PUBLIC WORKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 31

PUBLIC WORKS.

MINISTER'S ANNUAL STATEMENT. VOTES FOR RAILWAYS. FURTHER AUTHORISATIONS PROPOSED. TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS £2,921,000. [By Telegraph.] WELLINGTON, October 16. The Public Works Statement was laid on ihe table of the House of Representatives at & late hour to-night. In laying the Statement before members the Minister said: — Mr Speaker,—ln submitting the annual statement of the operations of the Publio Works Department and the proposals for the current year I may congratulate the House on the substantial progress made with our public works during the last year. TOTAL EXPENDITURE. The total expenditure, though not quite equal to that of the previous year, was still very satisfactory, being no less than £2,190,954—name1y, under the Public Works Fund and separate accounts £2,109,851, and under the Consolidated Fund £81,103. The following table shows, as regards the Publio Works Fund and separate accounts, Hie gross total expenditure to 31st Maroh, 1911, and the expenditure for the late financial year:—

WAYS AND MEANS. At the 31st March, 1910, the available ■ways and means for public works purposes were £312,366, and further funds were received as under: — Under the Loan Acts of 1909 ... £ 350,002 Under "The Aid to Publio "Works and Land Settlement Act, 1910" 1,568,350 Under "The New Zealand Loans Act, 1908" 66,390 Transfer from Consolidated Fund 800,000 Miscellaneous receipts 6,506

Making a gross total of ... £3,103,614 The ordinary expenditure of the year amounted to £1,892,851. Debentures redeemed were £225, charges and expenses in respect of the raising of loans £66,367, and other charges £4126, bringing the total disbursements to £1,963,569, leaving a credit balance at the end of the year of £1,140,045. For the current year it is proposed to provide additional funds as under: Balance of 1910 loan, £181,650; proposed loan of 1911, £1,500,000; under "The Aid to Water Power Works Act, 1910," £500,000; transfer from Corisolidated Fund, £500,000; special provision for irrigation works under section 20 of "The Appropriation Act, 1910," £IOO,OOO. The above, with the balance brought forward, gives a gross total of £3,921,605. The estimated expenditure on publio works for the current year (excluding separate accounts having their own ways and means) amounts to £2,921,000, leaving an estimated balance of £1,000,695 to be carried forward to next year. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

The following sections of railways were opened for traffic during last financial year or since its close: — ■, Hukerenui to Towai, 4 miles 30 chains, opened on May 2, 1910. Wells ford! to Tc'hana, 3 miles 27 chains* May 16, 1910. Huiroa to To Wera, 6 miles 77 chains. June 20, 1910. DSmett to Mina, 8 miles 63 chains, August 1, 1910. Ngahere to Blackball, 3 miles 40 chains. August 1, 1910. Lawrence to B;g_ Hill, 7 miles 37 chains, October 4, 1910. Broken River to Cass, 15 miles 22 chains, Uecember 12, 1910 Kawakawa to Towai. 21 miles 18 chains. April 13, 1911. Seddon to Ward, 14 miles 44 chains. April 15, 1911. Waimahaka to Tokonui, 8 miles 27 chains, September 20, 1911. Kioreroa to Onerahi (Grahamtown wharf, Whangarei), 2 miles 50 chains, October 2, 1911. Total, 91 miles 35 chains. In addition to the above, the following

sections are approaching completion, and will be ready to hand to the Railway Department for regulation working- shortly:

Tho total expenditure on, railway works last year was £1,183,933, made up asunder: Construction of new lines, £743,145; additions to open lines, £360,926; WellingtonHutt railway duplication, £19,511; railway improvements account, £60,351; —total, £1,183,933. _ _ • I will - now give a brief account of what has been done with the several railways which have been in hand during the year, and state what is proposed regarding each for tho current year. Kaihu Extension. —The formation of this line, carried out some years ago by the Kaihu Valley Railway Company, has been resurveyed and the line relocated. The work of widening and the completion, of formation are now well in hand, and a start is about to be made with tho erection of bridges. Tenders for bridges were invited, but the result was not satisfactory, and it has accordingly been decided to carry out tho work under the direct control of the department’s resident engineer. The expenditure during last financial year was small—namely, £2327; but for the current year £15,000 is asked for. Kawakawa-Hokianga. The expenditure on the Line during the last financial year amounted to £13,119, and for the current year £60,000 is asked for. KawaJcawa-Grahamtown. —This railway is now open for traffic for the whole distance from Kawakawa to Whangarei. East year’s expenditure on this railway amounted to £69,536, and for the current year £15,000 is required to meet the expenditure which has taken place since 31st March last, and to provide for a few finishing works. North Auckland. —An exceptionally good year’s work has been done on this railway. The section from Wellsford to Tehana, 3 miles 27 chains, was opened for traffic on the 16th May, 1910, and a further section, to Kaiwaka, 8 miles 65 chains, is approaching completion. The expenditure on the North Auckland railway during tho previous financial year was stated to be a record, but I am glad to say that last year’s expenditure was even larger, having amounted to no less than £73,042. For the current year a vote of £120,000 is proposed. ®

Huntly-Awaroa.—Only. a very small sum came to charge against last year's vote, but for the present year an appropriation of £30,000 will be required. Raotihi-Main Trunk.—The opening of the North Island Main Trunk railway has led to a considerable development of the sawmilling industry between Ohakune and Raetihi, and urgent representations have been made to the Government as to the necessity for a branch lino of railway from either Ohakune or Rangataua to enable the numerous sawmills to gain access to the railway system, and also to connect the agricultural district at Raetihi with tho Trunk line. _ Provision will accordingly be made in this year's Railways Authorisation Bill for the construction of a branch railway for a distance of about nine miles, and a vote of £15,000 will be included in the Estimates to make a commencement with the work.

East Coast Main Trunk.—lt is intended this year to ask the House to authorise the section of the_ line from Napier towards Gisborne, and in anticipation of this being approved a surveyor .as been sent to undertake the location of divisions.

East Coast Main Trunk Railway.— During the last financial year the expenditure was as under:—Tauranga-Paengaroa, £15,292; Gisborne Motu, £68,668; NapierGisborne, £l3l. For the current year the following votes are proposed:—WaihiTauranga, £15,000; Tauranga-Paengaroa, £30,000; Gisborne-Motu. £85,000; NapierGisborne—north end £15,000, south end £20,000.

Stratford Main Trunk.—The expenditure on this line last year was £76,234, and for the current year 1 am asking for a vote of £IOO,OOO.

Mount Egmont Branch.—The survey of the extension to the quarry site is now finished, and clearing work has been undertaken, not only on this section but also on the rope incline road, and some of the earthworks are now in hand. The expenditure last year was £BB2, but for the current year a vote of £15,000 is provided.

South Island Main Trunk.—At the north end of this line the section between Seddon and Ward has bean completed, and was opened for traffic on April 15 last. Considerable progress has been made with the formation of the Mirza section, and work has also been begun on the section to the Ure River authorised last session. It will be necessary to authorise a further sec.tion this year, and provision has been accordingly made in the Railways Authorisation Bill for extending the line to the south side of the Kekerangu Raver, about eight miles and a-half beyond the Ure River. At the south end the section between Domett and Mina was completed and handed over to the Railway Department in August, 1910, and good progress has been made with the Parnassus section. The largo combined road and railway bridge over the Waiau River has been completed, and is already used for road tonic. A commencement has been made with the formation on the Mendip section, which was authorised last session. At this end of the line it will be desirable to authorise a further extension, and provision has accordingly been made in the Railways Authorisation Bill for another section about 10 miles in length extending as far as the confluence of the Charwell and Conway Rivers. Last year's expenditure 'amounted to £sl,sß7—namely, £21,111 at the north end and £30,476 at the south end, —and for the current year it SB proposed to ask for a, vote of £ss,ooo—namely, £20,000 for the north end and £35,000 for the south end. Midland Railway.—At the Nelson end cf this line the section between Kiwi and Tui has been finished, _ but, as a matter of departmental convenience, is still retained by the Public Works Department, though traffic for the settlers is being run over it. Work on the Glenhope section is also approaching completion, and it is expected that this section will be available for traffic about March next, when the whole line to Glenhope will be handed to the Railway Department for regular working. A commencement will shortly be made on a further section between Glenhope and the confluence of the Hope and Buller Ravers, the location of the survey of which

is well in hand. It is proposed to ask authorisation for another section of this line, about nine miles in length—namely, to the confluence of the Owen and Buller Rivers. —and provision for this will be made in the Railways Authorisation Bill At the Reefton end the section between Cronadun and Inangahua landing ha© practically been finished, and work is in hand between the landing and Inangahua Junction. . The exact site of the junction station has not at present been fixed, but surveys ar© now in hand to determine the best point for the crossing of the Buller River, as on this the question of the location of the junction station largely depends. A great deal of work has been done on the Canteirbury-Westland portion of the line. The Arthur's Pas 3 tunnel "heading" has been driven for a. total distance of one mile 63 chains, leaving three milos 37 chains yet to be pierced, and nearly a mile and a-half has been enlarged to the full size and lined. A good deal of work lias been done outside the tunnel, and at the Otira end the embankment has now ireached the bed of the Otira River, and groins and protective works have been constructed. The sod bank formation has also been done at the Bealey end, between the Broken River and the tunnel. The works have been in hand under the co-operative principle, and very satisfactory progress has been made. The section between Broken River arid Cass, 15 miles 22 chains m length, was opened for traffic in December and a further section, 11 miles long, ;s approaching completion and is expected to be ready for traffic by the end of the current financial year. This section includes the bridges over the Cass and Waimakariri Rivers, and will carry the line up to the Bealiey Valley and reduce the distance which has to be travelled by coach between the railheads to 15 miles. The expenditure on the different sections of the Midland Railway during the year was as under:—Nelson end, £23,861; Reefton end, £15,675; Otira-Bealey, £73,179; Broken River-Bealey. £39,913; total, £151,628. For the current year the following appropriations are proposed:—Nelson end, £35,000; Reefton end, £20,000; Otira-Bealey, £90,000; Broken River-Bealey £50,000; total, £195,000. Westport-Inangahua.—The first section of this railway, between Westport and To Kuha, five miles .75 chains, is finished except the station buildings, which are well in hand. On the completion of these buildings the section will be handed to the Railway Department for regular working. Beyond Te Kuha work is in progress for rather more than three miles, partly on the co-operative system and partly under small contracts, let by public tender. The work is making Satisfactory progress, and it will be necessary to ask this year for the authorisation! of a further section of this railway, and provision will be made for this in the Railways Authorisation Bill. The expenditure last year was £18,557, and for the current year £30,000 is asked.

Ngahere- Blackball.—This railway has been open for traffic for some time, but a good deal of work was done on it last year, the expenditure amounting to over £II,OOO for the completion of the works that remained to be executed on the 31st March last, and a vote of £2OOO to provide for these is included in the Estimates.

Greymouth-Point Elizabeth. —The main line of this railway is complete with tho exception of the centre rail, but some little work yet ■remains to be done on the back shunt end' of the line where extensive slips occurred. The whole railway will, however, be in working order by the time the new Sta£e mine is in a position to put out coal. The expenditure last year amounted to £47,081, and for the current year £25,000 is asked for, and will be sufficient to complete the line.

Ross-Mikonui.—-The local authorities in the Westland district, including the County Council, the Kumara, Hokitika, and Ross Borough Councils, the Hokitika Harbour Board, and the South Westland Railway League, have for some time past asked for extensions of this railway from Rosa to Waitaha, and the Government, after carefully considering the matter, proposes to undertake the- first section of t\n& line—namely, as far as Mikonui, a distance of about four miles Formal authority for the construction of the line will be asked for in the Railways Authorisation Bill, and £SOOO on account of the cost is included in the estimates. This line will provide an outlet for a very large quantity of milling timber as well as opening up a considerable area of agricultural land. Wairnate Branch Extension.—Petitions have from time to time been presented to Parliament praying for an extension of the Wairnate branch railway from the present terminus at Wadhao Downs to Waibaorunga, and it is considered that the time has arrived for the work to be taken in hand. Provision for a suitable extension of the line will accordingly be made in the Railways Authorisation Bill, and a vote of £SOOO is included in the estimates to make a commencement with the work. Lawrence-Roxburgh. The section between Lawrence and Big Hill, seven miles 37 chains in length, was handed over to the Railway Department for regular working in October, 1910. Work in the Big Hill tunnel is now in hand and the construction of the lino to Beaumont is making satisfactory progress. The expenditure last year was £3891, and for the current year £20,000 is provided. Catlins-Wairaahaka. —At the CatHns end of the line the Papatupu section, threo miles 42 chains, has been completed, but is retained by the Puiblio Works Department for the present, so as to facilitate the transport of ballast from Houipapa quarry to the sections of the line under construction. Further substantial progress has been made with the work on the Pukctiro and Papatowai sections. The rails are now laid to Pukctiro Station, threo and three-quarter miles beyond Papafiipu, and so well aro the works proceeding that it will be necessary to authorise a further section of the line during .the present session, and provision will accordingly be made in the Railways Authorisation Bill for a five-miles* extension to near the confluence of Bock Creek and Tahakopa Rivers. At the Waimahaka end the section from Waimahaka to Tokonui has been completed, and was recently handed to the Bail way Department for regular working. It is proposed to ask the House to sanction the construotio..-! of a further section of the line in the direction of Oatlins —namely, from Tokonui to block XII, Mokoreta Survey District, a length of five miles and a half. The expenditure on the railway last year was £56.592. and for the current year £BO,OOO is asked for—viz., £60.000 for the cast end and £20,000 for the west end.

Winton-Heckfon Bush. —For many yearg past the Government has been passed to connect the rich agricultural district of Heddon Bush with the railway system, and

it is felt that this very reasonable request cannot any longer be denied. The lino from Winton to Hodden Bush will be of moderate length, and as the country is favourable for railway construction it is believed it can be built for loss than £4-000 per mile. Provision for it will therefore be made in the Railways Authorisation Bill, and £IO,OOO as a first instalment of the cost of construction is included in the estimates. Orepuki-Waiau Extension.—Even before the completion of the line to Waiau (Tuataperc) an agitation arose for its extension to Waioola and Orawia, but as there was some doubt as to the best route for the extension the matter was allowed to remain in abeyance for a time. It is now proposed to extend the line to Orawia, and provision for such extension will be mado in tho Railways Authorisation Bill. The sum of £SOOO for the line appears in tho estimates.

Total appropriations for railway construction.—ln addition tothe votes already mentioned, an appropriation! of £IIO,OOO is required for permanent way materials for all lines, also £2500 for land claims and liabilities on account of votes of previous years which have not been renewed, also a vote of £2500 for surveys of new lines, making the total proposed vote for railway construction purposes £1,083,000. OTHER RAILWAY WORKS.

During the year under review the sum of £248,075 was spent in providinc additional rolling stock and workshop machinery for the working railways, and £112,852 in tablet appliances, - signals and interlocking, telegraph and telephone extensions, water services, sidings, wharves, reclamation work, dwellings, reduction, of grades and improving of curves, and additional station accommodation, making a total expenditure under the heading " additions to open lines" of £360,926. Considerable progress has been made with the Dunedin-Mosgiel duplication, and gangs of men are engaged in tunnel and formation work between Burnside and Mosgiel. The expenditure last year on the railway duplications and contingent works was £95,347, rmade up as follows: —Wellington-Hutt duplication works, £19,511; New Hutt road, including land for same, £15,485; AucklandPenrose duplication works, £75; AddingtonRolleston duplication works, £l805; Dun-edin-Mosgiel duplication and deviation of line, £sß,47l;—total, £95,347. For the current year provision has been made on the Estimates to the extent of £85,324— namely, Wellington-Hutt duplication works, £1324; New'Hutt rood, £14,000; Dunedin-Mosgiel duplication and deviation of line, £70,000; total, £85,324. The amount proposed to be voted for the current year for additions to open lines is £370,000, ol which £225,000 is for new rolling stock and additions to workshop machinery, and £20,000 for the new steamer for Lake Wakatipu. DEVELOPMENT OF WATER POWER. In pursuance of intention mentioned in last year's Statement to appoint an electrical engineer, Mr Evan Parry has been appointed to the position, and entered on his duties in July last. Much preliminary work has been carried out in connection with the Lake Coleridge scheme. The available market for power in the Canterbury district has been investigated and th«* requirements- ascertained, and plains and specifications are in course of preparation for works to provide for an ultimate demand of 10,000 horse-power, and tenders will shortly be invited for the first instalment of the plant. _ Arrangements are being made for completing the first sections of the works in two years. It is estimated that a capital expenditure of £37,500 will be required to efficiently instal a fuU 1000 horsepower plant, and when it is installed the district between Rangioa*a in the north and Timaru in the south can be supplied wibh electrical energy, with branch lines to the different farming centres. It is hoped to make system services to country residences as well as to the inhabitants and industries of the cities and larger towns. # In this we have very striking precedents in Switzerland, France, Germany, and, latterly, in England, where farms and cottages in rural districts are supplied with electricity for lighting and power purposes at cheap rates. The estimates of the capital outlay and operation! expenses indicate that power can be supplied at about £6 10s per horsepower per year for wholesale supply for distribution and for factories.

Although the Lake Coleridge system is first in importance, owing to the urgent demand for an adequate supply of power in the city and suburbs of Christchuroh, other available sources of electrical energy are receiving attention. An investigation of the available market in Whangiarei district, where hydro-electric power is available from the Wairua Falls, has been made, with a satisfactory result, and preliminary steps are about to be taken for the development of power from those falls and from Lake Waikare Moana. The electrical engineer will visit both sources at an early date. It is of fundamental importance for future development that the fullest possible information should be collected regarding rainfalls and the variations in the flow of the principal rivers over an _ extended number of years. This information is essential in order that as population and markets develop accurate estimates may bo formed of the water power available to meet demands. For this purpose gaugings will be undertaken of the rivers and streams which are likely to be put under control. RAILWAY ELECTRD7ICATION. The conditions pertaining 1 to the electrification of the Ohristohurch-Lyttelton railway are being investigated and the recmirements ascertained. It is anticipated that with a supply of power available from Lake Coleridge the conversion from steam to electric working will be profitable, and tenders for the work will be invited in due course with a view to its completion as soon as possible after the supply of current becomes available. After the application of electricity to the working of this line its application to other sections will be considered:. In the meantime all information) on the subject is being collected, and the progress of electrification of railways in other-countries is being carefully watched. In view of the rapid extension of electric workine in France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, the United Stages, and England it is intended to make a systematic study of the triafEo and train movements throughout the Dominion with the object of ascertaining detintely the power requirements _ of the clifferenfc sections. In other 3ountries the electric working of railways, which has bpen previously limited to suburban is now being extended to main and branch lines, not only where the traffic is heavy but also on lines with a comparatively infrequent service. The department is consequently studying the application of electricity not only to suburban services, where its useful-

ness is undoubted, but also a 3 an alternative to re-grading, which is proving necessary on many of the main lines in order to cope with the increasing traffic. The use of electrio traction would dispense with the necessity of re-grading in a great many eases, inasmuch as steepsr grades can be worked with electrio haulage and at higher speeds than with steam engines. On the new lines also it would 1 * be possible to reduce the cost of construction considerably and to expedite the work by the--adoption of higher ruling maximum gradients than are possible with steam haulage, but which can be advantageously used electrically.

IRRIGATION AND WATER SUPPLY. The surveys and explorations in connection with irrigation works in Otago have been vigorously proceeded with during the year. _ In the Ida Valley the irrigable area is divisible into several sections, each section requiring different treatment. It ia intended to deal first with the southern section, which contains some of the best land, and the surfaco characteristics of which are such as to render. ffa 'sUffcabJe- fori'.; irrigation, with a minimum-' 1 o£; -ex£efts'e-.y • The water required for. th^g : 'portion <5aW ;: be obtained directly th'd' :i: chief sources of supply being the Manorburn and Poolburn, in each of which it ia proposed to erect two dams at favourable points in the upper reaches. One of the reservoirs will have a capacity - approximately of 1,400,000,000 cubic feet, and the others, though not of such large proportions, will still be of very considerable extent, the total area of "vyater impounded being 2887 acres, of varying depths up to 78ft. As the rainfall in this region has in the past shown remarkable fluctuations, being in the years of greatest precipitation as much as two and a-half times that of other year®, it is possible that the dams which will be constructed will not fill all at once, and possibly not for a year or two, but when once filled there "will be a large surplus from a wet Eeason available to assist during the dry years. With the water available we expect to irrigate about 26,000 acres by gravitation. It will be possible by pumping up the surplus water which will run off after the irrigation of the higher parts of the' valley to irrigate a second block situated lower down the valley, and after some years of constant application o{ largo bodies of water have caused the ground water level throughout the valley to rise a third area might eventually be served by putmping from the s&ma source. As the water is being brought from the Manorburn into the Ida Valley district it falls in one case 220 feet in a distance of 13 chains. This should ba a good site for a hydro-electric power station, from which power could be transmitted and used in pumping water from the Manuherikia River to irrigate a further section of the Ida Valley. The Cromwell Flat is a locality for the irrigation, of which there has been an agitation for many years. The water of the Roaring Meg has been retained by the Government, and can be used by direct gravitation to serve practically the whole flat, and, although owing to the extreme porosity of the soil it may be necessary to pipe a great many of the distributaries, the scheme has promising features. The landowners will be invited to enter into the agreements required Iby the Publio Works Act, with a view to this scheme being authorised at an early date.

The water rights of the Last Chanoo Gold. Mining Company have been pur-. chased, which will render water available for the irrigation of such country as is suitable in the locality of Bald Hill Flat. The flat ground' between Clyde and Alexandra, also the Moutere Flat and the Galloway Flat, for the irrigation of which there has been a great deal of local agitation, can probably be served from the Manuiherika River, and 1 without expensive reservoirs.

The irrigation of. the Maniototo Plains is also being considered. ' With the water that could be compounded in the Serpentine reservoir (10,000,000,000 cubic feet) it would Ibe possible to irrigate at _ least 560,000 acres of land after making a liberal allowance for probable loss by evaporation, seepage, and .waste; and in the conveyance of this water from the reservoir to the land to be irrigated power to the extent of about 9000 horse power can be gener« ated, which could be transmitted electrically to pump the residual water to irregate a further area, or be used for industrial purposes. Coming now to the work which has been actually accomplished, the first scheme to be completed was the irrigation of the Steward Settlement, an area of over 21,000 acres, lying immediately south of the Wait aid, River. The water for this area is r taken from the Waitaki River. a; never failing source of supply, and led »>y means of a branch system of distributaries so as to command every section (except one small one) on %he settlement. In carrying out the scheme 63 miles of races were constructed, ranging from 18ij| to 12ft in width. To reduce the fall and prevent scours, 42 masonry overfalls were constructed, and' the races, where they run over terraces, varying in height from sft to 30ft, have been lined with concrete. Though the bulk of the races were not constructed in time for last years's harvest, a few of the settlers were able to make use of the water towards the end of the season, and the effect upon the crops was excellent. A portion of the Otekaike settlement, on tha western side of the Otekaike River, and lying between the foothills and the Waitaki River was surveyed, and a scheme of irrigation drawn tup and put in hand. The whole of the main race, five miles in length, has been finished and the major pa;rt of the distributaries \necessary to serve approximately 1000 acres is almost completed, so ihat the water will be available during the ensuing irrigating season. The supply for this scheme is from the Otekaike River, in which the water disappears under the shingle for many months in the year. In order, therefore, to insure a supply during the period required, ifc was decided to bring the main race from a point _ some miles above the land to be irrigated where the river is confined in a rock bound gorge. Even there the tbottom of the gorgeis covered with over 10ft of shingle carrying much water. Here a coffer dam was constructed and the shingle excavated down to solid rock, and a concrete diverting weir built, eo that all the water flowing might be available. This was a work of considerable difficulty owing to the very porous nature of the sihingle and the large quantity of water flowing therein. The water now runs freely from the intake to the end of the furthest distributary, even when only one Government head of wate? is turned through the intake suHce-gate. There are some splendid areas of land ad>-

mirably situated for irrigation at various points along the Waitaki River which axe well worth consideration in connection with irrigation generally. Accurate gaugings of the Taiftri and Manuherikia Rivera have been taken at high, low, and mean levels *>f the rivers, and in the case of the laieri at many intermediate stages. The expenditure last year amounted to £79io, of which the expenses in connection with the Steward Settlement and Otekaike schemes, amounting to £6418, were charged to the Ijands and Education Departments, and JblOW ipent in survey _work in connection with fte Ida Valley and other schemes to the Special vote for irrigation and water supply. The vote proposed for the current year under this latter heading in the Estimates now submitted is £30,000.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The total expenditure on public buildings last vear amounted to £432,750, being % considerable increase on that of the pre (rious year. This was owing to the great expansion of business throughout the Dominion. The amount is made up as follower^ New'';buildings (class 10, Public WorksV.l&id,;. £325,613; maintenance works jclasK '~'£%■ Consolidated Fund), £49>560; maintenance:forks' (schools, class 15, tonTOlidated ' FiiiidY - f£57,571 ;-total, £432,750. "For the current year the following appropriations are proposed:—New buildings {Public Works Fund), £449,000;. maintenance works (Consolidated Fund), £53,977, maintenance works (schools, Consolidated Fund), £9o,3oo;—total, £593,V5.i. General.—Under this heading provision is made for continuing work on the Christchurch and Invercargill departmental buildings- for new Government buildings at Hamilton, Gisborne, New Plymouth and Mastorton; for the completion of the Government buildings at Hokitika; for new offices for" the Stamps and Native Department in Wellington; for making a commencement with the new Parliament Buildings, and for sundry other items. Courthouses.—The . principal works undertaken were new buildings at Taumarunui, Opotiki, Waverley, and Petone, and additions at Gisborne and Timaru. For the jurrent year votes are asked for new buildtags at Kaitai; Kaikohe, Waipu, Auckland, Otoruhanga, Otakune, Raetihi, Wanfanui, Masterton, Takoka, Greymouth, Cheviot, Methven; for additions at Hamilton ■■ and New Plymouth; and for converting the police station at Warkworth into a courthouse. Gaols. —The principal expenditure last ?ear was in connection with the new winj? t the Mount Eden (Auckland) Gaol, Invercargill, and the police gaol at Gisporne; new votes including warders' cottages at Invercargill and Wellington, and provision for a reformatory farm. Police Stations. —The expenditure under *ihis head was chiefly in connection with jhe erection or purchase of country and luburban stations owing to the increase of population in newly-settled districts and the need of better buildings in the oldler settlements. A number of new structures were required, and during- the year new stations were completed at Wellsford, Paxaell, Frankton, PongaToa, Otaki, Johnsonrilje, Motueka, Blackball, Greymouth (police gaol), and South Invercargill. Substantial additions were made at other stations, and suitable residential properties were purchased at Remuera, WaitaTa, and New Plymouth (Fitwoy). Site* for new stations were also . acquired in different localities. On this year's Statement provision is being asked for the erection of 1 number of necessary buildings, some of them to replace rented premises, which are frequently inconvenient, and are responsible for a somewhat large annual charge a-gainst the Police Department. Among the more important works that are being proceeded with under last year's vote, and which will soon be completed, are: —Additions to Mount Cook (Wellington) Police Barracks and gymnasium, and other accommodation at the police training depot at Wellington South. • Post and Telegraph.—The expenditure on post and telegraph buildings is on the increase. The largest outlay last year Dccprred in connection with the new G.P.O. in Wellington and the new chief post office ini Auckland. . The expenditure on these buildings during the year amounted to £66,'777. Other important offices that have been in hand are at Helensville, Avondale, Mount Roskill, Frankton,. Wairoa, Bulls, Wtstport, Waiau, Christchurch (Ferry road), Addington, Rakaia, Waimate, St. Kilda, and a number of others. A valuable property has also been acquired at Wanganui. Owing, to . the continued expansion of business, provision requires to be made for a considerable expenditure on the building account this year in order tq afford accommodation for carrying on the work with satisfaction to the public. A? will be seen, there are large appropriations on account of new buildings at Auckland and Wellington, also votes for new buildings at Wailesley street (Auckland), Ponsonby, Te Aroha, Rbtorua, Mania, Blenheim, Westport, Sydenham, Akaroa, Balclutha, .and Kaitangata, and for a bulk •tore at Wellington. Provision has been made for new buildings at a number of other places. Votes are provided for the purchase of new sites or and build-, lngs at Kawakawa, Hikurangi. Otahuhu, Raglan, Tokaanu, Wellington North/ Adelaide Road (Wellington), Little River, and Ravensbourne. Mental Hospitals.—New laundry machinery has been installed at Auckland, and tenders have been invited for extensive additions to the buildings to meet present and future requirements. The Wolfe bequest reception house has been completed, and is in occupation. At Tokaanu the buildings for a new mental hospital, which is noeossary to relieve, but not to replace, the existing institutions, are about to be erected at the extremity of the property nearest the Te Puhi Railway Station. The area of land is 5000 acres, and the intention is to build separate erections for the accommodation of each class and sub-class of patients. There are very, fine building sites for this purpose sufficiently separated to eliminate the sentiment of a large institution. A start has been made working the Jand, and when this can be extended by the labour of patients the property will be improved so much in excess of its cost that quite apart from the ideal conditions for the treatment and classification of patients it will be seen that the solection of this area was a wise step. At Porirua extensive additions were furnished, and immediately occupied A second reservoir is being con*t~uoted, and many minor works have been carried out. The urea of land in connection Tvith the Hospital is harolv adequate for the number of patient*, and an adoitfona! area of 80 nonw ha*, been leased The limited extent of land available will prelude any extension of the

buildinrr but it is contemplated to make a moderate addition on the lines of the Wolfe bequest hospital in Auckland. At Sunnyside a refrigerating plant is being put in, and an extension of thp_ single room accommodation has been provided on the< women's side. It is proposed to repeat here also the plan of the Wolfe bequest hospital in order that as many patients as possible may in the first instance be received and treated there instead of in the main institution. At Seacliff, the dry weather has demonstrated beyond question the necessity for an improved water supply and the necessary works are in progress. Some minor additions to the buildings are being carried out, and the accommodation at the auxiliary institution at Waitati is to be extended.

Schools. —During the year the sum of £124,926 was expended out of the Public Works Fund on school buildings, and £57,571 out of the Consolidated Fund. As usual, the greater part of this amount was paid to the Education Boards, High Schools Boards, and other controlling bodies as grants for the erection of new buildings and additions and the purchase of cites arid equipment, etc., for primary schools, including teachers' residences, secondary and technical schools, training colleges, and university colleges. The following were the principal works carried out directly under the control of the Government:—Completion of the principals' residences and classification cottage at the special school for boys at Otekaike, the installation of a gaslighting plant at Te Oranga Home (Christchurch), completion of the new wing at the Burn.ha.rn Industrial School, additional rooms for the staff and another cottage home at the Boys' Training Farm at Weraroa, part purchase of land, building, stock, and equipment for the Boys' Industrial School at Stoke (Nelson), and four new Native schools, as well as additional accommodation at several of the existing ones.

Workers' Dwelling's.—On the Supplementary Estimates last year a vote of £15,000 was taken for worker's' dwellings. Considerable preliminary work was done in pursuance of this appropriation. On the current year's Estimates largely increased provision has been made—namely, for the acquisition of a suitable farm, for road formation to give access to the same, and' for the erection of suitable buildings. This work is being carried out under the direction of the Department of Labour. Hospital Buildings.—Under the heading of hospitals arid charitable institutions, the principal items of expenditure were in connection with the Reefton Hospital, the St. Helens Hospital at Auckland;, and the Auckland Veterans' Home. The current year's Estimates provide for a renewal of the vote for a site and buildings for new St. Helens Hospital at Wellington, for a i ew St. Helens Hospital and site at Christchurch, for additional hospital accommodation at Rotoraa, and some other minor works.

Agricultural Training Works. —Last year saw the completion and equipment of the training quarters at the Ruakura farm of instruction, and a number of lads are now in residence there. ' Further drainage operations have been carried out at Ruakura during the year. The land is very responsive to drainage, and the marked improvement affected by this improvement has been a valuable object lesson. Steps were taken last year to provide a permanent water supply for Waerenga and Ruangua. At Weraroa stumping was carried out, -which will enable more land to be brought under profitable cultivation. For the current year provision is made for the purchase of land for an experimental farm, which it has been decided to establish in tho South Island. New buildings required on experimental farms are also provided for. This is in continuation of the policy of gradually replacing: original buildings on farms .with buildings more in keeping with the character of the places and better adapted for economically working them. ROADS AND BRIDGES. Liberal provision was made on last year's Estimates for roads, and every effort has been made since the votes were passed to push on energetically. with the works. No time was lost insofferinig to the local bodies the expenditure of such votes, as it was anticipated they 'would be prepared to undertake. The expenditure of 1503 items, totalling £292,116, was offered to local bodies, the offers in respect of the items provided for on the main Estimates being, made on November 15 and 16, and in re-* spect of the Supplementary Estirnates on December 12. and 13. When the offers to local bodies were made they were invited to submit proposals for expenditure at. as early a date as possible, and were informed that authority would be issued so soon as such proposals had been approved. Between November 30 and March 31 no less a sum than £225,768 was authorised to local bodies and departmental engineers, and between March 31 and July 31 authority for a further sum of £79,945 was issued. Some few local bodies declined to take up this items offered to them, others selected only those which presented little difficulty or expense in carrying out, and in almost every, case where the local body was unwilling to undertake the particular work authority was promptly issued to the department's local t ngineer to carry it out. On the whole, however, the response may be regarded as quite satisfactory so far as the willingness of local bodies to undertake work is concerned. Despite the fact that the votes were made available at the earliest possible date, the expenditure on March 31 had not reached the amount anticipated. Of course, it will bo understood that at that date there were many thousands of pounds' worth of work in hand under grants, much of which has since been completed. The system governing the expenditure by local bodies of Government grants has been simplified as far as is consistent with properly safeguarding the expenditure of public money. Last session I announced the intention of the Government to give consideration to applications for grants where local people were prepared to help themselves. A large number of substantial votes on a pound-for-pound basis were accordingly provided'. The expenditure of these items has riot so far reached anything like the amount offered. In many cases this is doubtless attributable to the fact that when the votes were provided the local bodies had not completed their aa'Tangements for loans. An increased number of applications has been received for grants on this basis. It is unnecessary to detail all the various works carried out during , the year, but they may bo summarised as follows:—New dray road 3 constructed, 362 males; dray roads metalled, 195 miles; bridge roads converted to dray roads, 157 males; new bridle roads constructed, 202 miles; engineering surveys made, 445 miles; dray

roads maintained, 1940 miles; bridle roads maintained, 1063 miles; bridges constructed (20ft in length or over), 149; stock bridges, 72. ROADS ON GOLDFIELDS. The authorisations under this head were £86,795, on account of which a vote of £53,420 was taken. The vote was made up of a large nuimbeir of small items. It is proposed to continue to assist local bodies by means of grants towards the construction of roads and tracks to enable plant and stores to be conveyed to mines in courso of development and also towards the construction of tracks in new localities, so as to better enable prospecting operations to be carried on, TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR ROAD WORKS. Last year's appropriations were : —Roads, etc., £312,545; back-block roads, £230,720; roads on goldfields, £53,420; opening up Crown lands for settlement (account), £100,000; national endowment (account), £15,935; land for settlements (account), £20,865; new Hutt road, £20,000; maintenance of roads (Consolidated Fund), £3o,ooo;—total, £783,485. "' The, provision for the current year is: Roads, etc., £253,865; back-blocks roads, £296,135; roads on goldfields, £50,000; opening; up Crown lands for. settlement (account), £100,000; national endowment (account), £19,350; land for settlements (account), £10,000; new Hutt road, £14,000; maintenance of roads (Consolidated Fund), £3s,ooo;—total, £788,350. DEVELOPMENT OF COALFIELDS AND GOLDFIELDS.

The mining industry maintains its position. The production of coal in New Zealand is increasing, and affords an indication of the growth of our industrial enterprises. The extension of Kumara waterrace is ncaring completion, and it is anticipated that the water will be available for sluicing before the end of the financial year. The mains have been laid across the bed of the Teremakau River, and, I believe, is the first instance of such work being accomplished in the bed of such a quickly-flowing river as this. The amount expended in the last financial year on the development of our goldfields was £10,845, and a vote of £25,000 is proposed for the current year.

!';'■' TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS.. I" The expenditure on the Rotorua electrical ! -works was chiefly in completing the power '■ house extension, which will enable the production of higher power and consequently admit of a greater number of connections. Some building works were ■ carried out at Rotorua, and a bath house has been erected at Tokaanu. Improvements have been carried out at various tourist resorts. 'For the current year a. vote of £15,000 is proposed, the principal works being a sanatorium and other buildings at Rotorua, the purchase of : Nativo township land at Te Puia, and a | new hostel at Mount Cook. ! TELEGRAPH EXTENSION.

The expenditure on telegraph and telephone extensions during the year amounted to £111,868. The number of miles of poles and wire erected and in cou<rso of construction were 427 and 2457 respectively. Among the principal land lines erected or under erection are the following :—Auckland-Wel-lington, Hamilton-Faeroa, Gisborne-Te Karaka, Napier-Gisborne, Napier-Waipawa, Wellington-Fcathea-sfo.n, Wanganui-Marton, Amber ley Cheviot, Springfield-Cass, Dun-eain-Oamaru, Dunedin-Middlemarch. and Invercargill-Winton. During the past year matters in connection with the installation of the wireless telegraph system were pushed forward with all expedition. A great deal of initial work has been undertaken in the selection of suitable sites, the acquiring of necessary land, the formation of poles, the clearing of sites, and the preparation of plans and specifications for the building. Contraots have been let for the erection of two high-power stations—one at Awaraui, in the north of Auckland, and the other at Awarua, near Bluff. Both these stations will, have a daylight range of 125 C miles, and thus uninterrupted communication will be kept up with vessels from Australia. Medium-power stations, having a daylight range of 300 miles, are to be erected on Mount Etako, north of the Tinakori Range, near Wellington, at New , Brighton, near Christchurclh, at Gisborne, and one on the Government steamer Tutanakei. The vote asked for this year : (£175.000) includes liabilities amounting to £7i,904, principally for telegraph and telephono material under order at the commencement of the financial year. LIGHTHOUSES, HARBOUR WORKS, AND HARBOUR DEFENCES.

Lighthouse®. —The works undertaken during tho year were the completion of tho Jackson's Head beacon, tho erection of an automatio explosive fog signal at Patiti Point (Timaru), and a track leading to the fog signal at Godley Head. The new works to bo provided for are the. erection of lights at Castlepoint, North Cape, and Chickens Islands, the re-erection of the Tuahine Point lighthouse which had to be temporarily dismantled last yiear owing to serious landslips, and the connection of another lighthouse with the telegraph system. For the works mentioned above a sum of £BBBS will be required, on account of which £4500 is provided on the estimates. .««!,„„ .1, Harbour Works.—The sum of £14,670 wdl l>e required for these works, on account of which £BSOO is proposed for the current Harbour Defences. —A small amount of work was carried out last year, and a moderate expenditure will be necessary during the current year to provide for its completion. A vote of £3OO for this is provided for on the Estimates.

GROSS TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS. In addition to the votes specifically referred to, the Estimates include provision for the undermentioned services:—Departmental, £48,000; immigration, £20,000; lands improvement, £20,000; contingent defence, £20,000. Thus bringing the total_ of the proposed appropriations, including special accounts, up to £3.145,674, as against £3,248,210 voted and £2,039,508 actually expended last year. EMPLOYMENT ON PUBLIC WORKS. In accordance with the policy already outlined in the Statement this year, Government settlers who take up allotments under the proposed family land settlement system will, where possible, if desired, be employed for part of their time on public works to be promoted to give access to the lands upon which they are settled. IRON INDUSTRY. In regard to the development of our iron ores and ironsand legislation will be introduced.

CONCLUSION. I have now reviewed the work of the past year, and have given an epitome of the proposals regarding 1 the current year. The votes proposed, while not excessive or extravagant, are nevertheless of an exceedingly liberal character, but are justified by the Government's policy of progressive development of the • natural resources of the Dominion and of providing for the reasonable requirements of the people, and- will admit of a satisfactory rate of progress being maintained with the various enterprises in hand. The works in progress and those proposed to be gone on with are all of a necessary character, and their execution will tend to still further advance the progress of the Dominion.

J -SlO a o3 3 2 5*5 o H^ feS Railways— New construction ... £20.509.409 £743,145 Additions to open lines ... 8,804,630 440,788 Roads ... ... 8,924,941 255,163 Publio buildings 4,691,943 325,613 Immigration 2,228,232 9,441 Purchase of Native lands 2,069,103 2,976 Lighthouses, harbour works, and harbour defences 1,068,846 8,427 Tourist and health resorts 203,273 5,192 Telegraph extension... 1,878,058 111,868 Development of goldfields ... 846,959 - 10,845 Defenoe works (general) 909,982 . 6,071 Departmental 676,806 „12,733 Development of water power 9,369 1,020 Irrigation and water supply 1,562 1,562 Payment to Midland Railway bondholders 1,500,000 — Lands improvement ... 62,152 11,125 Minor works and services 312,607 ■— Cost and discount, raising loans, etc 1,241,907 66,367 New Hutt road 82,729 15,485 Opening up Crown lands for settlement 534.463 45,691 National ' Endowment Account Totals 10.594 5,619 £55.217,555 £2,109,851

Milos. Chains. Waikohu to Otoko ... 7 75 Temera to Pohokura ... 8 55 Kiwi to Tui ... 3 17 Westport to Te Kuha ... 5 74Cronadun to Landing ... 8 40 Houiipapa to Papatupu ... 3 42 Total ... 37 63