PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11763, 20 October 1906, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

(Per favor of the Government. ) (By Telegraph. ) Wellington, October 19. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones presented his Public Works Statement to the House to - night. The expenditure during the past financial year was considerably in excess of that of the previous year. On March 31st, 1905, the available balance for public works waa £561,670, and further sums were received, making a total sum of £2.480,500. The ordinary expenditure of the year amounted to £1,722,590, a credit balance being left at the end of the year of £492,---299. For the current year, it is proposed to provide additional funds as under:— Balance of 1905 loan, £182,---086; new loan this year one million sterling; transfer from Consolidated Fund, £775,000, making an available total of £2,449,385. The estimated exuendiure for the current year is £2*285,518, thus leaving a balance of £163, 527 to carry forward to next year. RAILWAYSi Last year was a busy one as regards railway construction. The expenditure on new railway works j amounted to £670,221, the largest amount on that class of works since 1881. The gross total expenditure on railway works was £1,074,570. During the year 31J^ miles of railway wore opened for traffic, and the work of constructin throughout the Colony was vigorously proceeded with. A large amount of work has been done on the North Island main trunk line, the expenditure thereon during the year being £220,519, nearly double that of the previous year, and a record expenditure for any year since the work commenced. Plate laying is now in progress between Oio and Raurimu, 19S}£ miles frorii Auckland, and nearly one thousand men are employed, on the section between Eaumimu and Makatote. The contract for the Makatote Viaduct was let to Messrs J. and A. Anderson, of Ohrietchurch, in June, 1905, and the date for completion is fixed for June 15th, 1907. As soon as the viaduct is completed the rails can be laid to Manganui, 214 mile from Auckland, and 202 miles from Wellington. The contract for the Manganui-Oteo Viaduct has been let to the same firm, and is to be completed by February 7th, 1908. Over six hundred men, with Mr Hay in charge, are employed on the central section. Much more work would have been done, but for the unfavorable weather that has been experienced, The section between Taihape and Mataroa has been opened for goods traffic. The rails now extend to Turangarere, 177 miles from Wellington. The distance between Auckland and Wellington is 426 miles, and the line is now open for passenger and goods traffic for 335 miles, while the rails are laid on a 37 miles, and eight additional miles of formation is practically completed, and on the remaining portion the bush has been felled for about thirteen miles. Judging from the progress made the rails between Auckland and Wellington will be completed by the end of 190 S. A large amount of worlc was necessitated on roads in order to get the formation works on the line executed. A vote of £300,000 is proposed for the current year for this line. SOUTH ISLAND LINES. Blenheim -Waipara : Considerable progress has been made. The section between Scargill and Ethelton, nine miles, was opened for traffic on November Ist last, and the section to Torniore, three miles, is available for goods traffic. A vote of £45,000 is asked for the current year. Midland Line: At the Nelson end, the Tadmor section, 10 miles 29 chains, was opened for traffic on August 7th. The whole of the bush on the Manu section, 10J4 miles, has been felled, and the formation work is well in hand, the first two miles being nearly completed. Reefton - Inangahua Section : Earthworks are nearly completed for about seven miles, and the rails have been laid for half that distance. The Waitahu bridge has been completed, and a tender has been accepted for Larry's Creek bridge. Otira Section: The Government Creek and Rolleston bridges are nearing completion. Tenders were invited for the Summit tunnel at Arthur's Pass, 5 miles 24 chains, but there was no satisfactory response. The fresh tenders are due in March next. Springfield-Broken River Section : This section is so near completion that there is every prospect of its being available for the opening of the Exhibition. The large steel viaduct over Staircase Gully is finished, and the viaduct over Broken river is so near completion that the rails have been laid over it. Arrangements are being made to establish a one day's through service, by coach and rail between Greymouth and Ohristchurch. Westport - Inangahua Junction : Fair progress has been made. The bush has been felled and cleared for five miles, and a considerable amount of earthwork has been done. Ngahere-Blacbball: Last year the expenditure was £9257, and for the current year a vote of £10,000 is proposed. Ureymouth-Point Elizabeth : This line has been open for coal traffic for some time. Some finishing works required an expenditure of £2638. Hokitika - Ross: Seven miles of this line are open for goods traffic, and by the 9th of November will be used for passengers. The earthworks are completed for a further five miles. Last year £17.084 was expended, and a vote of £20,000 is asked for the current year. Culverden-Hanmer : No work has been done to connect the Hanrner Springs with the railway. It is proposed to inaugurate a good motor oar service for fcce present, and in time for the summer season. (To be continued. )