PUBLIC WORKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 9

PUBLIC WORKS.

THE MINISTER'S STATEMENT.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF £4,903,263

£6,431,815 REQUIRED FOR CURRENT YEAR

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK, £175,000.

£562,000 FOR WAITAKI RIVER SCHEME. ! •)’ ■ ‘ • , , i . '.

A summary of the development of the Dominion during the past 12 months under the policy of the Public Works Department is contained in the annual statement of the Minister (Mr; W. B. Taverner), which was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. Last year £4,903,263 was expended from the Piiblie ; Works and other accounts out of an estimate of £6,252,385. For the 'current year it is proposed to vote £6,431,815, ' the principal items being as follow Railway Construction .. .. £1,570,000 Electric Supply ... 1,164,000 ‘ Roads, Bridges, eto. ... .V . . 1,574,000 ' , Telegraph Extension .. .. 500,000 Additions to Other'Lines . , .669,095 Public Buildings; l . ... . . 399,720 The amount spent on railway construction last year was £1,452,860. , ' . Work on the Waitaki,hydro-electric power, development is proceeding, satisfactorily. The sum of £236,015 was expended last year, and £562,000 is asked for this year.

THE YEAR'S ACTIVITIES.

it will be seen that when the department is faced with an annual expenditure exceeding £200,000 for the purpose of housing v its wotkmen, it has an item of increased cost which materially adds to the financial burden. > . In. making the above statement, I am not unmindful • of the important part played, by the department’s railway actiyities in regard to employment, and I.wish tW ßtate oolb at tbe Present moment th?» m a n,V n ? 8 i- 8 i. men I°. occu P ied . and that dlsburs ? d ln wa Ee» during the financial year ended March 31 1030 Wj - be cos * of materials, the overconsisting of supervision, «•’ and . depreciation of plant, °,er, items which increased the total £W0,000! d - K,bur6ement a ’ further I remarked before the value, from the employment standpoint, of ~ the mirks under consideration. -Taken in conjunetion -with road construction and relief fuUv 5 ' be developed, more 1n,., r .e statistical position is as follows as on-September 20, 1930: EMPLOYED ON PUBLIC WORKS. Roads' construction .... .. 4,283 Settlement roads Main highways " 9 via Hydro-electric works .... * ‘ ’ ill? Irrigation .. .. .. .. .. " Waihou and Ohinemurr Rivers'improvemeot .... «7 Buildings .. .. .. .. ” " General .. .. ” Son Relief workers .. ... ” 4939 lf“ 1 il iC w Wor K r)e ? ai:tmen t total 15.960 State Forest Service total .. r. 1,080 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 17,049 _ It is obyious that any curtailment that Parliament may find it necessary to impose under any, one of these items will throw men out of work and add to the already considerable number of the unemployed. ', RELIEF WORKS. The position regarding unemployment has . received close attention, and every effort-has been made-to offer employment be £ reat ®| t number Of men that it has been possible for the: department-with available moneys to employ. At the nt the number, of men engaged both on relief, works and on ordinary 17 a finn ard A WOrkB is ,. in , th , e vicinity of 17,000. As ■ a result of the necessity to provide employment for large numbers of j?S}> j n , d tlle desi . r , e , to do so with as little delay ns possible, the suitability of certain roadworks for unskilled labour has perhaps in several eases been the deciding factor in favour of their commencement. Several of the large roadworks at present in hand could with advantage be held over until such time as transport requirements warrant their construction. _■ This aspect of the present relief works is receiving attention. Most ot the relief work in hand, apart .from the operations of'the Forestry Department, is road construction, and although it is generally recognised by the local bodies in whose areas work is progressing_ that excellent work is being done and good value received for the money expended, I feel that in many cases the question of the subsequent maintenance of those roads, particularly if they are allowed to remain unraetalled/will present a difficulty to the local bodies unless, of course, increased settlement - in tiie districts served ■by these new roads can be, brought, about, It is hoped that, as a result 01 the improved access facilities now being provided to many more or 'ess isolated localities by these relief works roads, increased settlement will automatically follow. Nevertheless, I am strongly of .opinion that more reproductive work can be found for the purpose of relieving unemployment than the building of roads, which work is, as honourable members will realise, no! a permanent solution of the problem. At the moment of writing • there are 4939 men employed by the department on relief works which (or. the most part are situated in the outback areas. Realising the unfortunate predicament in which a regrettably large section of the community finds itself, and having regard to the fact that relief works in some form or another are likely_ to be required for some time to come, it is only right that a reasonable standard of comfort should be provided. In, order that i may review the position and make any adjustments that may be deemed necessary, a special inspecting officer has been detailed to report in regard to all relief workers’ camps. It is intended that accommodation. as far as it is possible, should be to a uniform standard and reasonably comfortable, at the same time having regard to the temporary nature of the works, ROAD CONSTRUCTION. My remarks on railway construction are in some ways applicable to road construction. in so far as. under the extreme necessity of providing employment, roads have been made that in some eases are beyond the financial capacity of the local authorities to maintain, and are certainly years ahead of the demand of progressive settlement. A road, no less than a railway line is a liability on the community if it is not receiving its full share of use and assisting by the add d facility which it provides to increase the production of the country and to lessen the < cost of transportation, I propose during the coming recess thoroughly to investigate this position

RAILWAYS ANI> HYDROELECTRICITY. WORK UNEMPLOYED. N AND WATER SUPPLY. - In introducing his statement, the Minisv ter .says:— .. The.session has emphasised features in, our public 'finance; and' in’ tbe social con- - dition of a large section of our people which must-be taken into consideration in framing a: statement.for presentation to: ■ the. House,: Perhaps the most, important frora ; .the point of . view of a programme . of expenditure on works'arei — , 1 1. The fact that a Select Committee has been appointed to inquire into and consider the position, respecting railways under construction;, and . 2, The fact that- unemployment as < revealed by-.the . statistics of .registra- .... tion has .increased , .rather than de-' creased. The general position and certain aspects ■of policy dictated by our present circumstances may be briefly reviewed. Members will perceive from a perusal of tabulations embodied in other parts of this •document that public works expenditure ■ has steadily-increased.- During, the last, financial ‘year the total expenditure reached £7,781,000. Apart • from , the . period of unusual activity during Sir’ Julius Vogel's -railway-building policy, when there was a very small population in New Zealand, the expenditure from . 1882 to 1920—a period of 38 years—has „ varied round about £2 per'head of population.- , Since, that date it has increased, and in the two years immediately fdllow--1 ing 1920 it* reached £5 10s,- and- since ' then has averaged nearly £s' - UNPRODUCTIVE EXPENDITURE. A continued programme of expenditure of borrowed money on services that are not likely to prove, productive will.. probably in the'end result in. a serious condition in the public finances of the Dominion. It is not desirable that the additions to our National Debt should’, become entirely the burden of the taxpayer for annual charges of interest and sinking fund," but insofar as public works are ■ unproductive such annual charges will have that effect. In respect to external debt, where the interest goes out of the country, it is essential that for the expenditure of moneys borrowed abroad the Dominion • should show such increased development and productive capacity for the creation of additional taxable wealth that the interest payments will not be found burdensome, although they may require to be met partly put of taxation. It is for this reason that the economic aspect of prospective railway extension must be seriously considered. RAILWAYS. The statement tabled by the Prime Minister, which . has been referred to the special committee gives the estimated cost of, railways under construction, including cost to the end of June last, and- the estimated total annual loss thereon, as follows Estimated total expenditure when completed £13,631.000 Estimated total annual loss ■ 737,553 I leave out of consideration individual lines referred to in that statement but must draw attention to the fact that heavy standing charges, represented principally by interest, will be. borne by the Consolidated Fund until such time as the various sections of line are banded over to the Working Railways Department. ’ I desire to state the urgent necessity that exists for a complete revaluation of the lines under construction in regard, inter alia, to community value for increased settlement, increased production, and, those services to the -public ' which are not easy to assess in terms of money. I am convinced that such an investigation should be our first duty, and that upon the conclusions reached a programme of railway construction must be largely controlled. In regard to the ' high cost of many of the lines at present under construction it should he remembered that, as in the case of roads, the lines that presented no great engineering difficulties were built years ago. while those remaining are for the most part through difficult country and have to be constructed at an enormously increased cost, and the modern standard is much higher. As illustrative of this point, it can be mentioned that the mam line across the Canterbury Plains and also other lines in similar country were .constructed years ago at as low a figure as £3BOO per mile. The lowest estimated cost of. lines under construction is £26,000 per mile, and on some of these lines it is costing up to £3OOO per mile to provide housing accommodation for the workmen. While no-one would desire to return to the standard of accommodation and conditions which prevailed in those days,

PROVISION FOR RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. The sum available under this head is £1,570,000. I have necessarily framed the estimates for the year according to the requirements of the works now in progress, and members must bear in mind that half the financial year is past, and that approximately one-half of the financial provision now being submitted for the approval of the House has been used. I cannot anticipate the adjustments that may _be found necessary as the result ot the investigations of the special committee an«l the ultimate findings of Parliament and the Government based thereon, but I am convinced of the importance of considering other avenues of employment which may be imposed as the result of curtailments found necessary in the railway construction programme. ALTERNATIVE MEASURES. It must be patent to members that alternative measures aiming to keep men in employment or to absorb a number of men now out of employment must take time to mature' and- to be put into operation, whether these take the form of the Unemployment Bill or concerted efforts in regard to land development, increasing the_ area of Stat£ forest plantations. pn> viding additional public buildings, irrigation, and grade easements on open railway lines. The growing expenditure as far as arterial roads are concerned, the ever-increasing mileage of permanent construction laid down, has to some extent operated in regard to the backblocks settler. A moment's thought will show that the full use of the main roads is not reached until a reasonably adequate measure of assistance is given to those who are the outlying areas and who in many cases have had to put up with little more than bullock tracks as their means of communication. The large expenditure-on the development of hydro-electric, power works which was being incurred by the department caused me carefully to review the position under that heading, and the result of my investigations is that I consider the Government in endeavouring to beep up with the demand for bulk supply of'electrical energy is adopting a. sound policy. The investigations I have made into the financial aspect of the systems of supply at present operating give , gratifying results, as the following statement of the position and the accompanying table will show. HYDRO-ELECTRIC OPERATIONS, 1929-30.

ELECTRIC SUPPLY ACCOUNTS. The. amount at present invested in the electric supply account is £9,205,885, which is received as accredit from the Public Works Fund annually as required. As the works are brought intr commercial operation the Electric Supply Account is called upon to carry all the charges on the amount advanced, provision for renewals and depreciation, with the result as shown. It is considered that the time has not yet arrived for a complete review of the prices charged for bulk supply, as this could, be more profitably undertaken when the annual capita] expenditure is reduced, as it should be after the Arapuni situation has been cleared up, the Waitaki station completed, and probably an extension of the Waikaremoana plant undertaken. For the successful development of industry cheap and abundant power is essential but due regard should be paid to the quantity which the community can absorb as a set-off against the amount of capital invested. The past year has been one of very considerable importance to the hydro-electric supply policy of the Government. . In the first place, it is the first year in which the Waikaremoana and Mangahao stations ■ have been operated as - a combined I system; and, in the second place, it is the year in which commercial operations of the Arapuni station were commenced. The latter event was, unfortunately, followed by the recent stoppage of all supply from Arapuni, which has introduced complications which are discussed elsewhere in this report. . % " Capital expenditure on all schemes has been somewhat lower than ins the previous year, the total being £738,160, The reduction does not mean any great slackening off in development, as the reduction has been caused by the late delivery of materials which were due towards the close of the year, hut which have actually come to hand early in the present year. The total revenue for the year was £681,792, as against £516,127 for the previous year, an increase of 32 per cent. As power became available at Arapuni the amount of, power , that had to be purchased from outside sources or generated in more expensive auxiliary plants was reduced, and in consequence a better return obtained on the capital in operation, On the whole of such capital a percentage of 6.96 was earned,-as against 5.62 last year. , Considering the. various schemes indivirtually, the position may be summarised as follows: HORAHORA-ARAPUNI. Consequent on the bringing into operation, of- the first, unit at Arapuni, these two. plants and the various transmission lines connected thereto have 'been considered as one during the. year. Notwithstanding . the fact - that the scheme is loaded with the whole cost of headwords' capable of supplying a much larger plant than is at present installed, the financial position has been very satisfactory. It may be summarised as under: — Capital investment at end of year .. .. x .. £3.660,427 Revenue £225,683 Operating expenses .. .. 62,571 , Balance £163,112 Erection work in the powerhouse was continued during the year, and the three units of the first installation completed, iwo of these operated quite successfully, but some trouble was experienced with the third machine. This was being investigated when the earth movement occurred necessitating the closing down of the station. For the year 1929-30 it is noted that 6.15 per cent, was earned, although a large amount of extra capital at Arapuni was brought into operation during the year. This figure is higher than the percentage earned in the first vear on any of our other systems. It should also be particularly noted that, after taking in the whole of the capital cost of Arapuni with its attached lines and sub-stations, the £O3^ a CoS *’ * )er kilowatt is only about WAIKAREMOANA-MANGAHAO. . As during the year these two stations nave been supplying power into a common transmission system, they are treated as one in the system of accounts. Although the putting into operation of the Waikareinoana plant has made a big addition to the capita] on which charges have had to be paid, the financial position of the scheme shows an improvement on the position of the two scheme acting independently in the previous year. It mav be summarised as follows; Capital investment at end of £ year .. ~ ~ .. 3,426,901 Revenue 259 451 Operating expenses 7)9*235 ‘ Balance £200,220 T. 1 , 16 graph included deals with the Waikaremoana-Mangahao system. It indicates the high cost per kilowatt of that system. This ie due partly to the very high construction costs at the time Mangahao, in particular, was built, and also to the extent in which transmission lines and sub-stations were built in advance as part of a general system and to he available to absorb power from Waikare. moana. The percentage earned is lower , than in _the other schemes 'mainly on ac--the higher capital cost, and in 1927-28, in particular, on account of the need of purchasing steam-generated power to supply the demand during a period of exceptional drought. Growth on the system will show an improVing position, mainly on account of the growth of load possible without very expensive additions to the substation and transmission costs. Power house extensions will be cheaper than the original, but much less markedly than would apply, at Arapuni. Professor p. G. Hornell has been requested to make a separate report on possible methods pf developing the further stages at Waikaremoana, which presents some peculiar geological features. LAKE COLERIDGE., £ ' Capital investment at end of y ear ' .. 1,622,199 Revenue 190,648 Operating expenses 30,808 -Balance .. £159.840 There has n 0 been a great deal of construction. work on this scheme, the main items being on lines and substation extensions m anticipation of interconnection with the Waitaki power plant. It is regretted that owing to the phenomenally low rainfall experienced in the watershed supplying the Lake Coleridge station, there is at the moment of writing a shortage of power in the area served. The department i s doing everything possible to minimise the inconvenience caused thereby It is recognised that a critical period will be reached .next winter in the area supplied from this station owing to the growth of the load becoming more than can be earned under conditions of low river flow. Investigations are now being made with a view of providing additional power until the Waitaki station is able to supply, which it should be able to do in 1932. Generally, the department s aim is to earn just over 8 per cent, on the capital. This provides for interest, depreciation at the rate of 2 per cent., and sinking fund at the rate 1 I per cent. The Government hydroelectric developments for the past few years have been costing large sums in an attempt to catch up. with the everincreasing demand. The development has been planned in a comprehensive way, so that future developments (and this includes transmission and sub-stations) should not be more expensive, and will almost certainly be less expensive per kilowatt than what has been done. Even with the limited loads of the past, reasonable percentages have been paid on the investment, and, even with prospective temporary increases in cost such as at Arapuni, there is little doubt that the developments will soon be'in apposition to earn at least 8 per cent, on the average. The recent failure of supply from Arapuni and the shortage from Lake Coleridge stations have drawn pointed attention to the necessity that exists for adequate standby plants being available. The complete reliance upon generation by hydro operation, even if supported by expensive interconnection, is unwarranted, and must, in fairness to the supply authorities, be supplemented by suitablylocated steam plants. This important matter is receiving detailed attention, WAITAKI. V\ brk 011 this new scheme to augment the supply to Canterbury and North Otago has been pushed on energetically throughout the year. All the main items of plant for the power station have been delivered shortly after the end of the financial year, and a commencement has been made with their installation in the power station. A section of the main

From the table (included) it will be seen that the complete system indicates a general, improving position until 1924-25. This is. in the main, due to the fact that the two schemes then operating, Horahora and Lake Coleridge, were largely built at pre-war costs, and were operating practically at full load conditions. Supply was short in some areas,, whilst capital -was being spent building other plants. • From then on the percentage drops for a few years whilst larger . plants, such as' Mangabao, cailie into operation. These were built at very high cost during and following the war period, and for a year or so they had'spare capacity, particularly on the transmission and substation side. The year 1928 was one • of exceptional drought which adversely affected the revenue at Mangafaao through having to purchase power from outside sources. The demand for electrical energy for all purposes is continually on the increase, and there is no doubt that the Government schemes will show a satisfactory return to the Electric Supply Account. ’ ARAPUNI HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS. As members are aware, certain earthmovements took place at the Arapuni hydro-electric station on the morning of June 7 of this year, resulting in the closing down of the station until such time as the position could b'e fully investigated. The Government made arrangements for the engagement of an eminent Swedish engineer. Professor P. G. Hornell, fully to investigate the position of Arg,puni and to report on remedial measures. Professor' Hornell arrived on August 25. He has visited Arapuni and is now engaged in preparing his report. On his arrival I handed to him a copy of the detailed statement to the House concerning the earth-movement and tbe immediate steps taken to safeguard the position, a copy of the geological report obtained from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, a detailed statement on the financial and economic aspect of the Waikato supply system, and .the proposals of the Public Works Department indicating from an engineering point of view the steps which the.' Government’s engineers considered should be taken to repair the works. For the purpose of ensuring that the investigating engineer should comment and advise on certain particular points which had been prominently before the Government, I deemed it desirable to submit to Professor Hornell an order of reference covering these points. I wish to assure members, however, that, in submitting this order of reference, I did not restrict the scope of the professor’s investigation, npr limit in any way the breadth of his report. The order of reference calls for comments on various specific points. Apart from those. Professor Hornell has an entirely free hand in the matter, and he has been requested to report fully and as his investigations and wide engineering experience indicate. Professor Honnoil's report .on the Arapuni scheme will be tabled in the House ae soon as it is received and has been considered by Cabinet. I would particularly refer honourable members to the financial report on the Waikato supply system above referred to, a perusal of which indicates that, although the cost of rehabilitating Arapuni may prove to be heavy, the scheme could, from a financial point of view, carry a considerable additional expenditure, and still show a good return on costs of generation. That calculation, I may say. is based, on' an installed capacity of four generating sets. When it is realised that the completed Arapuni scheme provides for an installed capacity of eight generators, totalling 120,000 kw., it will be seen that, even though the cost of repairing the present trouble may be considerable, the scheme would not necessarily be rendered unfinancial by such expenditure. This financial report also indicates what charge would be represented to the Consolidated Fund if Arapuni had to be, abandoned. It is not anticipated that such a drastic step will be necessary, and it is confidently anticipated that as a result of Professor Hornell's investigations and report remedial measures will be practical. The closing down of the Arapuni station resulted in only very slight disorganisation in the power supply to the Waikato and Auckland districts, for it was possible, before Arapuni closed down, to make arrangements for the country load to be taken over by Horahora Station and various smaller plants throughout the district, and the Auckland City load to be carried by the Auckland Power boards steam plant at King’s wharf: Auckland. The Auckland Power Board has noi asked for any financial assistance of a capital nature; but the fact that additional expenditure is being made by the board in its endeavour to assist the general position is recognised by the Government. and is receiving consideration in relation to the overhead charges on the augmented steam stand-by plant and the increased costs of generation rendered necessary by the unforeseen circumstances.

dam to above water level has been completed in . the centre of the river, and concrete is being placed in the -main confer dam on the Canterbury side. The erection of the main transmission line to connect with the main lines between Coleridge and Oamaru is well in hand. INTERCONNECTION WITH WAIPORI. During the year negotiations were continued between the department and the Dunedin City Council with a view to the purchase by the department of the city power plant at Waipon. It was not possible, however, for the two parties to come to a settlement, particularly as tp the price that was to be paid by the city for its power after the works were taken over by the Government. Meanwhile work has been proceeding on the big dam which the city is building on the Waipori River, and as a large expenditure has now been incurred on this work, some of the advantages of control by the Department have ceased to exist. Negotiations are proceeding with a view to the city purchasing part of its power from the department in lieu of proceeding with two smaller developments lower down the Waipori River. ELECTRIC SUPPLY AUTHORITIES’ ACTIVITIES. The department, being a wholesale supplier of electricity depends on power boards ,and other electric-supply authorities to undertake the retail distribution side of the business. All electric supply authorities operate under licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of the Public Works Act and subject to regulations made under that Act. This enables the department to exercise a measure of control over them, which, however, is more in the nature of co-operation and assistance than of restriction. The capital invested in the Government supply schemes is £9,205,885 (of which £8,850,387 was in operation at March 31, 1930), and the capital invested by the associated electric-supply authorities buying electricity from the department is £12,337,647. In addition to the above amounts, there is a sum of £6,467,111 invested by electricity supply authorities possessing their own generating stations and electric lines isolated from Government supplies. The, total sum invested in the electric-supply business at the end °f the present financial year was £28,010,043, and the total revenue received for the year was £4,214,987. After paying working costa (£1,871,670) and capital charges (£1,578,823), the net profiMor the whole Dominion was £764,494, which indicates that the electric supply business as a whole is in a healthy condition At the present time there are 98 electric supply' authorities in the Dominion, ana, of these, 77 showed net profits aggregating £841,410, whilst 21 showed .losses aggregating - £76,916 for the year under review. There are 40 electric power hoards actively enaged in the electric supply business, and 26 of these are bulk supply customers of the Government. Rates totalling £6964 were collected in the 'case of three, boards taking Government supply, whereas a sum of £89,303 was collected in the case of five boards in the other category. The statistical data relative to. each electric supply authority will be found in the series of tables accompanying the report of the chief electrical engineer. IRRIGATION AND WATER SUPPLY. The policy of irrigating semi-arid lands in Central Otago, which was commenced fjver 20 years ago, has made progress. Ihe benefits of irrigation to the community at large are undoubted, though it is difficult to obtain from individual irrigators the exact alteration of their finance that it has caused, there being so many other causes which affect the earnmgs of people engaged in farming pursuits, but the increased output of wool, fat sheep, dairy produce, etc., which has taken place from the district in the last few years is very gratifying, and must have reflected both directly and indirectly not only on the actual farms producing, but also on the towns of Central Otago, the city of Dunedin, and the Dominion as , a . w hole. I intend to have surveys and investigations pushed on more vigorpusly than has been the casd in the past, in order that greater areas may be served and further subdivision of existing holdings brought about. It is realised that irrigation farming is a special branch, and that men successful in wet districts would not necessarily succeed in irrigated lands. Therefore, it has been the policy in the past to_ develop lands at about the rate at which they can be profitably brought. into intensive production by settlers accustomed to Central Otago conditions. ESTABLISHMENT. . It will, of course, be apparent that ordinary commercial standards are scarcely applicable to a department that, apart from its commercial branches, hydroelectric supply and irrigation, has only one side to its ledger—that is, which spends a large annual sum, but does not have revenue. The first and greatest consideration is the community value-of the work performed, and the second is the standard of efficiency that is maintained by those responsible to the Government. While the number of men employed has been increased from 4691 in 1920 to 12,978 in 1930, and the amount expended from £1,928,000 to £7,781,000, the staff, lias, in regard to the engineering and clerical branches, increased by only 100 per cent., and in other branches by a lesser figure. In some respects I am convinced that the staff is inadequate when it is remembered that to the 12,978 men employed on standord works there have to be added about 5000 relief workers. The employment of all this extra labour has undoubtedly placed a strain upon the officers concerned, and one which cannot be maintained indefinitely if it is found necessary to keep the number of workmen up to the figure indicated. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. The net expenditure was £3,039,540, being £184,354 less than that of the previous year, and is the second highest on record. The total length of all lines under construction over which goods and passenger traffic has been run during the year is 83J miles, and these services have been well maintained. The work for the year on the several lines in course of construction is fully set out in the engineer-in-chief’s report. ADDITIONS TO OPEN LINES. The net expenditure out of the Public Works Fund for the year ended March 31, 1930, amounted to £388,739 7e Od. This sum represents the provision of new rolling-stock and motor vehicles, improvements and additions to station buildings, extension of sidings, grade easements, and other facilities. * The expenditure under the Railways Improvement Authorisation Act, 1914, amounted to £1,227,019, including the sum of £91,039, proportion of cost of raising loan. The works included in this expenditure were new stations and improved approach lines at Auckland and Wellington; duplication of lines Horotiii-Frankton and Penrose-Papakura; grade easement, Mer-cer-Frankton; provision of signalling, interlocking, and safety appliances, electric lighting and bridge strengthening. In addition to these works, the Public Works Department has proceeded with the Wel-lington-Tawa Flat deviation. LAND PROTECTION WORKS, Taieri River.—The main canal from the new pumping station was completed, and this scheme of protection works is now complete, and ready to be handed over to the Taieri River Trust for maintenance. IRRIGATION AND WATER SUPPLY. During the year the existing irrigation schemes were maintained in 'good order. The following schemes are now on a trading basis:—Ardgour, Bengerburn, Earnscleugh, Galloway, Ida Valley, Last Chance, Manuherikia, Tarras, and Teviot. The profit for the year was £3828, an increase of £l2Ol on the previous year. The total area irrigated under all Government schemes was 41,895 acres, the number of irrigators being 395. The Arrow River scheme is nearing completion, and will he ready for operation next season. The Poolburn dam is being erected to supplement the water supply to the Ida Valley scheme where it was necessary temporarily to reduce the settlers’ supplies last season. A small extension has been put in to serve the Teviot settlers. ROAD CONSTRUCTION. The past financial year saw a very extensive reading programme undertaken, with the result that -the expenditure on the various types of roadwork was particularly heavy, a total sum of £2.158,056 having been expended on the construction of _rpads and main highways, as against £1,770,073 for the preceding year. Roads other than main highways accounted for £1,060,908 of this sum, and main highways £1.097,148, compared with £833,577 and £936,496 for 1928-29

A large number of men were engaged throughout the year on relief works on roads in various parts of the Dominion. Last year the vote for “roads to give access to outlying districts ” was increased r 120,000, and this enabled many more of the baekblock settlers to be given road access to their properties. It was well known that many of these settlers had been handicapped with their improvements for the want of reasonable access, and the allocation of a substantial sum for this purpose has undoubtedly met a longfelt want. -This year I propose asking Parliament again to increase this particular vote, with a view to continuing with the work to an even greater extent. The disastrous earthquake which occurred in Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast districts in June last year caused very extensive damage to roads and bridges throughout those districts. A great deal of the restoration work, as was to be expected, was expensive, as not only were the roads in many cases completely destroyed, but the country was so badly shaken and shattered that it was extremely difficult to carry out reconstruction. With regard to maintenance fvork, although the expenditure on the renewal of bridges was slightly less than the previous year, a considerable amount of assistance was granted to local bodies towards replacing worn-out and obsolete structures. The expenditure on the restoration of flood damage also showed a . decline on the previous year, no very disastrous floods having occurred during the year. DUNEDIN NEW POST OFFICE BUILDING. is made to various public buildings under construction. Of special interest and importance among these is the new post office building proposed for Dunedin, the need for which has been felt for many years, and is now urgent. Extensive work has. already been carried out on the foundations, which, owing to the size of the proposed structure and the softness of the ground, is a very heavy and expensive work. It has involved the driving of 1800 piles, the placing of 255 tons of steel work and 3350 cubic yards of concrete. The foundations are now well advanced, and expedition is being extended by the department to the preparation of working plans and specifications, which I anticipate Will be in readiness before the end of the present year, when it. is proposed to recommend that tenders be called forthwith for the construction of the building. The structure will be a nine-storied reinforced concrete one, and when completed will be the largest and most up-to-date post office building in the Dominion. Its erection will occupy three years, and during that time will employ a considerable number of tradesmen and others. PRISON BUILDINGS AND WORKS. The actual net cash expenditure from the Public Works Fund on prison buildings and works for tke year ended March 31, 1930, was £18,814, as compared with £12,572 for the previous year. Included in last year’s expenditure was an adjustment with the Lands for Settlement Account of £10,625, representing payment for farming areas acquired for prison purposes at Paparua (Templeton) in previous years. The actual expenditure for comparative purposes was thus £BIBO, which is the lowest capital expenditure on prison buildings and works for many years past. . This is. in conformity with the indication given last year that a halt would be made in respect of the construction of additional large buildings for prison accommodation. Except for certain extensions, and construction of workshops for vocational training and industrial purposes at the Invercargill Borstal Institution, it is anticipated that requirements, nt any rate for some few years to come, will be confined to the construction of huts and smaller movable buildings as may be required for the establishment of farm colonies and camps. Estimated expenditure for the year ended March 31, 1931, will, on account of the need for economy, be limited to the total sum of £13,500. POLICE STATIONS. The capital expenditure on police stations for the year amounted to £8442 out of an allocation of £IO,OOO. Contracts have been let for the erection of police stations at Culverden, Cromwell, and Palmerston South to replace buildings which are beyond repair. POST AND TELEGRAPH BUILDINGS . The erection of five post office buildings was completed during the year, and additions and alterations were made to some 18 existing buildings. Several large buildings, as well as additions, etc., 1 of a major character, are under construction, The earthquake of June destroyed the chief post office building at Westport, a two-storey,, brick structure, and also caused extensive damage to a number of the department’s buildings. The necessary repairs involved the expenditure of approximately £4OOO. The preparation of the plans of a new chief post office build, mg at Westport are sufficiently well advanced to anticipate an early commencemerit of this work. The net capital expenditure for the year amounted to £104,156. - MENTAL HOSPITALS. The net under this heading for the year was £152,090. HEALTH AND HOSPITAL INSTITUTIONS. Ihe chief works under this heading ■were the completion of the new Nurses' Home at Queen Mary Hospital. Hanmer: the new maternity hospital at Paeroa for the ihames Hospital Board; and an antenatal clinic at Wanganui* Extensive earthquake daifiages were repaired at Buller Hospital, Westport, and monetary assistance was granted to Grey Hiver, Inangahua, and Nelson Hospital Boards to effect repairs to earthquake damages at the various boards’ institutions. EDUCATION. I , During the year ended March 31, 1930, i tlio sum. of £443,885 was spent on new school buildings, additions, sites, and residences, an increase of £OO,OOO on the expenditure- for the nre- ; vious year. Of the total, £253,636 was expended in connection with primary schools, and £78,438 on secondary schools. During the year new schools were erected at Richardson road, Auckland; Milson’s line, Palmerston North; St. John’s, Wanganui; Randwjck road and Brooklyn (infants), Wellington;. and at a large number of schools additional accommodation was provided. As far as possible, j the department undertook the remodelling 1 of out-of-date schools in. order to provide | better conditions, especially with regard : to lighting arid ventilation. The larger schools so treated were Terrace End, Pal- ■ raerston North; Castlecliff, Wanganui; i Invercargill Middle and’ the Dunedin ! Normal School. ' Additional classrooms were erected at the Dannevirke High School and also at the Pukekohe, Hamilton, Palmerston North, and Southland Technical Schools. A further sum of £45,304 was expended in the erection of the science building and refectory for the Massey Agricultural College, and large works are in progress at a number of primary, secondary, and technical schools. Many of the old schools are regarded as worn out, and will be replaced by new •and. up-to-date buildings as funds are available. At present old buildings are being replaced at Wellington Boys* College. and new primary school buildings at Hunterville, Tapamti, and Nelson Central. A new infant school is replacing the old one at College street, Palmerston North. The following table shows the amount expended durng the year ended March 31, 1930. on new buildings, additions, sites, and teachers’ residences:— Primary schools £253,636 Secondary schools .. .. .. 78,438 Technical schools 32,593 Training colleges 10,984 Universities .. .. .. .. 800 Native- schools 1,068 Schools for feeble-minded .. 2,999 Child welfare institutions .. 9,995 Kindergartens 1,107 Massey Agricultural College .. 45,304 Canterbury Agricultural College 6,961 Total £443,885 TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS The net capital expenditure for the year was £20,547, as against £39,254 for the previous year. For this year a vote of £60,000 is proposed. The principal works undertaken were the rebuilding of Glade House, Te Anau, which was destroyed by fire; the purchase of a new launch for Waikaremoana; track and suspension bridge, Fox Glacier; and the reconstruction of the Pavilion

Baths at Rotorua. The former will be completed this year and will be a great improvement on the old building both from the medical and recreational points of view. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. The expenditure for the financial year in extending and improving the telephone, telegraph, and wireless facilities throughout the Dominion amounted to £591,383. Of the works upon which capital expenditure was incurred during the year the following were the more important: The installation of carrier-cur-rent telephone systems between Auckland and Hamilton, Auckland and Rotorua, Hamilton _ and Palmerston North, (Auck-land-Wellington link), Palmerston North and Napier, Palmerston North and Hawera, Palmerston North and Wellington, Wellington and Seddon, Seddon and Christchurch; the erection of new metallic circuits between Auckland and Waiuku, Palmerston North and Pahiatna, Blenheim and Seddon,_ Seddon and Ward, Invercargill and Riverton; the laying of submarine telephone cable across Auckland Harbour and 'across Onahau Bay (Queen Charlotte Sound); the installing of toll dialling-circuits between Palmerston North and Wellington; the opening of new exchanges at Kerikeri and Mossburn; the installation in 38 exchanges of additional switching-equipment for 6030 exclusive lines and 504 party lines; the establishment of 70 new public call offices (com-in-the-slot telephones); the laying of 1242 chains of underground telephoneduets and 7884 chains ,of underground cable; the erection of 2837 chains of overhead cable; the erection of 830 miles of pole-line and 8357 miles of open wire; and the connection of 12,781 new subscribers’ 'stations.

The most important matter, so far aA the extension and improvement of long-dist-ance _ telephone facilities throughout the Dominion is concerned, was tne extension of the carrier-current system of telephony. During the year this mode of communication was extended by the installation of carrier equipment as follows: —Auckland-Hamilton One additional single-channel system; AucklandRotorua—One single-channel system; Hamilton-Palmerston North—One threechanncl system; . Palmerston NorthNapier, Palmerston North-Hawera, Wel-ungton-Palmerston North, WellingtonSeddon, and Seddon-Christchurch— One single-channel system. The immediate effect of these instafiatiOHs haa dggh to extend Considerably the range of toll communication to relieve the congestion of traffic between certain if® 6 f en tres, and to increase substantially the efficiency of the long-distance toll net-work. Practically all the principal centres in New Zealand, from Dunedin in the -south, to Auckland in the north, are now in telephonic communication at all hours of the day and night. On Sundays and holidays, and after the usual busy hours on week-days, the range is extended as far south as IfivercargiTl, and includes a number of centres telephonically too remote from the main arterial routes to be given a full intercommunication service during the whole of the 24 hours. The availability of longdistance communication will be further increased during the next 12 months, in order that other centres may be brought into the full benefits of a continuous longdistance service. In addition to the extension of carrier-current telephony, a considerable amount of work has been done in the erection of additional physical circuits and in necessary reconstrnctio'n. These capital works have resulted in the augmentation of existing facilities, and in the provision of telephone service in localities not previously catered for. The local telephone exchange systems throughout the Dominion showed a marked development, the number of new connections installed being 12,781, as against 12,110 for the previous year; and an average of 12,112 a year during the preceding five years. The total number of telephones connected to departmental exchanges on March 31 was 157,023, and the number connected with toll stations and pon-departmental stations was. 4300, making a total of 161,323. To “provide service for the 157,023 telephone stations connected to departmental exchanges on March 31, there were in existence at that date 490 single miles of underground conduit or duct line, 1051 miles of underground cable, 564 miles of aerial cable, and 14,349 miles of pole line, a total jof 513,096 miles of wire being provided from these sources.

_ The coast and point-to-point radio stations in New Zealand have Continued to function efficiently. In November last a 5 kw. short-wave transmitter was installed at Wellington Radio. As a consequence of this installation, the Pacific Islands service has been improved and extended, and it' has been possible to close down the high-power, long-ware spark apparatus at Awanui Radio, An order has been placed for a new tower for supporting the aerial system at Wellington Radio. Improved receiving apparatus has been provided at Awarua Radio. In consequence of the cessation of high-power working from that station the large aerial associated with the high-power apparatus has been dismantled. At Auckland Radio a-low-power battery-operated transmitter has been installed with a view to guarding against possible interruptions to the service from such causes as the failure of the noraml power supply system.

THE ESTIMATES.

TOTAL FOR PUBLIC WORKS. £6,431.815. THE PRINCIPAL ITEMS. The principal estimated amounts required to be voted for the year ending March 31, 1931, are given below. The total of the estimated expenditure is set down at £6,431,815, compared with £6,252,385 voted for the previous year. GENERAL PURPOSES ACCOUNT. £ Public works, departmental ~ 165,000 Railways— Railway construction .. ~ 1,570,000 Additions to open lines .. 669,095 Public buildings 399,720 Timber supply and sawmills for Public Works Department .. 5,000 Acpuisition and operation of quarries 10,000 Lighthouses and harbour works 25,000 Development of tourist resorts 60,000 Immigration 50,000 Construction,, maintenance, and supervision of roads, bridges, and other public works ~ 1,574,000 Telegraph extension 500,000 Contingent defence 15,000 Lands improvement .. .. 94,500' Irrigation, water supply, and drainage ~ - 75,500 Plant, material, and stores .. 30,000 Electric supply account .. .. 1,164,000 Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers improvement account .. .. 25,000 SEPARATE ACCOUNTS. Main highways account; Revenue -fund . 1,228,000 Mam highways account: Construction fund .... .. .. 930,000 Railways Improvement Authorisation Act, 1914, account .. 1,263,905 Education loans account .. .. 500,000 Hauraki Plains settlement ae- „ count ... 47,369 Kangitaiki land drainage account 2,150 cytt'amp land drainage account 54,100 RAILWAYS. CONSTRUCTION. North Auckland Main Trunk— £ Okaihau to Rangiahua .. ~ ‘ 95,000 Dargaville branch 120.000 Last Cost Main Trunk— Paeroa-Pokeno 5,000-Crisborne-Waikokopu .. .. 350,000 Waikokopu section 20,000 Stratford-Main Trunk .. .. 350,000 Midland— Kawatiri-Inangabua .. .. .. 125,000 W estport-Inangahua 120,000 South Island Slain Trunk— Wharanui-Parnassus 175,000 Land claims (including land taken, for ballast pits and quarries, damages or losses on goods in transit, and other liabilities) 5,000 Surveys (new lines of railway) 6,000 Permanent way materials .. Cr. 40,000 ADDITIONS TO OPEN LINES, Way and works branch— Improvements and additions to station buildings, additional sidings, water services, improved coaling facilities, provisiou of mechanical appliances in goods sheds, turntables, cranes, and other operating plant— r

North Island main lines and branches .. .. .. ~ ~ 25,616 South Island main lines and branches 60,286 Signal branch— Provision of fixed signals and Wood’s locks 6,160 Locomotive branch— Rolling stock, locomotives, carnages, wagons, rail and road motors ~ .. 822,403 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. DEPARTMENTAL. Dunedin (plant shed and store) 140 PRISON BUILDINGS AND WORKS. Invercargill Estuary Farm (reclaiming and draining .. .. 750 Invercargill . (farm buildings, water, and drainage) .. .. 463 Invercargill (main building) (north and south wing additions) ....... 5.054 Invercargill (purchase of farm land) -.. ' 4,139 Invercargill (workshop, laundry, and kitroom) 3,000 POLICE STATIONS. £ Bluff (additions constable’s resi- „ dence) 2 25 Cromwell ■ 2100 Kpsjyn Milton .. 1,800 Otautau (lock-up and motor shed) 270 Palmerston .. 2,100 POST AND TELEGRAPH. Cromwell (additions) g« Dunedin Chief Post Office (on account of £237,386) .. .... 20,000 Duqedin (workshop and depot) .. 5,750 Invercargill (additional accommodation) «7s £ u . rOW V ” 3,380 iralmerston 6,700 MENTAL HOSPITAL BUILDINGS. •• •• 10,000 Waitati 0,000 HOSPITAL INSTITUTIONS. Dunedin (obstetric hospital, on account of £50,000) o 000 Invercargill (St. Helens) ~ .. 2|350 LIGHTHOUSES AND HARBOUR WORKS. Ca P e Saunders (additions to * dwellings) .. .. 1S() Moeraki {conversion to automatic light) jjOO Taiaroa Head (fog signal) .. 2*200 TOURIST RESORTS. Glade House (additions to hostel) 3,300 Glade House (installation of wireless) 30Q Glade House'and Milford Track (jetty, additions to huts, bridges, etc.) 159 Glade House and Milford Track (hot water service and drying roo “J 8 at Quintin huts) ~ 1,950 Miltord Sound (accommodation house) .. ~ 450 Milford Track (bridges) .. .. , 200 Milford Sound. (shelter at Anita Bay) .. .. gg Mount Cook Hermitage (Matte Brun hut) ‘ i,o oo Queenstown (grant to Borough Council for works tp prevent erosion by lake) .... 450 Riverton _ (grant for snagging Pourakino River) 100 Stewart Island (wharves at Golden Bay and Ulva Island) .. 1,000 Te Anau steamer .. .. 30 Wakatipu-Te Anau track (huts) 100 IMMIGRATION, Passage money for immigrants .. 67,000 ' TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. Construction of telegraph and toll systems .. .. 120,398 Construction of telephone exchanges 430,607 CONTINGENT DEFENCE. General .; 1,590 Aerodromes ',. .. ~~ ~ ~ 14,500 LANDS IMPROVEMENT. Taieri Plain fiood protection (part recoverable) .. 7,500 IRRIGATION. Irrigation, water supply, and- * drainage 75,500 ELECTRIC SUPPLY ACCOUNT. £ Horahora-Arapuni scheme ~ 135,730 Mangahoa-Waikaremoana .. .. 165,124 w ? d *? e 86,300 Waitaki River 562,000 MAIN HIGHWAYS. CENTRAL OTAGO. Dunedin-Christchurch (free) .. .. 41.285 Dunedin-Port Chalmers (£1 for £1) 371 Ida Valley railway station-Moa Creek School (£2 for £1) j. .. 600 Palmerston-Queenstown (via Beck’s), (free, £5458; £1 for £!, £SO) '..... 5,508 Pukeun-Kurow (£2 for £1) .... 400 Timaru-Queenstown (via Tekapo and Lindis Pass), (free, £1170; £2 for £l, £4741) 5911 Waipiata-Styx (£2 for.fl) .... 250 Works not specified (£1 for £1) 600 Engineering surveys (free), .... 300 Tota l •• •• ■* £56,131 SOUTH OTAGO. Baklutha-Papatowai (free, £300; £2 for £l, £640) 940 Balclutha-Tuapeka Mouth (free) 246 Clarksyille-Springvale (free) .. 1,984 Dunedin-lnvercargill (free) .. .. 20,067 Dunedin-Portobello (lower), (free) .. .. .. 5,000 Green Island-Taieri Mouth (£2 for £1) • 373 M‘Nab-Edievale (£2 for £l, £400; £1 for £l, £18) 418 Mosgiel Junotion-Middlemarch (£2 for £1) 1,200 Waipahi-Pomahaka (free) .. .. 1,050 Works not specified (£1 for £1) 200 Engineering surveys (free) .. 150 Total £37,628 SOUTHLAND. Gore, Te Anau (free, £364, £2 for £l, £542; £1 for £l, £2l) .... 927 Hillside-Manapouri (free) .... . 459 Invercargill-Bluff (£3 for £1) .. 4,000 Invercargill-Dunediu (£3 for £l, £5305; £2 for £l, 5(24) .. .. 6,229 Invercargill-Fortrose (£2 for £l, £29; £1 for £l, 1116) .. .. 1,406 Invercargi 11-River ton (free, £8231; £1 for £l, £824) 9,055 Makarewa-Brown’s (£2 for £l, £267; ’£l for £l, £820) .. .. 1,087 Te Anau-Manapouri (free) .. 2,260 Total £28,702 RAILWAYS IMPROVEMENT.’ Dunedin-Ravensbourne overbridge '1,500 Ravensbourne-Bawyer’s Bay deviation and duplication .. .. 31,732 Consolidation and rearrangement pf store facilities, maintenance and locomotive workshops .. 82,809 Locomotive workshops .. .. 136,501 EDUCATION BUILDINGS. Public schools 170,000 Training colleges 10,060 Technical schools 110,000 Secondary schools 130,000 Universities .. .. 240 Native schools 14,000 Schools, for • feeble-minded ~. 5,510 Institutions under the Child < Welfare Act 3,000 Kindergarten schools 1,000 Massey Agricultural College .. 66,100 Canterbury Agricultural College 150 ROADS AND BRIDGES. The following are the principal Otago votes for roads and bridges:— BRUCE COUNTY. £ Blackburn to Hillend (£1 for £1) 150 Blackburn to Mount Stuart (£1 for £1) 300 Clarendon to Berwick 100 Coast 1 road to Richards .. .. 250 Coast road to Taieri Mouth (£SO, £1 for £1) 150 Coutt Gully road 200 Hastings road (£1 for £1) .. .. 100 Milburn to Circle Hill (£1 for £1) 150 Milburn to Fort Hill (£1 for fl) 100 Milton Akatore Coast (£1 for £1) 256 Pukeawa to Bishop's (£1 for £1) IQf Stirling to Telegraph road (£1 for , £1) 1W Waihola to Taieri Mouth (£SO, ■ £1 for £1) 25<

Seacliff Waitati

THE ESTIMATES.

CLUTHA COUNTY ISmlp Ri T bridge *" Morris ? 3 saddle road,.on account of f 600, xi ior £1) .. „. n cfe' P Blley *° Table HMroad 108 CMoris Pass road (£226, £2 for Houipapa 'settlement '.". " " |oo Karoro Creek road (£2 for £1) 175 f^f road (£2 for £1) .. { 150 Long Point road (£2 for £1) 200 Merino Downs road (£1 for £1) 100 road *° Lon 8 Creek Pomahak'a RiVer' (access road)', LB7B (£1 for £1) " w 0 Paerua bridge (Cheetwood road), (£1 for £1).77. 750 Purakauiti road ...... 242 I*Bo,. £2 for £1) 12 n Newcastle road .. ... ..' ." £OO , Sandy Knowes to Lawlora (£1 tor £1) .... iin Shaw's track (£1 for'£l)" V. 7 100 Taumata School road (£2 "for _ *■■■) • • 225 Tweedie's Ford road (£1 "for ' for f'l) V. !! . 100 Waikoikd Stream bridge (M'lntyre road) (£1 f or £i) \ 175 Waitangi Stream road (£2 for Waipabi" toPomabaka'DownV (ii 10 ° tor £1) ....... .. :■ . 200 Waitepeka to Kaihiku (£l* for ' I •" •• ■• • • 200 Webb road (£1 for £1) 7; '.'. V. 150 and Clearwater road Mtso, £1 for £1) 100 Willowburn bridge (Clinton to Kuriwao road), (£1 for £1) .. 200 LAKE COUNTY. Glenorchy to Paradise (£1 for £1) .. ■;,. ~ .... ~• ~ 125 Kinloch to Routeburn (£2*"for T , ' ,"' '.. .. 100 Lake Wakatipu (Elfin Bay) to Lake Te Anau (Glade House). t T la £° re Pass •'• ••'■'• 117 Lake Wakatipu waterfront .. 900 Matnkittiki River bridge (£2 for £1) -... .... .. .. ~ 767 to Lake Wakatipu, via Hollyford (Gertrude Saddle) 3,500 Morven Ferry road. (£1 for £1) 100 i*embroke to ' Mount Aspiring 400 Pembroke to West Wanaka (£1 -■for £1) 100 Queenstown to . Cromwell, via Speargrass (£1 for £1) ~ ~ 100 Routeburn to Lake Howden .. 600 MANIOTOTO COUNTY. Beattie's road (£1 for £1) .. 100 Cqgans. bridge (Patearoa to Puketoi road), (£1 for £1). .. 312 Devon road (£1 for £1) IQO Eweburn • bridge (Kearney's road), (£1 for £1) /.. 158 Ida Valley Mam road (£1 for ■■_ £l ) •• " .. .. 100 Kyeburn bridge (Scott lane), (on account of £llOO, £1 for £1) 900 Lmburn Runs road (£1 for £1) 121 Maniototo Station road (£1 for £1) .. .... .. .'■ 100 Spec Creek bridge (Naseby to Kyeburn Diggings road), (£1 \ ji for £1) .. .... 150 Spec Creek bridge (Kyeburn River road), (£1 for £U .. .. 150 Upper Taieri to Paerau \il lor £1) .. .. ...... ..' .. ... 134 Wetherburn bridge (Sharkey's s road), (£1 for £1) 150 PENINSULA COUNTY. " Dick road (£B2, £1 for £1) .. 139 Dick road (Gill corner to' Gravesend), (£1 for £1) .. .. ..*.. 100 Helensburgh township roads (£1 for £1) .. 250 Highcliff road (£1 for £1) .. .. 100 M'Gregor-Reid access road .... 300 Portobello to Otago Heads road 5;000 Portobello to Wickliffe Bay'road 100 Riddell'a to Hooper/s Inlet road „(£SO, £1 for £1) .. ;."... .. 150 Waverley township roads (£1 for '£l) 100 Wickliffe Bay to Cape Baunders Lighthouse road .. 170 TAIERI. COUNTY. Access to gravel deposit on Taieri River (£2 for £1) ..' 467 Access to S.G. run 260 a and 260 b, Lea Stream district (£2 for £1) . 200 Rock Creek bridge (Sutton to Middlemarch road), (£2 for £1) .. 250 S.x Mile Creek bridge (M'Kinnon's), (£2- for £1) .'. .; .. 250 Whare Flat (Hill) road .... .. 11,400 "Wilkinson's road (on account) 500 TUAPEKA COUNTY. Beaumont Station road (£1 for £1) >.. .. .. ..' .. .. 150 Cowan's Creek bridge (£1 for £1) -. ... ... 200 Heriot to Roxburgh, via Moa Flat ■ (£1 for £1) ~ 600 Johnson road bridge (£1 for £1) 125 Kempthorne road (£1 for £1) 143 Lawrence to Tuapeka Mouth (£2 for £1) ..' 800 Old Switzer's road '(£l for £1), • (on account) .... .. ~ 500 Sheddan road (£1 for £1) .. 115 Teviot Soldiers' Settlement— Hangman Creek bridge .. .. 250 Timaburn road (£2 ior £1) .. 100 Three Brothers road (£2 for £1) .. .... .. .. ... 200 Wright's road (£2 for £1) .. 100 Waitahuna to Greenfield, via Polson Creek (£2 for £1) . j. 400 "Winter road (£1 for £1) .. 175 VINCENT COUNTY. Firewood Creek bridge (£1 for ' £1) .. .. .. .. .. ... 150 Hawea Post Office to Timaru • Creek (£1 for £1) .... 100 Hawea to West Coast, via Haast ~ Pass .. .. 40,000 Lauder to Matakanui (£1 for £1) 100 Lett road .. 100 Lindia Crossing to Tarras (£1 for £1) .... .. ... .. 100 Lindis River bridge (Ardgour), (£2 for £1) ..... ~ .. 867 Lower Lindis. bridge (£2 for £1) 1,784 Manuherikia River bridge* (Springvale), (£2 for £1) 800 Poolburn to Auripo (£1 for £1) 100 Tarras to Hawea (Back road): (£1 for £1) 205 Thompson's Creek bridge (Mata-kanui-Drybread road), (£2 for £1) ' ... 400 WAIHEMO COUNTY. Fleming road (£1 for £1) .. 150 Four Mile road (Connolly's to Berkley's), (£2 for £1) .. 200 Macraes to Hyde (£1 for £1) ... 150 Nenthorn road (£1 for £1) .. 190 Pleasant River bridge (Brooklands road), (£225. £1 for „ . £1) .. 255 Pnngle bridge (£1 for £1) .. 100 Shag • River bridge (Stanley's road). (£1 for £1) .... 100 Stftneburn road (£1 for £1) .. 180 WAIKOUAITI COUNTY. Apes road (£1 for £1) .. ~ 1X)0 Blucher road (£1 for £1) ~ .. 200 Corner Bush road (£1 for £1) .. 100 Lower Harbour road (£IOO, £1 for £1; £SOO, £2 for 1) ~ 600 Middlemarch to.Nenthorn (£1 for __ ,£i) .. ;. 200 Waikouaiti to Nenthorn road (£1 for£l). .... 200 WAITAKI COUNTY. x Dansey's Pass bridge 600 Dansey's Pass Creek -deviation (£1 for £1) 100 Henburn bridge (Benmore), (£1 _ for £1) 125 Maitland River bridge (on account) , (part recoverable) .. 1,000 Maruweka road (£1 for £1) .. 100 Paulin road (£1 for £1) .. .. 250 Pig Island road (£1 for £1) .. 150 Round Hill road (£1 for 1) .. 175 Temple River bridge (on account) 100 Waiareka Stream bridge (Elderslie road). (£1 for £1) .. 100

Average Operating Gross Working Capital. Eevenue.expenses. Percentage of Net profit to Operating Net profits. Capital. £ f £ , £ Horaliora-Arapuni •• 2,649,085 225,683 62,571 103,112 6.15 Mangahoa-Waikare-moana 3,351,711 259,461 5C235 200,226 5.97 Lake Coleridge ... 1,517,803 190,648 36,808 159,840 10.53 Totals 7,518,599 681,792 158,614 523,178 6.96