THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10193, 30 October 1894, Page 3

THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

[By. Telbsbaph.] J Wellinoton, October 11,

Tha Hon. R. J. 3eddon, Minisfccw for Pablio ItVoiks, laid the following Publio Works Statement on the table of the House or Representatives this evening:— ' Mr Speaker,—lt is again mypleasure to lay before yon the Public Woritß Statement. Exception has been tak«n to tho delay in bringing it down, but this w»b quits unavoidable, seeing that the w»ys and means available could not be ascertained until tho recent legislation in reference to improving Crown lands and purchasing Native lands was effected. It will no doubt be contended that tho policy measures dealing with finance should have been brought forward mid passed at an esrlier period of the session. Against this it may fairly be urged that questions of great moment required the attention of the Legislature. These questions were of such an exceptional character that they could not brook delay, but when they were dealt with no time ,was lost in promoting the Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act, which was only passed by the Legislative Council on the 3rd inst., and now awaits:the assent of his Kxcellency. I hope, however, the delay ivill not have made the Statemept less attractive. JtOADING CROWN LANDS AND Fl/RCIIASING NATIVE LANDS. ; The Colonial Treasurer in the Budget indicated "ft new departure with respect to the improvement of lands and ths roading of the same and the purchase and roading of Native lands. Details in connection with proposed expenditure undor these heads will be found in the estimates of expenditure under the head of Lands Improvement Account and Native Lond3 Purchase Act. •The necessity for increased expenditure in conSneciion with improving and reading lands of the Crown and for the purchase of Native lands and loading the same will be conceded by every true ■colonist. If this necessity is jnot met it will bis impossible to keep pace with the demands of thobe who desire to settle upon our lands, and the sons of our farmers will leave our shores and seek horxien elsewhere. Others also who for years have found intermittent employment in our towns and who now seek to settle in the country, and with that object are engaged on tho co-oporative works, would also become disheartened and return to the towns, there to eke out a miserable existence aid, .in many casea, V, ultimately become a burden- on the ratepayers. The Government believe it to be their duty to meet the nrgent demands ior land for small settlements, and that in so doing they are acting in the true interest of colonisation. By settling the people on the land, permanent prosperity will ■ also be aisured, and the lossiof population effectually prevented. Making provision for purpose hereinbefore enumerated has had the effect of ■ IBwelling the proposed expenditure of the year to • considerably more than was appropriated last year. On reference, however, to Part I, it will ■be seen that the amount asked for- under that part of the fund) is only £564,980, I;e'ng less by .£43,880 than was appropriated last year.. The difference -Is., principally accounted for by a reduction of nearly £100,000 in the vwtei for roads, and in increase of nearly,, £40,000 in tha vote for the ievelopment of gold* fields, and *bout £10,000 ii the vote for public .buildings. The total increase in appropriations under all beads will be ;-fiSS,IOZ, made up as follows:— . ; . land improtement account ...£150,000 Native land jurchase account... 150,000 i ] £300,000 Decreaseuncbr Part T „.. ... £43,880 .Decreaseund-rPartll ~ „; ..26,417 •■■ ■-- ;, ■. ' ■- 70,297 Increase/ ... ~ ..' ... £229,703 FROTISION POR ROADWORKS. Generally ai increased. expenditure is proposed '' :trader the heid of main woks, amounting to £16,961. The principal portionof this is owing to : the necessity for provision bing made for the main roads nmth of Ancklanl, the maintenance of roads and especiilly the roads from Nekon to Wotland and lokitik* to Christchurch. Thebcalauthoritisare absolutely unable to maintah these roads. In some of the dis- .- tricts mentioned there has teen no other public •works expendi.ure. They hive no railways, and ■whilst there art vast ireas oi Crown and Native lands there is viry little ratable property. '- ; The keeping open of iheso roads isof colonial as well as local importaice, more particularly in regard to the tourist mffic. Another caase which has necessitated an ncressed sxpeiditure this year is the pxceptionall; bad hartest, bwprices, and the inability of the iwners of property from yariou* ' causers to make inprovemints, this throwing out of employment i very large nunber of vary deserving colonists. The distress durug the winter — more particularly in large cemres—has been » exceedingly greav and it de/olved upon the Government to meet thii unfire'seen difficulty, and to make provision-.to aleviate as far as ..possible the wants and liequrements of those who, through no fault of. tieir) wn, were thrown ■ out of work. The Goveritne* have, however, • rigidly adhered to the poliy tht it was the duty of the State to find empbymnt only on reproductive works and on imjrovig lands the property of the Crown. Acccrdiniythe roads put in Land are only such as are requied for the promotion of settlement and (he d?elopment of the ■resources of the colony., The oier works undertaken have heen bushfelling ad other improvements on' Grown landi, and b this means also settlement has been promoted The colony will lose nothing in connection wit' this class of expenditure, for the amount expeded will be added to the capital value of the land.-Those employed ' in doing work will, inmany cast, become settlers, - and be 'located: on tthe landthey■..have been employed to improve, and theyvill subsequently pay interest oh the moneys wfch have been expended in making improvement Bythesemeana the men become accustomed o a country life, and a large percentage of thenwill never again trouble either the Governmet or the local authorities as unemployed. 3iat ;the General , Assembly should have to perfrm the functions ~ of a general board of works canot be said to be satisfactory; but, as matters {and, it is a necessity. By the local governmeiif legislation of 1876 lit was no doubt intended j regard to minor ; works, such-as roads and bilges, that /She local governing bodies should dealrith these questions. JUI the machinery was tho1 provided; bnt a 'serious defect, and one wbch has not yet been rectified, crept in—namely, he local authorities "were not provided with an eyured revenue upon which they could depend fo the construction of necessary works, and for th< maintenance of the Bame when constructed. He Government have already stated their intentio: of introducing next session amended proposals vith regard to local government Pending th« lecessary legislation being passed and the necesssy funds being thus provided, Parliament is askeoto follow the usual course and make due provison for the several rworks enumerated in the Esthates. The amounts required for road works art in excess of thona asked for during the last thee years, but this excess is largely due to the purchase of Native lands and to the amount requred for roading the lands purchased. A large amunt is also required for farm settlements and for and improvements and main road maintenance.' In respect to the latter, as previously stated tie condition of the finances of the local authoritis is such that it is impossible for them to bear tie expense of these loads. ROAD AND RAILWAY EXPENDITURE. A pleasing feature will be fqind in the fact that whilst there has been a large ncreaae in expenditure on roads, which are a rreat and absolute necessity—in fact, the life bkod of settlement— there has been a considerable decrease in the expenditure ou railways. Ihe appropriations asked for for railways this year also show a decrease on last year's votes, and the decrease ■would have been Btill more marked had it not been for the fad; that a much larger sum is asked for by the Railway Comniissionors for additions M open lines this year than was voted last yea.-. Last year the amount voted was £18,978. This year £40,000 is required, and on going carefullr into the. matter the Government have come to the conclusion that the commissioners have-iot been unreasonable in their demands. Notwithstanding the smallness of the expenditure, it wil be found that the outlay during the last two jeara has been the most ! advantageous that has taken place for a considerable period, for the finishing of partly conBtructed lines and bringiig them to remunerative points was considered to be of the first importance. In another part of the Statement will be found a comparative return showing the appropriations for and expenditure on railways and roads respectively forth* years 1890-91. 1891-92, 1892-93, and 1893-94, from which it will be seen that there has be_en a gradual reduction in the -expenditure on railways, and a. largely increased expenditure upon roads.' Hon. members -will, I feel sure, agree with me that the construction of the district roads, and the maintenance of main roads in settled districts, is, owing to our defective system of local government, to some extent dependable as a charge upon the consolidated fund; but in regard to railways, which remain for the benefit of posterity, it is a reasonable contention that this class of work should be constructed out of funds which the present gennration shonld not be asked wholly to provide. So long, however, as we have partly constructed lines, and judicious expenditure will bring them to a payable point and make the past expenditure remunerative, then a grant from the consolidated revenue for such works jb warranted, leaving the further extension and completion of such. railWays to be dealt with in tha future. PUBLIC WO&XS FUKD. The state of public works fund on March 31 last, including a small asset of £78 due to part I under "The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act 1586," was ac follows :—

From the abdv^-ble it will be Been that tho receipts during; t> Njear moro than met the axumditurc, bo thai v ;he fund vvas in a hotter position to the extent of £12,507 on tho Mint Starch lust than it was at the commencement of the year. Tho receipts under Part I consisted of £250,000 transferred from the consolidated fund, £11)3,713 of released sinking funds. £3757 from tho Kllesmere Railway Trust, and £1883 from miscellaneous sources. The £2428 shown ns a receipt under Part II was a transfer from Part I to cover expenditure on the purchase of Native lands to that amount, which had been charged to Part II in excess of the allocation authorised. TOTAL WATS AND MEANS AVAILABLE. The Colonial Treasurer has already mentioned in the Financial Statement the proposal to again transfer a Bum of £250,000 from the consolidated fund for general public works purposes. An amount of £54,681 will also be available from released sinking funds under our loan conversion operations. A further sum of £250,000 will be ! available for roads and bridges and the preparation of lands for settlement and for assistance to settlers to enable them to make improvements under the Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act, and a further similar sum for the purchase and roading of Native lands under the'same act. The total ways and means available for public workß purposes this year will therefore be as follows: — Public Works Fund, Part I— Balance remaining on 31st March 1894 £263,733 . Transfer from consolidated fund ... 250,000 Released sinking funds — 54,631 ■ ■ ' £568,419 Public Works Fund, Part IIBalance remaining on 31st March 1894 79,197 Total public works fund ._ _. £847,616 Lands improvement account 250,000 Native lands purchase account ... 250.000 Gross total ways and means ... £1,147,616 APPROPRIATIONS PROPOSED. The appropriations proposed under these several heads are as follow :— Public Works Fund, Part I .- ~ j£564.950 Public Works Fund, Part II .v, — 75,183 Total public works fund £640,163 Under the lauds improvement account 150,000 Under the Native lands purchase account .- ... — ... «. 150,000 Gross total appropriations proposed £940,1C3 This will leave an unappropriated balance of £7453 under the public works funds to be carried forward to next year, besides £100,000 each on the lands improvement and the Native lands purchase accounts, or a total unappropriated balance of £207,453. The vote proposed, under Part II nearly absorb the balance of the ways and means standing to the credit of that part of the fund, which means that on their expenditure the one million specially-raised loan for the North Island Main Trunk railway will be practically exhausted. Hon. members will doubtless desire to. know how this amount has been expended. The figures are as follow:—North Island Main Trunk railway loan : Amount of loan, £1,000,000; receipts from land purchased, £7580;—t0ia1£1,007,580. Kxpenditura: Survey and construction of North Island Main Trunk railway, £5J5,911; purchase of Native lands, £220,000; roads to give access to railway, £164,095; chargen and expenses of raising loan, £51,788; departmental expenditure, £ 18,772; balance unappropriated, £4014 ;—total, £1,007,580. This expenditure has given or will give us 59 miles of finished railway, 12J miles additional on which the formation works will be completed and the rails in process of being laid, nine miles on which, the formation works will be in an advanced condition, 70 miles of lines permanently surveyed, and 65 miles of preliminary survey. It will also give us good coach roads, affording access to the railway at both ends, and leading through the centre of the North Island—namely, from fiunterville to Turangarere and Tokaanu ; also from Pipiriki, on the. Wanganui river, to Ohakune, Karioi, and Moawhanga; also about 65 miles of road between Stratford and Ongaruhe, leaving about 40 miles of that road stil} to be made; besides many miles of minor roads and exploration tracks and temporary and permanent service roads and bridges. It has also provided us with an estate of 1,127,497 acres of freehold and 1J9,)48 acres of leasehold land, besides other large areas which have been partially acquired. ■ TOTAL EXPENDITURE TO THE END OF 1893-94. The expenditure in all works and services throughout the colony but of the public works fund up to 31st March last, including the value of the provincial and the purchase price of the district railways, ha 3 amounted to a total ram of £29,293,451. The principal items are as follow :— New Zealand railways, £15,80fi,305; roads, £3 855,455; immigration, £2,146\552; buildings, £1.890,711; purchase of Native lands, £1,297,517; lighthouses, harbour works, and harbour defences, £>i 06,958; telegraph extension, £679,793; development of goldfields, £572,441; defence works (general), £429,719; departmental expenditure, £376,162; and cost of arid discount' on raising loans, £1,026,828. CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM. The co-operative principle of constructing public works continues to give very satisfactory results both to the State and the workmen, and the interest in the matter has also become more widespread. As time wears on the ad vantage* claimed for the Bystem of constructing public works on the co-operative principle are being m ore and more amply verified. As compared with the contract system a much better class of work has been done, whilst the cost to the colony has been no greater. Another advantage is the power which is l«ft in the hands of the Government to regulate the expenditure of public works. As a. case in poiut during the months of April,. May, June, July, and August, whilst work was available in the settled districts, the Government reduced their expenditure on roads railways, and other public works., This enabled the settlers to take advantage of the labour that .was thus set free, and removed the complaints which were made in the past that the local .bodies and the settlers could not obtain the labour when required. A very pleasing feature in connection with this matter was the few complaints made by those who were retired from the works, for only in one or two isolated cases did they complain, thus negativing once and for all the objection that was taken to the co-operative system by tho3e who asserted that the co-operative men would become a political power, and that pressure would be brought to bear by them to force upon the colony an increased public works expenditure. In previous years inquiries were received from the neighbouring colonies in reference to the system, and during last year similar inquiries. came from America; while recently the British Government have tiirough the Agent-general requested to be furnished with the fullest information with regard to it. An article in explanation of the system has been prepared by the Tinder - secretary for Public Works, and will appear in the next issue of the New Zealand Official Year Book; copies of this article will be sent to Bug. land and elsewhere, and the Government confidently expect to hear of the scheme being largely adopted in the carrying out of public works in other countries.. The number of men employed under the system during the last 12 months has been as follows:— '

Average monthly number ... SJfi 1032 1577 The works on which the men have been employed have been of a very varied character. Almost all classes of railway work have been carried out under the system, including earthworks, bridges (wood, stone, and iron), culverts (wood and stone), fencing, platelaying, ballasting, supply of sleepers; and the erection of station and other buildings has been undertaken, and the erection and repair of public buildings have likewiso been carried out under it. The earnings of the men have varied a good deal, according to their capabilities and industry. The total earnings of the co-operative contractors employed under the Public Works department during the year have been £69,603 and under the Lands department .£88,370, or a total of £157,980 distributed amongst the cooperative contract workmen of the colony. I PUBLIC WORKS LEGISLATION. The laws relating to public works have, in the Public Works Bill now before Parliament; been carefully revised and consolidated. The new bill will be found to be a great improvement, both in substance and arrangement, on the Public Works Act previously existing, and administrative work thereunder will consequently be accomplished with less difficulty in the future by the officers of the Government as well as by the local authorities working under the act. A new Tramway Bill has also been prepared aud is now before Parliament. This bill has been modelled on the act at present in force in Victoria, and it is believed that it will be a great improvement on the previous tramway legislation. An amendment to the Inspection of Machinery Act has also been introduced and passed. Under this act the administration of this branch of the public service has been formally placed under the Minister for Public Works, who, as a matter of convenience, has been administering the act for some time past. . The act also provides for drivers of certain classes of engines holding certificates of competency. DEPARTMENTAL. In submitting this Statement to Parliament I think it is due to the valuable departmental officer s and engineers and the whole staff to state thttthey have performed their duties in a. most satisfactory manner, and the careful supervision exercised over expenditure is most commendable. It might appear to those uninitiated in the working of the department that with a smaller expenditure the duties of the staff would b« lighter. This i«, however, not the case, for with the working of the co-operative system the departmental work, and also the work thrown upon engineers and overseers, is very much increased. WORKING RAILWAYS. The Mangaonoho section of the North Island Main Trunk railway and Mokihinm extension of the Westport-Ngakawau railway were handed over to the Railway Commissioners for working in the early part of the last financial year, and the fact was mentioned in last year's Public Works Statement. In addition to these lines the section of the Kotorna railway between Putaruru and Tarukenga, 23 miles 5 _ chains in length, Blenheim to Omaka section of the Picton - Awatere railway, two miles 43 chains in length, and the Gruyraouth-Hokitika railway, 24 miles 37 chains in length, were also handed over to the commissioners during the latter part of the year. Since the close of the financial year the Hikurangi extension of the WhangareiKamo railway, eight miles in length, and the Middleinarch-Hyde section of the Otago Central railway, 16 miles 20 chains in length, have also been handed over, and the last section of the line to Rotorua, 8J miles in length, will, it is hoped, be ready for handing over on the Ist December next. The policy of the Government since their advent to offi-'e has been to complete the unfinished lines so as to turn unproductive ex- ' penditure to profitable account. In pursuance of this policy no less than 136 miles of railway have been completed and opened for traffic during the three and three-quarter years that the Government has been in office. Of this total length 61 miles 7 chains were opened during the late finanr cialyear.

I Tho amount voted for additions to open lines last year wan £18,978, of which amount £9700 was for additional rolling stock. Only £80i2_ of tho total amount was actually expended during tho financial year, however, and of this sura jCSIGI waa for rolling stock. For the current year the commiasionors aak for £46,5)10, of which £22,175 is for rolling Btock and £6000 for the extrusion and improvement of the railway wharf at Port Chalmers. A vote for £40,000 has been provided on the Estimates. A pleasing feature in connection with the increased amcunt asked for under this vote is the demand for trucks specially fitted for bringing dairy produce to ports for shipment, also an additional supply of trucks specially designed for carrying frozen meat. The resultx of last year's working were not eqnal to those of the previous year. The total receipts during 1832-93 amounted to £1,181,521, against £1,172,792 for 1593 94 ; and the net profit after deducting working expenses amounted to £437,434 in the latter year, against £449,380 in the former, a deficiency of £11,946. This, in face of an increased capital expenditure of over £4110,000, and an increase of 6L miles in length of line worked, cannot be regarded as a very satisfactory result. The percentage return on the total capital invested in the railways also declined from £3 Is per cent, to £217s 9d per cent. The shortage in receipts was doubtless owing to the poor harvest, which had the effect of diminishing the tonnage of grain carried aa compared with the previous year by 112,448 tons. STATE CONTROL OP RAILWAYS. During the late general election the question of thecontrol of the railways engaged public attention from one end of tbe colony to the other, the majority of the electors being in favour of the Government having sole cantn-1. A larsce section favoured a re-construction of the board to provide for a Minister acting with the commissioners, whilst a few favoured the continuance of the controlof the railways by the Railway Commissioners. The demand for a change in railway administration being so general the Government considered it advisable to have an infusion of new blood on the board, and on the engagement of Messrs Maxwell and Hannay expiring Messrs Ronayne and. Scott were appointed to take their places. These appointments were made for a period of nine months only, leaving Parliament untrammelled to decide as to the future management of the railways. In the reappointment of Mr M Kerrow as Chief Commissioner a break in the continuity .ot control was avoided. In not reappomting Messrs Maxwell and Hannay we wish it to be clearly understood- that no reflection was intended in regard to their competency as railway experts. The refusal to reappoint them was owing to the fact that the policy which had been pursued in regard to the management :of the railways did not meet with general approval, so a change in Ihe personnel of the commissioners was considered advisable. The law under which they were appointed contemplated that at the end of the engagement of the commissionersi the Government of the day and Parliament should be able to review the position, the non-political control of the railway system beine purely experimental. The course adopted has proved beneficial As wiU be seen by refurence to the •Estimates a substantial reduction in the cost of working has been made, the railways are hem:; worked efficiently, the general public is natisfied, a slight change in the policy has been effected, and a better feeling exists on the part of the railway employees. The passine of. the Government Railways Bill of this session will, however, restore the railways to popular control, aud the result will, I feel sure, fully justify the change, lhe lesson taught in the past must be borne in raiud, and those who have worked to. restore to-the people tho control of the railways should not forget what led to the Railways Act of ISS7 being passed, and under which for six'years the Parliament and people have been subordinated to three irresponsible commissioners. Firmness in resisting unreasonable demands for reductions in the tantt will be essential, and firmness and tact in dealing with the employees imperative. It has been urged that concessions can be made in respect to promoting local industries and in tho carnage of lime and manures, so as to increase the natural products, and that the reductions made will be more than compensated for by the' increased freights. It has been further urged that by a reduction1 in excursion rates and paessnger fares the increased-number travelling will enlarge the revenue, and that without entailing «u>y material augmentation, in thfi working expenses. A great responsibility will devolve upon the Minister for Railways, and the greatest caution will require to be exercised, for whilst it is necessary to bear in mind that tue railways have betn constructed for the convenience of the travelling public and the promotion of settlement, yet. at the same i time the question of revenue must not be overlooked, for a serious reduction in the railway revenue would mean additional burdens on the people in general. In justice to the Railway Commissioners, and in' fairneßs to all concerned, the Government will, on assuming control of the railway*, have a thorough examination made of the permanent way, the rolling stock, and the bridges. ■ EAILWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. The several railway works that have been under construction during the late financial year are as follows:—r „. K*mo-Kawakawa.—The section of thia line between Kamo and HikuranEi, eight miles in length, was practically completed within the year, arid was handed over to the Railway Commissioners for working on the 2nd July last. The expenditure on the line during the year amounted to £8929, exclusive of the value of the permanent way materials supplied, while liabilities existed at the close of the year to tbe amount of £5434 in addition. For the current year it is proposed to ask for a vote of £12,000. A. survey has been made of a portion of the proposed extension of thia line to Whakapara and Hukerenui. The ; total length of the proposed extension is 6 miles ; 35 chains, and it will not be an expensive , line to construct. It will open up a lirge I extent of very good land, and it will also tap the j far-famed Pubipuhi kauri'forest.;- Owing-to a j large portion of the valuable kauri bush of this forest having been fired some time ago it is absolutely necessary that the trees should be felled and utilised without further delay or they will become valueless. Tha sale of this timber and the enhanced value given to the Crowa land through which the line will pass, will more than pay for its construction, and the uovernment proposes to ask Parliament to authorise the woii: The vote proposed for this year will provide tha greater portion of the funds required for the section to Whakapara. A very largely-signed petition has been presented to the HoUBe this session praying for the construction of the entire line between Kawakawa and Hikurangi, so as to establish a connection between the KawakawaOpua and Whangarei-Hikurangi railways the construction of this connection may become necessary in the future, but we are unable to see our way to propose to do more this session than I have already indicated.

Helensville Northwardß.— Practically nothing has been done on this line since my last Statement was delivered, the total expenditure thereon during last financial year having amounted to £329 only. The Makarau contract ia the only work in progress, and on this work the contractors have met with unexpected difficulties in piercing a tunnel. Operations were entirely suspended for a time, bnt have recently been resumed. With the return of fine weather the contractors will doubtless be able to overcome their difficulties and complete the contract. The liabilities already existing on account of this railway amount to £9995, but as the whole amount is not likely to come in for payment during the current year a vote of £7000 is asked for. This also includes a small amount to provide for the commencement of a new section of line of about three miles in length. Grahamstown-Te Aroha.—The formation of the 12 miles of this railway between the Ohlnemuri river and Te Aroha is finished, and the platelaying and ballasting are now in progress, all the rails and sleepers required for the work being already on the ground. The plans for the bridge over the Ohinemuri river have been completed and the ironwork ordered from Kngland, and ou its arrival in the colony the erection of the bridge will be put in hand under co-operative coutract. The formation of the.'station yard at Paeroa will be proceeded with directly the Ohinemuri bridge has been fairly started. The department hopes to be able to have the whole line between Te Aroha and Paeroa, 13 miles 3 chains in length, ready for traffic; shortly after the end of the current financial year. Tha expenditure on this railway last year amounted to £5459, exclusive of the value of rails and sleepers, and a vote of £13,000 is asked for this year.

Putaruru-Rotorua.—The section of this railway between Putaruru and Taruk-snga, 23 miles 5 chains in length, was opened for traiSc on the 84th November last, thus enabling tourists to easily reach Rotorua from Auckland in one day. The formation and bridge works between Tarukenga and the Rotorua terminus, a distance of 84 miles, have also been completed and contracts let for the platulaying and ballasting, as well as for the necessary station buildings. The works on both contracts are actively in progress and it is confidently expected that the line will be ready for traffic all the way to Rotorua by December 1 next. The expenditure on this line during last financial year was £18,357, while liabilities to the amount of £5448 cxUted at the close of the year. We ask for a vote of £17,500, which'will complete one of tho most necessary and useful railways in tho colony.

North Island Main Trunk Railway.—At the northern end of this railway the Mokau section, 11 miles 9 chains in length, which carries the line up to the Poro-o-tarao tuDnel, has been under construction throughout the year, and i 3 now Dearly completed. Fnr the currant year we ask for a vote of £25,000 for this end of the line. This amount will prnvida for the completion of formation works ou ihe Mokau section and for commencing the plateiaying thereon. It is very debirable that the northern end of this railway should be completed to the junction with the Stratford-Ongaruhe road at Kawakawa, 80 that when this road is finished there may be a direct connection by road and rail between Auckland and Taranaki at the south cad. The Mangaonoko station has been completed, and a considerable amount of work clone on the Makohine section. The ordinary earthworks on this section being practically finished, and the culverts are now bein» built and three tunaeln excavated. The rails have also been lai-i as far as the site of the viaduct over the Makohine ravine, so that all materials for the structure can be transported to the site without difficulty. The plans of the viaduct are nearly ready, and tenders for its construction will be invited shortly. For this end of the line we also propose an appropriation of £25,000 this year. This will provide for proceeding with the formation works now in band, and for making a beginning with the Makohiue viaduct. The axpeuditure on the North Island Main Trunk railway last year, including the cost of surveys, amounted to £311,220, while liabilities existed at the close of thi; year to the amount of £14,676. The total vote proposed for the current year is £52.778, which, in addition to the works already mentioned, includes an amount of £2500 for carrying on the surveys. The surveys, which were put in hand on the recommendation of a Select Committee of the House appointed during the session of 1892, have been proceeded with, but I am son-y to say the result has not justified the expenditure. The Urenui route, projected by Mr Ralph Donkin, has bean partially surveyed by that gentleman. Mr Donkin, with & party of from five to nine mcD to assist him, was engaged on this work for 10 months, and during that period he only succeeded in making a trial survey of eight miles of line and a rough traverse of five miles more. The small amount of work accomplished in the time is in itself an evidence of the difficulties met with, and the memorandum on the subject by the Engineer-in-cbief, which has already been laid before Parliament, shows that the line surveyed cannot be regarded as superior in any respect to the Waitara-Mimi line, previously surveyed by Mr

James Blackott, and it is also longer than that line.' The result of this survey being so unsatisfactory instructions were issued in May last for further work thereon to be discontinued, Mr R. W. Holmes has ma<i« two exploratory surroys with tho view of effecting improvements in the central route, but these ourvevs also have been barren of beneficial results. Mr llolmes's carefully preparal and detailed report has already been laid before Parliament, together with the miaute of the engineer-in-chic ithereon, and it is unnecessary for me to say anything farther on the subject here. Mr Holmes is now engaged in permanently locating the line along the central route on which he finds he is abbs to effect a number of minor improvements. Mr Leslie 11. Reynolds has also niadu careful<surveys for the purpose of eliminating the very steep grades at present existing on some parts of the opened line between Marton and Eltham, so as to ascertain the cost of of effecting ne iwsary improvements in that poi-.inn of the Hue in the event of the main line to Auckland being constructed by that route. Mr Keynolds's report has been laid before Parliament, and shews that some rather extensive deviations from the existing line would be necessary, one of them being 11 mil-is OS chains in length and estimated to cost £128.150. The total lenpth of the deviations required between Marton and Kltham would be about 27J miles, the total estimated cost of the same being £217,130. Eketahuna-Woodville.—The early completion of this railway is very desirable, as when completed it promises to be one of the best paying lines in the colodj'. Durins the year the works . have made considerable progress, the bulk of tho earthwork being now completed. The concrete piers of the Makakahi bridee have also been built, and the girdera, for which a contract was let some months ago, will shortly be placed in position. A contract has also been let for a large bridge over the Mangatainoko river, and the platelaying to the site of this bridge is about to be commenced. The expenditure on the line during last year amounted to £115,716, while liabilities existed at the close of the year to the amount of £7887, and further liabilities to the amount of £22,162 have since been incurred. We ask this year for a vote of £40,000, which will cover the large liabilities existing and provide-for the completion of nearly all the formation works on the line, as well as for the platelaying as far as the Mangatainoko bridge. Blenheim-Awatere —The small amount of work done on this line was merely for the purpose of putting the formation works on the Utawai and Dashwood sections into a state of repair, and for the purpose of preventing aa far as possible damage to the works by flood waters, &c. The amount expended was £1224, and liabilities existed at the clise of the year to a further amount of £772. We ask this year for a vote of £2500 to cover these liabilities, and to provide for necessary expenditure in connection with the line. Westport-Ngakawau-Mokihinui.—The last section of this railway was completed and handed over to the Railway Commissioners in August 1893. This section established through communication between the Mokihinui Coal Company's railway and Westport, and since it has been opened has had the effect of considerably increasing the output of coal from the mines in the Mokihinui basin. The increase would have been much larger, however, but for an unfortunate dispute as to the rate of haulage of coal over the company's line, ■ which has had the effect of temporarily closing the mines of tjje- Westport Cardiff Coal Company. Aa a means of effectually settling the dispute and of preventing any others of a like character arising in the future a bill will be introduced .empowering the Government, after a careful valuation has been made, to purchase the company's railway for a sum not exceeding £18,000. The bill will provide for the payment of the purchase money out of tho funds of the Westport Harbour Board, and for endowing that board with the profits on the working of the line. (jreymouth-Hokitika.—The whole of this railway (24 miles 37 chains in length) was handed over to the Railway Commissioners and i opened for regular public traffic on the 20th December 1893. A ■ good deal of work re*. mained to be done to the stations, howj ever, and this has since been in hand, and is i not yet quite completed. The expenditure on the ! line last year amounted to £10,3v)4, while liabiliI ties existed at the close of the year to the amount I of £5619, and further liabilities to the amount of ! £5343 have sine* been incurred. The vote asked for this year (£15,000) will cover these liabilities, and the few remaining works required to complete the railway. Returns in connection with the working of this railway effectually disprove the statement made that when completed it would not pay working expenses. Otago Central.—The works on this railway line have been very vigorously proceeded with throughout the year. Nearly 300 men were employed upon the line at one time, and an average of about 200 have been at work for the whole year. The section between Middlemarch and the Rock and Pillar station, eight miles in length, was opened for traffic on the Ist of May last, and. the section between the Rock and Pillar and Hyde, eight miles 20 chains in length, was also handed over and opened on the 24th of the same month. The formation works on the Hyde-. Kyeburn section were commenced in June last year, and good progress has been made therewith for a distance of about 4* miles. The next workable section of this railway will be tha portion': between Hyde and Ryan's crossing, 10 miles 30; chains in length, and considerable further work is now being put in hand, including the construction of the tunnel and masonry culverts and abutments of bridges, with the view of completing the line to that p 'int. The expenditure on the line last year, exclusive of the value of the permanent way material supplied was £33,0b'l and was by far the largest expenditure of any railway works in the colony with the single exception of the North Island Main Trunk railway. If the I value of the permanent way material supS plied is added, the total expenditure would I amount to £46,872 the liabilities existing at the close of the. year amounted to £11261, while further works^entailing a liability of £15,134 have since been authorised, we ask for a vute of £45,000 for the line this year. This will cover alii liabilities, and will provide for work being rapidly; pushed on. As a great deal of misconception seems to exist in some quarters on the subject of the amounts specifically borrowed for and allocated to this railway, I have thought it! desirable to have the following statement pre- j pared showing the amounts expended thereon up to 31st March last:- ' ■■■•.■■.:■ ~- j Otago Central Railway Allocations. • ■>: '■ Out of loans under "The New •!> Zealand Loan Act 1892," con- . struction permanent way, &a. £300,000 Under " The New Zealand Loan Act 1886"— Construction £140,009 Permanent way sleepers and roll- ; ing stock 60,000 £200,000 Under " The New Zealand Loan Act 1888"— Construction „. £85,000 ~ Permanent way sleepers and rolling stock „ „ ~. 20,000 105,000 £605,0(10 Expenditure in excess of allocation „■ 32,273 Total... „. ... ... _ ...£637,273 Expenditure. Total expenditure on the Otago Central railway for the construction of permanent way and sleepers to 31st March 1894 (as per Table 111, Public Works Statement 1S91) £621,769 Add rolling stock provided and charged to separate vote ... ... 15,504 Total £637,273 The amounts shown in this table as allocations for permanent railway sleepers and rolling stock were not specially allocated to this railway under any act, but are the proportions of the total allocations for permanent way sleepers and rolling Ktock in different acts, which are fairly due to the Otago Central railway oa a mileage basis. These figures show that not only have the total funds allocated to this railway been actually expended thereon, but that a sum of £32,273, taken from other sources, has been expended in addition. Catlin's River Railway.—The works on this railway were at a standstill when the last Public Works Statement was made. They were, however, resumed in November last, and have been pushed steadily sinca that date. The work in hand comprises formation of line for a distance of about 4% miles, which will complete the railway to Owaka. The expenditure during the financial year amounts to £1333 only, but liabilities existed at the close of the year to the amount of £800, and further liabilities to the amount of £5131 have been incurred since. A vote of £10,000 is asked for this year, which will provide the bulk of the funds required to complete the line to Owaka.

Seward Bush Railway.—The formation of this railway has been completed as far as Matanra swamp, the rails laid, and the ballasting is now in progress. The line ought to be ready for opening to the Gorge road in December next. Borings have been made tn test the foundation for the bridge over the Mataura river, and plans of the bridge are being prepared and tenders for its erection will be invited shortly. The expenditure on the line last year, exclusiva of the value of permanent way material supplied, was £f.042, while liabilities existed at the close of the year to the amount of £2735, and further liabilities to the amount of £5815 have since been incurred. The vote proposed for current year is £15,000. OTHER PROJECTED RAILWAYS. Riversdale-Nwitzers. —A petition presented to Parliament this session by the member for Wakat.ipu prayed for the completion of this railway. About two miles of tha line was completed several years ago, and formation works executed on a further length of six miles, the total expenditure on the work having amounted to about £7500. The Government is not able to propose any appropriation for this line this year, but during the recess the question of resuming its construction will receive careful consideration. Waipahi-Heriot Kxtension.—Two petitions have been presented praying for the extension of this railway to Roxburgh. The Government have no information in its possession as to the probable cost of the line, as no survey has yet been 'marie. A survey will be undertaken during the recess, however, so that, full information may be available by the next meeting of Parliament. Gore-Kelso. —The desirableness of constructing this railway has been strongly urged upon the Government recently. The line was projected several years ago, and partly surveyed. It will ba about 24 miles in length, ami probably cost £85 000. The country which it would traverse is of the very best quality, and would doubtless yield a considerable traffic, so that the line would probably pay. The question of undertaking the construction of this railway will be considered during the recess. Kingston- Frankton.—A petition was presented to Parliament last session urging the construction of an extension of the Invercurgill-Kingston railway to Frankton, and f urtlu-r representations on the subject have since been made to the Government by the local authorities of the district. This extension would, however, be a very expensive one to construct, as for many miles it would traverse the eastern shore of Lake Wakatipu. The line would, moreover, have to compote with water carriage on the lake, and the country between Kingston and Queenstown being vi-ry mountainous would yield little or no traffic, I am, therefore, unable to hold out any hopes of the Government being able to take the construction of this work in hand at present. SUMI4UY. The total appropriations proposed for railway works this year, including additions to open lines, surveys, and permanent way, sleepers, and rolling Btock, amount to £313,028, as ugaiust £31G,t>aK voted last year. The amount proposed to be voted this year is the smallest appropriation asked for for railway purposes since the public works scheme was initiated-

MIDLAND RAILWAY. The section of t.his railway between Lake Brunner and Jackson's, which was in progress when my )a<jt Public Works Statement was delivered, has since been completed and opened for traffic. This brings this company's total length of completed railway up to 75 mita GO chains. The acceptance by the company of the recommendations contained in the report of a Select Committee appointed during the recent session to inquire iuto matters affecting ttiis railway, will, it is hoped, lead to the spsedy and vigorous resumption of work on the line. The intervening section between Jackson's and Patterson's Creek which still remains to be constructed is 57 miles 41 chains long. The company hopes to he able to complete it within four years from the data of signing the new contract The completion of this section will establish through railway communication between the Hast and West Coasts of the Middle Island, a boon long looked for, which; when realised, will to some extent compensate for the way in which settlement has been retarded owing to the locking-up of tho lauiis on tho West Coast for the last 10 years. By tin! proposed n«w contract the company is to comulste the line from B^lgrove to Norris Gully. This will tap the Motueka Valley and shorten somewhat the journey to Reefton. The abandonment, however, of the construction of the Reefton - Bolgrove section for a time is a matter for deep regret, and that this should be resented by the people of Nelson is only natural, seeing that for 10 years settlement has been retarded, and expectant hopes of an early connection by railway with Reefton have now been somewhat suddenly shattered. The Government strongly sympathises with the Nelson people in their disappointment, and but for the impossibility of arranging with the company on any other terms would not have agreed to the abandonment of the company's original contract, HOADS. Roads controlled by the Minister for Lands. — Under the head of main roads £23,039 was voted last year, and £22,235 spent, with liabilities at -the end of the year of £9242. For miscellaneous roads and roads to open up Crown Lands £148,257 was authorised, including £30,000 from the Government loans to local bodies account, and ££8,042 spent, while liabilities amounting to £57,351 wore outstanding at the end of the year. For grants in aid £U,G63 was voted, and £8951 spant. with liabilities at the end of the year of £3389. Village settlements—Voted £3350, spent £28118, liabilities £1480; and, finally, roads to give access to the Marton-Te Awamutu railway—Voted £41,811, spent £35,155, liabilities £14,191. The following summary shows the road works performed during the year:—Dray roads constructed, 290 miles; dray roads improved, 223 miles ; dray mads maintained, 1215 njiles; bridle roads improved, 155 miles ; bridle roads maintained, 405 miles ; roads from Hunterville to Murimutu and Toknami and from Pipiriki (at the head of steamer navigation of the Wanganui river) to Moawhanga have been formed throughout but not wholly metalled. The Stratford-OnEaruhe road has been formed for 3IJ miles from the Stratford end and fur about 16 mile3fxoni theOngaruhe end, leaving about, 57 miles to complete the connection with Auckland. The Main road from Catlins river to Waikawa river,' through Tautuku forest, has advanced so far that only a bridge over Tautuku river remains to complete, the whole distance of 3'i miles. A large area of forest land which will no doubt be settled upon and the produce from which must pass over this Main road will fully justify its construction. Of roads through Crown lands and roads to give acces3 to them through settled districts 14i)2 miles were constructed and maintained last year. These roads are essential to advancing settlement. Without them Crown lands would be almost valueless. They must be continued if the land is to be made use of. Several works which are proposed to be undertaken during the current year are deUiled in the Estimates which accompany this Statement. ■ The cost of constructing and maintaining main roads during the past year was about £lO,OUU more ! ,than in the previous year, and for the current year the expediture is estimated at a still higher rate. It must be evident to those who have travelled over the principal main roads and bridges of the colony, which are wholly or largely maintained at the expense of county councils, that they are fast falling into disrepair; and as it would be false economy to permit such works, constructed at great expense, to get into such a state as to require further large expenditure to restore them, it is proposed in some cases to entirely take over control, and in other cases to assist counties. It is abundantly evident that many of the local authorities are financially unable to bear the burden of the cost of maintaining such roads as carry the through traffic of the country, especially in parts where no rates can be collected for main roads. The large sum of £40,000 is asked for in order to execute the works detailed, and which works the local authorities are unable to provide. ■ The provision made for miscellaneous roads amounts to £20,000. These roads are mainly for the convenience of settlers who have in years gone by acquired lands from the Grown, but who are not yet provided with reasonable means of '.: access to their properties. A few of the works : are for the convenience of tourists, and others are such as'should reasonably be provided for. \ ' The sum of £20,605 is required for roads to give access te the North Island Man Trunk railway. The principal work to be undertaken is a further length of the Stratford-Ongaruhe road to connect Auckland with Taranaki. Other sums applied for are to metal th Pipiriki-Kaiiol road and portion of the Hunferville-Tokaanu road, and open further tracks into Crown lands adjacent to the railway line. ■ ■ Out of the lands improvement account it is proposed to expend £150,000 in construction of roads and tracks to open np Crown lands. This, as already stated, is of prime importance to further the settlement of the country. Under the heading grants in aid there are three items which call for some notice. These , are : (1) Co-operative works for the unemployed, £501)0 ; (2) improved farm settlements, £20,000 ; i and (3) advance to co-operative workmen, £500. The first is intended to meet unforeseen demands ; for employment, and for works the necessity for ' which may arise during the year. The second is to provide means to pay for felling, burning, and grassing Crown lands in moderate areas suitable for working men 1 of small means. In . this way a start will, be given to the farmer, and the Government will receive interest in the way of rent on the improved value of the land. The third item is to enable the Government to make small adI vances to co-operative workmen employed on the construction of roads through Crown lands to enable them to bring their families on the works and out of cities, where they pay rent. The advances will be refundable out of the- men's earnings. It is proposed to leave the men who desire I it a small area around each dwelling. The roads, which it is proposed to construct out of the land purchase account, will probably absorb £10,000 during the current year. This amount will be used in the laying-out of permanent roads and the construction of tracks to show how best to subI divide and settle newly acquired lands. It is ■ proposed to obtain under the Government Loans > to Local Bodies Act the full amount of £50,000 ! which the act authorises. The. land upon • which this sum will be expended has been placed I in the market or disposed of loaded with sums sufficient to pay interest and sinking fund in accordance with the regulations made under the act. It has often been said by persons in whosedistrict bo railway works were under construction that the Government were expending too much money f on railways and too little on roads. I have therefore had a statement prepared showing the I amounts voted for and expended on roads and • railways respectively during tho last five years, ! which I think will show that whatever blame i may attach to former Governments in this : respect, no such charge can be laid at the door of ■ the present Government: — I Amounts Voted. Amounts Expended.

This table shows that while the amounts voted for railways have gradually declined during recent years, the amounts voted for roads have steadily, increased. The same also applies to expenditure, the expenditure on railways having been greater in 1890-91 than in 1593-94, whereas road; expenditure in former years was less than half the amount;expended on the latter. ■ ;: Roads on Goldfields (Mines department).—The expenditure authorised under the above head last year amounted to £47,000. The amount, however, included some items that do not properly come under the head of " roads," and which this year are provided for under "development of goldfields." It was not practicable to expend the whole amount voted within the year, the net expenditure to 31st' March last having amounted to £29,387 only, but liabilities existed at the same date to a further amount of £20,081. The opening up of roads and tracks upon our goldfields, especially for prospecting purposes, is admitted on isll hands to be of the utmost importance as an avenue whereby th« mining industry may be advanced and the hidden wealth of the colony developed. "We therefore propose a vote of £45,455 for'works of this class this year. '

Public Buildings—The total appropriations for public buildings and domains last year was £143,375—viz, £92,455 under the public works fund and £50,890 under the consolidated fund. The actual expenditure within the year amounted to £92,021—viz., £44,032 under the public works fund and £47 989 under the consolidated fund. Under the consolidated fund the sum of £30,999 was expended on school buildings, the remaindur of the expenditure under that fund boiag alraoßt entirely for maintenance and repairs. The principal works carried out under the public works fund were the new lunatic asylum at Porirua, and more or less extensive works at the asylums at Auckland, Sunnyside (Christchurch), and Seacliff (Dunedin), additions to the Post Office at Invercargill, a new post office -at Danevirke and Kaikoura, new custom house at "Westport, newcourthouse at Rangiora, purchase of a site for a nt-w courthouse at Pahiatua, and new police stations at Dargaville, Westport, Plymouth, an.l N:tseby. The amount of £15 000 was also provided out of this fund for school buildings to supplement the vote under the consolidated fund. The total appropriations proposed for public buildings that year amounts to £153,925— viz, £50.500 under the consolidated fund and £ 0:>, 125 under the public vvorks fund. The consolidated fund vote provides £31,000 for school buildings, and the usual votes for the maintenance and repairs of public buildings generally. Under the public works fund provision is made for si new laundry and other works at Sunnyside Asylum, for sundry works at the a»ylums at AuekUnd, Seacliff, and elsewhere; for a new prixon at Dunedin, for completing the Govern, ment printing ofrics, and for sundry works at thw Parliamentary Buildings; fornewcourthnune, police station, post oHici'S, &c, at various pl«ces throughout the colony A vote of £15.000 is also proposed for school buildings; the same as last yew.

MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES ON THE PUIiLIC WORKS

Lighthouse and Harbour Works.—The vote for various -works under the above heading last year amounted to £74,000, and the expenditure brought to charge within the year \v.t< £6588—namely, £2612 on lighthouses and £.3976 on harbour defences. The lighthouses expenditure was wholly on the now lighthouse on Stephen Island (Cook Strait), which was completed within the year, tha light having been regularly exhibited since the 21) th January last. The expenditure on harbour defences at the different ports was as follows :— Auckland, £897; Wellington, £2251; Lyttelton, Mil ; Du>iedin,£lßl;—total, £3»76 Thevotepropot.cd for the current year is £13,500— namely, £35.:0 for sundry harbour works and towards the orection of a wharf at Hovrick, and £10,000 for

further \voik3 under the headof harbour defences. It is intended during the current year to push on with the dclence3_ at_ the four principal ports. The first in importance are those at Wellington, and next those at Lyttelton. and after these those at Auckland and Dunedin respectively. The works will be carried out on the suggestions of the military adviser for the Government, and in accordanca with the recom meudations of the recent conference on the subject of our defences. , PURCHASE OP NATIVE LANDS. I The operations of the Native Lands Purchase department since the passing of "The Nativo Land Purchases Act 1892" have been carried on out of funds raisod under the provisions of that act. During the year ended the 31st March last the area added to the public estate through purchases finally completed was 345,850 acres, including the bulk of the better portions of tho Awarua block (in Ml 143,000 acres) and the Ngaire swamp (7600 acres). Settlement is now rapidly proceeding on these lands. Full details as to completed and uncompleted negotiations will be found in return G3, 1594, presented to Parliament on the | 12th July last. Considerable progress since the date of the above return has been made with the purchase of thu balance of the Awarua block and other lands in various parts of the North Island, especially in the Waiapu district and the King country. The further provision made by the Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquiuition Act this session for the purchase of Native lands must result in a commensurate to honafide settlement in the North Island. DEVEI.OPMKNT OF GOLDFIELDS. A vote of £5000 was spent last year for waterworks on goldfields, and rather more than that amount was spent, the actual expenditure having amounted to £5272. Further works in the shape of water races and reservoirs are necessary in order to command auriferous drifts, of which we have such large areas in the Middle Island, and which can only be profitably worked by hydraulic sluicing on a large scale. We therefore ask this year for a vote of £10,000 far water races. The introduction of hydraulic sluicing in alluvial mining centres has rendered it necessary to make provision for a large quantity of tailings and dibris which must find their way into ordinary watercourses, sometimes raising the beds of these streams to such an extent as to injure the occupiers of low-lying lands adjacent thereto. It would be suicidal to allow the stoppage of mining operations in such places, and provision is therefore made in the JSstinjates for meeting some of the cases which most urgently require to be dealt with. I?or many year 3 past our mining population has been demanding that provision should be made for testing auriferous lodes „at deeper levels than hither worked in our quartz mining centres. Hopes have also been held out by various Governments that some assistance in this direction would be granted. The vote proposed for prospecting deep levels for dealing with the tailings difficulty and to provide for the resumption of land for mining purposes is £30,000. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. The amount voted under this head laßt year was £30,075, but the expenditure coming to charge during the year amounted to £1*,127 only (including £4559 on the telephone exchanges). But liabilities existed at the close of the year to the amount of £9581. The most important new lines of telegraph constructed during the year were those from Mataka to Leigh, the line to Tokaka, to Shannon, an extension to Peel Forest, Owaka to Ratanui, Middlemarch to Hyde, Winton to Brown'n siding and Hokonui, Island Block line, and Riversdale to WaikaU The vote proposed for the current year is £31,000, which, in addition to converting liabilities, provides for a new cable across Cook Strait, for additions to existing telephone exchanges, construction of telephone lines from Ross to Hendes Ferry, Culverden to Hanmer Plains, and others, and for improvements and additions to the existing telegraph lines. CONCLUSION. The total appropriations propoeed in the Estimates accompanying this Statement amount to £940.163 as compared with £710,460 voted last year. If the proposed expenditure is not distributed over the whole 'Colony iv exactly even proportions hon. members will perceive that the reason for this is the great and pressing need of those localities where settlement is proceeding most rapidly. The utmost efforts have been nmde to deal fairly with every district, and each district's special needs and claims have received the most careful consideration.

I ? PiEIS OF BDKB, 01 1 to Unexpended Balance. 31st March 1893. I JO I Recdpta'dtiringl893-i Totals. I I 1*5 Expenditure, year ended 31st March 1891. i Balances Remaining 31st March 1891. ! $ liabilities Existing 31st March 1894. I s Net Balances available 31st March 1894.

Public "Works lands Depart- DepartMonth. meat. merit. September, 1893... 840 1115 October ... ... 829 1060 November ' ... 900 103S December... ... 10-28 1094 January. 1894 ... 984 1042 February... ~. 981 1081 March ... -. 0U \ 951 April ... .-744 896 May _ . ~ 780 960 June .... ... 756 1018 July ... ... 694 974 Augnst ... .- 695 1094 Total. 1955 1889 1938 2122 2026 .2062 1862 1640 1740 1774 186S 1789