PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 47, 19 October 1912, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

WAYS AND MEANS. \ PROPOSED APPROPRIATION OF THREE MILLIONS. The Public Works Statement was delivered in the House last night by the Hon. W. Fraser. In opening, the Minister states:—As I only assumed office as Minister of Public Works on 10th July, it is scarcely necessary to state that all references in this Statement to operations during the last financial year as strictly departmental. As regards the future, however, I desire to offer some remarks. In my opinion, to give the settlers of the Dominion access to their holdings by means of roads should be the first consideration in any scheme of public works. I have no desire to minimise the value of railways to the Dominion, but these are of secondary importance if the settlers cannot reach them. Now, road-making in New Zealand is difficult and expensive, owing to the configuration of the conn- ■ try and to the absence in many localities of suitable metal. Hence considerable sums have to be provided each year for this class of work. In view of the fact that the unexpended balance of authorities for roads and bridges on 31st March, 1912, was £466,367, and that between Ist April last and 31st July further authorities mounting to £145,796 were issued, 1 found myself at the latter date faced with commitments totalling £612,163 for roads and bridges alone, without allowing for the provision requiring to be made for applications for new votes. These applications now amount to over a million and a half. The total provision for roads and bridges for the current year is very similar in amount to that of last year. The total provision for railway construction for the year is £847,500, which is £83,789 more than was expended on new railways last year. It will doubtless be a source of disappointment to many resident in Central Otago that no provision is made in this Statement for continuing the Otago Central line towards Hawea, but in view of the present stringency of the London money-market this is quite impossible. Let me now say a few words regarding the so-called co-operative system. Most of the advocates of this system seem to be under the impression that the word ‘co-operative’ is synonymous with small contracts. If the latter is what is desired, then I am in perfect accord with them. True co-op-erative work presupposes a certain number of workmen voluntarily joining together to execute certain under- i 'takings and sharing the proceeds of their labour. As far as practicable 1 intend to give effect to this principle. J, realise fully, however, that no one sysfem will suffice for carrying on all ourj public Works.in’ a manner satisfdcfory, jtfl, the, .workers. 5 »n4, ; tp, thq £ coup,. - rminity as,a whole. _ Tins subject will _ have my- careful attention during' the 'recess. : U TOTAL EXPENDITURE. The total expenditure of the year on public works was v ndt l: 6nTy in -ex- * cess of that of the previous year, but was the largest in any single year for over thirty years, and amounted to the very large sum of £2*476,156—'viz,. .. £2,387,411 out ■of the Public Works Fund and allied special accounts, and £88,745 out of the Consolidated Fund.

At the 31st March, 1911, the available ways and means for public works purposes' were ... ... ... 1,140,045 and further funds were received as under;— Under the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1910 ... 181,650 Under the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1911 ... 450,000 Under the New Zealand Loans Act, 1908 ... 66,950 Transfer from Consolidat- ■ ed Fund 500,000 Miscellaneous receipts ... 12,150 Making a gross total of 2,350,795 The ordinary expenditure of the year amounted to £2,200,745, and charges and expenses in respect of raising loans, £67,470, thus bringing the total disbursements up to £2,268,215, and leaving a credit balance at the end of the year of £82,580/ For the current year it is proposed to provide additional funds as under : £ Balance of loan of 1911 ... 1,050,000 Transfer from Consolidated Fund ... ... 750,000 Proposed new loan ... 1,750,000 The above, with the balance brought forward, gives a gross total of £3,632,580. The estimated expenditure for public works for the current year (excluding separate accounts having their own ways and means) amounts to £2,748,000, leaving an estimated balance of £884,580 to be carried forward to next year. In addition to

the above wo have authority to raise the undermentioned sums : £ Under the Aid to Waterpower Works Act, 1910 500,000 For irrigation-works (section 20, Appropriation Act, 1910) 100,000 Under the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Act, 1910 (balance) 50,000 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The total expenditure on public buildings last year amounted to £491,921. The amount is made up as under : £ New Buildings (Class XVIII, Public Works Fund) ... 350,(555 Maintenance-works (Class V, Consolidated Fund) ... 48,801 Maintenance-works (Schools) (Class XV, Consolidated Fund) 92,402 £491,921

For the current year the following appropriations are proposed : £ New Buildings (Public Works Fund) ... 465,500 Maintenance-works (Consolidated Fund) ... 64,792 Maintenance-works (Schools) (Consolidated Fund) ... 95,550 £625,812 GROSS TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS. In addition to the votes specificially referred to, the estimates make provision for the undermentioned services : £ Departmental ... ... 54,000 Immigration ... ... 20,000 Lands Improvement ... 49,000 Contingent Defence ... 55,000 thus bringing the total amount of the proposed appropriations, including special accounts, up to £3,049,500, as against £3,265,317 voted and £2,319,941 actually expended last year. t CONCLUSION. I have endeavoured to distribute the funds at my disposal in such directions as will, in my opinion, conduce most effectively to assist settlement throughout the Dominion, having regard especially to the pressing requirements of the several localities. Whilst impressed with the advisability of expediting the construction of the several works specified in the estimates it is imperative not to lose sight of the fac that only one-half of our ways and means are immediately available, possession of the remainder being dependent on raising the proposed loan of £1,750,000. The heavy commitments for roads and bridges alone, to which I have drawn attention, involve responsibilities which cannot be ignored when requisitions for new authorities are being made, and in view of the disquieting aspect of affairs in Eastern Europe it will be necessary for the Cabinet to closely observe the financial pulse of the Dominion.

TARANAKI RAILWAYS. THE PROGRESS MADE. In the course of his Public Works Statement, in referring to railways under construction, the Hon. W. Fraser s.aid: — STRATFORD—MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY. Steady progress has been made during the year with the heavy construction works at the western end of this line, although the nature of the counry traversed and the weather-conditions prevailing during he greater part of the year handicapped the operations to an appreciable extent. The section .from to Pohokura, 8 miles 55 chains in length, has been finished, and handed over to the Railway Department: for regular traffic. Beyond Pohokura the 30-chain tunnel through the Whangamomona Saddle was finisheidiip March, [th§; heavy formation works up to Whangamomona practically " completed^ 1 ami’' ‘tire 1 piers ' for ’a • bridge- between'- : fhe : tunnel ! arid the township built in readiness'for the superstructure, which is being manufactured under contract. Some smaller bridges have, still to be erected before the township is reached.

Slips in several of the heavy cuttings on this length have given trouble, and it is expected that further 'slips •:will occur Giving l;o .liability of the ippa formation, to giye, i’way. : Rails Have been laid to within; two miles of Whangamombna, and ballasting completed up to the tunnel,‘about a mile behind the rail-head. Beyond Whangamomona earthworks are in hand over a length of seven miles and a half, and temporary bridges have been built over most of the streams to facilitate tjie transport of materials, shingle, and cement. A tunnel through the Tahora Saddle, seven miles from Whangamomona, has been commenced. The country beyond Tahora is of an exceptionally difficult nature for rail-way-construction, and careful trial surveys are being made so as to ensure the selection of the best available route to carry the line into the Ohura Valley. With the object of giving the settlers in the fertile Ohura district the benefit of access to a railway during the years which must elapse before the line from Taranaki can reach their settlement, it was last year decided to commence the construction of this line from the eastern end, and after investigation a good route was found, leaving the Main Trunk line about one mile and a-half south of Te Koura station, leading up the Okahukara Valley, negotiating the div-iding-range by means of a 74-chain tunnel, running down the Otahu Valley to Matiere, and thence on to Ohura. This route is six miles shorter than the original one from Ongarue. The new line was authorised last year, and formation work started in November last. A service-road, over seven miles in length, is being formed, which will, on completion, serve as a main road from the Ohura Valley to Taumarunui. The railway-route has been cleared from the junction up to the tunnelsite, and cuttings opened in various places along the first two miles. Plans of the projected tunnel are being prepared, with a view to inviting tenders for its construction. During the financial year the expenditure on the works at both ends of this line amounted to £81,806, and for the current year a vote of £90,000 is proposed. MOUNT EGMONT BRANCH. A small, amount of formation work was .carried out during the year, timber for bridges procured, and investigations made as to the best moans of working the stone quarry which the line is to serve. Expenditure during the last financial year amounted to £2653, and for the current year a vote of £IO,OOO is asked for. OPUNAKE BRANCH. In April last a commission was appointed to inquire and report as to the best means of serving by railway the fertile and closely settled portion of Taranaki lying to the westward of the existing main line. The Commission

made a thorough investigation throughout the district, and in its report, which has already been laid before Parliament, recommended the construction of a line from New Plymouth in a south-westerly direction between Mount Egmont and the sea, passing close to Opunake, traversing the, rich Waimate Plains, and joining the existing line near Te Roti station. A short branch from Kapuni to Kaponga was also recommended, capable of extension to Stratford, and also a second branch from the same place (Kapuni) to Manaia. The total length of construction recommended by the Commission was 72i miles, estimated to cost £539,000. The programme outlined is more comprehensive and costly than appears necessary to serve the present requirements of the district; but railway facilities are undoubtedly required for the transport of the large and increasing output from the dairy factories between the existing main line and the western seacoast. After mature consideration the Government has decided to ask Parliament to authorise the construction of a branch railway from the main line to Opunake. The line will be twenty-three miles in length, and, the country along the route being for the most part favourable, the cost of con ■ •truction will probably be below the average of recent years.

ROADS AND BRIDGES. THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY. LOCAL BODIES’ RESPONSIBILITY. The provision made on last year’s appropriations for road and bridge works under all votes and accounts (including the Consolidated Fund vote for maintenance) amounted to a total of £838,060. As in the previous year, in nearly every case where it was anticipated that the local bodies would un- | dertake the work they were given the j opportunity of doing so. The offers ! of expenditure of available balances 1 on the votes provided on the main and supplementary estimates were despatched on the 16th and 27th October, being the respective dates on which , the estimates were presented to Parliament, so that there can be no just complaint of delay in advising local bodies of what moneys were available. Authorities to proceed with works • which were to be carried out by the Department’s own engineers were also issued promptly after the passing of the appropriations. Including the unexpended balances of authorities ■brought forward from the previous fin*. | uncial, yqqr, the total autbbriied. during the, tjear amounted- to. no - less a ; [mm than; £992,656. mDespitte these; facts, however, the expenditure of the! year amounted,to pig an unexpended balance of authori-' Sics amounting to £466,367 as at 31 <■ t| larch last. Between the Ist dp;if ist and 31st July further authoritiel i| mounting|ts,]M‘ls'y7d6[ vydrel issued! thinking tlie‘t6tal*atnbunt authorised a|

at 31st July £612,163. The cxoen lilure brought to charge during tin four months, Ist April to 31st July, amounted to £160,003. The largl I sum of money authorised during the financial year slimes .clearly that an ; lamest effort nras 1 mallf do give every! I opportunity of fully expending the | ijfotes, -but the fact that only £526,4891 Ijras expended ( -pq that it is impossible to expend in the time! available so large a sum as was au4 thorised. Shortage'’ of ; suitable labour at the best time of the year, and the unusually wet, weather conditions which prevailed, doubtless to a large, extent adversely affected the progress) of works; but one reason I think why the •■amount voted was not fully expended is the multiplicity of small votes. On last year’s appropriations the average amount of votes provided under “Roads, etc.” vote for the North Island was approximately £2lO, the total number of items being about 2300. It may safely be asserted that the smaller the average amount of individual votes the greater will be the cost of administration and the difficulty of expending them. It is much easier and also less costly to expend £SOOO on one road than to expend £SOO on each of ten roads in different localities, and, apart even from the question of facilitating expenditure, 1 am convinced that a policy of concentrating expenditure of whatever moneys may be available on roads of primary importance instead of doling out a few hundred pounds yearly to each of a ridiculously large number of roads, some of which are only of third of fourth-rate importance, will result in far greater material progress in the reading of our backblock districts, and eventually prove itself to the best interests of all concerned. The existing obligations in regard to votes previously provided for on the appropriations and works in hand rendered it impracticable to make a commencement with such a policy' in compiling the estimates for tiie current year; but during the recess tlie question will be carefully gone into, and, combined with a measure giving more assured finance to local governing bodies, I hope to see results achieved in the near future which will speedily remove the disabilities under which many' of our settlers at present labour owing to want of adequate means of communication with markets.

Since assuming office I have observed. that difficulties frequently arise as to the approval by departmental engineers of plans prepared by local bodies for erection, of bridges to bo built out of Government grants. With a view to overcoming this, instructions will be issued for the preparation of standard drawings for bridges of varying sizes and classes, which, when completed, will be available for use by local authorities. By this means I am assured that economy in construction and, generally speaking, a very much better class of bridge should result. My predecessors have had oeeacion to draw attention to the unwillingness of some local bodies to ac-

cept their proper responsibilities in regard to maintenance-work. 1 have again to emphasise the matter. The law provides that all roads- in a countyarc county roads unless specially declared by Order-in-Couucil to be Government roads, and the duty of maintaining such county roads unquestionably devolves upon the local governing body. Local bodies in'some cases plead that they are financially unable to undertake the work, but in such cases it is usually found that they arc not levying the full amount of rates which the law allows. The neglect of local bodies in this matter and the exceptionally wet season necessitated the expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund vote for maintenance of £37,449 during last financial year, and during the four months of the current year ended the 31st July last a further sum of £17,290 was authorised. A considerable proportion of the expenditure last year and of that authorised this year represents work which should have been provided for by the local authorities. ROAD WORK APPROPRIATIONS. The total appropriations for road works are as follows; £ Roads, etc 300,000 Backblock roads ... ... 200,000 Roads on goldfields ... 50,000 Opening up Crown lands for setiloraent account- ... 100,000 National endowment account 19,200 Land for settlement account 20,000 New Hutt road ... ... 5,300 Maintenance of roads (Consolidated Fund) ... 40,000 Total ... ... 734,500 The appropriations. last year amounted to £838,060. LIGHT RAILWAYS. THE TIME ARRIVED. “Railway construction throughout the Dominion has,” says the Minister, “during the last ten years, been proceeded with at a rate as rapid as can be considered warrantable by anyone having regard to the financial obliga-

tions which we, as trustees for posterity, are justified in incurring. Each year witnesses an appreciable increase in the mileage of lines completed and opened for traffic; nevertheless the applications received from all parts of the country for now railways and for extensions of existing lines—in many cases with every prospect of returning a profit sufficient to pay interest on the cost of construction—are more than the Government can see its way. with prudent financial administration to entertain. iAc moderate calculation ■ places the length of railways still re-, quired to give nn 4 efficient service throughout the Dominion! at 1300 to 2000. .miles, the cost <jf which, coiculatod' '-ati,-£8(i00 pei‘!irriie’(which is a fair ' avt>jKgh; under; prevailing conditibijs);iivilliamount to Hitherto all; ptibrailiways.4ut»t> been constructed in’-atiedrd-I 'Wgh i 9-S : stabi 1 ity„of,.f ormation,,->vejght pf rails, and quality of permanent way generally, but I suggest to honourable meml bous- that ihe ttipw Jia& • arrived - when , we should consider the question of providing lighter and cheaper railways to |srfftys settieffientsis advancing* £«i<d whdM4he ifcaM-ioh'aftje ! <^f. rpadSjHii dit to carry, prockicc doHhepmain rtlu|qughoui the year, is likely to prove a heavy burden ‘the North Island', particularly, road construction is an expensive' undertaking, and the maintenance under heavy and regular traffic is in many instances likely to be a continuous burden, owing to the absence of metal ■ and the rapid deterioration of the formation through broken*country in wet weather. If the bulk of the produce could be carried on rails to the main lines, or to an outlet to the markets, the roads would be relieved of the worst of the traffic, and the settlers would not be exposed to the heavy charges, and sometimes long delays, now incurred in bringing their produce to a distant railway. It is not proposed to depart from the standard 3ft Gin gauge, but considerable saving can be effected by decreasing the width of banks, avoiding tunnels and heavy cuttings, by adopting a steeper maximum grade and sharper curves, constructing bridges of light design, using lighter rails than the present minimum of 551 b, reducing the standard depth of ballasting, and greatly curtailing the expenditure on station buildings, The retention of the 3ft Gin gauge is-important, as the experi-

I \vuiinmn.vi lU'in v , ",*S v • •/ cnee. of countries where n gauge as narrow as 2ft has been adopted is that rolling stock has still to be provided of standard height with greatly reduced width, which renders the passenger carriages and covered vans lesscapable of resisting wind pressure, unless permanently loaded with dead weight at the base, which Is undesirable. In a country like Xew Zealand, 'where high winds are frequent in rqost parts, it would often not be sr.fo to run regular traffic, particularly in mountainous localities, on a line only 2ft wide. The most favourable lines to operate as light lines are disconnected sections carrying their own locomotives and rolling stock, which never go off the section. It will not be feasible to adopt much lighter construction where a line is traversed by express trains carrying passengers at a high rate of speed, or on lines where coal or timber forms any considerable portion of the freight to be handled, as both these commodities require heavy rolling stock and a line up to the standard of strength. Tt is desirable that any section on which the system :s tried should be long enough to maintain in use its own equipment of locomotives and rolling stock. Short branches off a main line, which would necessarily have to bo traversed by the rolling stock of the main lino, would be better .built in accordance with the usual standards.” THE ESTIMATES.

SOME TARANAKI APROPRIATIONS. The following proposed local votes -ppear in the Estimates attached to t.ie Public Works Statement:— Wiromu Road (Kiri Road to Ngariki Road, £250. Arnold, £IOO. Brewer (Strathmore to Murcott Road), £1 for £l, £IOSO. ! Junction Road (Purangi to Matau), £SO. Kohi, £350. Maikai, £SO. Makuri Road (£1 for £1), £3OO. .Mangaehu )Mangaehu Village to Puaewhakau Village), £1 for £l, £IOOO. Mangaehu (Upper), £1 for £l, £750. Mangaone Stream Bridge (Rerekino Road), £l5O. Mount Humphries Road, £75. Okara, £250. Okara River Bridge, £IOO. Punewhakau (£1 for £1), £IOO. ; Stratford to Stratford Mountain House, £SO. Tail) ore £1 for £1), £SO. Tangarakau Valley Road, £75. Tirohanga Road, £IOO. 'Waitara Valley (Tangitu Road to .Vangarc Road), £250.' \ Awakino to Turua Point (coast ' rack), £150.: , A • - Marangaq Block Roads, £2OO. Matard (£1 lor. £1), £125. " Mimi to Mokau, £IOOO. ! ' Mokapl River, snagging, £IOO. I' 1 Rivey Kerry' j (Mdkhu), on ncbbiint, £IOO. Mokau Valley Road (Mokau TownHip Reserve), £IOO. Okoke (£1 for £l7, £l5O. Otaraoa, £75. i T’ukyiu'iihp (£1 for. •£!),■ £3OO. ; | Tangitu, Stream' u Bridge - 1 : (Okoke :R)h(I), £ls0 V .:,| - r Jil i ■ : Uhiti (£1 for £1), on account of 02000, £230. . Urqti Stream Bridge (£1 for £1), ■ r-; Waitara River Bridge (Waitara), Ci for £2, £2925. Tvaupokpnui River , Bridge (Glen Waimato, West Road), £1 for £l, on account of £SOO, £2OO. Manga whoro River Bridge (Skect Road), £1 for £l, £4OO. Moeawatea Ridge, £75. Okahu (Ngariki Road to Newall Road), £250. Otakeho River Bridge (Skect Road), (■CI for £1), £350. Ruwhitiroa (£1 for £1), £250. Waitiri, £l5O. Whaka, £l5O. York Road, £SO.

Mabcn, £l5O. Survey, acqu : sition, and legislation of roads, drains, gravel-pits, tramways, etc., £IOO. Supervision, £7OO. Contingencies, including unforeseen expenditure incidental to the other items of the vote, £lO. Miscellaneous works and services, including assistance towards the construction of roads, bridges, tracks, etc., £2OO. Total.—New Plymouth, £16,935. BACK BLOCKS ROADS. NEW PLYMOUTH ROAD DISTRICT. Kohuratahi, £IOO. Manganui (on account of £5000), £2500. Mangaotaki Valley (Uppe;), £3OO. Ohura (South of Papa rata Saddle), £IOOO. Tangarakan River Bridge (top ciossing), £75. Carrington, £250. Rawhitiroa, £425. Manga, £IOSO. Ma ngaoapa (Junction Real to Mohakau Road), £ISOO. Mangaowata, £650. Manga re, £BSO. Marco, £925. Poarangi, £IOO. Puniwhakahau Road to Raoraomuku Block (on account for £1000), £2OOO. Putikitnna, £4OO. Whangamomona to Wanganui Pive" (on account of £5000), £3OOO. Supervision, £750. Miscellaneous works and services including assistance towards l!ie construction of roads, bridges, tracks, etc., £l5O. Total of items provided for on 1 OH--12 appropriations in respect of n hieli i no specific provision has boon made I under this vote for 1912-13. Total.—-New Plymouth, £42,475. HARBOUR WORKS. Mokau. grant to River Trust for imMakau River, £SO.

Mokau, grant towards rebuilding wharf (to be repaid by Harbour Boar >) £250. TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. New Plymouth, Departmental Buildings, £3650. Stratford Departmental Buildings, preparation of site and erection of buildings, £2200. New Plymouth, additions to Courthouse, £IOO. Inglewood, additions to Post Office, £260. Whangamomona, Post Office, £IOOO. Okaiawa, Post Office, £950. Manaia, Postal, £lB5. Opunake, land and new building (agricultural), £llOO. LANDS IMPROVEMENT. Taranaki District, £9OOO. OPENING UP CROWN LANDS. Taumatamahoo Block (Whangarnomona), £IOO. Taurakawa Block (Stratford), £IOOO. Raoraomouku Block (Waitotara), £IOOO. ROADS FOR NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS. Mobakatino Block (Clifton), £IOOO. Whareorino Block, £SO. SYNOPSIS OF VOTES. PUBLIC WORKS FUND. Public Works, Departmental, £54,000. Railways— Railway Construction, £817,500; additions to open lines, £457,000—£1,304,500. Public Buildings, £465,500. Lighthouses, Harbour Works, and Harbour Defences, £22,000. Tourist and Health Resorts, £15,000. Immigration, £20,000. Construction, Maintenance, and Supervision of Roads, Bridges, and other Public Works, £550,000. Development of Goldfields, £13,000. Telegraph Extension, £200,000. Contingent Defence, £55,000. Lands Improvement, £49,000. Total—Public, Works Fund, £2,748,000. Wellington-Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Account, £7300. Railways Improvements Account, £40,000. Aid to Water-Power Works Account £85,000. Irrigation and Water Supply Account, £30,000. Waihou and Ohinomnri Rivers Improvement Account, £20,000. Opening Up Crown Lands for Settlement Account, £IOO,OOO. ■National Endowment Account, £19,200. DON'T NEGLECT. A COMMON; CASE OF PILES.

IT MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS ' • , \ , RESULTS. When people generally understand that all such fatal diseases as fistula, ulcer of the rectum, fissure*, etc., almost invariably, begin to >,appear'in a ssrtrpip case, pjf s piles, they- will learn the' Avisdom pf .taking .proipjltu treatment- foi| jthe first, appeqrancqqof (this trouble. Doan’s Ointment is unequalled for every form of Piles, itching, bleeding, protruding, and blind piles, and hundreds of lives have been saved fiy using this cheap but effective remedy right at the start, because at such times a single pot.has often effdbted a, cure,, Jwjiile in tlieifold ndbeps'feated, chr'onjq cases, soteraUpots are somtimes, pocesaiiy., Heren is >a FaseT-^ Mr. John .iplott, ■ Bootnikker, Cr. 801 l and Liverpool Streets,. Wanganui; shys :- r ,'“F,oy .jyears I was a martyr to that most; tyring, complaint; itching piles, and only, people who have suffered in this way have any idea; of .what I went through. At one time 1 was so bad 1 went into the Hospital, and had an operation performed, but in a little while I was jlist as bad as ever. I tried almost every File remedy known but could only get temporary relief from the awful irritation. I suffered most during the warm weather, or when I got heated in any way, and sometimes the irritation was so terrible that I, felt I could tear my self to pieces. Six months ago I was advised to try Doan’s Ointment, and 1 am pleased I did so. I got relief from the first few applications, and before I bad used two pots 1 was completely cured, and as 1 have been free of Piles ever since, I think I am safe in saying my cure is permament. My advice to other sufferers is to get Doan’s Ointment to-day and I am sure they will soon be cured, as I have been.”

Doan’s Ointment is splendid in all skin troubles such as Piles, Eczema, Hives, Stores, Insect Bites, Chilblains, etc., It is safe and will not injure the most delicate skin. Doan’s Ointment is sold by all chemists and storekeepers at 3s. per pot, or will be posted on receipt of price by Foster-McClelland Co., 76 Pitt Street, Sydney. But, be sure you get DOAN’S G

PARLIAMENT, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1012. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL. (Per Press Association.'* Wellington, October 18. The Council met at 2.30. The debate on the Legislative Council Bill was resumed. Ten speakers briefly spoke against the measure, and one spoke in favour of it. After Mr Bell had replied, a vote was taken, and the Bill was rejected by 21 votes to 13. The following is the division list:— For the Bill: Messrs Bell, Baillie, Catkin, Johnston, Kelly, Miller, McLean, McCardle, Ormond, Paul, Rigg, Stevens, Wigram. Against: Messrs Anstey, Bailey, Barr, Boehan, Collins, Carneross, Duncan, Gilmer, George, Harris, Jones, Jenkinson, Luke, Louisson, Loughnan, Mills, Parata, Smith, Samuel, Thompson, and Tucker. The Council then adjourned. SECOND READINGS. The Council resumed at 8 p.m. The Now Plymouth-Huatoki Stream Diversion, Oamaru King George’s Park Reserve, Tauranga Harbour, and! Whakatane Harbour Bills, passed! through all stages. The Council adjourned at 9 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The House met at 2.30. THE OJ'TRA TUNNEL. The report of the special committee

of McLean Bros, for favourable coni sidoration and relief in connection with j the Otira tunnel contract was presented to the House. Jt recommends that in view of the whole circumstances and of the difficulties experienced by the contractors they and their sureties should be released from the contract if the contractors desired; that the Government should invite tenders for the completion of the contract and that, pending a decision of the tenders the Government should carry on the work. if no satisfactory tender was received, the Government is recommended to make such arrangement for the completion of the work as they think advisable. THE LAMGGUTH PETITION. Tfie Speaker gave his decision on the petition presented by Mr Myers on behalf of E. Langguth and others. He stated that he could find nothing in tne petition that would warrant His Majesty removing the Judge concerned from the Bench. He had a memorandum from the Prime Minister and! aciing-A Homey-General, expressing the opinion that there was nothing in the petition which would warrant them in addressing His Excellency. I The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. GOVERNMENT RAILWAY .BILL. The Government Railways Bill was introduced by Governor’s message. Replying to questions, Mr Kerries said that some of tne increases in the first-class division were: ninth class, proposed minimum £215, maximum L2PJ; eighth class, £255 and £275; seventh class, £285 and £315; sixth class, m uimum £330. The increases would total between £SOOO and £OOOO for the first year. The salary for the new general manager of railways would not exceed £3OOO a year. He hoped to bring down a classification list next week.

THE LAND BILL. THE SECOND READING DEBATE. Wellington, October 18. The debate on the second reading of the Land Bill was resumed by Mr Sykes, who upheld the freehold tenure. It would be a good bargain for the State if all L.I.P. Crown tenants acquired the freehold. Mr Buxton urged that the Government should take steps for the cutting up of private estates, by providing that the Government would guarantee the purchase money for which private purchasers had made themselves responsible. He also urged that the chances of an applicant at a land ballot should depend to a certain extent on the number of his children. Mr R. W. Smith considered that the holders of small grazing runs should bo given the i freehold under the easiest possible conditions. The proposals of the Government ■ were all in favour of the wealthy landowner. Mr Hainan said that he' was convinced that the Bill was. not going to give satisfaction to the majority of members in the House. It was apparent that the Bill did not bear out the promises made on the platform by members of the Government when it faced the country as an Opposition. Mr Wilson complained n that the great trouble was jbhat' country bnyl; were coming to town. 'On the other hand people in . the downs I 'had hot sufficient facilities to-settle on rural areas. He wanted “a right to hold” for city people. Mr Laurenson commended the townplanning section, but held that it did not go far enough. He urged the doubling of the land tax on bachelors. This Bill would not prevent reaggregation. He agreed with the sale of L.I.P. lands, but.it would be a bo trayal to sell renewable leases. He considered the suggestion monstrous fhat a Maori should lie subject to the same law in relation to land as Europeans. Such a procedure would be a blot upon our national honour. Mr Mander thought that the Land Board should see that unsuccessful balloters wore put upon the land, as was done in Canada. He thought it would be a good idea to exchange or sell endowment lands if it benefited the State. Messrs Okey and Ell continued the debate. Mr Brady advocated the freehold, with a limited area. At 12.45 Mr Craigie announced to r.

bare quorum that he was going to be against the Bill, which he described as reactionary, and a measure in favour of property and wealth. Mr Massey replied just after 1 p.m. Ho said that he believed that the Bill, when it came into operation, would stop the exodus of our young men to Australia. He intended to give the tenants of settlement lands the freehold at the original value. He reiterated the statement that the natives had offered 250,000 acres to be cut up. He knew that a lot of sharks, both European and Maori, were fattening on the sale of native lands, and the Government intended to put an end to it. Regarding the fruit industry, it was intended to start canneries and fooleries as soon as money would permit. On a division the Bill was read a second time by 43 to 17, and the House rose at 1.50. Wellington, October 19. The division list on the Land IVII was as follows: For (43) —Messrs Allen, Anderson, Atmore, Bell, ,1. R. F. Bollard, Bradney, Buchanan, Buddo, Buick, Coates, Escott, Fisher, Eraser, Guthrie, Harris, Herdrnan, Herries, Tline, Hunter, Lang, Lee, MacDonald, McKenzie, Malcolm, Massey, E. Newman, Nosworthy, Okey, Pearce Pomare, Reed, R. H. Rhodes, Scott, F. H. Smith, R, W. Smith, Statham, j Sykes, G. M. Thomson, J. C. Tliomi son, Wilford, Wilkinson, Wilson. Ag- • a Mist (17) —Carroll, Craigie, Davey, Forbes, Hindmarsh, Isitt, Laurenson, j McCollum, Dr. Newman, Payne, Raj ngihiroa, Robertson Russell, Sodden, Sidey, Veitch, Witty, Harris. Pairs, lor—Clark, J. Bollard, Dickie, Mender, Ward. Against—Brown, Colvin, Parata, Hanan, Ell.