THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 52

THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

THE ALLOCATIONS FOR RAILWAYS. £100,000 FOR THE OTAGK3 CENTRAL. PROPOSED HEAVY EXPENDITURE ON ROADS.

The Hon. W. Hall-Jones delivered his Public Works Statement in the House of Eepiesentatives on Friday evening. We are indebted to the Government for the statement, which, was as follows: —

Mr Speaker, — It is again my pleasing duty to report that satisfactory progre&s has been made with the various works in hand. Sineo my last Statement was delivered 8?_ miles of railway have been opened for traffic and 56 miles of new works have been put in hand, making a total of 133 miles now under construction. Details of the work done on each line during the year will be given further on.

With regard to the current year, if the opinions expressed by hon. members and by the large deputations that have waited tipon and also in the numerous petitions presented to the House and to the Government, are to be taken as a criterion, it may be assumed that there is a general desire that the prosecution of our public works, j Especially main trunk railways and ; roads to back blocks, shall be carried on ■ hiore vigorously than has been the case since ' 3.887. The Budget delivered by my right j hon. colleague the Colonial Treasurer has outlined the financial proposals of the Govern- j ment with respect to public works. While^ ( it is recognised that the progress of land^ 1 settlement and the preat development of the j resources of the colony that have taken place : during the past few years require that greater j progress shall be made, both in railway con- j "struction and in road formation, the Govern- j ment are of opinion that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the colony to j enter upon a large borrowing policy — a policy j ,"«vhich would lead to a considerable influx of I rpeiipatefcic labour. Careful administiaiion j and a, strict guard upon the public purse have ] removed every sign of depression, and this j [position must be maintained. The time, how- j ■ever, has arrived when the Government feel j •u.stified" in carrying mi more expeditioiisly '«he work of completing the mam arterial ; 'sines now in hand — namely, the North Island '• Main Trunk, the Blenheim- Waipara, the Mid- ! land, and the Otago Central railways. i 1 Numerous petitions have been presented to the House praying for the early completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway. Apart from its strategic value, the progress of settlement, the opening up of large areas of -valuable timber, and the necessity for railway communication between Auckland and Wellington, all point to the advisability of this grea* undertaking being completed within a reasonable time. To rush the work through regardless of cost would, I am confident, be a coiir.^e which hon. members would not aprm ct o of. To do this would necessitate a ftiirgn morea r e in expenditure, as it would be net eosaiy to form roads to give access to the jwoiki ab various points along the route, thus greaUj- adding to the cost. Prudence dictates that the proper course is to carry on the work vigorously at each end, and as soon as the formation is ready to at once lay the permanent way, so that each mile when completed may be utilised. If this is done, there is nothing to prevent the rails being conjnected between "Auckland and Wellington within four yeard. As will hereinafter be seen, the sum provided will enable us to proceed with each of the works referred to at a rate which will, I am sure, afford satisfaction to all reasonable men. While due provision must be made for

carrying on the work upon the main arterial lines, there are also other works in progress of almost equal importance, for which a fair provision must be made. The Government have been urged to proceed with several extensions, which are worthy of consideration, but with the means available and the extent of work now in hand and proposed, it is impossible to take any but the more urgent ones into consideration at present.

LIGHT RAILWAYS

There is urgent necessity for opening up our colony by convenient and regular means of communication, so as to enable our sturdy settlers to more advantageously compete with other countries in the markets of the world. This induces me to again revjrt to the question of light lines of railway, upon which subject hon. members will find soire useful information in my Public Works Statements of 1896 and 1597. In many parts of the colony, especially in the North Island, the scarcity of road metal and the heavy cost of cartage where expensive roads have to be formed and maintained is a severe tax upon the settlers, upon the local bodies, and upon the colony. So serious has this become that in many districts the roads are practically impassable during the winter months. How bsst to meet this difficulty is of preat importance to the colony, and especially to the settlers who are more immediately concerned. Again, it must be borne in mind that a great tlea l of our magnificent scenery is not approachable by the majority of tourists owing to the absence of convenient means of access, and this, too, in districts were there are a number of settlers. If at comparatively small cost light lines are constructed to the more important points they will open this scenery to the travelling public, and at the same time provide facilities for our settlers, and further assist in developing ou~ resources. A-f ter very careful consideration of the requirements referred to, I have come to the conclusion that the best and most economical course is hi certain districts to construct narrow-gauge railways.

It may lie asked v/hat is a narrow-gauge railway? Compared with the sft 3in gauc>e of Victoria, or 'the standard gauge of 4ft B£in of Great Britain and N.S.W., the ordinary lines in New Zealand may be said to be of a narrow gauge. I, however, refer to a Ftill rarrower gauge — viz., 2ft — for the main lines, and where the traffic would rapidly develop the present 3ft 6in gauge should be adhered to : also, in easy country, where it is nearly level, and the formation of the earthwork is of an inexpensive nature, the present gauge should not be departed from. The cost of cons'-mction upon the pre&ent gouge could, however, bo reduced 20 per cent, by using lighter rails, fewer sleepers, and constructing bridges of a lighter standard than tho.»e used at pre&ent. This would necessitate the use of lighter rolling stock, and running less weighty trains than is now the practice. However, the same reason which probably actuated my predecessor in adopting the 3ft 6m gauge instead of a broader one — viz., economy and more rapid construction — induces me to suggest that, whether as branch lines opening up neAV country as feeders to the main line, or as steom tramways, a 2ft gauge will best meet what is required. In different parts of the world railways have been constructed of this gauge — notably, the Darieeling line, in India; the Caen to Luc-sur-Mor and Dives line, in France ; the line from Ferdinandshof to Friedlnnd, in Germany; and the northeast Dundas line, in Tasmania, the copt of which, including rolling slock, was, recording to a late official statement, £3465 per mile. The result of several year&' experience is that such lines can be constructed expeditiously and economically, which means a saving in interest, a greater earning power upon the first cost, and a considerable reduction upon the cost of maintenance, as compared with lines of a broader gauge. By still using, as far ac practicable, existing roads the cost of construction would be reduced to the lowest point, and the convenience of the

settlers be served. The trains running immecliately v alongside their holdings would ensure the conveyance of produce and stoics by the railways. The expense of station buildings would bo almost eliminated, e>cept at important point", where they would be necessary for the convenient working of the line. Subject to the conditions above mentioned, the cost of a 2ft gauge railway, exclusive of rolling stock, should be — (1) In easy country, £2000 per mile; (2) in medium country, £2000 per mile; (3) in difficult country, £4-500 per mile. Included in this estimate are the rails (estimated to cost £600 per mile for 301b rails, and £700 per mile for 401b rail^), and the sleepers of proportionately reduced length (cost £300 per mile), making a total for permanent way of £900 per mile for 301b rails and £1050 for 401b rail". The difference between this amount and the completed cost of tho line, being the cost of land, formation, bridges, culvert*, fencing, platelaying, ballasting:, stations, etc. There are several districts in the colony where narrowgauge lines could be fairly tested as to cost of construction and earning power. One of thesie I shall refer to later, AVAILABLE WAIS AND MEANS FOR ' PUBLIC WORKS PURPOSES. At 31&1 March, 1E93, the available balance of ways and means for public worts purposes was £350,C56, and further funds uere provided lasi session as f ollows : —Under the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, £1,000,000; transferred from revenue, £450,000; miscellaneous receipts, £2116; — thus making a gross total of £1,832,972. - The expenditure last year > amounted to £993,223, therefore at the end of the year the balance of ways and "means amounted to £330,749. Against this, however, there weie liabilities amounting to £4-94,895. It is now proposed to provide additional funds as under : — New loan „£1,000,000 To be transferred from revenue... 500,000 Making altogether (after deducting the liabilities) a total of avail a'blf ways and means of «,. 1, 344. 854 The estimates of expenditure for the current year total to £1,938,369 (in addition to £49,000 under the Government Loan.-, to Local Bodies' Account), thus leaving an unallocated balance of ways, and means lor public works purposes of £401.380. TOTAL PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE. The following table shows the total expenditure out of the public -works fund on all works and services throughout the colony up to the 31st December, 1099» and also up to the 31st March last : — Ist

RAILWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

The railways on which construction operations were in progress last jeir were largely the same as during the previous year, but with some additions. The Thames, Te Aroha, and Forest Hill lines, and BelgroveMotupiko section of the Midland railway were finished and the Seaward Bush line completed to Waimahaka, and further construction operations held in abeyance pending- the completion of the survey to Tokonui, which *s now in progress. On the other hand, new works have been started a( Kawakawa, Paeroa, Gis borne, Waipara, Cstlins, and Orepuki, so that the expenditure, at any rate during the latter portion of the year, was somewhat in excess of the previous year. Accelerated rate of progress has not ci-lv been continued, but has been fnrilier increased since the close of the year, so that for soma works larger appropriations will be required this year than last year. I now- propose to follow the usual course of briefly describing what has been done on each ]me, and at the same time give an outline of our proposals for the year: — Kawakawa-Grahamstown — The expenditure on the line, owing to the works at Kawakawa not having been started until late in the year, only amounted to £2530, but a much larger expenditure may be looked for this year. A vole of £15,000 is provided on the Estimates. Belensville Northwards — The expenditure fell short of the appropiiation owing to its having been impossible to put in hand the works on the Komokoriki section until the Authorisation Act was passed late last session. The vote proposed for the current year is £15,000. Paeroa- Waihi.— The vote proposed for the current year is £12,000, which will admit of operations proceeding at a satisfactory rate. Gisborne-Karaka. — This is, another of the new lines authorised last year. Work was begun in February, and has been energetically proceeded with since. As soon as plate-lay-ing has been started a locomotive and wnggons will be sent to Gisborne to enable the ballasting to be proceeded with. The vote proposed for the current year is £12,000. North Island Main Trunk. — The works on the Ohinemoa (section, have been steadily proceeded with, and have been extended as far as the proposed Kawakawa station, a distance of 60 miles from Te Awamutu and 160 mile^s from Auckland. Every endeavour is being made to push these works on as rapidly as possible. They are, however, of a heavy character, and much of the ground is of an exceedingly treacherous nature, so that really rapid progress is impossible. All that can be done is being done, however, and nearly five miles of the line, as far as Waitiha station, is expected to be ready for raillaying by Christmas. The divided public opinion in the north as to the route by which this railway should be constructed has greatly retarded the work in the past. The central route having now been finally decided upon, works southwards of Kawakawa will be expeditiously proceeded with, the configuration of the country to be traversed admitting of this being done. The works as far as Kawaj kawa are already fully manned, there being at the present time about 350 men at work

on that section. A contract is also being prepared for the three bridges over the Ongaruhe Hiver and another for the Wanganui bridge at Taumaranui. At the southern end of the line grading now extends to Paengaroa, a distance of over 48 miles from the terminus of the opened line at Mangaonoho and over 50 miles from the junction with Main West railway at Marton. and instructions have been issued for work at the Turangarere section, to be taken in iiand. This section is for the most part at a distance from the Main road, &o that a service road will have to be con&lruclcd along the greater piirt of it. This road will be put in Imiul immediately, in order that materials i-ft j> i ifftl for culvert? and other works may lie carlod ov<r it during the ensuing summer. When tho formation of the Turangaicro f-rction is well advanced a further .section will Ik* put ni hand. The work at the Makohine viaduct has been pushed forward as rapidly as possible throughout the year, and eonbidcrablo progress made. TLe work of preparing the iron and steel for erection is now drawing towards complotion. The longer of the two main piers is already erected to its full height and the other is x in hard. As_scon afe rhis pier i« completed (lie election oF'TOe sCagln'g to cairy the superstructure will be begun, the superstructure it&elf following on as soon a'j the staging to support it i& road;/. As announced in my Statement last year, the department doe^ not kitencl to await the completion of this viaduct before pioc&edinvr with the plalelaying beyond it. The sler-pers required are being obtained in {he district. and a large pioportion of them are already stacked along the line. Arrangements will be made for the conveyance of the rails from Mangonoho station to the fiat ground beyond the viaduct, so that by Ihe timo the viaduct is finished plate laying and bsllastmtj- as far as Mangaweka will also be completed, and the railway can then be opened for public traffic without further delay. The iron and steel for the Mangaweka viaduct was ordered ,-somo months ago, and portion of it is expected shortly. The work of pienaring it lor u»e in the structure will be xu.d<~r taken at the Makphinr; Workshop dived ly tbo sirrilar work for the Makohine viaduct is finl^hi'l, nnd as this viaduct is cf a mui'h pimpler character than the one at Makohine, :uk! a«s the department has now a worktiinp in good working order, and a staff of tivined men, speedy progress is expected to be made with it. Several of the tunnels on the Mangaweka section ;u*e still incomplete:], biii all arc wp]l in haiid, and tho; f e c'OiG^t to tlio yav3 where the lluina; Vorls- are being iva^e, and which will con^tqurn'-ly i<:<{;rir<; to be lined first, are being piooeeded with continuously throughout tho whole Ifi- hours of the day, with relays of workmen. Last year's vote for thi« railway was £70.000. This year we ask for £150,000, being an me: ease onlast year's vote cf £60 000. This ,nrm will enable the work to be m) extended tonl the connection between TV'-liingion and Auokland can be completed with four year-.

Stralfoi'd-Kawakawa. — I have referred to the desirability of constructing light railways where the cost of road construction i' ; heavy. The Ohura road (better known in Taranaki as the East read) comes within this category. For a distance of 47 miles between Stratford and Wangamoinona the country is fairly settled, and for several miles a Jigbt railvray could be constructed on the r"od fcvu>i>lion. It is, therefore, proposed to construct a lino flong or nea-r'to the Ohura road from a point near Stratford, in the direction of Kawakawa, on the Main Trunk line. Thip line will afford great relief to settlers in that district, in addition to forming part of the desired connection between Auckland and Taianaki, and will, I believe, return interest upon tho coEt of construction as soon as the first 20 miles are opened for traffic. A sum of £10,000 is osked for to enable this line to be commenced.

Kimutaka Deviation. — The detailed survey promised in my last Statement has since been put in hand, and is still in progress. As the' work seems likely to occupy some time, I, propose, when an officer of the department can' be spnred, to put on an additional survey party. The amount voted la&t session. £6000, proved to be much more than could be expended with profit. We ask for £2000 this year, which is probably a* much as will be required, as until construction works are put in hand no considerable expenditure will be needed.

Blenheim- Waipara. — The works at the northern end of this railway have proceeded very satisfactorily, last year's appropriation for the work having been slightly exceeded. The line between Blenheim find Dumgree i& practically completed, and settlers' goods and produce are already being conveyed ovf>r it. There is no doubt that the railway iviil easily be completed to Avaiero River hofore the expiration of contact time for tho erection of the bridge. The progress hithoito made by the bridge contractor* has not b?en very satisfactory, but in reply to my remonstrances on the subject they state that they hope to have the bridge completed within the contract time. If this expectation is realised, nothing more, of course, can be expected, but I have already warnsd the contractors that if it is not realised the damages for delay provided for in the contract will be rigidly enforced. If the bridge is completed within the contract time the railway ought to be ready for traffic to Seddon before next session. At the southern end of the line work is also being energetically proceeded with, and has made good progress. A considerable length of formation will be ready for the rails early in the now year. The survey of the hitherto unsurveyed portion of the intermediate distance has recently been completed, but the final reports and plans have not yet come to hand. The total vote for this railway last year amounted to £21,000. This year a vote of £50,000 is proposed.

Otago Central. — The section of this railway between .Ranfurly and Wedderburn was opened for traffic on June 1 last. Formation work on the "Wedderburn-Ida Valley section has been vigorously pushed forward during the year, three relays of Avorkmen being employed in one important cutting and two in others, and ?uch good progress has been made that rail-laving can be begun in the course of a few weeks. The rails and many of the sleepers are already provided, and tenders for the supply of the remainder have i-ecentlv been invited locally, but, unfortunately, with unsatisfactory results. Arrangements will now have to be made to supply them from elsewhere. Formation has also been undertaken on the Poolburn section, and the works as far as Blackstone Hill station are approaching completion, and will be finished ready for rail-laying by the end of the year. In the Poolburn Gorge, where the work is of a heavy character, every available cutting is being woiked, and the masonry culveits -(which could not be commenced till the frosts were over) have been begun. The tunnels have also been started, and work upon them is being pushed along as rapidly as possible. A tender for the iron and steel girders for the Poolburn and Manuherikia (first croßS-

ing) bridges has recently been accepted. Tha line is expected to be ready for traffic -to Ida Valley uiext year, and to Blackstono HilL by the end of June, and the further sections to Alexandra will, I hope, bo completed within three years. Owing largely to the great development of the dredging industry, the traffic upon the completed portions of this railway has greatly increased, thus emphasising the importance of opening the lino ars far as Alexandra as early as possible. Tha vote obtained for this railway last year wa3 £60.000. This year we ask for £100,000.

Heriot Extension. — When the Government projected this extension it was intended that it should not be proceeded with until a suit;bl)le area of land in the district had been obtained for the purposes of close settlement. It is now, however, considered advisable to proceed with the work without insisting on this condition. Last year's vote was not expended, but this year an appropriation of £5000 is proposed, and if the vote is duly pawed by Parliament operations will be commenced shortly after the close of the session. Catlins River-Seaward Bush. — Work on Catlins River end of this railway was resumed in i June ]ast ( aiul is now we ll jn hand. At tho Seaward Bush end of the line the suney tcT Tokonui is in progress and nearly completed, and construction work will be resumed shortly. Last year's vote was £12,000. and a vote for a similar amount is propo.ed for the current year. Ri\eridale-Switz°r,3. — The Lrnnch line from I Riiersd'Ue to Switsers was authorised by Parliament many yes is ago and partly ccmjstructcd. but the bridge over the JMniauxa River was ne\ or bvult,and it is proposed to fake it in hand. .As, however, this bridge would provide for both road and railway traffic, the local bsidies inteie^ted will be asked to contrib sic a f.'ir smenat towards it. cost. A vote of £1000 is askid for on account of this v, ork. Jb'orc&t Hill.— Work on this branch railway, which v/a.,-; approtclii.ij> completion when my last fcsTdts'me.T.t was delivered, has since been fini*apd, md rbo iu:e handed over to the -Rai^say d-jpar'mum. OrGuukl-WV-.n. — Tho &urvey of this extension was Tjvn.il as onrjy ris possible after tho line Vva? auinoii«pcl last year, and construction works follov/pd as soon .is a sufficient lsrglh ol rarvey wa.3 finished. The work is now wpII in han<l. and proceeding very satisfactorily. Last year's vote of £5000 proved to be in excels of ] equirements, but this year a vote of £J 2,000 is ,-iskod for. Midland.- Thr disputes with the New Zealand Midland Railway Company and their tlebcntxirc-ho'ders were broiight to a satisfactory conclusion before her Majesty's Privy Council in T/ondon in February last, a unanimous verdict entirely upholding the contentions of the Drown having been obtained. Both 'the coiiipaiiy and the deben-iju-e-holdcrs have since presented petitions to Parliament appealing for consideration. The petition--, are now under investigation by the Public Accounts Gommittep. The successful rostill of the protracted litigation that has ; taken place over thu matter afford-; me an | opportunity of congratulating Parliament and I tho colony upon ihe manner in which tho I action cf rb'e Government throughout has i been eu'-la.ined. 1 al?o de-ire to express my ! apprpfir.tion of tbt> aocion of jhe different 1 '-rovers. rnont cor.nr-el, ihe Grown solicitors, . and thp officer-! of il.r deuAri.nv.etit who have ! iaken a prominent p->rl. in 'the maker, anil who have ?et forth and upheld the [ (i&verninyvst's vievr. CoKslruciion works at ; ihe Greymouth end of the line, between ! Jackson's and Otira, have been practically | completed for ,7ome months, and goods trains h-ivo been run svies December 3a«t. There ; has l>c°n r.o iudurotnent to open (.he line foir p-^aenge-' trafiii 1 during the winter. It is, howe*. <?r. pmoterl to hand the section over to ire Llaiiwiy department for regular working n?xc month. Between Paterson's Creek and Staircase Gully, a distance of a little over four mile?, at the Springfield end of the line, •woik has been proceeded with vigorously throughout thj year. Pl-ins for the Paterson's Creole viaduct have bepr completed, and plan,-; for the Staircase Gully viaduct are in hand. For a long time past the Govern 'iient have felt very dissatisfied with the company's plaiis for the section of the line between. Otira and the Bealey, involving, as they do, the O'Tj-trrorion ri ovr piglit miles and a-half of line on the three-rail system, on various steep gradients langing up to lin 15. Our evperiericr. with the Rimutaka ini'lino has been such. as to l"\rl us to look upon the con--truction_of a much lonsrer section of similar railwaj- with, great disfavour. During the late recess acomlnittee of engineers was accordingly appointed to inquire into the matter, and to report whether it was not possible to obtain a reasonably flat-grade line at a moderate cost. The engineers, r0- Napier Bell, and Messrs W. B. Bales (Erigiiieer-in-Chief), J. Coonx (Chief Engineer, Railway department), and P H. Hay (Superintendent Engineer, Public Works department), have recently sent in their report, in which they advise the construction, of a line on a ruling gradient of 1 in 37. ■Such a line would involve a tunnel "six miles ten chains long -under the main range, but notwithstanding this, the cost of the line between Otira and the Bealey, taking into consideration the annual cost of working, is estimated to be actually less than the cost of che sleep-grade incline' line, while. the tunnel line would shorten the distance by over a mile and. a-half. and would reduce the running time by at least an hour. The great advantages of a. 1 in 37 over a 1 in 15 grade line are too obvious for it to be necessary for me to d>vell upon them, and the Government have therefore decided to act upon the advice of their engineer?. The report of the engineers will be found attached to this statement.

The desirability of constructing an extension of the Belgrove-JViotupiko section at the* Nelson end of this railway, as far as a convenient station site in the Tadmore Valley, has been strongly impressed upon the Government for some time past, but in the then existing position of the Midland railway dispute it was not considered desirable to take any further Fteps in the matter beyond the making of requisite surveys. It is now proposed to take the work in hand, and the necessary bill to authorise the extension will be introduced. An extension from Iteefton to Inangahua Junction has likewise been repeatedly asked for, but for similar reasons could not be entertained hitherto. It is now, proposed to include this work also in tho Authorisation Bill, and to have a full detailed survey of the line made. The vote for the construction of the Midland railway last year was £60,000, but this year a larger vote will be" necessary. An amount of £100,000 has accordingly beent placed on Ihe Estimates for -the. works referred to— namely, 'at Springfield, Otira,Tadmore, — and a survey from Tteefton to Inangahua Junction. Ngahere-Blackball. — The construction of a" branch line from the Ngahere station, on tho-Brunner-Reefton section of the Midland railway, to the Blackball collieries, has been' asked for for several years, but until the dis-" pute with tho Midland Railway Company was settled it was quite out of the question to pro*

«eed with it. This difficulty is now happily out of the way, and although we are not prepared at present to commit the colony to the construction of this line of railway, it is felt that the time has armed for providing a better means of access to the railway system. To meet this requirement, it is proposed to proceed with the erection of a bridge over the Grey River, and a vote of £2000 appears on the Estimates to make a 'start with the work.

TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR RAILWAYS.

In addition to the appropriations already mentioned, a vote of £2000 is provided to meet old land claims and other labilities on railways in respect of which no specific votes are taken, £3500 for surveys of new linen, and £76,000 for permanent way and oLher materials, thus making the total appropriation proposed for railway construction purposes £559,500.

WELLINGTON-MANAWATU RAILWAY.

During this and preceding sessions deep interest has been taken in this railway, and nutny questions have been asked respecting it. The reply has invariably been that whilst admitting its importance to the company and tho Golony, and recognising the anomaly of having a private line over which a good deal of tho Government traffic is brought, Ministers did not see their way to interfere, nor £ad the company approached the Government with a view of the colony acquiring the line. As members are probably aware, if the colony wero to take over the railway under the original agreement it could only do so by paying an additional 10 per cant, on the cost Of construction. There would also be the cerlainty of difficulties arising in the assessment of what the cost of conetruction really ■was, and this would ultimately lead to the question being referred to arbitration, and then after all the company would f imply hand over the railway, and would retain its other assets, including the unsold balance of the lands, which wero given 10 it by the colony as an inducement to construct the line, and which are of considerable value. Some lime ago Mr Wethered. a representative of a large number of shareholders, wrj in the colony, and he interviewed my colleague, the Premier and Colonial Treasurer, in refeience to the intentions of the Govcrn:noiH, and particularly as to whether it was intended to take over the railway. At this interview 'the Premier made it clear that the posf ibility of the Government taking over the line under the original agreement was very remote, but that Ministers were prepared to consider any proposals which would give a fair rate of interest upon the capital subscribed by the shareholders from the inception of the company to the present time, the amount received by way of dividends to be taken into consideration, and the company's debentures to be taken over. Under Rich an arrangement the company would hand over to the colony the fully-equipped railway, the lauds, and ail its other a^set". Proposals. 011 the basis suggested by the Prcmisi* have recently been received from Mr Wet'-ered, on bebalf of a large body of pharcholders in London, and the directors subsequently subnJtted proposals on the f-aine baris, stich proposals being subject to confirmation by the shareholders. This is the situation at the present time. The proposals are now under consideration, and require to be gone into very -carefully. It is intended to introduce a measure empowering the Government to enter into negotiations on the lines hereinbefore mentioned, and to lake tho necessary power,- to enable the negotiations for the purchase of the railway to be proceeded with, such purchase not to be completed until the terms and conditions have been settled in and Snally approved by Parliament next session. The proposals submitted by the shareholders and dir?ctors will be found annexed to this Statement.

ROADS, Etc,

Roads and other works under the control of the Minister of Lands. — During the past year the works executed out of votes placed at the disposal of the Minister of Lands included the construction of 531 miles of dray roads and 319 miles of pioneer track=. Eighty-five miles of dray roads and 44 miles of bridle tracks widened and otherwise made more payable for traffic, and 2833 inile.s of road maintained and kept in good ord>-r for ordinary traffic. There have been built 137 road bridges, over 30ft sjian each, besides over 3000 culverts of all sizes, under 30fl span. The distribution of expenditure was largely in favour of the North Island, the amount drawn for the North Island being £200,C09. and for the Middle and Stewart Island" £67,905. The great number of different roads on works to be operated on required extensive arrangements for laying out and controlling them, and could not all be done in the few remaining months of the financial year. The number of works entrusted to local authorities \, as 54?,. x,he departmental control" consisting of revising plan* and specifications and inspecting • the work while in progress, and on completion, in order to certify to payments ; while 786 ■works wers entrusted to Government -ofneere. The principal operations oi the year have been in Auckland — the reading of the country between Te Awamutu and Kawliia, selected during the past year: the completion of the formation of the Awakino-Te Kuiti road : the further prosecution of the works for draining and lighting Rotorua and the embellishment of Ihe recreation grounds. The rood through the Urewcra country, vit Raitaliuna and Waika'remoana has been further advanced, and the road to the lake from Gisborne finished. A large number of short roads north of Auckland have received contributions in assistance to settlement, and the Main North road from Auckland by the East Coast has been practically wholly maintained by thp Government. In the Hawke's Bay district *-he new road from Napier to Wairoa and from. Wairoa, via Nuhaka, to Gisborne has been- advanced so far that when three or four bridges are built. The whole distance will be fit for wheeled traffic. The extensive area of forest land disposed of near Dannevirke has also required a largp expenditure to make it accessible to settlers. In Wellington the principal expenditure was in forming new roads and tracks, and widening and metalling those already existing in the newly-settled belt' of country extending from the Puketois to the Wanganui River. The great extent oi country and the numerous settlers to whom, the roads are a necessity have made this work a most arduous one. Settlement has taken place in country so difficult to construct and maintain roads in that the progress has been much glower than the needs of settlers require. In Taranaki the Omira road, to open for settlement tho country between Stratford and the Waikato, has been advanced so far that there is hope that a passable track may be completed this year. The close settlements east and west of it have also been further developed by Improving their roads or subsidising loans raised by the local authoiities. In the Nel-

[ son, Marlborough, Westland, and Canterbury provinces small votes have been expended on local roads, but the chief work _ims been the maintsnance-of the main roads. In Otago and Southland the Tautuku forest country, the Scawaid forest, and the Longwood forest, where settlers ore located, have had the roads extended and improved, although they are still cp.pabie of much further improvement. The tourist routes to the picturesque West Coast Sounds have been further explored, and made more payable, comfortable, and efficient Good " steamers now run on Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, and the track from Te Anau to IVliiford Sound has been so far advanced that it may he completed this sepcon. and good aceoni modation is provided wherever it is, required. The necessity for Government aid in the maintenance of main .roads in thinlj' peopled districts still exists, and it is also evident that many of the main roads,, which ara not strictly arterial, especially those in the bush distiicts, must be greatly assisted it they are to continue fit to carry the traffic which must pass over them in order to provide for the needs of settlement. For tl>e present year the demands of settlement require a greater sum than even last year. Including the vote for roads on goldfields, an amount of nearly £500,000 will be required for new works and to meet present engagement*. The works contemplated embrace, 'first, the maintenance of the main. lines of road throughout the two islands. This alone will require £100,000 for such roads must be maintained. They are from the far north at Awanui 4 by Kaoo, Kawakawa, Whangarci, and Waiwera to Auckland. The road from Rotorua-Whakatant-and., Opoti'-ci to Gisborne, the road through Tc Kuiii and Awakino to New Plymouth, from Tavranga, via Rotorua and Taupo, to Napier, from Taupo to Ilunterville. from Waiouru to Pirsinki, from Gisborne, via Wairoa, to Napier, from Dannevirke, via Weber, Pongaroa, and Alfredton, to 3?kotahuna, from Pongaroa to Pahiatua, from Masterton to the East Coast, from Feilding, via Rangiivahia, to Wangarcka. Tn the Middle Island assistance must be given to , maimain the main roads from Nelson to ! Blenheim, Blenheim, via Kaikoura, to Culj verden, Blenheim, via Awatere and Hainner, to Cu.lverd.on, Nelson, \ia Belgro'se, i.o W export, Westporl to Reefton, Hokitika to Chrislchuich, and Hokitika, via the Haast, to Wanaka : also the road 0 through Tautuku from Owaka, xh Waikawa, to Forlrose, j through Seaward Forest, from Orepuki west- ! ward as tav a o petlleinent goss, and northj ward up Mount Waiau to Lake Te Anau, ' from Te Anau to Lumsdeii, from. Queen otown j to Wanaka,_and from Wanaka, via Hawea and Linclis and Pukaki, to Mount Cook, and from Pukaki to Fairlie. All these are roads near to which there is 110 railway. The settlement road« to be provided for ars, as will 1 be seen by the Estimate-,, iiumex'ou«. and in every instnnee necessary. Tliere are many local roads which gieslly require assistance. These are partially provided for on the Estimates. In the purl of Auckland many new settler^ immediately require means of &cce<-3 to their lands, principally berweeu Kawliia and Te Kuiti, iii that oart of what is known a^ the (ving Country. New settlement'! in Taranaki demand more- and bol'er roads, ojpccially in the cast. Ir. Wellington the Awarua, Waimarino, and Hangiwahia country on the west, and the Pahiatua and Puketoi country on the east, are all pressing for an outlet for their produce ; while the oliler fellled districts on the East Coast insist on their roads also being improved. In Nelson and Wcstland the determination of the Midland mil way contract restores to settlement thousand* of acres oi fairly good land, much of which will be a I once settled on, and the- settlers will require roads. In Otago and Southland much has yet to be done to malre fit for traffic th-3 many reads in the humid forest countiy on tho coast and the interior roads in older settled districts, some of which must be further assisted. Roads on C-oldfields.- — Mines Department : The vole last year under this head amounted to £12.700, the expenditure being £48,039. with liabilities at the end of the year amounting to £46,821. The sum proposed to be authorised for the current veav if £107.262 on account of which a vote of £30,000 is asked for. Roads to Pack Blocks. — In the Financial Statement the Coloniil Treasurer mentioned that out of the £1.000,000 loan, £150,000 would be required for the construction of roads in back blocks. The amount mentioned was not the total ram required for this work, and, os will be seen from the Estimates, the Government recognise that while increased provision is necessary for railways, an increased amount is also essential for roads to back blocks and Crown lands, so as to enable deserving and struggling settlers to get their products to the main roads and railway?, thus injuring to them the advantages which have been given to settlers in the more fa-voured-parts of the colony. These roads arc as the life-blood to Ihe seiilers. Jn the past complaints haye-besn made that the construction of such works has be"3ii left over dm ing tho summer months, so that when the wcrk has ultimo tely been put in hand it has cost a great deal more than it otherwise would have done ; also in some .cases, owing to bad weather and other causes, the moneys were not expended during the veer in which the vote was obtained at all. This will not occur in the future, and after the session the Minister of Lands will make it his epocial Im sines* to visit tho back blocks and tG personally look into the requirements of settlers. DEVELOPMENT OF GOLDFIELDS.

The ialue of the gold entered for exportation for the year 1899 was £1,513,173, being the greatest for the past 23 yeara, and it is expected that owing to the increase in the number of dredges at work the yield v. ill be maintained for the present year. The quantity of gold and silver entered at the customs for exnort during the 3-ear ended December 31, 1899. was 3£9,5580z of gold, valued at £1,513,173, and of silver 349,3380z. valued at £40,833, as comnared with 2e0,1750z of gold, valued at £ir0£0,691, and of silver 293,8510z, valued at £33,107— being an increase of 109,3830z of gold, valued at £432,482, and of silver 55,4870z, valued at £17731. Owing to the great increase in the number of claims, taken up on liver flats the conflicting interests of the miners and the freeholders required consideration, and a Royal Commission has been issued with aJ view to the adjustment of these differences. At present the duties of the commission have been restricted to rivers in Otago and Southland. Interim reports on rome of the rivers in those districts have already been submitted to Parliament, and effect has, as far as -possible, been given to the recommendations made therein. It is proposed to continue the commission and extend its operations to other parts of Ui£ colony. The fact must, however, be admitted tha-t if dredging on the alluvial flats is to continue, large sums will have io be provided for comx^engation for damage to land and losh of riparian rights. The Evreburu reservoir pi Naseby, referred

to in previous Statements, is now completed in a satisfactory mauner, the total cost of the work being £15,639. Further amounts will be required for fencing and planting the reserve, and also for clearing out and increasing the carrying capacity of the water race. When the.-.c works are completed there will be an ample supply of water, both for mining and irrigation purposes, in the vicinity of Nr.>eby.

Subsidies have also been paid towards the cost of water supplies at Karangahake and Waitekouri, and it is proposed to also assist other townships in the construction of works for domestic water supplies.

It is proposed to continue to acquire information as to suitable sites for damp and storage reservoirs for water on the goldfield=.

As advantage- has not yet been taken of the vote of £15,000 fov the development of the lov. er alluvial drifts at Ross Flat, the vole will be again proposed on the Estimates for the current year.

The amount expended last financial year on works for the development of the goldfields was £21,815, while the liabilities amounted to £5376, and it is proposed to take a vote of £45.000 for the current year.

TELEGRAPH EXTENSION

The expenditure during the year under this heading was £26,771, which includes £11,842 for addition-* to existing exchanged and new exchanges The new exchang-eo opened were Elthain. Inglewood, Manaia, Marlon, Waitara, Feilding, Haweva, Stratford, and Palmerstoii South. Trunk connecting the following exchanges have been erected, viz.: — Hawera and Manaia, JEltham and Stratford and New Plymouth, Vfauara and New Plymouth, Palmerston- South and Dunedin.

The total number of subscribers to all exchanges at the end of the year ended 33st .March was 7150. The most important extensions to new districts weic Whuianga to Gumtown, Mongonui to Peria, Tokatea to Cabbage Bay. Whakatane to Taneatua, Te Iloro to Pipiriki, Mangaweka to MoD-nhaugo, Muhuka to Morere, Waerengaokuti to Hangaroa. Aw? tore to Seddon, Denniston to Burnett's Face, Timaru to Gleniti, Merrivale to Clifden, Drummond to Heddon Bush. Colae Bay to "Round Hill, Orepuki to Te Tua. Additional wire accommodation to existing lines hos been provided by the erection of wires Featherstcn to Masterton, Feilding to Kimbolton, Dunedin to Lawrence, Dunedin to Oamaru. Clyde to Alexandra South. The vote psked for t'.is year is £38,709, and proVideo for addition^ to existing exchange.--, new exchanges, additional wire accommodation, and exteiihions to new difctricts.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS

The expenditure upon our public buildings last year showed an increase upon the previous year. The increase is partly due to the spiead of settlement in the country diptricts rendering an increase in the number of post offices, courthous3n, police stations-, etc., absolutely necessary, and partly to an improved type of buildings having been adopted in ucceiit 3"e?.i-a-, all our more important structures now being erected in brick instead of wood. The appropriations proposed for the cuirent year amount to £209,930— namely. £47,055 under t'lie consolidated fund and £172.895 under the public works fund. Tho principal works carried out last year or provided for this year are ao follows : —

General. — The new library wing of the Parliament Buildings absorbed the bulk of the expenditure under this head, the only other items worthy of mention being the somewhat extensive repairs and "improvements to, and ihe refurnishing 1 of, the Government House at Auckland, and ihe restoration of fire, damage, etc., at the Government House, Wellington. The vote for the current year premdes for the erection of the necessary shelving in the new library and the completion of the furnishing of the building, also for the renovation of the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council Chambers, and other old portions of the buildings, and altering the present library rooms to committee rooms, etc. Ranitarv and other improvements at tlie departmental buildings Wellington, additions to the Provincial Buildings Chriptehurch, and other minor v. oiks are also provided for.

Judicial. — Courthouse* : New courthouses ha-"c been erected, or are in course of erection, at "Eketahuna, Daneclin. and tho Bluff; new custodians' quarters at Christchurch ; and,exteiisive renovations and improvements have been effected at Auckland, Wanganui. and Greymm'th. The principal works provided for this year are t-he continuing of operations on the new Law Courts at Dunedin, new Magistrate's Court at Wellington, cew courthouses at Waihi, Te Awamutu, Opunake, Mangaweka, Collingwood, Temuka, Hampden, and Gore : also additions or extensive renovations ?i Whakatane, Wairoa, Napier, Waippvvft, Wanganui, Carterton, Ahaura, Bokitika, Geraldine, Lawrence, and Invercargill.

Gaols.- — Only a comparatively small amount of work was done in connection with our eaol building?. The principal work in hand ha<* been tUc erection of the Mount Etlen Gaol, Auckland, lepairs and drainage at the Terrace Gaol, Wellington, and some alterations and repairs at Gisborne. The Estimates this year provide for the continuance of the vsork at Auckland, for gaolers' residences at Dunedin and Westport. new gaol at Invercaigill, and pundry other worlcs.

Police Stations. — The principal work under this head la-it, year was the completion of the new station at Auckland, on which the total expenditure has amounted to £7170, of which £6088 wpa expended during the late financial year. The other principal works were : — Nsw stations at Cambridge, Mokau, Kimbolton, and Kaikourn ; new quarters at the Thames, and Addison's, and extensive renovations at Pukokohe, Dannevirke, Opunake, Manaia, Normanby. Marton, Wellington, Ahaura, Greymouth, Kaiapoi, ChriFtchurch, Southbridge, Timaru. and Fairlie. The principal work*- provided for this year are ney stations at Hamilton West, Gisborne, Feilding, Akaroa, Waikouaiti, Arrowtown, Roxburgh, Outram, and Invercargill; new quarters at Waipuna, New Plymouth, Nelbon. Westport, Timaru. Queenstown, and Bluff; purchase of additional land at Kaiapoi ; and additions or extensive re pairs at Dargaville, Aratapu, Warkv. 01th, Auckland, Ngaruavrahio, Gif-borne, Napier, Clive, Ingle-wood, Raw era, Waverley, Kimbolton, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Blenheim, Lyell, Reefton. Hokitika, Cheviot, Rangiora, Southbridge, Glenavy, Oaversham, Lawrence, and Winton.

Post and Telegraph.— The principal expenditure on post and telegraph buildings occurred in connection with the following new offices : At Parnell, Mangaweka, Mattcrton, Petone, South Wellington, Renwicktow.i. Wakapuaka, New Brighton, Mosgiel, Miller's Mat, and Bluff ; also additions or extensive reno-vations at Te Aroha, Hamilton, Hokitika, Ashburton, and Mat aura. This year provision is made for new offices at Dr.rga\il!e, Aratapu, Ponsonby, Onehunga, Karangnhake. Hamilton, Tarawera, Gisborro, Ingle-wood, Opunake, Waimanui, Feilding, Le-dn. Weveroa, Eketnhuna, Takaka, Denni— ton, Kaikoura, Papanui, Sumncr, Ashburton, Temuka, Slias Point, Cavershain, Nas&by,

and Gore ; and for additions or extensive repairs at Auckland, Otahuhu, Rotorua, Wairoa, New Plymouth, Hawera, Palmerstou North, Nelson, Greymouth, Christclrurch. Lyttelton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Clyde, Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh, and Kaitangata. Lunatic Asylums — The expenditure on new works at our asylum buildings last year was almost exactly the same as during the pievious year — namely, £17,712, against £17,667. The principal expenditure was again in connection with the Porirua Asylum, which absorbed £11,096. The other items do not call for special mention. This year another FubslanHal vote is piovided towards completing the Porirua As-ylum, and also substantial, though smaller, votes for additions and steam, electric light, and other appliances at Seacliff ; additions at Auckland, Wellington, and Nelson, and minor works elsewhere.

Scnools. — The amount voted for school buildings last year was dSS4-.70O — namely, £25,000 under the consolidated fund, and £59,700 under the public works fund. The expenditure amounted to £74,257 — namely. £25.000 under the former and £49.257 under the latter fund. This year we ask for a total vote of- £50,555— ~ranely, £25.000 under the consolidated fund and £55,555 under the public works fund. As Lon. members are aware, the bulk o[ the money is entrusted to the several Education Boards for 'expenditure, the only works directly controlled by the Government being the Industrial and Native Schools, and the school for deaf mutes, etc. A new site for the school for deaf mutes was purchased, and the rebuilding works at Cavprsham Industrial School v.-eve completed. This year provision is made for the building recently purchased for an Industrial School at Mount Albert, Auckland, also for an Industrial School for boys at. Wellington, and a reformatory for girl 1--in Canterbury, and for new buildings for the fchool for deaf mutes, and additions to the Industrial School buildings at Burnham, etc. LIGHTHOUSES, HARBOUR WORKS,

AND HARBOUR DEFENCES

Tht only expenditure last year in connection with new lighthouses was for land, compensation at Cape Palliser, and for further work on the new building at East Cape. This year pro-vision is made for the completion of East Cape lighthouse, and for a new lighthouse at Kaiourangi Point, and for the connection of sundry lighthouses with the telegraph system of the colony. The expenditure on harbour works was trifling in amount, being only £365. This year a much larger expenditure is provided for, the principal item? of which are as follows: — New wharves at Maungaturoto, Manukau (Sand Spit), Mokau, Karanaea, Bruce Bay, and Okuru ; also for snagging the Mokau, Msmawatu, ard Little" Wanganui Rivers ; for repairs to the ■wharf at Okarito, and for harhour improvement works at Collingwood, etc.

The vote for harbour defences last year was £10,000, but owing to the military authorities being so much occupied wilh the despatch of contingents to South Africa and other matters, less attention was given to our harbour defences than would otherwise have been the case, so that the expenditure fell a good deal ?!iort of the vote. A largo amount of work is required this 3 r ear, including the construction of a new battery at Wellington in a more advantageous position than any of the existing forts, ami also some very necessary works of defence in connection with our chief coal ports.' The vote propored for the current year is £20.000. Last year's vote for contingent defence* was £4-0,000, which, however, was slightly exceeded, the total expenditure amounting to £42,810. This year a vote of £100,000 is provided for.

CONCLUSION.

Hon. members may rest assured that the allocation of the money for the various works has received most careful consideration, arc! while there may be some disappointment with regard to the amounts set down for particular works, I am confident that it will be admitted that the allocation has been made upon a fair basis, and with a view to promoting the best interests of the colony.

lotal January Total to 31st to 313t to 31st December, Maieh, March, 1890. 1900. 1900. £. £. £. Railways (including a.0.1) .. 14,067,100 2,383,503 16,450,303 Roads .. .. 3,575,804 1,672,354 5,245,158 Public buildings 1,776,003 62,283 2,388,286 [lmnigration .. 2,144,336 3,119 2,147,505 Purchase of Native lands . . 1,191,137 7-15,145 1,936,282 Lighthouses, harbour works, and harb ov r defences .. .. 830,095 79,001 959,096 Felegraph extentension .. .. 600,849 255,208 856,057 Development of goldfields .. 561,101 109,345 670,446 Defence works — general .. .. 429,720 82,590 512,310 D d d c p a rtmental .. .. 349,789 96,505 446,38-1 Mmor works and and services . . 300,689 6,799 306,45S Host and discount, raising loans, etc. .. 1,021,472 34,839 1,056,311 Totals .. 26,898,145 6,080,481 32,978,626