PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2578, 12 July 1882, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

[By Telegraph.] WELLINGTON, July 11. The following is tie Public Works Statement by the Minister for Public Works, the Kon. Walter Woods Johnston, delivered in the House to-night. Mr (Speaker,—l feel very strongly that the Bouse suffers a disadvantage in receiving a statement of the public works of the colony, dealing not only with tbe progress made in construction daring the past year, bnt also with the administration of what has now become a very large bns’uess, fromjthe hands of a Minister who takes charge only just before the meeting of Parliament. So far as construction ia concerned it is easy to narrate the progress that hasi been made with the works during the period under review; easy also to declare the i ntentions of the Gevernment in respect both of the works it ia desirable to complete or extend, and of the amonnt it is thought prudent to expend in each year ; bnt with regard to the administration of railways open for traffic the case is different. There arise questions affect ing the management, demands for altering the present classification of goods, suggestions for a modification of tbe tariff, for a decrease in passenger faros, inquiries as to the sufficiency and condition of onr rolling stock, and as to whether any share of maintenance charges is not borne upon loan. Upon all of which I believe it would be exceedingly satisfactory to the House were tbe Minis tor able to make an authoritative statement based on his knowledge of the facts. But by the time he is familiar with the working of the administration, and ia able to leave the impress of his touch visible upon the management, the ; seriod usually arrives for his successor in office ■;o begin to make himself acquainted with the facts.

In 1820 the Eailway Commissioners strongly recommended that the administration of constructed railways should be transferred to a board of management having the same powers and functions as a board of directors of an English railway company. So far as my short term of office enables me to form an opinion I incline to the belief that it might bo advantageous to have some such a board, not only because of the knowledge and experience with which it conld deal with the questions that engaged its attention, bat also because it would be removed from political pressure, but the House will recognise that it is impossible to hurriedly arrive at any conclusion npon snch a large subject, with which, therefore, the Government does not intend to deal during this session. Hon. members will find attached to this statement the tables and statements of expenditure and liabilities, and the annual reports from the General Manager of Hallways, from the Engineers-in-Chief of the North and Middle Islands, with explanatory maps; and from_ the Marino Engineer and the Colonial Architect. Before proceeding to the details of the expenditure during the past year, I may remind the Honse that although an appropriation was taken last year for a very large sum. £1,392,554, or rather more than the unexpended balance of the Public Works Fund in hand on the 3lst March, 1881, yet owing to the inability of the colony to enter the London money market for a further loan before next December, and the consequent necessity for husbanding our means, we only spent during the year, as the Treasurer has told us, the sum of £935,5C8, thus loavmg in hand on the 31st March last a balance of £924,865. The public works liabilities outstanding have also slightly decreased, as compared with the previous year, being, at the close of the last financial year, £540,528, while they were on the Slat March, 1831, £5b8,623. I beg to call the particular attention of bon. members to the rata of expenditure, because the Government does not desire to anticipate any portion of the loan before it is raised, and therefore it may happen that further contracts will be entered into daring this year than during the last. Last year we disbursed nearly a million, and incurred liabilities to more than half a mil-ion. We began the current financial year with £924,000 in hand available for the year’s disbursements, and we propose not to incur liabilities in excess of this amount until after the loan has been floated. _We shall probably, therefore, reach the termination of the financial year with only such outstanding liabilities as we may incur after the floating of the loan, consequently when hon. members meet next session it is probable they will find the three million loan bnt little encroached upon.

BAILWATS. Although the amount voted last session for survey and construction of railways, including additions to opened lines, was £1,026,636, yet the amount spent was only £154,333, and the liabilities outstanding on the 31st March wave £320,254. Hero I should like to invite the attention of hon. members to this fact, that cf the expenditure £166.086 was for additions and improvements to lines previously open for tr affic, and of the liabilities about £122,520 was on same account; and I wish I could state that this recent outlay of £388,606 had fully completed and equipped our open lines ; but as I shall show further on, this is very far from being the case. From one point of view, this insufficiency of accommodation upon our open lines is a matter for congratulation, since it arises from the very large and rapidly increasing traffic, which is much greater than was provided for when the lines were built, and which has necessitated heavier rails, enlarged stations, increased rolling stock, more extensive workshops, and numerous improvements, and stockyards at the smaller country stations. Bat of course the fact that a largo further expenditure is necessary must be berne in mind when considering the question cf thel feasibility of reducing fares and rates of freight. The length of railways in various stages of progress dnring the year was 234 miles, and of this length 46 miles were opened for traffic within the year—23 miles in each Island. The total length of railways opened for traffio on tho 31st M.-rch lust was 1333 miles, there being open in tho North Island 453 miles, and in the Middle Island 875 miles I will now make a brief reference to each cf the lines of railway, to what extent they have been proceeded with or improved is state! in detail in the reports from the engineers in charge, but it is customary to refer to them in tho Statement itself, and on this occasion to do eo will make a desirable and convenient preface to the proposa's for tho expenditure of the now loan.

Kawfskawa—'The length of railway undertaken in this case is about 8 miles, and of that distance about 3 miles were completed and opened in 1877. The formation of the remainder having been let iu two contracts, the first of these for a length of about 1 mile, was completed in May, ISBO, and the other, for the remainder of the distance, and including a wharf in deep water, will probably be completed about September next. vVhangarei Kamo—The last mile cf the seven comprising this line, with a whaif 714£t in Isncth, is upon the point of completion. Kaipara-Waikato—The last II miles of this railway, 140 miles in length, wore completed and opened last July, bat the lice as a whole will still require a large expenditure neon it. Tn addition to labilities existing on the 3lst March of JB 17.035, it is estimated that .£IOO,OOO more is required for the reclamation and station at Auckland workshops at Newmarket, minor additions along the line oed further rolling stock. _ „ . Waibato-Thames.—From Hamilton towards Te Aroha the formation is nearly completed for s. distance of eighteen miles, with the exception i,

of the bridge over the Waikato river near Hamilton, with which the contractor is not making proper progress, while at the Grahamstown end of the line the formation is completed from Grahamstown to Kopu, with the exception of about three-quarters of a mile at Kanater auga, the working survey of which will be ready in abont three weeks, when tenders will be called for the completion of the formation and the plate laying. The branch line from Hamilton to Cambridge is in progress, a contract having been accepted for the formation of the first portion of the section of four miles. From Makotoko to

Matamau is included a large viaduct, which will not be finished before Jane, 1833, and as there would have been no advantage in completing the section long before the viaduct was finished, tenders for the 1 let portion are only now being called for. Plana are being prepared for two other large viaducts on the next section, for which tenders will bo called shortly, and it is expected that these will bo completed about the same

time as the large viadnet previously mentioned, so that tho line from Makatoko to near Danevirk (nine miles) will then be ready for traffic. Wellington-Woodville—No further progress has been made with this line. The whole sum spent last year upon it, £25,825, having been required for the payment of liabilities and some improvements. lam informed that £15,000 more is required for impro<ements to the lenglh open, in addition to the outstanding liabilities, £5019. New Piymouth-Poxton—The House will bo glad to learn that upon the completion ia December next of the section between Manntohi and Waverley there will only remain a gap of ten miles situate between Hawera and Manutohi, and the construction of this short length,

the survey of which is nearly finished, will complete a line of 195 miles. Wellington—Manawatn.—l am glad to be able to say that a company, formed for the purpose of constructing this line under the Railways Construction Act of last year, will relieve the colony from any demand on its means for the prosecution of this work. Nelson—Eoundhill—A further length of three miles from Foxhill to Bellgrove was completed, and opened last July. Picton—Hnrunni.—A section from Blenheim towards Awatero, length abont five milts, was lot for contract in December last, and is now in progress. In connection with this line, I may mention that the bridges to be erected over the Clarence and Waiau rivers are designed to carry both railway and road traffic. Hurunui—Bluff.—Hon. members will find in the report from the Manager in charge, a full statement of the work done, both on the main line and on the various branches. I can here only briefly indicate the nature of the work undertaken daring the past year. We have constructed upon the main line the section through the Weka Pass from Waipara to Waikari, and this was opened for traffic shortly after the close of the financial year. A contract has been let for the formation from Waikari to Hurunui and for the bridge over the Hurunui. The designs will shortly bj completed. Wo have also made considerable progress in the construction of the branches the expenditure, including liabilities on improvements to portions of the main lines and branches previously opened for traffic, amounted to £208,020, the chief items being sums onaccount of new stations at Timaru, Dnntroon, Port Chalmers and Dunedin ; for considerable additions to stations at Ashburton, Oamaia, Palmerston, Moegiel and InvereargO! j and for the lengthening of the Eakaia bridge abont 100 ft. It is estimated that over £280,000 additional, besides outstanding liabilities amounting to £98,000, will be required for further additions and improvements to the opened lengths. Of this sum, however, probably some £45,000 or £50,000 will not come in course of payment during the next throe years, Otago Central.—Upon this line the expenditure last year was £21,263, and outstanding liabilities £II,OBO towards the carrying ont of the work. The total expenditure, including liabilities, was, on the 31st March, £135,302, and to line the tunnels will cost £17,000 more. Hiverton-Orepnki—Six miles of this line from Riverton are now open, and the formation onwards from Orepnki is under contract. When it is finished, which will probably be about this time next year, there will be a continuous line from Makarawa Junction, upon the Invercargill. Kingston line, to Orepuki, thirty-six miles, with a branch to Wairio of twenty-two miles, and from Wairio to the Nightcaps there is a railway constructed by the coal company abont two miles. To sum up, hon. members will see that in the North Island no extension has been made of the trunk line from Te Awamutu southwards, bnt that the coal lines and the branch lines in the Waikato and at the Thames are being proceeded with as rapidly as possible; that the line from Now Plymouth to f oxton is approaching completion, and that bat little farther progress has been made towards the connection of Wei-

liugton and Napier; that in the Middle Island the trank line will shortly be completed as far north as Hurnnni. and that fair progress has been made with the different branches nnder construction ; while both in the North and South Islands a large additional expenditure is required to complete and properly equip the opened lines. It is a matter of regret to the Government that so far only one company has contracted to construct a railway uader the Railways Construction Act of last year. Bnt there is reason to believe that some slight amendment of the Act, to effect which a Bill has already passed its second reading in the other branch of the Legislature, will enable other companies to assist in the work of railway construction. Wobking Railways.

The working of the open linea during the past year shows good results. The increase in revenue being £35,592 against an increase of expenditure of only £1143, whilst the tonnage carried shows an increase of 50,931 tons ; and the number of passengers, 561,916 more than in the preceding year. Return No. 9 attached to the report of the General Manager, which gives a comparison of revenue and expenditure for the three last financial years, will show hon. members the expansion of cur railway business and its careful management. From this table it will be seen that whilst during the throe years the increase of revenue is about 17 per cent., the decrease in expenditure is about 10 per cent., and this latter, notwithstanding that there has been an extra length of 147 miles to work and maintain. The true measure of the improvement is however found in the statement of the work done, which shows that although the increase of revenue is only 17 per cent., the tonnage moved has increased by about 30 per cent., and the parcels and live stock by about 80 per cent. 'I bese facta are a substantial indication that the department has been dealing liberally with the rales, and as a matter of fact the redactions made in the rates in all parts of the colony have been large. The concessions made in the grain rate alone being estimated to benefit the producers to the extent of about £15,000 during the current year. While the goods traffic however shows largely increased commercial activity, tho passenger traffic has not as yet entirely recovered from the heavy fall which took place during 1830-81, that having been the period of the greatest depression of railway traffic in the colony. The passenger traffic is not, therefore, as great as previous results might have led ns to expect, and this fact suggests that it is desirable to consider whether it might not be advantageous to reduce the fares, a subject which must receive attention at an early date. It will require, however, to be treated with caution. The passenger receipts for the year having been £361,705, it will readily he seen that a reduction in faros, if not followed by a o.responding increase in passengers, would considerably diminish the profit of the railways—the more so because it would be necessary to mate a very substantial redaction in order to give the experiment any reasonable chance of success. The total expenditure to the 31st March last upon railways, including the cost of the provincial railways taken over, is £10,974,000. Of this sum it is estimated that £1,531,000 was not in a position to contribute to the revenue during tho past year. The cost cf the buss open for traffic was, therefore, £9,443,000, and the surplus of receipts over expenditure, £369,000, give a return of £3 18s 2d per cent. The linea in the North Island cost £3,191,000, and yield a net revenue of £68.000, or £3 2s 8d per cent. Those in tho Middle Island cost £6,249,000, and give a return of £301,000, or £ll6s 3d per cent. The increases over the preceding year being—for tho North Island £IBOO, and £37,000 for tho Mi idle Island, which upon the total cost gives an average increase of 10s percent. This great difference between the traffic carried on ths

lines in each island points unmistakably to the advisability of comp'eting the connection between the separate portions of the railway system of the North Island. It mnst be borne in mind that the total expenditure of £ 10,974,000 covers not only the expenditure upon all works in progress to date, and for plant on hand, but also upon all extensive explorations and trial surveys, together with that on some harbor works and wharves in connection with the railways, the revenues derived from which are retained by the local bodies. The lines generally have during the year been maintained in a thoroughstate of efficiency, and considerable additions have been made to station accommodation and stock; in this latter direction much still remains to be done, particularly in the extreme north and south. Fresh orders for carriage and waggon stock are under execution for both Islands. Notwithstanding that the railways commenced in 1871 have been more substantially carried out than was at that time proposed, we have still bat a light system of railways and stock designed for moderate speeds. In consequence of the growth of the traffic, it became necessary to relay the lines in many places with heavier rails, and also to make the necessary additions to rolling stock of a heavier and more expensive character than that originally provided. This line of action is being continuously followed. Hoads, Exclusive of the vote taken for "roads to open up lands before sale,” amounting to for the year for both islands, and for “ roads

through lands recently purchased,” amounting to £7833, which was placed under the control of the Minister of Lands, there were votes taken last session for the construction of roads and road bridges in the North Island, amounting to £ll6 825, and in the Middle Island to £33,539. Of these sums the expenditure in the North Island was £69,871, and the liabilities on the Slat March last, £32,103; total, £101,974. In the Middle Island the expenditure was £28,896, and the liabilities, £28,798; total, £57,694. North Island—For particulars of the works executed in both islands, 1 must refer hen.

members to the reports of the engineers in charge. Here I will merely state generally that in the district north of Auckland c msiderablo progress has been made In continuation of the works undertaken last year towards improving the communication through that part of the colony which has hitherto been much in want of such facilities, and that in the Waikato the Waipaha has been bridged in two places, and a third bridge is in course of construction at Alexandra leading to the King country. In the district lying between the Waikato and Rotorua work has been done on improvements of the Cambridge to Tanpo road, and particular attention has been given to the Cambiidge—Rotorua road, which will be

the future highway from the Waikato into the Rotorua country. Various contracts have been let. and 200 Armed Constabulary were transferred to the Rotorua road, after their services were no longer required at Parihaka, and are new actively engaged on that work. For the improvement of the road from Cambridge to Tauranga a subsidy has been given to the local body. From Tauranga te Opotiki, and thence to the East Cape and Gisborne, the roads are being steadily pushed on, ont of funds provided by Parliament. The first important work on this line is the Haerani bridge over the Waimapu, which has been finished and opened by the County Connci'. The road from that point through the Topuke settlement to Maketn has been carried on mainly by the County Council, under the supervision of tbe Lands Department,‘and partly by the Armed Constabulary, and partly by Native labor. The line of road from Opotiki to Ormond bv way of the Meta bridge will shortly bo open for stock driving purpose. The line of road from Gisborne to Wairoa is being similarly improved, and the whole chain of ccmmnnication from Tauranga to the Wairoa, will be thus opened for this class of traffic la the Waimate Wains and ia connection with Native affairs at Parihaka, several road works were undertaken, amongst which was the continuation road from h’toney Liver to Opunako. This has been formed and gravelled throughout, with the exception of two and a half miles of gravelling at one end. From this road three branch roads running inland are in progress ; a length in all of twelve miles of such branch roads having been farmed within the year. South of Opnnahe as far as Waingongoro extensive works have been carried out in the way of improvements, and with the exception of about six and a half miles, the road has been gravelled throughout. A branch from this road to Normanby, six miles in length, has been formed. Middle Island—The principal road works undertaken have been metalling and other improvements on the road from tbe Wairan River, near Blenheim, to the Pelorus bridge, and a new road from thence to Nelson; the Eae Valley bridges and other improvements on the road from Nelson to Westport and Qreymonth; the Clarence River bridge, for which the ironwork has been ordered from England ; and the road from Kaikonra to Waiau, and the Waian bridge. In addition to these may be specially menti ned the Rakaia Gorge bridge in Canterbury, and the Forest Hill tramway in Southland. The whole of the works executed are of great utility, having been much required to keep pace with tbe increasing demands of settlement. Harbor Works and Lighthouses.

For harbor works last session a sum of .£23,314 was voted, the largest item being .£15,000 for the continuation of the training wall at Greymouth. This las been steadily carried forward, and the whole of the vote was expended or contracted for within the year. A small snm of .£2OOO provided for commencing a training wall at Westport has also all been expended or contracted for. The item of .£3OOO in sid of harbor works at Hokitika has been handed over to the Harbor Board there, under whose supervision the wark is being carried out. The removal of the rooks at Gatlin’s Biver has taken longer than anticipated, but it will now be completed forthwith. The Buoy Bosk at Nelson has been lowered so as to obtain a minimum depth of 7ft of water at lowest tides A training wall at Collingwood of a tentative character is in progress, with the view of restoring the Aorere Biver to its proper channel. On harbor works altogether the expenditure out of public works loans within the year has bean £IB,BIO, and the liabilities on the 31st March last were £1755, total £23 565. Under the heading of lighthouses the works completed during the year have not been very extensive or costly, but they will be of considerable utility to shipping. They consist principally of the lighting of Cape Egmont, two leading lights in Tory Channel, and a beacon in the French Pass erected as a part of a proposed complete scheme for lighting that place. In addition to these completed works, preparations have been made for t‘-e construction of lighthouses at Waipapa Point and in the Hauraki Gulf. For the Waipapa works the site las been selected, and an order has been sent to England for the light apparatus and lantern. Hauraki Gulf lighthouse works were commenced in February last, all the plant necessary being already in hand. Public Buildings.

For public buildings generally tho amount voted last session was £191,103, of this sum £128,356 was expended daring the year, and the liabilities at the end of March last amounted to £81,457; total. £212,813. Tho portion of this expenditure, inc'uding liabilities, devoted to the North Island was £71,634, and to the Middle Island £141,179, and of these sums £33,272 in the North Island, and £13,153 in the Middle Island were devoted to school bnildings. A a the expenditure on school buildings is not supervised directly by the Public Works Department, the amounts on the expenditure of which the department has had control have, therefore, been £35,362 in the North Island, and £92,726 in the Middle Island ; total, £I2B,CSS. In the North Island, exclusive of school bnildings and tho asylnm at Whan, no very large work has been completed, and the only buildings of considerable magnitude commenced have been the now post and telegraph offices and prison at Mount Cook, Wellington. In the Middle Island the lunatic asylums at Snnnyside and Seacliffe are the principal works in progress. At Snnnyside, considerable additions have been made dnring the year, and others are being proceeded with, while designs bavo been got out for still further additions at Seacliffe. The works, which are of large magnitude, are being gradually carried out. It is expected that these two asylums, when completed, will compare favorably, both in appearance and utility, with the best institutions of a similar kind in England. The only other building of importance in progress is the new courthouse at Oamarn. In all about thirty buildings in tho North Island and forty buildings in the Middle Island have been either in course of erection or alteration, or under considerable repair, within the year. Coalfields. The coal now need on the Now Zealand railways is entirely raised in the colony. Thus the Hnrunni-Bluff section i.( supplied by contract from the following mines Springfield, Glentnnnel, Homebnsh, Shag Point, Kaitangata, Nightcaps, and Westport, and, with the exception of a supply from the Waikato and Brunner mines, tho remaining sections of the railways obtain their supply mainly from the Westport Colliery Company’s mine. The only New Zealand coal in the market of a description suitable for maiiue purposes is that of the Kawakawa coalfield, the Kamo mine, and the coat of the West Coast of the t-’outh Island. The former is very largely used by the Union Steamship Company. Dnring the past year, the development of the New Zealand coalfields has chiefly consisted in the extension of those mines which were _ already at work. Of the e there is a notable improvement in the output from Banbury or the Westport Company’s mine at Westport, due principally to the increased facilities for transport which have been provided by steamers, and more steamers are in course of construction, which will tax the powers of the company’s self-acting tramway to keep them constantly occupied. The Kuranni mine is not yet putting coal in the market, hut will shortly be able to do so. The BivertonOtantau line has been instrumental in causing

the Nightcaps coalfield to be opened up, and two seams are now being worked there, the company having constructs! a short line to connect with the Government railway. It is expected that whea the Orepaki line is completed, the fine coal seam in this locality will also be worked, and Southland will thus become entirely self-supplying in the matter of coal. Minos are now opened in Southland, Otago, Canterbury and Auckland, which are capable c£ supplying the local wants of these districts, and the mines of Greymouth and Westport are being farther developed, yielding very superior gas and steam coal respectively. The published reports upon the control and inspection of mines show that the quantity of coal raised in the colony during the years 1878 to 1881 has steadily increased, while the quantity imported has steadily decreased. During 1881, however, there was a slight increase as compared with 1830, bat the increase hftiho quantity raised in the colony during 1881 is relatively as great as in previous years, and far exceeds the incraasa_ in coal imports during the same year. In view of these facts, and bearing in mind the increased facilities which are being provided by railway for transit of coal from mines to the centres of population near the seaboard, it may reasonably bo assumed that the ccasumption of local coal will become far more general than it is at present, and thaty the importation of the commodity will cense. . WAjI’ERWOEKS ON GOLDFISH^ For we.terworks on goldfields smn c r was voted, of this amou- (pas-off

been expended, and there were liabilities at the end of March last to the extent of .£6666. i'otal, £5X9,933. The whole of this expenditure, including liabilities, was in the Middle Island, the principal item having been the WaitnoaKnmara race, .£12,806. Of the other expenditures the only important ones were on the Mikonai race .£4338, and on the Charleston race £ 1223. On the Waimea-Knmara race, the chief work executed during the year has been the completion of the Kumara sludge channel, which is now available for sluicing purposes, and is generally considered to be a useful work. On the Mikoaui race the work has been in continuation of tunnels between Boss and Donnelly’s Creek, the amount of tunnelling done between those points to the end of yea', baing 121 chains, out of a total of 151 chains required. The work on the Charleston rasa has consisted chiefly of improvements in head works, extra catch water-races to increase the water supply, and tunnel deviations from the original line of the race to rednee the cost of fntnre maintenance. Pboposals foe the FuTtritE. I now come to the proposals for the current TAftf Whir'll nnmnrlca flio nnlioma nf rtiof.nilnfnnn

of the loan so far as it is available for railways construction over such of the works authorised as the Government consider should be pushed on as rapidly as possible. The Treasurer has told tho House that the amount of public works fund which, on the 31st March last remained in the hands of the Government, free of all liabilities, was .£381,000, of which £IOO,OOO was required by the Native Minister to conclude tho purchase of come Native lands. We have, therefore, a clear balance, after providing tor all money liabilities actually incurred, of £334.000. But X have already indicated that to complete and properly equip our open lines will require a large sum, which is estimated at £376.000, daring the next three years; and this expenditure is not only necessary, as I have shown on account of tho unexpected and largo increase cf traffic, but will also m-.tcrially facilitate the working of the lines, and it is expected will add to neb revenue ; so that even without making provision for land purchases, and without commencing any farther construction works, the required additions and improvements to open lines will practically exhaust the whole sum of £334,000 in hand on the 31st March. The greater part of this expenditure is for

works at Dunedin, Auckland, and Timaru, the remainder being required for additions to the workshops at Hillsids and Addington, for such share of the cost of heavier rails as is usually debited to loan, for minor works upon over 1300 miles of railway, and for additional rolling stock, a necessary expenditure, for a considerable portion of which the House will be asked to make provision this session. It will, I think, be convenient if we assume, for the purpose cf simplifying the statement, that £IOO,OOO needed during the currant yecr by tho Native Minister will be found out of new loan, thus enabling the balance in Ifc-id to provide for the proposed expenditure upon open lines, and leaving the consideration of the question how best to apply the three million loan to further construction uncomplicated by the necessity for an allocation for improvements or for further rolling stock. In considering what shall be the works to be recommended for prosecution, look in first place at probable cost of completing the connection between Auckland and Wellington, and between Picton and Invercargill, and of other trunk lines. This cost is estimated to be as follows : From Te Awamntu southwards, £1,100,000 to complete Napier to Wellington and connect with the New Plymouth and Foxton line, £670,000; to complete tho Now Plymouth—Foxton lice, £75,000; to connect Picton and Christchurch, £1,200,000; to connect Nelson and Greymonth, £1,200.000; to connect Helensville and Kawakawa, £BBO,OOO ; to construct tho Otago Central, £1,000,0G0; total, £6,125,000. When further we consider that to complete the branch lines now in coarse of construction it will cost over £700,000, and that in addition there is a large annual expenditure upon public roads, immigration, barkers and lighthouses, goldfields and telegraph extension, besides some £200,000 required to complete our transactions in Native lands, it will be seen that a loan of ten millions to provide for all these objects would not have been excessive. But the Government believed that to increase our public debt by £1,000,000 per annum was as much as prudence would permit, and that it was inadvisable to taka authority to raise this annnal million for a period beyond the time for which this House is elected. With the exception that it is prepared to recommend the House to make special or the consideration of the line from Te Awamntn southwards, these considerations determined Government to limit the amount of the loan for immigration and general public works to three millions only as annonneed in the Financial Statement, despite the fact that this sum can only accomplish a part of what it desires to be accomplished ; and it has decided to recommend the following apportionment of the lean : Railways—Kawakawa, to complete, £17,500. Whangarei and Kamo, to complete, £7500. Hamilton and Cambridge, to complete, £50,000. Hamilton and Ta Aroha, to complete, £92,000. Thames, Te Aroha, Grahamstown to Kopna, £23,000. Main trank line from Te Awamntu southwards, £IO,OOO Napier and Woodville to complete, £160,000 Wellington and Woodville extension from Masterton, £209,(00 New Plymonth-Poxton, to complete line of 195 miles, £75,000 Nelson-KoandeU extension from Eelgtovo, £IO,OOO Greymonth-Beefton extension towards Beefton, £IOO,OOO _ Main trank line through South Island extension southwards from Blenheim, £90.000 Completion of Weka Pass and Horsley Downs sections, including bridge over Hnrnnui, £75 000 Main trunk line extension northwards.

£IBO,OOO Upper Ashburton branch extension, £15,000 Lincoln end Little Stiver, to complete, £30,000 Albury Creek Branch extension to Bnrke’s Pass, £35,000 Oxford to Sheffield, to eompleta, £12,000 Livingstone branch, to complete first sec! ion, £22,000 Palmerston and Waihemo, to complete, £IB,OOO Catlin’s River branch, to complete section from main line to Port Molyneux road, £22,000 Woipahi and Heriotbnrn. to complete section to Swift’s Creek, £12,000 Edendale-Toi Tois, to complete section to Mokorota, £lß,ojo Otago central extension, £300,000 Lnmsden and Marroa branch, to complete to Centra Hill, £35,000 Eiverton-Orepuki, to complete, £16,000 Total, £1,650,000 Purchase of Native lands, £200,000 Public buildings, £300,000 Immigration, £200,000 Koada to open up Crown lands, £200,000 Beads and bridges, £IOO,OOO Beads, wharves, and bridges north of Auckland, £IOO,OOO Goldfi .Ids, £IOO,OOO Harbors, £ioo,ooo Telegraph extension. £50,000 Total, £1,350,000 Grand total, £3,000,000. Hon. members will observe that towards the construction of tbo line between Waikato and the railways in the southern part of the North Island only £10,0.0 has been allocated, whilst the estimated cost of the work is £1,100,000. This is in consequence of the decision arrived at.by thejGovernment. As I have said for tho construction of this line they make separate provision, and for this they have come to the conclusion to introduce a

special Loan Bill for one million, to be solely applied to this purpose, as soon as the_ circumstances will permit. In the meantime the ,£IO,OOO allocated will enable surveys to bs made to determine the best route with regard to ths works proposed generally. It is plain that the expenditure named is determined to a large extent by the position of the linos in the course of construction and the necessity of either completing the branch lines or of carrying them, at all events, to convenient termini. If the proposals of the Government are adopted, the main lines will be so advanced as to render their completion by the next Parliament a certainty, lha New Plymouth— Foxtou line will be completed Most of the branch lines will also be completed, and the remainder will be carried to convenient places. Large as is the share of the three million loan dedicated to works other than railways, it is less than has been the rule sinoo the commencement of onr public works policy in 1870, evaa though for some years after the commencement the amount expended on public buildings was very smell. S nee 1870 the increase of the public debt and the contributions in aid of the public works fund amount to over .£'.9 000,000, only £9.869,000 of which has been spent upon railways. The share of the three million loan to be allocated to each branch of ©xpendi ture other than railway const'notion has been carefully considered and limited, and in each case to as small a sum as possible. My hon. colleague the Native Minister hopes that with £IOO,OOO, in addition to the £. 00,000 which the Treasurer informed the House would be wanted, he will be able to close hia transactions in Native lands. For public buildings the amount sst aside is very small in comparison with the recent rate of expenditure. For example, last session the House voted for public buildings .£194,106, and the amount, spent within the year "-as £s23 3>6 without standing liabilities of -£34,457. The Govern™gat has come to the ccnclusiou that it will oc unwise for ns to ooutkuo to spend annually such a irvr*a portion of oar borrowed money upon W.’lic buildings, md will therefore next year 1 make other provison from the consolidated | tuVfl auo for a considerable part of them. We . reasonably expect than the

> £300,000 asked for will be required from the loon. The immigration proposed is solely a nominated immigration, except for tingle women. It is believed the amonnt devoted to it is sufficient, although lam glad to say as evidence that the colonists who have come to New Zealand have prospered here, that the Minister for Immigration has in hand at the present moment more than 5000 nominations of persons whom their friends in the colony desiie to bring out, and there is no doubt that when tba Government advertises throughout the colony that they ate prepared to receive nominations, tins number will te largely increased. I need not say that the expenditure upon immigration is exceedingly profitable. We have spent npon it altogether since 1870 rather less than £2.000,000, or incurred annual charge of about £IOO,OOO, and have introduced in all 101,214 persona. Since 1870 onr population has increased from 248,100 to 501.900, whilst our revenue, exclusive of revenue derived from railways and Crown lands, has increased f.om £335,000 is £3,414,000 -a sure indication that the introduction et this large body of immigrants, besides being very advantageous and profitable, has enabled the immigrants themselves to attain to a condition of comparative comfort in their new home. To the course which has been adopted dnring the past few years of opening np Crown lands before offering them for sale by a systematic plan of pioneer roads, bridges, and drainage works, tho Government attaches very great importance. The effect of the work that has been, done under the supervision of the Survey Department is very apparent as they are put in the market—a result which might not, if taken by itself, be desirable, but in the more rapid occupation and cultivation of land by those who settle upon it. The plan which ia adopted comprises laying off lines of road which will become main lines of communication through tho country, and in tho subdivision for purposes of sale of blocks of laud by the formation of cross roads. The Crown Lands Report, which is now upon the table, will supply full information as to the work which has been put in band, and the estimates which will be

placed before yon will give the datails of of this character which it is intended to cute in the future. The fact that nearly half s million of acres will be surveyed and available for sale during the current year under the different provisions of the Land Act will show honorable members that largely increased facilities, as compared with previous years, are being afforded for settlement throughout the country. Possibly the amonnt set aside for rotds riti bridges may seam nee.ilossly large, s. elng that the Government proposes to make special provision for works of this class, bat it must he remembered that owing to tb* necessity which has existed of extending tho expenditure of the balance of our public works fund over the interval until we can borrow again, a considerable number of the works authorised last year have not been commenced. But, nevertheless, the localities interested look npon the grants as being still available, and there are, moreover, works still to be carried oat npon snch_ roads as tho one from Christchurch to Hokitika, or that between Greymonth and Nelson, or npon the roads north of Auckland. Indeed, seeing that the portion of the colony lying north of Auckland is excluded from any further railway construction out of the lean now proposed, the Government deemed it only equitable to specially allocate for the roads, wharves, and bridges in that district the sum of £ 100,000, It is the intention of the Government to afford no further assistance to local works otherwise than undar the Bill proposed to be introduced, and it is hoped this class of expenditnra will soon cease to be a charge npon our public works fnnd.

With regard to works on the goldfields, tho proposals of the Government, which have already been placed before the House in the ordinary estimates, involve the expenditure out of the consolidated fnnd of an amonnt doable that which has hitherto been placed npon the estimates, and upon conditions which will cause the vote to be more largely availed of than has been the case heretofore. In addition to the above sum from the consolidated fund, it Is proposed to set aside £ 03,003 out of the new loan, partly for the making of roads and partly for the construction of water races, to

which tha Government has been practically committed by the previous expenditure of sums, the outlay upon which would be thrown away unless the works were carried out. '1 ha Government is sensible that in the past soma of these works have been initiated upon estimates of cost which subsequent experience has proved to be entirely inadequate end fallacious, while in other cases the calcu’atit n as to the amount of paying ground to be served has been founded on insufficient data. Eeporta have been obtained which will give to hoc. members a tolerably correct view of tha present position of works in question. On the Mikonni water race, tha construction of the sections now in hand involves an expenditure of £23 OiO. This expenditure will be useless unless the work is continued over a period of four years, the time which will be occupied in the construction cf a tann-l on the line of race, and unless the work Is carried on to a point involving more than quadruple the present outlay. The Government considers it would not he justified in abandoning the work, if satisfactory assurance can be Detained after careful inquiry that it has cot been over estimated. If this be so determined, it is desirable that the tunnel should be at once put in band, and that no future doubt should overhang a question, of such large interest to the people in the Boss district. The case cf the Nelson creek waterrace is one which also will require farther investigation before new works can be pat in hand. A sum of not less than .£90,000 has been expended on works, whirh it appears will only serve a limited extent of ground, and would have required very largo expenditure on renewal and reconstruction of aqueducts if the extent of ground be larger. The qeaa don which now arises is, whether tha head.waters of the race, which are admirably constrncted and possess peculiar advantages, can be advantageously diverted so as to render a fresh area of ground available. This question will require very carefc 1 investigation before the works are proceeded with. At Knmara the sludge chancel has proved to be a very successful work, and the Government will ask Parliament to proceed with the upper dam of the Argj le WJ.ter race works at Charleston. It will be completed during the present year. Among the proposals which will be submitted to the approval of Farliament is a road to Maeetows at a cost of .£3OOO. The want of this road has locg been fe t, and when completed will have the effect of cheapening freights and otherwise assisting a very promising portion of the goldfields. 'J ha reefs at To Aroha give considerable promise for the futu-e, and the estimates contain a provision for assistinj a tramway for the carriage of quartz from the mines in that district.

Tho harbor works which it is proposed to proceed with out of the £IOO 000 allocated to this c'.as- nre principally the works at Greymouth and Hokitika. At Westport, to make the rivet serviceable fer ships cf considerable tonnage, a very large expenditure would bo required, which Sir John Coode estimated at £438,776 for the two outer breakwaters alone, and even if these breakwaters are built to only halftide bright, as has bean suggested, their construction will still r quire a very large sum which it will be difficult to provide for one locality. The Government, therefore, are disposed to consider the possibility of making some concession to the coal companies, in consideration of which they would contract to expend within a limited period upon approved harbor works a sum to ba agreed upon. This cists of expenditure, also, it is confidently hoped will disappear from tho schedule of future Loan Bills. Generally it wi.l be the effort of thel Government to mako to a much greater exteiJ than has hitherto been the case, all farth® loans to bo loans for railwoy There can be no doubt about the benefits which have accrued to the colom^^K||

its railways. As against the difference of over 1 per cent, between their net the interest upon the cs.it of cons *■ me colonists have gained a cheap, safe and rapid haulage of goods, reaching last year to 1,437 714 tons, besides facilitating the travelling of passengers, increasing to 2 911,477 during the same period. The annual saving to the people thus obtained must of itself amount to a considerable part of the whole expenditure upon railways. Tu addition the value of tke property served by the railway sjstem has greatly increased. Moreover, the burden t f the msiut nance of a long length roadway must be very much lessened by Jjßr re‘i ;f afforded by the diversion of the traffic to the railways. The colony has also gained by the promotion of sett'ement and by the greatly increased prices obtained in some cases for Crown lands, as, for instance, on the Waimate Plains. I may be permitted to express here my regret that the State did not from the commencement of the pub'io works policy take possession, at the then value, of considerable areas of laud iu suitable localities in the vicinity of the proposed railway lines in order to cut them up or eel! them in small homesteads. This course would not merely have largely diminished the cost of railways, but would have added to their earnings, and the direct and indirect taxation which this additional population would have contributed to the Treasu-.y might hare made it possible to alleviate to some extent taxation generally. It is thaiefcre almost superfluous for me to add in conclusion that the Government is fboronghly'convinced of the advisability of completing our railways tystem ; that it is an essential part of its policy to complete the construction as rap dly as possible of the main trunk lines in both islands, and of ‘desirable branch liues as soon as circumstances will permit; and that it will gladly see private enterprise supplement the work undertaken by the ctlony, by taking advantage of the Eailwaya Construction Act of last year, and of the District Endways Act. With this policy the colony will continue to make the progress and enjoy the prosperity whit.'i we now happily experience, and if the policy is carried cut with I prude no©, there is no reason to doubt that tha. prosperity trill be enduring.