PUBLIC WORKS STATE- MENT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11103, 23 October 1901, Page 8

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

(Br Telegraph.) l '; WELLINGTON, October 22. j : The Public Works Statement was submitted by the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Mm- >; ister for Publio Works, to the House of '■ Representatives this evening, as follows:— \ : Mr Speaker,—lfc is with feelings of h ' pleasure that I lay before hbn. members ' my sixth Statement, especially as it haa '. not fallen to Uie lot of any one of my ■ predecessors to deliver six consecutive Pub- ] lie Works Statements. The work undertaken last year was of a more extensive character than during any of the past few \ years, and the total expenditure consequently reached! a higher figure. A large < amount of very useful work has been accomplished, and the extent to which the improved conveniences are appreciated by our settlers is well evidenced by the demands made for further roads, railway, and other facilities; indeed, had these demands been complied with to anything like their full extent . the Estimates of Expenditure, which I sumit this evening, would have been swelled to twice their present dimensions. It is well to remember that it is only just over sixty years since New Zealand became a British colony, and when lion, members bear in mind that at that time there were no roads, railways, or bridges, no telegra- I phio communication, no post offices or ' other public buildings, that education, beyond that supplied by th'e missionaries, [ was practically unknown, and that the '<■ Islands were only visited at rare inter- j vals by sailing ships, it must be admitted I that the progress made since that time ■ ■lms been most satisfactory, and establishes ' a record of which we may justly be proud. ! Of railway 2112 miles have been construct- ; ed and bpened for traffic, thousands of \ miles of roads have been formed, hundreds \ of bridges built, 7250 miles of telegraph lines established, the necessary public buildings (including schools) have • been erected at groat cost, and a large fleet of skips are now engaged in carrying to all ; parts of the world the products of our enterprising settlers, while this good work has been -done during past years, we, who for the time being hare the welfare of the country entrusted to our charge, must not ignore our responsibilities in seeing that steps are taken for the further development of our colony, and that every opportunity is thus afforded for our ; settlers to forward their products to, the markets of the world at the'lowest pos- \ sible cost and in the shortest reasonable i thne. To enable this to be done, notwith- \ standing wlmt pessimists may say, we must j continue our <p»-'icy of rckul and railway !■ construction, we must further improve our \ existing lines of communication, which, if done with due regard economy, will remit in placing our country in a still more satisfactory .position. Without proper means of communication our settlers are tampered and handicapped, and it is our duty to remove the disabilities under which they labour/ bearing in mind that as the work progresses, each mile of railway completed, and each chain of road formed, is so much toward the end we have in view. Whilst making provision for the urgent ■ requirements of the colony, the Government are of opinion that it would be extremely inadvisable to enter upon a large I borrowing policy for public works, and ■ that we should adhere to the course followed in recent years, and, make provision for a fair rate.of progress being maintained, both in railway and road construction, and to provide the accommodation uird conveniences necessitated by the development of the colony, including the renewal with more permanent material of the old wooden buildings, many of whfich. are- past repairing. The sums provided in the Estimates will admit of the several works being continued at a reasonable speed, and it is Ihoped that the following sections of railway will be open for traffic before the end of the current financial year: — Length. Line. Section. Miles chains HeicnsviUe northwari .. •.. Tahekeroa-Ahuroa 4 69 Ol«borne-Karak».. Gfobome WnartOnnond .. 10 43 Htra«ford-Whan«o- *.-*. a 'an North laland Main Trunk .. .. PoroataraoUngaruha *. » Zl North Island Main Trunk.. .. MangaonohoManga weka .. 9 24 HlanhelnV'Waipan Omrtk.i-Sed.lon.. 12 76 li.ei!heim-Waiuara Waipara Skartf.ll. . .14 40 <,»„. Central - U 25 Total .. . 86 16 Considerable progress Was made with, the ; more important of the worka under construction. '■ i *'■ ' Before outlining my proposals for expenditure, I will briefly state the AVAILABLE WAYS AND MEANS. • At 31st March, 1900, the balance of tJie tcavs and means of the Public Works Fund - amounted to £809,749, and further sums were provided last session as under: — New loan, 31,000,000; transferred from revenue, £500,000. Thei'S were also nasoejlaneous receipts to the amount of £1787, thus making a gross total of £2,340,555. The expenditure last year amounted to £1,309,021, *«o that at the close of the year the balance of our ways and means was £1,032,515, andi it i* now proposed to Diovide the following additional funds: — ftew loan, £i,OOO.COOj further transfer from revenus, £500,000— making altogether "a cross total of available ways and means of £2,632,515. The estimates of expenditure for the current year amount to £2,197,334 (in addition to £46.577 under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Account), thus leaving an unallocated balance ,of £335,181. TOTAL PUBLIO WORKS EXPENDI- ; TURK. •ihe following table showa the total expenditure out of the Public Works Fund on all works and services throughout the colony tip to the 31st December,. 1890, and also up to the 31st March last, and ma eewirate column the expenditure during the late financial year: — Railways construction, total expenditure to 31st December, 1890. £14,067,10C1; construction, Ist January, 1891, to 31st March, 1901 £2.025,391; additions to open lines, 535. Total to 31st Match, 1901, 31st March, 1901.-Con-struction, £392,691; addition to open lines, 2 —Total to 31st December, 1890. S VrtMwS. 1901. £733,647. Total to Sst 31 MaXl901, £2 509^0 .For. year 190? £24i?,m For year ended 31st M p r imhi% Native Lands,-Total to 31st Telecraub Extension.— Total to 31st De- «„*>* Jlrt Mimh. J^SmS -Total to 1890, £349,789; l»t Jaauarr, 1891, to Slit

WBfISSKI

March, 1901, £109,523. Total, £459,317; ! For year ended 31st March, 1901*, £12,953. Minor Works and Services.—Total to 31st December, 1890, £300,689; Ist January, • 1891, to 31st March, 1901, £7472. Total, £308,161. For year ended 31st. March, 19Q1, £673. Cost and Discount in Connection with the Raising of Loans, etc.—Total to 31st December, 1890, £1,021,472; Ist January, 1891, to 31st March. 1901, £36,299. Total, £1,057,771. For year ended 3lst March, 1901, £1460. . Totals.—To 31st December, 1890, £26,898,145; Ist January, 1891, to 31st March, 1901, £7,389,502. Total to 31it March, 1901, £34,2a/,647. For year ended oxst March, 1901, £1,309,021. RAILWAYS UNDER INSTRUCTION. The railways tinder •construction were the same as during the previous year, but with two additions —namely, the S&ratford-Kawa-kawa and Heriot extension lines. Expenditure amounted to considerably more than in the previous year—namely, ,£392,691, against £199,580, "the increase lieing £193,111. The improved progress on all the more important lines thas been , .maintained, especially in the case of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, so that for several of- the principal lines': substantial votes must be asked lor. ; Kawakawa-Grahamstown.—The total expenditure on this'railway last year amounted to £13,101, and for the current year an authorisation of £15,000 is asked for. Helensville Northwards.—The question ! has been raised as to whether the route for this railway by the Hoteo Valley is really the best that could be followed. Another route has been examined by a committee of the local settlers, and considered by i them to , be superior. In order to set this I point at rest instructions have been issued ' lor the newly-suggested route to be exa- ' mined, and on completion of. such examinai tion its merits will be carefully compatred I with those of the route previously "pro- , posed. The expenditure on. this, railway 1 .last year amounted to £11,533, and-for I the current year an appropriation/of ' £15,000 is proposed. I Paeroa-Waihi. —The expenditure- on the j line last year was £12,259, .but this year it will be larger, and authority for £20,000 i is asked for. • : • i Gisborne-Karaka. —The expenditure on j, this railway last year exceeded the • vote ' by £3498, having amounted to This year it will be even larger, and an authorisation of £20,000 will be required. ; Stratford-Kawakawa.—This 'is one of the new railways authorised last session. The survey was put in hand soon after .Parluv ment rose, and construction work.,started in April. A large part of the first section to Toko, six mile's and a half in length, "is now ready for platelaying, and the rails which have recently arrived are nowbeing sent up to the work. I have every confidence that this section of the railway will be opened for traffic by Christmas, next. The vole taken for this railway last year was £10,000, but scarcely any expenditure took place prior to March 31st. For the current year an authority for'£l2,ooo i will be necessary. In my last year's statement it was suggested that ;this railway • should be constructed as a narrow gauge , ! line, but as examination of " the country | ! showed that this was inadvisable, and having in view the probable traffic as the line is extended it was.decided to construct,.it as a light railway but without. departing from the New Zealand standard gauge. . North Island Main Trunk.—A'very large amount of work has been performed cp | this railway during the year, at'the northern end especially. The engineering staff employed upon the line has fully realised the desire of the Government.' that the > ' work should be pushed to completion with reasonable expedition and every effort has been made, despite sundry adverse circumstances to forward the work as rapidly (■as possible. Regular traffic is carried on by the Railway Department as far as the Poraotarao tunnel, the watershed between the Waikato and Wanminur*river system*, and from that point to Kawakawa or '4k game the Tails are already laid, 'and tue ballasting and erection of station buildings is in progress. Tne platelaying party is still at work, extending its' operations ;to Tuamaranui, to which poiilt' the formation work already extends and bushfelling is in hand oeyond the crossing of the Wahganui river. The railway at the northern end, therefore, has now , commenced to tap the celebrated Waimarino forest. A contract was let in May last for a steel and timber bridge, 465 ft long, over the Wanganui river at Taumaramul,' and contracts have alsoJjeen let for the steel girder* for the three bridges oVer theOpgame river. The majority of tihe piers, pi these Jat&r bridges will be of timber .arid a contract has been let for "the. "supply of the iroia cylinders for the remaining jjiers. ■_ At thesouthern end of the line "the earthworks now extend nearly to Turangarere, a distance of thirty-nine miles from terminus of the opetned line at Mangaonoho, and 51 miles from the commencement of the railway at Marton. .Considerable progress has D*en made with these works during the year, but still greafei progress wouM have resulted if the the district had been in sufficiently good order to; admit or heaw carting- being done in the wintet. The' Makohine viaduct is., not? nearing completion. ' Platelaying between Makohine and Mangaweka is about to be proceeded with" ' all the rails and sleepers required : for this section are now on the further 'side of the Makohihe ravine. A locomotive and a train of ballast waggons haW also been arranged for, and are now in -process of being conveyed to Pawerawera. I -fully expect to have engines,running over the Makohine viaduct by 31st March- next, end hope to have the whole-section to Mangertreka ready for traffic about the came time.- The Mongavreka viaduct is ii> hand, the concrete; for tl'jß foundations being in progress at the site, and the ironwork in course, of-manufacture at to Mnkabine workshop. • - This viaduct, though longer than the Makohuw, is noted high, and not nearly as difficult orexpensive a .structure. With .favourable' weather its erection will probably not, tsfcke 4nore than four month*. A,t a comparatively early date after the opening of the line to Mangaweka, it will b» possible to proceed with plaifchvring beyond the township towards ; Tailiape. Contracts have been let for the steej superstructures of bridges over i the Toitoi and Hautopii river, and all the steel and iron> required for the remainder of tfcfbridges up to Ohaknne has been ordered from England. Instructions have also been issued for the heavier portions of the earthworks on the Murimuttt and Raetahi sections, to be taken in hand when the necessary plant and supplies can be conveyed thither. The following figures show the position of the North Island Main Trunk Railway as a whole at the present time:—Total length of railway from Marton to Te Awanwtu 210 miles, length open for public traffic-694 miles, additional length on which rails are laid l&J miles, further length on which formation is practically complete 19£ miles, still further length on which work is in hand 30£ miles, making a total length finished or in progress of 138 miles. ■ Of the remainder a final survey lias been made of 72 miles, making a total of 210 miles. Date of authorisation of railway 10th November. 18S4-. amount «t-----ptnded to 30th September, 1901, £871.667, estimated amount required - to complete £986,000. number of wwkmen now employed 1166. I informed Parliament last session that if ways and means were provided from time to time as required, this railway could be completed and opened for traffio within about four years from the end of last session, and I see no reason to. sappose that that expectation is not still capable- of realisation. The total expenditure on the line during the last financial year, exclusive of the cost of rails, sleepers, and other permanent way material supplied, was £109,832. This year a larger amount will be required, and an authorisation of £160,000 will accordingly be proposed for it. Rimutaka deviation—A detailed survey of the proposed deviation of the Rimutaka railway between the Upper Hutfc and Woodskfe via the Tauherenikau has been completed. Application having been made to hkve a trial line run for a route by way of the Wainui-o-Mata Valley, instructions have been issued to the inspecting engineer to make an examination of this route, so that a comparison may be mode of its supposed advantages as against those of the Tauherenikau route. Bk-nheim-Waipara—The works at the northern end of this railway are approaching completion, and the station biuldings at Seddou are abouMo be erected. It v probable that the line will be ready to hand over to the Railway Department for ordinary traffic shortly before thte ensuing

ing been made as to the necessity of provitiing some protection to the trains while crossing the Awatere bridge from the very strong winds which occasionally blow up and down the Awatere Valley, it has beendecided to erect a suitable wind screen, the construction of which will be proceeded with immediately. southern end of the railway the wprk has made substantial progress. Tne earthworks on the first twelve miles are complete, and the few small bridges on this length, which are etill incomplete, are likely to be finished within a month or so. The laying of the i rails has already been completed, and the ballasting and erection of station buildings will follow. I fully expect that thvj first B<3ctkm & thij eDd " P f thf * line, 14 * ""f? in length, and-extending as far as Sfcargiil, will be ready for traffic early in the .New Year. The earthworks have been started on the section btween Skargill and .the Hurunui River, and are making satisfactory progress. Plans, etc., for the important bridge over the Huruirai Kiver have j been prepared, and tenders invited for its construction. This bridge will be 3VB feet long, and wU include two spans of 100 feet each, supported on concrete piers. Plans are also being prepared for the bridge over the Waiau Biver, near Parnassus, but as this is beyond the point to which the construeton of the railway has been authorised, it will be necessary to make provision for a further section ot the line before a contract for this bridge can be entered into. The total expenditure on the Waipara railway last year was £533,280, while liabilities to the amount of over £20,000 existed at the close of the year. This year an authorisation of £45,0u0 is proposed. Otago Central—Good progress has been made with works on this railway during the year. The section between VVedderburn and B.ackstone . Hill is rapidly approaching completion, and will probably be available for traffic ear : y in December next. The heavy work m the Poolburn gorge is well in lxand and much of it is nearing completion, all the masonry" culverts being complete up to the Hauuherikia river, and ihe work in the tunnels is about half done. The foundation for the piers and abutments of the Poolburn viaduct are in progress, and a contract for the steel superstructures of both that viaduct and tne Manuherikia bridge has been let. The work on this railway has been pushed along with vigour. The expenditure on the line last year, according to the published accounts, was £61,347, but in reality it was in excess of this as owing to an unfortunate accident in the Dunedin office accounts, representing nearly 'two months' expenditure on the railway, were shut out at the close of the financial year. For the current year, an authority for £100,000 has been provided. Heriot Extension —Scarcely any expenditure was charged against the vote of last year, and this year £5000 has been provided. Catlins River-Seaward Bush—The expenditure last year fell considerably below the amount of the vote. This year it will probably be larger and an authorisation of £12,000 is therefore proposed. . Eiversdale-Switzers--A contract for the proposed combined road and railway bridge over the Ma/taura river has been prepared, •but as the cost will largely exceed the amount of last year's vote, I have not felt justified in inviting tenders until the matter could again be submitted to Parliament. Orepuki-Waiau.—The formation works on the first four miles of this line are approaching completion, and similar work is now in hand bsyond. The expenditure last year was £7764, aad this year £12,000 is asked for. " . Midland Railway.—The section of the line between Jackson's and Otara, which was wholly constructed by he Government, was formally handed over to the Railway Department for regular working at the end of November last, but goods trains Jaad been running over it for nearly a pear previously. At the Canterbury end of the railway, where the works are of the heaviest description, good progress has been made. Tfhe cuttings and banks on .the first four miles and a half are nearly completed, and the tunnels on the same section are approaching completion. Tenders were invited for the completion of the viaduct over Patterson's Creek, ana that of Messrs Scott Bros., of Christehurch, accepted. The plops for the' larger viaduct over Staircase Gully are now being prepared. Tfhe extension of the Nelson section, of the line to Todmor, authorised last session, has been commenced, and the earth' works are making satisfactory progress. Plans were prepared for the large combined road and railway bridge over the Mofueika river and tenders for its erection have recently been received .and declined The ,Engimeer-in-Chief is now considering the design of the bridge with the view of effecting some economy in its construction. The survey of the proposed extension from Reefton towards Inangahua was put in hand as soon as a suitable officer could be spared 'to take charge of the work. The line has been permanently pegged for a distance of about eight miles, and longitude and cross sections completed for about five miles. We itope to be able to resume construction at the Reeft&n cod of the line during the present year. The first work to be put in hand will; of course, be the bridge- over the Ixtangah.ua river. Considerable work has been done during the year in making necessary surveys in conaiec* tkra with the proposed long tunnel between the Otira and the Bealey. Before definitely undertaking the construction of a work of such great magnitude, however, the Government has considered it desirable to call in further expert advice, and in pursuance of this decision we now are in communication with railway authorities of the highest standing in America, with the view of obtaining a report from an American or Canadian engineer of eminence .and of experience in the construction" of mountain railways on ti»/* different proposals that have been made i& reference to the construction of this particular section of the railway. The total ex"penditure on the Midland Railway last year amounted to £41,328. This year it will doubtless ba heavier owing to work being in hand at the Nelson end and the probability of work being started between Reefton and Inangahua, and possibly between Otira and the Bealey. The proposed authorisation is therefore £100,000. Greymouth-Hokitika extension .to Ross , — This extension originally formed part of the Grey, Hokitika, and Midland scheme, and a trial survey was made of it. Ib is about fifteen miles in length, running through level country, and taps over halt' a million acres of the finest forest in the colony. Four sawmills are now in operation, and there is a vast quantity of, silver pjjtie timber suitable for railway sleepers available. The estimated output of sawn timber is 6,000,000 feet per annum- The main road from Ross to Waiho and tbie Francis 1 Joseph Glacier is completed, and a great traffic would result if the lirie were made, for the mountain, lake, and forest scensxy of South) West&nd is unsurpassed. The present population, consisting of settlers, miners, sawmillers, and bushmen, which would be served by the railway, numbers 1000, and there is a vast area of good land suitable which would be settled if this line were constructed and the mineral deposits, wellknown to exist, were developed. The amount asked for the current year is £2000. Ngahere-Blackball—The selection of a suitable site for the proposed bridge over the Grey river has proved to be a work of much difficulty, as great changes in the river bed in the neighbourhood of the proposed bridge have taken place in recent years, and similar changes may ■ take place in the future. A good sit© has now been selected, but the cost of a substantial structure will amount to a large sum, and the question seems to require further consideration before any definite understanding is entered into. TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR RAILWAYS. In addition to the sums already mentioned smaller authorisations totalling to £7500 are proposed under various heads and £76,000 for permanent way and other materials, thus making the total authorisations for railway construction purposes £601,500, on account of which a vote for the current year of £561,000 is asked. ROADS, ETC. Roads and other works, under Minister of Lands. • The amount authorised last. year for roftda and otbur work* wa» £651,717, and

the. amount voted for* expenditure £453,997.' Of this sum there was actually spent during the year £510,660, for which amount 621 miles' of dray.roads and 328 miles of bridlej roads were constructed, 737 miles of dray roads and 175 miles of bridle roads -were widened and improved; and 2272 miles of-dray roads and 1032 miles of bridle roads * were maintained. During the year the bridges constructed were 323, of "a total length of 12,448 feetand culverts 3497, of a total length, of 70,632 feet. Out of the sum of £310,660 expended, £85,244 was disbursed through local bodies and £225,416 by the staff of the Department, at the end of the year authorities remaining with local bodies to the ; extsut of £193.860 and with the staff to the extent of £292,386, a total liability of £436,246. The largest amount paid last year was in the Auckland district, £92,25b. In. the othsr districts it was as follows: —Hawke's Bay | £31,336, Taranaki £33,088, Wellington £V 2,039, Kelson £9278, . Marlborough £13,933, Canterbury £8015, Westland ' £11,460, t)tago £15,902, and Southland £20,299, with a general expenditure of £30&5. The very large number of roads which had to be dealt with, namely 2067, involved great labour in administration and arranging for the prosecution of the necessary works, i'he appropriations were not printed until the 15th November. After that the new items had to be considered., authorised, and the carrying out of the works prepared. The ii.-a.son up to the New Year was a wet one nearly all over New Zealand, and in censeijuence it was found impracticable to bsgin several very nebessarv works, road metalling especially,- indeed the summer season this year has been a short one for the execution of works which had to be done while roads were dry. Th&.impTovement of the navigation of the Wanganui river and its great tributary the Tangarakiu has been continued under the Wanganui River Trust, thiexpenditure having amounted to £1250. This has enabled a light draught steamer to reach Putikituna on the Tangarakau, and goods can in this way be conveyed to tbe Whangamomona settlement by water within six mike of the middle of tie valley. Two lines of steamers now navigate the river a<? far as Pipiriki, 56 miles I'rom Wanganui, greatly to the advantage of the settlers on its blinks and inland. Out of Land for Settlements Account .there was expended £5946 in the construction of 13 miles of dray Toads and bridges and 73 culverts, in addition 10£ miles of dray roads were improved and 28 miles maintained. Owing to the- extension of land settlement and the consequent increase in departmental business, it was decided to sever from the Lands,and'Survey Department at the end of last financial yeai the work of construction and administration of roads and similar works. Most of the officers of the Land and Survey Department previously engaged on roads and office work appertaining thereto are transferred to a new department, called the "Department of Roads." Under this department is bow placed the responsibility f>f carrying out all the .work for roads and kindrtd purposes formerly supervised by the Lands and Survey Department as well as th'e general administration of the laws relating to roads. ROADS ON GOLDFIELDS (Mines Department). v The vote last year under this head amounted to £83,650, the expenditure being £48,417, with liabilities at the end of the year amounting to £49,221. The sum proposed to be authorised for th>e current year is £115,989, on account of which a vote of £84,000 is asked for. "biEVELOPMENT OF GOLDFIELDS AND MIXING. The value of gold entered for export during 1900 was £1,439,602, being somewhat less than during the -previous year,- but notwithstanding this -decrease there was an actual increase in the value of the general mineral productions. The output of coal and lignite has for the first time exceeded 1,000,0C0 tons,- the actual output for 1900 being 1,093,990 tons." The quantity of_gold entered for export during 1900 was 373,616 oz, va.ued at £1,439,602, and of silver 326,4570z, valued at £38,879, as compared with 389,5580z •of gold, valued at £1,514,173, and of silver 349,3380z, valued at £40,838 for 189S, being a decrease of 15,9420z of goldi, valued at £73,571, and 22,8810z of silver, valued, at £1959. The amount expended last financial year on works for the development of the rroldfields was £15,907, while the liabilities amounted.to £2011. It is proposed to take a vote of £30,000 for tie current year. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. The. expenditure rander this iead was £50,101, which includes. £1.4,016 for new exchanges and additions to existing exchange. The new exchanges opened were as follows: —Wellington district—Pahiatua, and.Woodvllle; Dunedin district—Edendale, Lumsden, Ngapaia, Riverton, Waikouaiti, and Wyndham.-_ Trunk %yires connecting the following exchanges havfc been erected: — Wellington district—Marton and Wanganui, Pahiatua and Palmerston North; Canterbury districts-Timaru and Fairlie; Dunedin district—lnvercargill and Wyndnam, Invercargill and Riverton, main line and Waikou--aiti, Winton and Lumsden, Wyndham and Edendale. The total number of subscribers at the end of the financial year was 8210. The most important extensions to Jiew districts were:—Auckland district— Dargaville to Tangiteroria, HmvicJtto Motuihi Island, Kaukapakapi to Makarau, Oliaeawa to Pakraka, Kaiku to Aranga; Wellington district —Stratihmore to Whangamamona, Green (Meadows to Taradale and Aleanee, Alfredton to Pong&roa, Ro-ngatea to Glenomaru; Nelson district—Westport" to Mohikinui mine ferry, wires at Haast and ■ Arawata rivers; Canterbury district' —Christchuxch to Port Levy, Christchureh, to Gebbie's Flat, Waimate to Waihao-Downs; Dunedin district— Dunedin to Marawhenua, Georgetown to Ikawai, Georgetown to Bortons, Ronfurlv , ' to Wedderbum, Heriot to Duniobin, Invercargill to Waimahaka, Riverton to Gummies Busk Tbe vote ' asked for this year is £40,489, and provides for new exchanges, additions to existing exchanges, additional wire accommodation, and extension to new districts. - PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The- expenditure upon public buildings again shows-an increase over the previous year. The appropriations purposed amount to £254,000, namely £46,759 under the Consolidated Fund and £207,250 under the Public Works Fund. The principal works carried out, last year or provided for this year are general fitting 'up of new 'library wing of Parliament Buildings, altering buildings at Mount *Cook. to adapt them to a defence depot. The appropriations for the current year provide for new.offices and laboratories for the Mines, Agricultural, and Public Health Departments, the acquisition of the land for some necessary additions to the departmental buildings in Auckland, completing the alteration at Mount Cook defence djpot, partial rebuilding of departmental offices at Napter, completion of fitting of new and of renovation" of old portion of Parliament Buildings, and sundry works. JUDICIAL. Courthouses.—New courthouses have been built or are in- hand at Te Awamutu, Mangawefca, Collingwood, Temnka, Hampden, j Dunedin, and the Bluff, and extensive renovations have been effected at Auckland, Hikurangi, Wbakatane, Taupo, and Wanganui. The principal works provided for in the vote for the current year are th& completion of the new Law Courts at Dunedin, new Magistrate's Court at Wellington, new courthouses at Waihi, Opunake, Outram, Gore, and Orepuki, and additions, renovations, or improvements a.t Ngaruawahia, Wairoa, Napier, Waipawa, Patea, Feilding, Palmerston North, Carterton, Westport, Kumara,-Hokitika, Christchureh, Waimate, , Oamaru, Lawrence, and Invercargill. ! Gaols.—The total expenditure under this head last year only amounted to £1258. Tbe principal work in hand was the continuation of operations at the new gaol at Mount Eden, Auckland, with minor works at .Napier, Wellington, and Dunedin. Provision _is made in the current year's vote for continuing the operations in Auckland, , for additions to gaol building and new gaoler's house at Wellington, gaokrs , house* at Westport and Dunedin, new warders' cottages at Lyttelton, and for a new gaol on a new site at Invercargill. Police Stations.—A large number of small works under the heading of Police Stations have been in hand during the year, the principal items being . new stations at Hamilton West, West Gisboroe, Fielding, Westport, ArrowtowD, and Invercargill, new quarters at New Plymouth, Nelson, Queenstown, and Bluff, purchase of land at Kaiapoi, and additions or extensive re- [ novations at Ngaruawahia, Gisborne, Spit,

Inglewood, Manaia, Waverley, Marton, jower Hutt, Blenheim, Lyell, Ureymouth, *angiora, Cliristchurch, Tlmaru, and Winon. The principal works provided for this rear are new cells, watchnouse and quarters at Auckland, addition afe Mount Cook, Wellington, new stations at Onehunga, ToLoga Bay, Onnondville, Patea, Taihape,Akaroa, .WaikouaitK Dunedin (King street), Outran, , and Roxburgh, new quarters at Waipawa. Denniston, Timaru, and Oauiaru, md additions or extensive renovations at Aratapu, Kawhia, Clive, Waitara, Stratford, Opunake, Hawera, Wonganui, Kimbolton, Hokitika, Cheviot, Southbridgc, Lyttelton, Ashburton, Ulecavy, at. Bathans, Gromwell, Ophir, and Lawrence. Post and Telegraphs.—New Post Offices were erected at Karangahake, Wereroa, Hamilton, Eketahuna, ilasterton, Petone, Wellington, Orewtown, Tajkaka, Sunnier, and Bluff. Land and buildings were purchased at Ponsonby and Papanui, a new site at Inglewood, custodian's quarters built at Auckland, and extensive alterations or additions at Auckland, Otahuhu, Rotorua, Waiaoanu, Christchurch telephone . exClyde, Cromwell, Alexandra, and Koxburgh, and contributions towards new offices m railway stations were made at Clinton and Morven. In the vote ior the current year provision is made for a commencement with the new Pacific cable station at Doubtless Bay, for new Post Offices at Dargaville, Aratapu, Paparoa, Onehunga, Mercer, Kawhia, Tologa Bay, Gisborne, Spit, Weber, New Plymouth, Toko, Inglewood, Opunake, Wanganui, Kaetihi, Havelock, Bulls, Feildiug, Levin, Pongarca. Alfredton, Carterton, Motueka, \Denniston, Brunnsrtca, Hanmer springs, Ashburton, Temuka, Caversham, and Gor*; for new quarters at Tarawera, Jvaikoura, and Tapanui, and for additions, iterations, or extensive renovations at Auckland, JJannevirke, Woodviile, Hawera, Foxton, Picton, Blenheim, Rtnwicktown, Nelson, Collingwood, Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Ohristehurch, Lyttelton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin (both Telegraph and Post Offices}, South Dunedm; and Invercaxgill, and for compensation that will be payable for the land taken for the enlargement of the General Post Office. CUSTOMHOUSES. Only £875 was expended under this liead last year, principally in connection with additions to the Wangaiiui Custom House. liiis year provision is made for completing tliis work, and also for new sites and burklings at Wellington and! Timaru. LUNATIC ASYLUMS. The expenditure on new works was slightly in excess of Hie previous year's figures. The principal expenditure was again in connection with the Porirua Asylum, which absorted £10,587. An expenditure of over £3000 also took place on additions to the Auckland Asylum, and smaller amounts were spent a,t Wellington (Mount Vaew), Nelson, Seacliff/ etc. For the current year provision is made for completing the Poa-irua building, fur completing the additions • no\y_ in hand at Auckland t a.nd Nelson, for some necessary enlargements and the completion tof the electric liglit installation at Seaclifr,- and for minor works at 'Wellington, Hokitika, and tSunnyside. SCHOOLS. • The amount voted for school buildings last year was £90,655. namely, £25,000 under the Consolidated Fusid, and £65,655 under the Public Works Fund. The expenditure amounted to £58,681, namely, £25,000 under the former, , and £33,681 under the latter fund. As in former years, the bulk of this money was entrusted to the Education Boards for expenditure. The only works directly controlled by the Government being tile industrial and the native schools, and tke School for Deaf Mutes, etc. Natives' .schools were last year, or are now in course of erection, at Oromahoe, Omarumutu, Whareponga, P&rawera, Kerepihi, Whakarewarewa, Tapuaeharuru, Taumaramii. and Teharoto. and.ad.ditions or repairs have been effect«d at I Teahuahu, Poroti, Kaikohe, and Koroniti. This year we ask for a total vote of £85,000, namely, £25,000 under the Consolidated Fund, and £60,000 under the Public Works Fund. Provision is made for a commencement with the new school for the deaf mutes, also a home for weakminded and epileptic children, apd for the following works under the head of "Industrial Schools," namely:—Completion of the alterations at Mount Albert (Auckland), clearing, draining, fencing, etc., .on , the new site at Levin, and for a commqneement with the new building and additions, alterations, and furnishing at Te Oranga, Christchurch, additional buildings at. Burnham, and sundry furnishings at Caversham. Provision is also made Under the Public Buildings vote for buildings required by the Agricultural Department at Hunterville, Palmerston Nortx£ Carterton, Palmerston South, Roxburgh, and Invercargill, in addition to the new laboratories in Wellington already referred to, also for the »following works under the head' of "Hospitals and other Charitable Institutions" :—Grants in aid. to the Waihi, Wairoa, Napier, Picton, and Greymoutli Hospitals, for a cottage hospital at Kaikoura, for, special wards for the 'treatment of delirium tremens cases at the four principal centres of population, and for a commencement with the proposed sanatorium for .consumptives. ■]■'* " . ■ , LIGHTHOUSES, HARBOUR WORKS, AND 'HARBOUU DEFENCES. . The expenditure on new lighthouses works last yeaf was very light. This year provision is made for "the new light at Kaiorangi Point, for a commencement with a new tower and providing a.new, lantern at Cape "Campbell, and for connecting the principal ligh-thouses wifch, the telegraph system. The expenditure on liarbour works was also rathter light, the principal items being Napier Spit protection, snagging the Manawatu and) Little Wanganui Kivers, and a new wharf at Katamea. This year provision is made for mew wharves at Ma-ungaturoto. Manukau, Orua Bay, Mokau, Pa«rawatt, Bruce Bay, and Okuru, .and for repairing and extending the wharf at Okarito, also for other hecessarv works at Oahanga, Waiaroa, Moutere, Motueka, and Collingwood, and * for continuing thte Spit protection works at Napier and tfhe Stick- ; ing Point reclamation works at Lyttelton. . The expenditure under the head of "Harbour Defences" was also less tkan usual ' last year, but year a much larger expenditure has been provided for, the amount proposed Jbeyg £25,000. In the ' case of the vote for contingent defence also iha expenditure fell below the amount for the .previous year, but this year a larger vote ia provided for, principailv to • me&t the payments for the field batteries, submarine mining vessels, and material ordered, wh'irih is expected to come to charge during the year. CONCLUSION. In allocating the amounts pro-posed for the several purposes due consideration hag been given to what I believe to bo the wishes of hon. members, that the works should be proceeded with at a reasonable speed, and especially that ihs> formation of roads to back b.ocks should be pushed forward, the work being done at a time when the best results- may be obtained. Every consideration has been given to the urgent, requirements of the colony, and I have confidence that the result at the end of the year will give general satisfaction.