THS PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7363, 16 July 1889, Page 6

THS PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

[Bt Telkobaph.]

\TBOU OTTB SPECIAL CORSSSPONDBNT.I WELLINGTON, July 15.

With reference to the coming Publi c Works Statement, it is said that the whole amount remaining available out of loans for road works throughout the colony is only Jf230,000. This will not go very far towards satisfying the army of hungry claimants in all parts of these islands, but I hear it will be made to go as far as possible, on the principle of spreading a very little butter thinly over a great deal of bread. It is denied now that Government have any intention, as previously reported, of diverting the J505,000 in hand for the Thamea-Te Aroha Railway or using it on the extension of the Helensville line. It is said if that money be diverted at all from its original destination it ■will be spent on the Rotorua line. A proposal to this effect is reported to have been considered by the Government, but it is believed that no decision has yet been arrived at on the subject. This matter, although strictly speaking a Northern affair, is of interest to the rest of the colony, because it may have a distinct effect on the future modifications of the Public Works Policy. Another rumour a3 to the Public Works proposals is that the cost of the Helensville Railway extension may be partly defrayed out of tne value of dead timber in the Puhipuhi forest, said to be worth .£IOO,OOO.