the ground. About 20,000 cubic yards of heavy clay pug were, however, excavated by the navvy in the eight working months. An average of from 50 to 00 men were employed during the year, although the works were entirely closed for about two months during the influenza epidemic. On the Okoro section operations were commenced in August, 1918. The formation generally between 24 milc3 45 chains and 25 miles is well on towards completion, and culverting is in progress. A quarry has been opened, and a crushing nlant established at 25 miles, and -metal is being carted ahead to the culverts at 28 miles. All activities were suspended for seven weeks during the influenza epidemic, which caused considerable delay in the progress of the work. An average number of 110 men were employed during the year on these two sections. WHANGAREI BRANCH. The first five miles 23 chains of the Oakleigh section -was completed in July, 1918, but owing to heavy subsidence in the banks it could not be handed over to the Working Railways Department. It is, however, being maintained, and goods traffic is being run by the Public Works Department. It is hoped shortly to hand it over to the Railway Department ! for ordinary passenger traffic. Forma- j tion beyond 5 miles 23 chains is in pro<ress. The construction of the Kate- | toke bridge is progressing satisfactorily. ; Ballasting is proceeding, and the a])- [ proach roads to Oakleigh Station were ' metalled. The Tauraroa section is practically ! completed. Subsidences of banks and slips in cuttings have given a great deal of trouble, but all have been efficiently dealt with. Platelaying and ballasting have been completed from 15 miles to 10 miles 54 chains, and. with the exception of one bank, formation finished as far as 17 | miles 73 chains. flood progress has ' been made with tho erection of Waiotira Bridge, and from thenco onward to 19 : mile 600 r-haina the formation is in hand, | and should be completed in another three months. On tlie average 225 men were employed on this railway during the year. WAIPU BRANCH. A commencement win mads on this work at the end of last March, and operation.- will he continued during the current year. WAIUKU BRANCH. The only formation work of any magnitude remaining to be done to complete to the 10-mile peg is a 'bank and cutting to .Mauku Creek. Operations are in progress between 10 miles and 12 miles. Arrangements were made which enable the Railway Department ito carry goods on the unopened line between Pat——-hoc and Mauku, and a weekly service is run in conjunction with the train from Paerata to Patumahoe. EAST COAST MAIN TRUNK. Waihi Eastwards: Work is in hand as far as the 10 mile peg, and fair progress has been made. The permanent surved of the line beyond the 10-mile peg has been carried on well in advance <of formatipn requirement-.

Tauranga Westwards: The only work lone on this section during the year was tone-pitching along the Strand "harbourront. Construction work has been resumed since the end of the year. Tauranga Eastwards: Cylinders for our piers of Tauranga bridge have been instructed and partly sunk. The vangitaiki section has been permanently legged to 00 miles 40 chains, or within mlf a mile of the summit on the saddle >6twe'en Waioho and 'Whakatane valleys. I'he survey of the drainage areas of the lifferent drains of tiie Rangitaiki swamp las been completed, also a traverse of he Rangitaiki River for stop-bank •pur>oscs. I Mount -langanui-Te iPuke-Matata Secion: This opened section for passengers md goods is -10 miles in length, and has •arricd a considerable amount of traffic luring the year just closed —freight, ares, carriage of mails, etc. NAPIER-WAIROA RAILWAY. Construction work has been practically ton-fined to the inner harbour embankuent. which undertaking is in the hands >f the Napier Harbour Board, Better irogress than in previous years has been nnde. Towards the end of the year a 'ommeneement was made with further construction of the section. A strong survey party was engaged during the rear, and ,'isj miles of trial survey icyond this section was made. OPUNAKE BRANCH. No work was undertaken on this line mtil the lasit month of the year, when t.ie construction of tlie AVaingongoro Bridge was resumed. It is proposed to iiish -on this work, and provision is being nadc on the Estimates accordingly. STRATFORD-SLAIN TRUNK. Formation work is now completed on ihc Tahora section to -17 miles til chains, md a bi-weekly passenger and goods 'ervice for the convenience of settlers las been run to connect with the Railway Department's service at Tahora. On :he Heao section trial surveys have been undertaken to investigate* the possibilities of (a) a square crossing at the fangarakau, (b) a more direct route from there to Mangatoka, and tc) a leviation between 54 and 57 miles. At the oust cud of the line, formation ras continued in banks and cuttings, 11.} •hams of top-heading and full excavation ii Okahu Tunnel wore completed, as well is a similar amount of side and arch ining. Good progress was also made vith two smaller tunnels. The abutments and piers of OngarUC Bridge were ompletcd, but further progress is re-i-.rded, pending the arrival of steel firdors. OTIRA TUNNEL. At the Otira end all work has been •arried out by day labour. The bottom leading has been driven 001 ft, and apiroximutcly 200 ft of this timbered. ; low progress was made with the enargement and lining, owing to the difli'ulty of obtaining suitable labour. At he Bealey end work for the first half if the year continued on tho day labour .ystem, but was changed to contract in ■September. The bottom heading was Iriven 413 ft, where it met the drive from he Otira end. The progress of enlargenent was hampered for the same reason :s nt the Otira end. The C'ulverden-Waiau line is now in a forward condition, and should be finally completed before Christmas. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Dealing with the erection of public ntildings, the Minister said the principal wilding work at the Auckland prison ins now been completed. The provision if additional cottages for the nccommolution of prison officers is, however, rcjuired, and it is hoped to proceed with ,heir erection during the current year. In addition to the appropriations previously authorised, but not expended, it s proposed to make provision for newpost ollice buildings at those towns ,vhere the need is most urgent, but where juilding operations have been postponed jwing to the war. Tlie year's proposals in connection with agriculture include housing accommodation for responsible officers in certain ■entrcs, where it has been found impossible to otherwise secure residences; the erection of a caretaker's cottage at Motuihi Island; new chemical and bio. logical laboratory buildings; and increased accommodation at the Milton poultry station. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. There was an expenditure of £7203 in connection with dwellings in the course of erection and other works. During the current year it is anticipated that £150,000 will be required. -OURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS Very little expenditure has been incurred during the past year. The amount expended was £1020, against £031 for the previous year: but provision will be made this year for a considerable number of improvements and new works at the different resorts. EDUCATION BUILDINGS.' The finance for education buildings for the remainder of the present year and the four following years has been established by the Kdueation Purposes Loans Act recently passed by both Houses. It is estimated that the moneys already expended and the liabilities already incurred under this class amount to £450,000, for which provision has to be made in addition to the moneys authorised under the special Act. Of the £150,000 thus to be provided separately from the Public Works frund. it is estimated that not more than £250,000 will actually come to account during the present financial year, and a vote foi that amount is proposed for appropriation accordingly. Any part of thai £250,000 unexpended during the present financial year, together with the balance of £200,000, will be provided on the Public Works Kstimates of the financial year commencing on April 1, 1020, in addition to any moneys raised under the special Act. The effect will be that, in addition t( the £500.000. for the present year urn £750.000 for each of the four successive years (provision for which is made -b\ the Education Purpose-s Loans Act), i further sum of £450,000 will be provide! out of ordinary loan account to di? charge past liabilities already incurred and that, of the latter sum -f £450.000 £-50.000 is proposed to be voted in tin present year, und £200.000. together witl any unexpected balance of the £250.001 to _c voted in the next financial ye-ir The moneys authorised by the specia Act will be thus rendered available lo future commitments -only, without anj charge upon thorn for past expenditun and commitments. A MILLION FOR ROADS. The Statement is closed with the foi lowing remarks:—"Let mc say in con elusion, that realising the very natura anxiety on the part ot each section o settlers.now that the war is over to hay its respective roads of acec-s and mail road* completed and metalled, 1 hay placed on my Estimates sums exeeedinj £1,000.000 for roads atid bridges alone To have attempted to comply with al re<_ae_ts would have nece_it_tcd jjrovi-

ing over £2,000,000, which would ha™ been absurd for one year'i! operations. I have been' careful to inquire' as to the road 3 leading to and through returned soldiers' settlements, and have endeavoured in every case to make provision for them." PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS. The expenditure on the new Parliamentary Buildings during the last Hnam cial year was £34,760. There was a liability at March SI of £4-1,584. The vote for the current year is £70,000. The 'Minister states that most of the stone required for the completion of the building is worked and ready for setting as soon as the cornice and column stones can be obtained. When these latter aro placed in position the three cranes will be removed aud the huge holes in the roof and Moors finished, after which the final completion of the whole structure should bo in sight. VOTES FOR TOURIST RESORTS. Among the principal of the proposed votes for Rotorua is C 10,000 for additions to -tlie main bath-house. A vote of 1310.000 is also proposed for drainage works and water supply. £1000 having been voted last yc-nr. and the liability last March being £3000. For electrical works and telephone line a vote of £'10,000 is proposed, hist year's vote being £750, of which £2i13 was expended. A voto of £2000 -towards the cost of reconstruction of the Rluc and Pavilion bath-houses is proposed. Other proposed votes for Rotorua arc: —''Cottage for head gardener, £000; benzine depot, half cost, £87o: improvements to reserves, £500; additions to hot wnter services, £500; grant for improvements to golf links, ,£150: subsidy to Oolf 'Club" foi improvements, -75; clearing entrance to Olrau Channel, etc., £50. A vote of £1500 for improvements at the HelensviPic Hot Springs is proposed. Last year USOO was voted, but nothing was expended. A vote of £2001) i* proposed towards flic cost of general improvements at Waitomo hostel, caves ami reserves. Lust, year £250 was voted but nothing was expended. A vote of £2000 -as £ for £ subsidy for the Waitomo Caves-Hangn-tiki Road is also proposed. A vote of £1000 for huts, tracks, and improvements at Tongariro National Park is proposed. Last year £_00 was voted, but nothing was expended. The vote of .-2500 passed last year for a new hostel and improvements at To Puia, Tokomaru Hay, is renewed. An amount of £800 lor additional cottage accommodation for power-house engineers at Okcre is included in the Estimates.

Appropri- Espenations. ,iiture. lf>lP-20. 1<11S-19. ffiOO.OOO, additions to w orks. and Harbour Kosds. Rridpes, and ' Cr " 13,Ole other Public Works... 000,000 226.073 Development of Mining.. iOOO 618 Ti-lPsraph Extension.... .Tflo.ooo 108 611 Continent Defence 1 50 00 pan,! Lands Improvement S 407 Cr 4 "OS Irrigation and Water " i 25,000 1:!,co °! Pnblic Works Fund... 2.9S6.257 L207.482! Land for Settlements Account <Roads> 2.TO.000 51,855 Electnt- Supply Aeronnt. 600,000 29 S70 Hallways Improvement Account 150,000 70,370! Waibou and Ohlneinurl | Rivers Improvement... 40,000 27,402 Edncatlon Loans Account 500,000 — " '• The appropriations for railwaj-a, compared with the expenditure during the part financial year, are as follow:— Appropri- Expcnatlons. diture. 101ft-20. 10lS-li». Xalhu Railway Extension lo.OOO £ s.>» Aortli Auckland .M.T.— N'gapuM, Northwards.. jr. Of so °3 41n ; Ngapuhi, Southwards.. 5,000 J "j AVaiotira, Southwards.. 30,000 7 22C naiotlra. Xortiwards. I'D.oiK) iSti' Kanganui. Northwards 30.UIW 25 3241 wliangarel Branch 20.000 50 077 waipu Branch 10 000 ' as Xorth Island M.T.— Walnku Branch 20,000 16 GGS' Hnntly Branch 3.000 Cr. 351 ivaiKokowal Branch o,0f'0 Waipa Gravel Access Branch 1.000 Ilaetihi Branch 100 1421 Stone Quarry Lino. llansitikci Klvcr 100 Paekakariki Deviation. 1 «O0 East Coast M.T.— Paeroa-Pokeno 3,000 — Waihi. Eastwards l!T>,000 11.CC6 Tanranga, Westwards. 20.000 CO! Tauranga. Kastwards. U0.OU0 44.(KM> Mount Branch 1,000 SM fitei:>orae-Motu l.lXH) Cγ. 4.4S1 •'ilshorne-Wairoa 20,00(1 13,ii27 Wairoa-GUbome 20.0Oi> 110 ■VValroa-Xapier —3.000 — Wairoa-Xapier 30,000 Cr. 4,431 V.'aikokopu Branch 20,000 Mount Egniont Branch... 1.000 Opunake Branch 20.000 1.257 Srratford—Main Trunk— Eort End :w.00f» -^2.4-jr, Wt-st End 20,000 10,580 Keatherston-Martinborouith 4.000 — S-inth Island M.T 15.000 Or. 22S 3i!.l!and— Nelaon End 6,500 Cr. 54 Ueef ton Km! 5.000 Or. 40 Otira-Bcalej- 50.000 H8.222 Broken Kiver to Bealov 1.000 400 Westport-lnanj.'ahna .. UK) 12 (Jreymonth-Pt. Elizabeth 10.<XK) — <:ulverdeu-Waiau r».0OU !),C07 AVaimate Branch Ext.. 5,000 1.004 OtagO Central 10,000 20.353 Bak-lutha-Tuapeta Mouth G,000 — \Vinton-Heddon Bush.. 8.000 — Orcpaki-Waian Eit 5,000 Cr. 339 Lawrence-Koiburgh ... JS,000 — L;ind Claims, Losses. and Other Liabilities 1,200 31 Ecrvcvs. new lines of railways 5.000 — Permanent Way Ma-te-rials '. 100.000 4,354 725,000 Total required COO.OOO 290,010 ADDITIONS TO OPEN LINES. Waj and Works Branch — K.I. Main Lines and Branches lO.ir 10,082 S.I. Main Lines and Branches 58.S0O 8,604 Whangarel Section 5,000 20 Signals, Tablet Installation, Telegraphs, and Telephone* 17.000 0,966 Locomotive Branch— . Rolling Stock 140,000 o2,0S7 Workshops Machinery 10,000 6,64o Tota l 230,000 91,004