PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 244, 23 October 1901, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

THE PROGRESS OF SIXTY YEARS. LINE TO ORMOND READY BY FEBRUARY. (By Telegraph.) Wellington, last night. The Public Works Statement was delivered in the House this evening by the Hon. Hall-Jones. He stated that the work undertaken last year was of a more extensive character than during any of the past years, and the total expenditure consequently reached a higher figure. A large amount of very useful work had been accomplished, and the .extent to which the improved conveniences were appreciated by the settlers was well evidenced by the demand so made for further road, railway, and other facilities. Indeed, had these demands been complied with to anything like their full extent, the estimates of expenditure which he submitted that evening would have been swelled to twice their present dimensions. Indenting with the question of expenditure upon public works, it was well to remember that it was only just over 60 years since New Zealand became n British colony, and when hon. members bore in mind that at that time there were no roads or bridges, no telegraphic communication, no post offices or other public buildings, that education beyond that supplied by the missionaries was practically unknown, and the islands were only visited at rare intervals by sailing ships.it must he admitted that the prog re s made since that time had been :: -si satisfactory, and established a ro- a. of which they might justly Lh proud. Two thousand two hundred and twelve miles of railway have been constructed and opened for tratlic, thousands of miles of road have been formed, hundreds of bridges built, 72f>U miles of telegraph lines established, the necessary- public buildings (including schools nave been erected at great cost, and n large tied of ships 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, '.hose who for the time being have the welfare of the country entrusted to their charge must not ignore J the responsibilities in seeing that steps I are taken for the further development of the colonv.

OOVKKNMKNT A.U\IN ST I.AKOK HOKROWINO

Whilst m iking provision for the urgent requirements of the eolony, the Government were of opinion that it would be extremely inadvisable to enter upon a large borrowing p .’ey for public works, and that they should adhere to the course followed in the recent years, and make a provision for a fair rate of progress boing maintained, both in railway and road construction, and provide accommodation and conveniences necessitated by the the development of the colony, including the renewal with more permanent material of old wooden buildings, many of which are past repairing. The sum provided in tho Estimates will admit of the several works being continued at reasonable speed, and it is hoped the following sections of railway will be opened for traffic before the end of the current financial year. The line to lleleiisville northwards, section Tahekeroa - Ahttroa, length -1 miles (59 chains ; GisborneKaraka, Gisborne wlmrf-Onnond, 10.-1." ; Stratford - Whangamoinona, StratfordToko 6-40; North Island Main Trunk, Porootarao-Ongarue, 14-21 ; North Island Main Trunk. Mangnoho - Mangaweka, 9-21 ; Blenheim-Waipara, Omaka-Scddon, 12-76 ; Blenheim - Waipara, WaiparaSkargil! 14-40 ; Otago Central-Wcdder-burn-Blackstone Hill. 12-26 ; total 85 miles 16 chains, and considerable progress was made with more important public works under construction.

f With regard to ways and means availL ' able for public works purposes at .'list 1 March, 11)00, the balance of ways and 1 means of the Public Works Fund amounted to X‘H;>o,7lo, and further sums l were passed last session as under : New • loan .11,000,000, transferred from revenue X‘500,000. There were also miscellaneous receipts to the amount of XI7S7, thus making a gross total of X2,i!4l ,5;Hi. The expenditure last year amounted to • XI,1)09,021, so that at the close of tho year the balance of our ways and means was X 1,002,505. OISIIORNE-KARAKA LINK. After lengthy reference to the railway lines in progress throughout the colony, the statement continues :”An authority is asked for X 20,000 for the Gisborne-Karaka line. In the case of this railway, as in p other cases, the only work done prior to i the commencement of the late financial year was of a preliminary nature.. During t the last year, however, very substantial progress has been made, so that at the present time the formation is finished for about 12.1 miles. All the bridges for the same distance have been erected and the rails laid, and a ballast train is busy widening the banks. Completing the station yards and ballasting the station buildings are also actively in progress, and I expect to have the line to Ormond ready for regular traffic b,y February next. The final location of the balance of the line to Karaka will he taken in hand as soon as a suitable officer can he detailed for the work. The expenditure on this railway last year exceeds the vote by X 4495, having amounted to XL),498. This year it will he even larger, and an authorisation of X 20,000 will lie required. MAIN TRUNK LINK. The report then continues to deal with the main trunk line, which it was intended to forward as rapidly as posssible. The length of railway from Marion to Te Awamutu was 210 miles, and tho total length finished or in progress was U!8 miles. Of the remainder a final surveyhad been made. The amount expended to 27th September, 1901, was L 871,667, and the estimated amount required to complete the line was L980,8U0. The number of workmen now employed was 1100. He informed Parliament last session that if ways and means were provided from time to time as required this railway eould ho completed and opened for traffic within about four years from tho end of last session, and he had no. reason to supposo that that expectation was not still capable of realisation. Provision is made for alterations, and . additions to the Wairoa post office. In conclusion, the Minister stated that in allocating tho amounts proposed for tho several purposes due consideration had been given to what ho believed to be the wishes of hon. members, namely, that tho works should proceed with all reasonable ’ speed, and especially that formation roads to back blocks should be pushed forward, the work being done at a time when the best results may bo obtained. Every consideration had been given to the urgent requirements of the col my, and he had confidence that the result at tlie end of the year would give satisfaction.