PUBLIC. WORKS

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 22

PUBLIC. WORKS

THE MINISTER’S STATEMENT.

EXPENDITURE OF £4,903,263.

£6,431,815 REQUIRED FOR CURRENT YEAR.

A summary of the development of the Dominion during the past 12 months undei* the policy of the- Public Works Department is contained in the annual statement of the Minister (Mr W. B. Taverner), which was tabled in the House of Representatives on Friday. Last year £4,903,263 was expended from the Public Works and other accounts out of an estimate of £6,252,385.

For the current year it is proposed to vote £6,431,815, the principal items being as follow:— Railway Construction .. .. £1,570,000 Electric Supply 1,164,000 Roads, Bridges, etc 1,574,000 Telegraph Extension .. .. 500,000 Additions to Other Lines .. 669,095 Public Buildings 399,720

The amount spent on railway construction last year-was £1,452,860.

Work on the ‘Waitaki hydro-electric power development is proceeding satisfactorily. The sum of £236,015 was expended last year, and £562,000 is asked for this year.

THE YEAR’S ACTIVITIES.

In introducing his statement, the Minister says:—. The session has emphasised features in cur public finance and in the social condition of a large section of our people which must be taken into consideration in framing a statement for presentation to the House. Perhaps the most important Iron, the point of view of a programme »f expenditure on public works are: — 1. The fact that a Select Committee has been appointed to inquire into and consider the position respecting railways under construction; and 2. The fact that unemployment as revealed by the statistics of registration has increased rather than decreased. The general position and certain aspects of policy dictated by our present circumstances may be briefly reviewed. Members will flerceive from a perusal of tabulations embodied in other parts of this document that public works expenditure has steadily increased. During the last financial year the total expenditure reached £7,781,000. Apart from the period of unusual activity during Sir Julius Vogel’s railway-building policy, when there was a very small population in New Zealand, the expenditure from 1882 to 1920—a period of 38 years —has varied round about £2 per head of population. Since that date it has increased, and in the two years immediately following 1920 it reached £5 10s, and since then has averaged nearly £5 '

UNPRODUCTIVE EXPENDITURE. A continued programme of expenditure nf borrowed money on services that are not likely to prove productive will probably in the end result in a serious condition in the public finances* of the Dominion. It: is not desirable that the additions to our National Debt should become entirely-the burden of the taxpayer for annual charges of interest and sinking fund, but insofar as public works are unproductive such annual charges will have that effect. In respect to external debt, where the interest'goes out of the country, it is essential that for the expenditure of moneys borrowed abroad the Dominion should show such increased development and .productive capacity for the creation of additional taxable wealth that the interest payments will not be found ’burdensome, although they may require to be met partly out of taxation. It is for this reason that the economic aspect of prospective railway extension must be seriously considered. RAILWAYS. . The statement tabled by the Prime Minister, which has been referred to the * special committee, gives the estimated cost of railways under construction, including cost to the end of June last, and the estimated total annual loss thereon, as follows: — Estimated total expenditure wheir completed .. £13,631,000 Estimated total annual loss 737,553 I remarked before the value, from the employment standpoint, of the works under consideration. Taken in conjunction with road construction and relief works, the position may be developed more fully. The-statistical position ■is as follows as on September 20, 1930:— EMPLOYED ON PUBLIC WORKS. Railways construction .. 4,283 Roads— Settlement roads 1,531 Main highways .. .. 2,714 Hydro-electric works .. 1,447 Irrigation 109 Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers improvement .. .. 67 Buildings 638 General .. .. 229 Relief workers .. 4,939 Public Works Department total 15,960 State Forest Service total .... 1,089 Total .. 17,049 It is obvious that any curtailment that Parliament may find it necessary to impose under any one of these items will throw mea out of work and add to the

already considerable number of -the unemployed. _ RELIEF WORKS.

The position regarding unemployment has received close attention, and every effort has beep made to offer employment to the greatest number of men that it has been possible for the department with available moneys to employ. At the present time the number of men engaged both on relief works and on ordinary standard works is in the vicinity of 17,000. ROAD CONSTRUCTION. My remarks on railway construction are in some ways applicable to road construction, in so far as, under the extreme necessity of providing employment, roads have been made that in some cases are beyond the financial capacity of the local authorities to maintain, and are certainly years ahead of the demand of progressive settlement. A road, no less than a railway line is a liability on the community if it is not receiving its full share of use and assisting by the added facility which it provides to increase the production of the country and to lessen the cost of transportation. I propose during the coming recess thoroughly to investigate this position. PROVISION FOR RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

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

As members are aware, certain earthmovements took place at the Arapuni hydro-electric station on the morning of June 7 of this year, resulting in the closing dowm of the station until such time as the position could be fully investigated. The Government nmde arrangements for the engagement of an eminent Swedish engineer, Professor P. G. Hornell, fully to investigate the posi-

tion of Arapuni and to report on remedial measures.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC OPERATIONS, 1929-30.

Percentage of Average Net profit to Operating Gross Working Operating Capital. Revenue.expenses. Net profits. Capital. £ £ . £ £ Horahora-Arapuni .. 2,649,085 225,683 62,571 163,112 6.15 Mangahoa-Waikare-moana 3,351,711 259,461 59,235 200,226 5.97 Lake Coleridge .. .. 1,517,803 196,648 36,808 159,840 10.53 Totals 7,518,599 681,792 158,614 523,178 6.96

From the table (included) it will be seen that the complete system indicates a general improving position until 1924-25. This is. in the main, due to the fact that the two schemes then operating. Horahora and Lake Coleridge, were largely built at pre-war costs, and were operating practically at full load conditions. Supp.ly was short in some areas, whilst capital was being spent building other plants. From then on the percentage drops for a few years whilst larger plants, such as Mangahao, came into operation. These were built at very high cost during and following the war period, and for a year or so they had spare capacity,, particularly on the transmission and substation side. The year 1928 was one of exceptional drought which adversely affected the revenue at Mangahao through having to purchase power from outside sources. The demand for electrical energy for all purposes is continually on the increase, and there is no doubt that the Government schemes will show a satisfactory return to the Electric Supply Account. ELECTRIC SUPPLY ACCOUNTS. The. amount at present invested in the electric supply account is £9,205,885, which is received as a credit from the Public Works Fund annually as required. As the works are brought into commercial operation the Electric Supply Account is called upon to carry all the charges on the amount advanced, provision for renewals and depreciation, with the result as shown. It is considered that the time has not yet arrived for a complete review of the prices charged for bulk supply, as this could be more profitably undertaken when the annual capital expenditure is reduced, as it should be after the Arapuni situation has been cleared up, the Waitaki station completed, and probably an extension of the Waikaremoana plant undertaken. For the successful development of industry cheap and abundant- power is essential but due regard should be paid to the quantity which the community can absorb as a set-off against the amount of capital invested. The past year has been one of very considerable importance •to the hydro-electric supply policy of the Government. In the first place, it is the first year in which the Waikaremoana and Mangahao stations have been operated as a combined system; and, in the second place, it is the year in which commercial operations of the Arapuni station were commenced. The latter event was, unfortunately, followed by the recent stoppage of all supply from Arapuni, which has introduced complications which are discussed elsewhere in this report.

Capital expenditure on all schemes has been somewhat lower than in the previous year, the total being £738,150. The reduction does not mean any great slackening off in development, as the reduction has been, caused by the late delivery of materials which were due towards the close of the year, but which have actually come to hand early in the present year. . . *

The total revenue for the year was £681,792, as against £516,127 for the previous year, an increase of 32 per cent. As power became available at Arapuni the amount of power that had to be purchased from outside sources or generated in more expensive auxiliary plants was reduced,, and in consequence a better return obtained on the capital in operation. On the whole of such capital a percentage of 6.96 was earned, as against 5.62 last year. Considering the various schemes individually, the position may be summarised as follows:—• HORAHORA-ARAPUNI. Consequent on the bringing into operation of the first unit at Arapuni, these two plants and the various transmission lines connected thereto have been considered as one during the year. Notwithstanding the fact that the scheme is loaded w’ith the whole cost of headworks capable of supplying a much larger plant than is at presefit installed, the financial position has been very satisfactory. It may be summarised as under: — Capital investment at end of year .. . . .. .. £3,660,427 Revenue £225,683 Operating expenses .. . • 62,571 Balance .. .. .. £163,112 WAIKAREMOANA-MANGAHAO. As during the year these two stations have been supplying power into a common transmission system, they are treated as oneJn the system of accounts. Although the putting into operation of the Waikaremoana plant has made a big addition to the capital on which charges have had

to be paid, the financial position of the scheme shows an improvement on the position of the two scheme acting independently in the previous year. It may be summarised as follows: — £ Capital investment at end of year 3,426,901 Revenue 259,461 Operating expenses 59,235 Balance £200,226 LAKE COLERIDGE. £ Capital investment at end of year 1,622,199 Revenue 196,648 Operating expenses 36,808 Balance . . £159,840 There has no been a great deal of construction work on this scheme, the main items being on lines and substation extensions in anticipation of interconnection with the Waitaki power plant. It is regretted that owing to the phenomenally low rainfall experienced in the watershed supplying the Lake Coleridge station, there is at the moment of writing a shortage of power in the area served. The department is doing everything possible to minimise the inconvenience caused thereby. WAITAKI.

Work on this new scheme to augment the supply to Canterbury and North Otago has been pushed on energetically throughout the year. All the main items of plant for the power station have been delivered shortly after the end of the financial year, and a commencement has been made with their installation'in the power station. A section of the main dam to above water level has been completed in the centre of the river, and concrete is being placed in the main coffer dam on the Canterbury side. The erection of the main transmission line to connect with the main lines between Coleridge and Oamaru is well in hand. INTERCONNECTION WITH WAIPORI.

During the year negotiations were continued between the department and the Dunedin City Council with a view to the purchase by the department of the city power plant at Waipori. It was not possible, however, for the two parties to come to a settlement, particularly as to the price that was to be paid by the city for its power after the works were taken over by the Government. Meanwhile work has been proceeding on the big dam which the city is building on the Waipori River, and as a large expenditure has now been incurred on this work, some of the advantages of control by the Department have ceased to exist. Negotiations are proceeding with a view to the city purchasing part of its power from the department in lieu of proceeding with two smaller developments lower down the Waipori River.

ELECTRIC SUPPLY AUTHORITIES’ ACTIVITIES.

The department, being a wholesale supplier of electricity depends .on power boards and other electric-supply authorities to undertake the retail distribution side of the business. All electric supply authorities operate under licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of the Public Works Act and subject to regulations made under that Act. This enables the department to exercise a measure of control over them, which, however, is more in the nature of co-operation and assistance than of restriction.

The capital invested in the Government supply schemes is £9,205,885 (of which £8,856.387 was in operation at March 31, 1930), and the capital invested by the associated electric-supply authorities buying electricity from the department is £12,337,647. In addition to the above amounts, there is a sum of £6.467,111 invested by electricity supply authorities possessing their-own generating stations and electric lines isolated from Government supplies. The total sum invested in the electric-supply business at the end of the present financial year was £28,010.643. and the total revenue received for the year was £4,214,987. After paying working costs (£1,871,670) and capital charges-' (£1,578,823). the net profit for the. whole Dominion was £764,494, which indicates that the electric supply business as a whole is in a healthy condition At the present time there are 98 electric supply authorities in the Dominion, and, of these, 77 showed net profits aggregating £841,410. whilst 2] showed losses aggregating £76,916 for the year under review. There are 40 electric power boards actively enaged in the electric supply business, and 26 of these are bulk supply customers of the Government. Rates totalling £6964 were collected m the ease of three boards taking Government supply, whereas a sum of £89,393 was collected in the case of five boards in the other category. The statistical data relative to each electric supply authority will be found in the series of tables accompanying the report of the chief electrical engineer. .

IRRIGATION AND WATER SUPPLY. The policy of irrigating semi-arid lands in Central Otago, which was commenced over 20 years agOj, has made progress. The benefits of irrigation to the community at large are undoubted, though it is difficult to obtain from individual irrigators the exact alteration of their finance that it has caused, there being so many other causes which affect the earnings of people engaged in farming pursuits, but the increased output of wool, fat sheep, dairy produce, etc., which has taken place from the district in the last few years is very gratifying, and must have reflected both directly and indirectly not only on the actual farms producing, but also on the towns of Central Otago, the city of. Dunedin, and the Dominion as a whole. I intend to have surveys and investigations pushed on more vigorously than has been the case in the past, in order that greater areas may be served and further subdivision of existing holdings brought about. It is realised that irrigation farming is a special branch, and that men successful in wet districts would not necessarily succeed in irrigated lands. Therefore, it has been the,,policy in the past to develop lands at about the rate at which they can be profitably brought into intensive production by settlers accustomed to Central Otago conditions.

BUILDING.

ESTABLISHMENT. It will, of course, be apparent that ordinary commercial standards are scarcely’ applicable to a department that, apart from its commercial branches, hydro* electric supply and irrigation, has only one side to its ledger—that is, which spends a large annual sum, but does not have revenue. The first and greatest consideration is the community value of the work performed,_ and the second is the standard of efficiency that is maintained px those responsible to the Government, While the number of men employed has been increased from 4691 in 1920 to 12,978 in 1930, and the amount expended from £1,928,000 to £7,781,000, the staff has, in regard to the engineering and clerical branches, increased by only 100 per cent., and in other branches by a lesser figure. In some respects I am convinced that the staff is inadequate when it is remembered that to the men employed on standard works there have to be added about 5000 relief workers. The employment of all this extra labour has undoubtedly placed a strain upon the officers concerned, and one which cannot be maintained indefinitely if it is found necessary to keei> the number of workmen up to the figure indicated. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. The net expenditure was £3,039,540, being £184,354 less than that of the previous year, and is the second highest on record. The total length of all lines under construction over which goods and passenger traffic has been run during the year is 831 miles, and these services have been well maintained. The work for the year on the several lines in course of construction is fully set out in the engineer-in-chief’s report. ADDITIONS TO OPEN LINES. The net expenditure out of the Public Works Fund for the year ended March 31, 1930, amounted to £388,739 7s 6d. This sum represents the provision of new rolling-stock and motor vehicles, improvements and additions to station buildings, extension of sidings, grade easements, and other facilities;

expenditure under the Railways Improvement Authorisation Act, 1914, amounted to £1,227,019, including the sum of £91,039, proportion of cost of raising loan. The works included in this expenditure were new stations and improved approach lines at Auckland and Wellington; duplication of lines Horotiu-Frankton and Penrose-Papakura; grade easement, Mer-cer-Frankton; provision of signalling, interlocking, and safety appliances, electric lighting and bridge strengthening. __ In addition to these works, the Public Works Department has proceeded with the Wel-lington-Tawa Flat deviation.

IRRIGATION AND WATER SUPPLY.

During the year the existing irrigation schemes were maintained in good order. The following schemes are now on a trading basis: —Ardgour, Bengerburn, Earnscleugh, Galloway. Ida Valley, Last Chance, Manuherikia, Tarras, and Teviot, •The profit for the year was £3828, an increase of £l2Ol on the previous year. The total area irrigated under all Government schemes was 41,895 acres, the number of irrigators being 395. The Arrow River scheme is nearing completion, and will be ready for operation next season.

The Poolburn dam is being erected to supplement the water suppjy to the Ida Valley scheme where it was necessary temporarily to reduce the settlers’ supplies last season.

A small extension has been put in to serve the Teviot settjers.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

The past financial year saw a very extensive reading programme undertaken, with the result that the expenditure on the various types, of. roadwork was particularly heavy, a total sum of £2,158,056 having been expended on the construction of roads and main highways, as against £1.770,073 for the preceding year. Roads other than main highways accounted for £1,060,908 of this sum, and main highways £1,097.148, compared with £833,577 -and £936,496 for 1928-29.

Last year the vote for “roads to give access to outlying districts ” was increased." by £20,000, and this enabled many more of the backblock to be given road access to their properties. It was well known that many- of these settlers had been handicapped with their improvements for the want of reasonable access, and the allocation of a substantial sum for this purpose has undoubtedly met a longfelt want. This year I propose asking Parliament again to increase this particular vote, with a view to continuing with the work to an even greater extent. The disastrous earthquake which occurred inMarlborough, Nelson, and West Coast districts in June last year caused very, extensive damage to roads and bridges throughout those districts. A great deal of the restoration work, as was to be* expected, was expensive, as not only were the roads in many cases completely destroyed, but the country was so badly" shaken and shattered that it was extremely difficult to carry out reconstruction. . ■

With regard to maintenance w ; ork, although the expenditure on the renewal of bridges was slightly less than the previous year, a considerable amount of assistance was granted to local bodies towards replacing worn-out and obsolete structures. The expenditure on the restoration of flood damage also showed a. decline on the previous year, no very disastrous floods having occurred during the year.

DUNEDIN NEW POST OFFICE

Reference is made to various public buildings under construction. Of special interest and importance among these is the new post office building proposed for Dunedin, the need for which has been felt for many years, and is now urgent. Extensive work has already been carried" out on the foundations, which, owing to the size of the proposed structure and the softness of the ground, is a ' very heavy and expensive work. It has involved the driving of 1800 piles, the placing of 255 tons of steel work and 3350 cubic, yards of concrete. The foundations are now well advanced, and expedition is being extended by the department to the preparation of working plans andspecifications. which I anticipate will be

in readiness before the end of the present year, when it is proposed to recommend that tenders be called forthwith for the construction of the building. The structure will be a nine-storied reinforced concrete one, and when completed will be the largest and most up-to-date post office building in the Dominion. Its erection will occupy three years, and during that time will employ a considerable number of tradesmen and others.

PRISON BUILDINGS AND WORKS.

The actual net cash expenditure from the Public Works Fund on prison buildings and works for the year ended March 31. 1930, was £18,814, as compared with £12,572 for the previous year. Included in last year’s expenditure was an adjustment with the Lands for Settlement Account of £10,625, representing payment for farming areas acquired for prison purposes at Paparua (Templeton) m previous years. The actual expenditure for comparative purposes was thus £BlB9, which is the lowest capital expenditure on prison buildings and works for many years past. This is in conformity with the indication given last year that a halt would be made in respect of the construction of additional large buildings for prison accommodation. Except for certain extensions, and the construction of workshops for vocational training and industrial purposes at the Invercargill Borstal Institution, it is anticipated that requirements, at any rate for some few years to come, will be confined to the construction of huts and smaller movable buildings as may be required for the establishment of farm colonies and camps. Estimated expenditure for the* year ended March 31, 1931, will, on account pf the need for economy, be limited to the total sum" of £13,500.

POLICE STATIONS.

The capital expenditure on police Stations for the year amounted to £8442 out of an allocation of £lO,OOO. Contracts have been let for the erection of police stations at Cuiverden, Cromwell, and Palmerston South to replace buildings which are beyond repair.

POST AND TELEGRAPH BUILDINGS The erection of five post, ofiice buildings was completed during the year, and additions and alterations were made to some 18 existing buildings. Several large buildings, as well as additions, etc., of a major character, are under construction. The earthquake of June destroyed :• the chief post office building at a two-storey brick structure, and also caused extensive damage to a number of the department’s buildings. The necessary repairs involved the expenditure of approximately £4OOO. The preparation of the plans of a new chief post office building at Westport are sufficiently well advanced to anticipate an early commencement of this work. The net capital' expenditure for the year amounted to £104,156. MENTAL HOSPITALS. - The net capital expenditure under this heading for the year was £152,096. HEALTH AND HOSPITAL INSTITUTIONS. The chief works under this heading were the completion, of the new Nurses’ Home at Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer; the new maternity hospital at Paeroa for the Thames Hospital Board; and an antenatal -clinic at Wanganui. Extensive earthquake damages were repaired at Buller Hospital, Westport, and monetary assistance was granted to Grey ~B lver ’ Inangahua, and Nelson Hospital Boards to effect repairs to earthquake damages at the various boards’ institutions. EDUCATION. ~P urin g the year ended March 31, 1930, , the sum of £443,885 was spent on new ' . school buildings, additions, sites, and ... teachers’ residences, an increase of £68,533 on the expenditure for the previous year. Of the total, £253,636 was expended in connection with primary

Schools, and £78,438 on secondary schools. ’During the year new schools were erected ■‘.'at Richardson road, Auckland; Milson’s line, Palmerston‘North; St. John’s, Wa-' ) ; 'nganui; Randwick road, and Brooklyn '"(infants), Wellington;; and at a large number of schools additional accommoda\tipn was provided. As far as possible. ' the department undertook the remodelling ’"of out-of-date schools in order to provide 1 " better conditions, especially with regard to lighting and ventilation. The larger '. schools so treated were Terrace End, Pal- ‘ ■ merston North; Castlecliff, Wanganui; Invercargill Middle and the Dunedin '■ - Normal School. Additional classrooms were erected at the Dannevirke High • School and also at the Pukekohe, Hamil-. "ton, Palmerston' North, and "Southland Technical Schools. A further sum of £45,304 was expended in the erection of- - "■ the science building and refectory for the Massey Agricultural College, and large •i; works are in progress at a number of .-■primary, secondary, and technical schools. Many of the old schools are regarded as worn out, and will be replaced by new ■.* vand up-to-date buildings as funds are .available. At present old buildings are 5... being replaced at Wellington Boys’ College, and new primary school buildings. - at Hunterville, Tapanui, and Nelson Cen- ,■ tral. A new infant-school is replacing . the old one at College street, Palmerston f . North. <■... The following table- shows the amount expended durng the year ended March _ 31, 1930, on new buildings, additions, ’.sites, and teachers’ residences:— Primary schools .. .. .. £253,636 Secondary schools 78,438 Technical schools .. .. .. 32,593 ‘ Training colleges . 10,984 "Universities . • .. .. .. 800 Native schools . • . 1,068 Schools for feeble-minded .. 2,999 Child welfare institutions .. 9,995 Kindergartens .. .. .. .. 1,107 Massey Agricultural College .. 45,304 ' ’ Canterbury Agricultural College 6,961 . Total .. .. £443,885 TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS The net capital expenditure for the year was £20,547, as against £39,254 for ■ the previous year. For this year a vote of £60,000 is proposed. •....

The principal works undertaken were the rebuilding of Glade House, Te Anau. which was destroyed by fire; the purchase of a new launch for Waikaremoana; track and suspension bridge, Fox Glacier; and the reconstruction of the Pavilion Baths at Rotorua

TELEGRAPH EXTENSION.

The expenditure for the financial year in extending and improving the telephone, telegraph, and wireless facilities throughout the Dominion amounted to £594,383. Of the works upon which capital expenditure was incurred during the year the following were the more important: The installation of carrier-cur-rent telephone systems between Auckland and Hamilton, Auckland and Rotorua, Hamilton and Palmerston North, (Auck-land-Wellington link), Palmerston North and Napier, Palmerston North and Hawera, Palmerston North and Wellington, Wellington and Seddon, Seddon and Christchurch; the erection of new metallic circuits between Auckland and Waiuku, Palmerston North and Pahiatua, Blenheim and Se’ddon, Seddon and Ward, Invercargill and Riverton; the laying of submarine telephone cable across Auckland Harbour and across Onahau Bay (Queen Charlotte Sound); the installing of toll dialling-circuits between Palmerston North and Wellington; the opening of new exchanges at Kerikeri and Mossburn; the installation in 38 exchanges of addi ; tional switching-equipment for 6636 exclusive lines and 504 party lines; the establishment of 70 new public call offices (coin-in-the-slot telephones); the laying of 1242 chains of underground telephoneducts and 7884 chains of underground cable; the erection of 2837 chains of overhead cable; the erection of 830 miles of pole-line and 8357 miles of open wire; and the connection of 12.781 new subscribers’ stations.

The most important matter, so far as the extension and improvement of long-dist-ance telephone facilities throughout the Dominion is concerned, was the extension carrier-current system of telephony. During the year this mode of communication was extended by the installation of carrier equipment as follows: Auckland-Hamilton •— One additional single-channel system; AucklandRotorua—One single-channel system; Hamilton-Palmerston North—One threechannel system; Palmerston NorthNapier, Palmerston North-Hawera, Wel-lington-Palmerston North, WellingtonSeddon, and Seddon-Christchureh—One single-channel system. - .The local telephone exchange systems throughout the Dominion showed a marked development, the number of new connections installed being 12,781, as against 12,110 for the previous year; and an average of 12,112 a year during the preceding five years. The total number of telephones connected to departmental exchanges on March 31 was 157,023, and the number connected with toll stations and non-departmental stations was 4300, making a total of 161,323. To provide service for the 157,023 telephone stations connected to departmental exchanges on March 31, there were in existence at that date 490 single miles of underground conduit or duct line, 1051 miles of underground cable, 564 miles of aerial cable, and 14,349 miles of pole line, a total of 513,096 miles of wire being provided from these sources.

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

THE ESTIMATES.

TOTAL FOR PUBLIC .WORKS, £6,431,815.

THE PRINCIPAL ITEMS.

The principal estimated amounts required to be voted for the year ending March 31, 1931, are given below. The total of the estimated expenditure is set down at £6,431,815, compared with £6,252,385 voted for the previous year. GENERAL PURPOSES ACCOUNT.

Public works, departmental .. 165,000 Railways— Railway construction .. .. 1,570,000 Additions to open lines .. 669,095 Public buildings ... .. .. 399,720 Timber supply and sawmills for Public Works Department .. 5,000 Acpuisition and operation of quarries .. ...... . . .. 10,000 Lighthouses and harbour works 25,000 Development of tquristfc resorts 60,000 Immigration .. .. ... .. 50,000 Construction, maintenance, and ■ supervision of roads, bridges, i and .other public works .. 1,574,000 Telegraph extension; .. .. .. 500,000 Contingent defence .. .... 15,000. Lands improvement . . .. . .. 94,500’ Irrigation, water supply, and drainage .. .. .. .. .. 75,500

Plant, material, and stores .. 30,000 Electric supply account .. .. 1,164,000 Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers improvement account .. .. 25,000 SEPARATE ACCOUNTS. Main highways account: Revenue fund .. .. .. 1,228,000 Main highways account: ‘ Construction fund .. .. .. .. 930,000 Railways Improvement Author- : isation Act, 1914, account .. 1,263,905 Education loans account'.. .. ■ 500,000 Hatiraki Plains settlement ac- -'■ '■ ' ’ count '.. .. 47,369’ Rangitaiki land drainage ac- ‘ count ..' . . .'.■•■• 2,150 Swamp land drainage account 54,100

RAILWAYS. CONSTRUCTION. North Auckland Main Trunk— £ Okaihau to Rangiahua .. .. 95,000 Dargaville branch 120.000 East Cost Main Trunk— Paeroa-Pokeno 5,000 Gisborne-Waikokopu .. .. 350,000 Napier-Wairoa .. .. .. .. 240,000 Waikokopu section .. ~ 20,000 Stratford-Main Trunk .. .. 350.000 Midland— Kawatiri-Inangahua 125,000 VV estport-Inangahua 120,000 South Island Main Trunk— Wharanui-Parnassus ..... .. 175,000 Land claims (including land taken for ballast pits and quarries, damages or losses on goods in transit, and other liabilities) .. .-. .. .!. .. 5,000 Surveys (new lines of railway) 5,000 Permanent way materials .. Cr. 40,000 ADDITIONS TO OPEN LINES. Way and works branch— Improvements and additions to station buildings, additional sidings, water services, improved coaling facilities, provision of mechanical appliances in goods sheds, turntables, cranes, and other operating plant— £ North Island main lines and branches .. .. .. .. .. 25,615 South Island main lines and branches 50.285 Signal branch— Provision of fixed signals and Wood’s locks .. 6,150 Locomotive branch— Rolling stn->k, locomotives, carriages, wagons, rail and road motors . 822,466

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. DEPARTMENTAL.

Dunedin (plant shed and store) 140 PRISON BUILDINGS AND WORKS. Invercargill Estuary Farm (reclaiming and draining .. .. 750 Invercargill (farm buildings, water, and drainage) .. .. 463 Invercargill (main building) (north and south wing additions) 5 Q 54 Invercargill (purchase of farm _ land) . 4J30 Invercargill (workshop, laundry, and kitroom) 3,000 POLICE STATIONS.

Bluff (additions constable’s resio dence) 225 Cromwell 2 ,100 W D 1,500 Milton t 1,800 Otautau (lock-up and motor shed) ’270 Palmerston . e 2,100 POST AND TELEGRAPH. Cromwell (additions) 50 Dunedin Chief Post Office (on account of £237,386) 20.000 Dunedin (workshop and depot) .. 5,750 Invercargill (additional accommodation) .. ~ ~ t 675 Knrow 7. ;; 3.380 Palmerston .. .. .. 5,700

MENTAL HOSPITAL BUILDINGS.

Seacliff 10 ,000 M aitati 6,000 HOSPITAL INSTITUTIONS. Dunedin (obstetric hospital on account of £50,000) .. .. gnon Invercargill (St. Helens) 2,350 LIGHTHOUSES AND HARBOUR WORKS.

Cape Saunders (addition.? to dwellings) ~ .. w Moeraki (conversion to automatic light) j 2 qq Taiaroa Head (fog signal) .. ..

TOURIST RESORTS.

& Glade House (additions to hostel) 3 300 Glade House (installation of wire- ’ less) gQQ Glade House and Milford Track (jetty, additions to huts, bridges, etc.) 450 Glade House and Milford Track (hot water service and drying rooms at Quintin huts) .. 1,950 Milford Sound (accommodation house) ' -7- ~ 450 Milford Track (bridges) .. .. "" 200 Milford Sound (shelter at Anita •• t - 85 Mount Cook Hermitage (Malte Brun hut) 1,000 Queenstown (grant to Borough Council for works to prevent erosion by lake) .. 450 Riverton (grant for snagging Pourakino River) 100 Stewart Island (wharves at Golden Bay and Ulva Island) '.. 1,000 Te Anau steamer .... ..'. 30 Wakatipu-Te Anau track (huts) 100 IMMIGRATION. Passage money for immigrants .. 67,000 TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. Construction . of telegraph and toll systems .... ;.. 129,393 Construction of telephone exchanges 430,607 CONTINGENT DEFENCE. £ General .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,500 Aerodromes ... .. .. .. ~ .. 14,500 ' ■ LANDS IMPROVEMENT. ' £ Taieri Plain ..flood, protection (part recoverable) .. .. .. .. 7,500 IRRIGATION. Irrigation, water supply, anddrainage 75,500 ELECTRIC SUPPLY ACCOUNT. £ Horahora-Arapuni scheme .. .. 135,730 Mangahoa-Waikaremoana .... 155,124 Lake Coleridge .. .. .'. .. 86,300 Waitaki River .. ... .. .. 562,000 i MAIN HIGHWAYS. ’ CENTRAL tOTAGO. ' Dunedin-Christchurch (free) .. . ; 41,285 Dunedin-Port Chalmers (£1 for £1) 371

Ida Valley railway etation-Moa Creek School (£2 for £1) .. .. . 600 Palmerston-Queenstown (via Beck’s), (free, £5458; £1 for „ £ L *5O) 5,508 Pukeun-Kurow (£2 for £1) .... 400 Timaru-Queenstown (via Tekapo and Lmdis Pass), (free, £1170; £2 for £l, £4741) 5,911 Waipiata-Styx (£2 for £1) .... 256 Works not specified (£1 for £1) 500 Engineering surveys (free) .... 300 Total .. £55,131

SOUTH OTAGO. Balclutha-Papatowai (free, £3OO£2 for £l, £640) 940 Balelutha-Tuapeka Mouth (free) 246 Clarksville-Springvale (free) .. 1,984 Dunedin-Invercargill (free) .. .. 26,067 Dunedin-Portobello (lower), „ ( free t 5,000 Green Island-Taieri Mouth (£2 for £1) ; 373 M'Nab-Edievale (£2 for £l, £400; £1 for £l, £18) 418 Mosgiel J unction-Middlemarch (£2 for £1) 1,200 Waipahi-Pomahaka (free) .. .. 1,050 Works not specified (£1 for £1) 200 Engineering surveys (free) .. 150

Total £37,628 SOUTHLAND. Gore, Te Anau (free, £364, £2 for £l, £542; £1 for £l, £2l) .... 927 Hillside-Manapouri (free) .. .. 450 Invercargill-Bluff (£3 for £1) .. 4,000 Invercargill-Dunedin (£3 for £l, £5305; £2 for £l. 924) .. .. 6,229 Invercargill-Fortrose (£2 for £l, £29; £1 for £l, 1116) ".. .. 1,406 Invercargill-Riverton (free, £8231; £1 for £l, £824) 9,055 Makarewa-Brown’s (£2 for £l, £267; £1 for £l, £820) .. .. 1,087 Te Anau-Manapouri (free) .. 2,260 Total £28,702

RAILWAYS IMPROVEMENT. Dunedin-Ravensbourne overbridge 1,500 Ravensbourne-Sawyer’s Bay deviation and duplication .. .. 31,732 Consolidation and rearrangement of store facilities, maintenance and locomotive workshops .. 82,809 Locomotive workshops .. .. 135,561

EDUCATION BUILDINGS. Public schools .. 170,000 Training colleges 10,000 Technical schools .. 110,000 Secondary schools 130,000 Universities 240 Native schools -.. 14,000 Schools for feeble-minded .. 5,510 Institutions under the Child Welfare Act 3,000 Kindergarten schools 1,000 Massey Agricultural College ~ 66,100 Canterbury Agricultural College 150 ROADS AND BRIDGES. The following are the principal Otago votes for roads and bridges:— BRUCE COUNTY. £ Blackburn to Hillend (£1 for £1) 150 Blackburn to Mount Stuart (£1 for £1) 300 Clarendon to Berwick 100 Coast road to Richards .. .. 250 Coast road to Taieri Mouth (£5O, £1 for £1) 150 Coutt Gully road 200 Hastings road (£1 for £1) .. .. 100 Milburn to Circle Hill (£1 for £1) 150 Milburn to Fort Hill (£1 for £1) 100 Milton Akatore Coast (£1 for £1) 250 Pukeawa to Bishop’s (£1 for £1) 100 Stirling to Telegraph road (£1 for £1) 100 Waihola to Taieri Mouth (£5O, £1 for £1) 250 CLUTHA COUNTY.

Ballantyne road (£1 for £1) .. 100 Burke’s ford road (£1 for £1) .. 200 Catli.ns River bridge, Houipapa . (£2 for £1) .. 733 Catlins River bridge (Morris Saddle road, on account of £6OO, £1 for £1) .. .. 250 Catlins Valley to Table Hill road 200 Chloris Pass road (£226, £2 for r *1) 376 Houipapa settlement 300 Karoro Creek road (£2 for £1) 175 Lakeside road (£2 for £1) .. .. 150 Long Point road (£2 tor £1) 200 Melton’s road (£1 for £1) .. .. 120 Merino Downs road (£1 for £1) 100 Papatowai to Longbeach Creek road .. 1,878 Pomahaka River (access road), (£1 for £1) 140 Puerua River bridge (Cheetwood road), (£1 for £1) .. .. 750 Purakauiti road 242 Ratanui to Tahakopa Beach (£BO, £2 for £1) 120 Newcastle road .. .. .. .. 100 Sandy Knowes to Lawlors (£1 for £1) 150 Shaw’s track (£1 for £1) •. .. 100 Taumata School road (£2 for £1) .. 225 Tweedie’s Ford road (£1 for • £1) .. 200 Waikoata road (£2 for £1) .. .. 100 Waikoikoi Stream bridge (MTntyre road), (£1 for £1) .. .. 175 Waitangi Stream road (£2 for £1) - .. 100 Waipahi to Pomahaka Downs (£1 for £1) .. .-. 200 Waitepeka to Kaihiku (£1 for £1) .. .. ... 200 Webb road (£1 for £1) . 150 Williamson and Clearwater road (£5O, £1 for £1) .. 100 Willowburn bridge (Clinton to Kuriwao road), (£1 for £1) .. 200 LAKE COUNTY.

Glenorchy to Paradise (£1 for £1) .. 125 Kinloch to Routeburn (£2 for £1) 100 Lake Wakatipu (Elfin Bay) to Lake Te Anau (Glade House), via Dore Pass 117 Lake Wakatipu waterfront .. 900 Matukituki River bridge (£2 for. £1) 767 Milford to Lake Wakatipu, via .Hollyford (Gertrude Saddle) 3,500 Morven Ferry road (£1 for- £1) 100 Pembroke to Mount Aspiring . 400 Pembroke to West Wanaka (£1 for. £1) .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 Queenstown to Cromwell... via I Speargrass (£1 for £1) .. .. 100 Routeburn to Lake Howdeh .'. 600

MANIOTOTO COUNTY. Beattie’s road (£1 for £1) .. 10Q Cogan’s bridge (Patearoa to Puketoi road), (£1 for £1) .. 312 Devon road (£1 for £1) 100 Eweburn bridge (Kearney’s road), (£1 for £1) 15? Ida Valley Main road (£1 for r *1) 10Q Kyeburn bridge (Scott lane), (on account of £llOO, £1 for £1) 900 Linburn Runs road (£1 for £1) 121 Maniototo Station road (£1 for £1) 109 Spec Greek bridge (Naseby to Kyeburn Diggings road), (£1 for £1) .. 159 Spec Creek bridge (Kyeburn River road), (£1 for £1) .. .. 15Q Upper Taieri to Paerau (£1 for £1) 13| Wetherburn bridge (Sharkey’s road), (£1 for £1) .. .. .. 159 PENINSULA COUNTY. Dick road (£B2, £1 for £1) .. 139 Dick road (Gill corner to Gravesend), (£1 for £1) 10Q Helensburgh township roads (£1 for £1) 250 road (£1 for £1) .. .. 100 M‘Gregor-Reid access road .. .. 300 Portobello to Otago Heads road 5,000 Portobello to Wickliffe Bay road 100 Riddell’s to Hooper’s Inlet road (£5O, £1 for £1) 16Q Waverley township roads (£1 for £1) 169 Wickliffe Bay to Cape Saunders Lighthouse road 179 TAIERI COUNTY. Access to gravel deposit on Taieri River (£2 for £1) Access to S.G. run 260 a and 260 b, Lee Stream district (£2 for £1) 209 Rock Creek bridge (Sutton to Middlemarch road), (£2 for £1) 259 Six Mile Creek briflge (M’Kinnon’s), (£2 for £1) 250 Whare Flat (Hill) road 11,400 W’ilkinson’s road (on account) 500 TUAPEKA COUNTY. Beaumont Station road (£1 for £1) 150 Cowan’s Creek bridge (£1 for £1) 200 Heriot to Roxburgh, via Moa Flat (£1 for. £1) 600 Johnson road bridge (£1 for £1) 125 Kempthorne road (£1 for £1) 143 Lawrence to Tuapeka Mouth (£2 for £1) 800 Old Switzer’s road (£1 for £1), (on account) 500 Sheddan road (£1 for £1) .. 115 Teviot Soldiers’ Settlement— Hangman Creek bridge .. .. 250 Timaburn road (£2 for £1) .. 100 Three Brothers road (£2 for £1) 200 Wright’s road (£2 for £1) .. 100 Waitahuna to Greenfield, via Polson Creek (£2 for £1) .. 400 Winter road (£1- for £1) .. 17$ VINCENT COUNTY. Firewood Creek bridge (£1 for £1) 159 ‘ Hawea Post Office to Timaru Creek (£1 for £1) .... 100 Hawea to West Coast, via Haast Pass 40,000 Lauder to Matakanui (£1 for £1) 100 Lett road 100 Lindis Crossing to Tarras (£1 for £1) 100 Lindis River bridge (Ardgour), . (£2 for £1) 867 Lower Lindis bridge (£2 for £1) 1,784 Manuherikia River bridge (Springvale), (£2 for £1) 890 Poolburn to Auripo (£1 for £1) 160 Tarras to Hawea (Back road), (£1 for £1) .. .. .. .. 205 Thompson’s Creek bridge (Mata-kanui-Drybread road), (£2 for £1) 400 WAIHEMO COUNTY. Fleming road (£1 for £1) .. 150 Four Mile road (Connolly’s to Berkley’s), (£2 for £1) .. 200 Macraes to Hyde (£1 for £1) .. 150 Nenthorn road (£1 for £1) .. 190 Pleasant River bridge (Brooklands road), (£225, £1 for £1) 255 Pringle bridge (£1 for £1) .. 100 Shag River bridge (Stanley’s road). (£1 for £1) .... 100 Sttmeburn road (£1 for £1) 180 WAIKOUAITI COUNTY. Apes road (£1 for £1) .'.. .. 100 Blucher road (£1 for £1) .. .. 200 Corner Bush road (£1 for £1) .. 100 Lower Harbour road (£lOO, £1 for £1; £5OO, £2 for 1) .. 600 Middlemarch to Nenthorn (£1 for £1) 200 Waikouaiti to Nenthorn road (£1 for £1) 200 WAITAKI COUNTY. Dansey’s Pass bridge 600 Dansey's Pass Creek " deviation (£1 for £1) 100 Henburn bridge (Benmore), (£1 for £1) .. •; 125 Maitland River bridge (on account), (part recoverable) .. ■ 1,000 Maruweka road (£1 for £1) .. 100 Paulin road (£1 for £1) .. .. 250 Pig Island road (£1 for £1) .. 150 Round Hill road (£1 for 1) ... 175 Temple River bridge (on account) 100 Waiareka Stream bridge (Elderslie road). (£1 for £1) .. 100