PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, 1900-1

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 250, 23 October 1901, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, 1900-1

(By Special Official Message). New Zealand Public Works Statement by the Honourable W. HallJones, Minister for Public Works. 22nd October, 1901. Me Speaker,—lt is with feelings of pleasure that I lay before honorable members mysixth statement, especially aa it has not f illan to the lot of one of my predecessors to deliver six consecutivß Public Worka Statements. The work undertaken last year was of a trore extensive cluracter than during •■ny of the paßt few years, and the total expenditure consequently reached the hightst figure. A large amount of useful work has been accomplished, and the extent which improved conveniences are appreciated by Bettlers is well evidenced by the demands made for further road?, railway, and and other facilities. Indee I, had these | demands been complied with to anything like thoir full extent, the estimates of expenditure, which I submit this evening, would have been swelled to twice their present dimensions. THE PAST. In deajing with the question of expenditur» on public works it is well to remember that it is only just over sixty years since New Zealand became a British colony, and wben hon. members bear in mind that at that time there were no roads, railways, or bridges, no telegraphic communication, no post office or other public buildings; that education, beyond that supplied by the missionary, was practically unknown, and the Islands were only visited at rare intervals by sailing ships, it must be admitted that tlw progress mada since tba*: time has be; n most satisfactory, and establishes a record of which we m.y justly be proud. There havn been con-uiKttel 2212 miles of railway, whi h Juts been.opitmd for traffic, thousand* uf miles of road h>.ye been formed, hundreds of bridges built, 7250 mil< s of telegraph lines established, i ece siry public buildingi (includ'tij; 'cKoi'sJhave tven ere;tod at gre t c B', hiid a krge fleet of ships are now engaged in carrying to all paivs of the worli the products of our enterprising settlers. While this good work has been done during past years we, who for the time being have the welfare of the country entrusted to our charge, must not ignore our responsibilities in seeing that steps are taken for the further development of our colony, and that every opportunity is thus afforded for our settlers to forward products to markets of the world at the lowest possible cost, and in the shortest reasonable time. To enable this to be done, notwithstanding what pessimists may say, we must continue our policy of road and railway construction, we must further improve the existing lines of communication, and this being' done with due regard to economy will rasult in placing the country in a still more satisfactory position. Without proper means of communication our settlers are hampered and handicapped, and it is our duty to remove the disabilities under which they labour, bearing in mind that as the work progresses each mile of railway completed, each chain of road formed, is so much toward the end in view. WORKS IN PROGRESS.

Whilst making provision for the urgent requirements of the colony, the Government is of opinion it would be extremely inadvisable to enter upon a large borrowing policy for public works, end that we should adhere to the course folio ved id recent years and make provision for a fair rate of progress being maintained both in railway and road construction, and provide the accommodation and convenience necessitated by tbe development of the colony, including renewalj with more permanent material. The suus provided by the Estimates will admit of the several works being continued with reasonable speed, and it is hoped that the following sections of railway will be opened for traffic before the end of the current financial year:—Line He!ensville northwards, section Tahekeroa to Ahuroa. 4 miles 69 chains; Gis-borne-Karaka, Gisborne wharf to Orraond lOmiles 43 chains; Stra'fordWhaagamomona, Stratford to Toko 6 miles 40 chains; North Islmd Main Trunk, Poro-o Sardo to Ongaruhe, 14 miles 21 chains; Noith Island Main Trunk, Mangaonoho to Mangaweka, 9 miles 24 chains; Blenheim- Waipara, Owaka to Seddon 12 miles 76 chains; Blenheim-Waipara, Waipara to Scargill, 14 miles 40 chains; Otago Central, Wedderburn to Bhckstone Hill, 12 miles 23 chains; miles 16 chains. Considerable progress has been made with the more important works under construction, principal details of which I will give later on. WAYS AND Si BANS.

Before outlining my proposals for expenditure, I will briefly sta'e the ways and me ics available for public works purposes. On 31et March, 1900, the balance of the Public Works Fund amounted to £839,749, and further sums were provided Ust session ss under: -New loin, £1.000,000, transferred from revenue £500,000. There were a'so miscellaneous r«oeip's amounting to £1787, thus making a gross total of £2,341,536. Expenditure last year amounted to £1 309,021, so t hat at the close of the year the balance was £1,032,515, and it is now proposed to provide the following additional funds: new loan of £1.000,000, further trin-fer from revenue £SOO 000, total £2,532,515. The estimates of expenditure for the current year total £2,197.334, in addition to £46,577 under the Government Loans to Lical Bxlies Account, leavii.g an unallocated balance of £335,181: TOTAL EXPENDITURE. I

The fol'owini,' ?hows the totil expenditure out of Public Works Fund on all works and services throughout the colony up to 31st December 1800, and alao up to 31st March last, and the expenditure during the lata financial yeir. to 31st December, 1890, £14,067,100, Ist January, 1891 to 31st March, 1901, £3,100,926, total £17,169,026; year rnded 31st March, 1901, £717,723. Roids, £3,575,004, £1,988,145, £5,563,949, £315,791; pyblic buildings, £1,776,003, £733,647, £2,509,650, .£121,364; immigration, £2,144,386, £3333, £2,147,719, £214; purchase of native lands, £1,191,137, £773,833. £1,964,970, £28,688; lighthouse?, harbour works, end harbour defences, £880,095, £85,518, £905,613, £6517 ; telegraph I extension, £600,849, £305,309, £906,158, £50,101 ; development of goldlie ds, £561,101, £125,252, £686,353, £15,907; defence works (general), £429,720. £120,240, £549,960, £37,650; departmental, £349,789, £109,528, £459,317, £12,933; minor works and services, £300,689, £7472, £308,161, £673 ; cost and discount raising loan?, etc., £1,021,472, £36,299, £l,057,771, £1460. Totals, £26,898,145,

.£7,389,502, £34,287,647, X 1,309,021

RAILWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. I Railways under construction wore' the same as during the pre- j vious year, with two additions,! namely, Stratford-Kawakakawa, and the Heriot extension. The expendi-l ture exceeded that o! the previous | j year by XI 93,111. Improved progress in all the more important lines has 1 been maintained, especially in the case of the Norh Island Main Trunk Rail- • way, so that for several of the princi- j pal lines substantial votes must be atked for. 1

I will now briefly describe what has been done on each of the railway works during the late year; also our proposals for the current year. Kawaka-waka-Grahamtown operations are now extending over the whole eight miles authorised in 1899. Rails -have been procured so that the work of laying can be put in hand as soon as sufficient length of formation is available. It is expected that the first section of the line will be finished and available for traffic by this time next year. A short section of 1 mile 26 chains bstween Waotu and Hukerenui was opened for traffic on 14th March las\ The survey of the intervening length between the northern and southern portions of thi« railway has been proceeded with as opportunity offered, the line having been definitely located for six miles; and a trial line run for three miles. The further completion of this survey will be entrusted to an officer whose attention will solely be devoted to it, so as to ensure its being fio&hed at an early date. Preparations hive been made to stait work on the ex tension from Opau to Grahamtown. As the original survey could be improved on, a new survey was made, and plans of bridge over the Whuigarei river prepared. The total expeuditure on this railway last year amounted to X 13,101, and for current year an authorisation for X 15,000 is afk d for.

HELENS VILLE, NORTHWARD TAHHKEROA SECTION. Tbis railway 3 miles 18 chains in length was completed and banded over to the department for trafficonthe 19th December last. Wcn.k on the Komokoiiki section has been actively proceeded with, and the line as fur as the south end of the tunnel completed, and rails laid. More than three fourths of the excavation in the tnnnel has also been done, and the rest of the formation to Ahuroa well in hand, and should not take long to finish. A contract hss.lxen let for the supply of bricks for lining the tunnel. lam hopeful of being able to open the section to Ahuroa by about 31st March next. The final location of the line beyond the end of the Komokoriki section is now necessary in order to avoid delay, and the survey has been put in hand. A question has been raised as to whether the route by the Hoteo valley is the best, another route being considered by a committee of local settlers to be superior. This alternative route is to be examined, and its merit's carefully compared with those of the route previously proposed. Expenditure on this railway last year was .£11,933, and for the current ye*r an authorisation of X 15,000 is pro posed. Paeroa-Waibi Only preliminary work was done on this line up to close of 1899-1900, but during last year substantial progress was made, the work now extending for six miles fifteen chains and is well in band towards KarangaLake. A contract has been let for the construction of a combined road and railway bridge over the Ohinemuri river at Karangahake for £8771. The expenditure on the line last year was j£12,259, but this year an authority for £20,000 is asked for.

Gisborne-Karaka—ln the case of this railway also, the only work done prior to the late financial year was of a preliminary nature, but during the hte yrar vary substantial prosres* was made, at the tim9 the formation being finished for about 12| miles, all bridges for some distance ereoted, and rails laid. I expect to have the line to Ormond ready or traffic by February next. Expenditure on this )ailway last year exceeded tbe vote by £3498, amounting to £15,498. This year an authorisation for £20,000 will bo required.

S t ratford - Kawaka wa.—This is one of the new railways authorised last; session. The survey was pal; in hand soon after Parliament rose, and construction work started in April. Such good progrees has been made that a large part of the first section to Toko, 6j miles in length, is now ready for platelaying, and the rails are now being bent up to the work. I hare every confidence that this section of railway will be open for traffic at Christinas, next. Survey work is in progress on the next section of the line so that by the time the formation to Toko is completed we shall be in a position to determine the best route to be taken beyond that township. The vote for this railway last year was £IO,OOO, but scarcely any expindi'ure took place prior to 31st March. For the current year an authority for .£12,000 will be necessary. Hon. members are aware that in my last year's statement it was suggested this should b? constructed as a narrow gauge line, but an examination of the country showed this ioadvifable, and having in view the probable traffic as the line extended, it was docided t) construct it as a light railway, but without departing from the New Zealand standard g*uge. J

North Island Main Trunk Line.— A very Urge amount of work was performed on this rail way during theyear, at northern end especially. The engineering staff has fully realised the desire of the Government that the work be pushed on to completion with reason-1 able expedition, and every effort was made, despite sundry adverse circumstances, to forward the work as rapidly as possible. Regular traffic is carried on by the Department as far as the Poro-o-tarao tunnel, and from thatpoint to Kawakawa or Ongarue rails are already laid and ballasted, and the ereotion of a station building is in progress. A. platelaying party is still at work extending its operations towards Taumaranui, to which point the formation work already extends, and bushfelling is in hand beyond the crossing of the Wanganui river. The railway at the northern end therefore has now commenced to tap the celebrated Waimarino forest. A contract was let in May last for a steel and timber bridge 405 feet long over the Wanganui at Taumaranui; contracts were also let for steel girders for three bridges over the Ongarue river. The earthworks now extend nearly to Turangarere, a distance of 39 miles from the terminus of the opened line at Mangaonaho, and 61 miles from the commencement of the railway at Marton. Greater progress would have resulted if the roadsin the district had been sufficiently good toadoiitof heavy carting in winter. The Makohine viaduct is now noaring completion, I fully expect; to have engines running over the viaduci by the 31st March next, and I hope to

have tha <vh section of the Manga weka ready for traffic abmf; 'ln nnme time. The Mangaweka viaduct is in hand, the Concrete foundations being in progress and the ironwork in the course of manufacture. With favourable weather its erection will probably not take more than four months from the receipt of the finished materials, s« that at a comparatively early date After the opening of the line to Mangaweka it will be possible to proceed with the platelaying beyoiid that township towards Taihape. Contracts have been let for the steel superstructures over the Toi Toi creek and Hautapu river, and the steel and iron required for the remainder of the bridges to Ohakune has been ordered from England. Viewing the North Island Main Trunk Railway as a whole, the position of the works at the present time is as follows:—Total length from Marton to Te Awamutu 210 miles, length op>n for traffic 69| miles, additional length on which rails are laid 10| miles, further length on which formation is practically completed 19| miles, work in hand 30$ miles, total finished or in progress 138 miles. Of the remainder a final survey has been made of 72 miles—total 210 miles. Dite of authorisation of railway, lObh November, 1878; amount expended to 30fcb September, 1901, £871,667; estimate for completion, £986,000; workmen now employed, 1166. I informed Parliament las'; session that if ways and means were providod as required this railway could be completed and opened for traffic witbin about four years i from the end of last session, and I s e no reason to suppose that expectation is not slill capable of realis ition. The tofcil expenditure on the line last yeir exclusive of railway sleepers, and other permanent way materials was £109,832; this year an authorisation of £160,000 is proposed for it. Rimutaka deviation.—The detailed survey of the proposed deviation of the Rimutaka railway between Upper Hutt and Woodside via Tauherenikau has been completed. Application having been made to have a trial line run for a route by way of Wainui-o-mata Yalley instructions have been issued to the inspecting engineer to extmine this route.

Blenheim-Waipara.—The works at the northern end of this railway are approaching completion and station buildings at Heddon are about to bs erected. It is probable that the lioe will be reidy for ordinary traffic shortly before the ensuing Christmas holidays. It has been decided to erect a suitaVl < wind scrdan to proCi ct trains crossing the Awatere bridge. At the southern end earthwork oa the first twelve miles is virtually complete. I expect that the first section at this end of line 14£ miles in length extending to Scargill will bs ready for traffic early in the new year, Plans, etc., for the important bridge (376 feet long) over the Hurunui river have bem prepared, and tenders invited . The total expenditure on the Bleoheim-WaiptM railway last year was £32,280, while liability s to the amount of over £20,000 existed at the close of the yeir. This year an authorisation of £45,000 is proposed. Ocago Central.—Good progress has been made with the works during the year. The section between Wedderburnand Blacketone Hill will probibly be available for traffic early in Dacemb<r next. The heavy Work in Poolburn Gorge is well in hand and much of it is nearing completion The expenditure on the line last year exceeded £61,247. For the ourrent year an authority for £IOO,OOO has bsen provided.

Herio 1 -. Exten«ioo.—Work on the extension towards Edies w*s put in band shortly before 'hp clo«e of financial year. It has been delayed by the weather and also by a difference of opinion amongst local residents as to the route. Scarcely any expenditure was charged against the work last year, and this year £50,000 has been provided.

Catlins River-Seaward Bush.—At the Catlins River end an extension of three miles and a-half from Owaka has been in hand during the year, and formation works are well advanced. At the Seaward Bush end the survey to Pokonui was completed, but a further survey has been ordered to ascertain the most advantageous route. The; expenditure last year fell considerably' below the vote, but this year an authorisation of £12,000 is proposed.

Riversdale-S withers.— A contract for the proposed combined road and railway bridge over the Mataura river has been prepared, but as the cost would largely exceed the amount of hst year's vote I have not felt justified in inviting tenders until the matter could be submitted to Parliament.

Orepuki-Waisu. The formation works on the first four miles of this line are approaohing completion, and similar work is cow in hind beyond that mileage. Rail", etc., for the first section have been provided. Tbe expenditure last year was £7764, and this year an authority for £12.000 is asked for.

Midl-nd. - Hon. members are aware from the report of the Midland Railway Commission of tbe remit of the inquiry into cost and value of railway works constructed by the Midland Railway Company, and the contributions made thereto by tbe Oiown, Coming to the question of construction, the fectioo of the line betwoon Jacksons and O'irj, whioh was wholly constructed by the Government, was formally handed to the department for regular working in November last, but goods trains had been running over it for nearly a year. At the Canterbury en'l of the railway where the wnrks are of the heaviest description, the cuttings and banks on the first 4j miles are marly completed, and the tunnels on same section are approaching completion. The extension of the Nelson section of the line to Tad mor, authorised last session, has been commenced, and is making satisfactory progress. The Engineer-in-Chitf is reconsidering the design of brMge for the combined road and railway bridge over the Motueka river, with a view o r effecting some economy in its onstruc'ion. The proposed extension from Reefton towards Icangahua has been pegged put a dis'ance of eight mi es We hope to be able to resume cons'ruc: 'ion at tbe Reefton end during tht preeent CoDside-ab'e work has been dot e during thi year in miking the necevsa'y survejs in ronnt'C'ion with the propomd long tunnnl bit ween O ira and the Bealey. Before definitely undertaking cot s'ruction of a work of such magnitu 4e th i Government has considered itdesiiable toe til in expert advice, ai d is now in com'nuni cation wi'h r ilway authorises of'he highest s'anding in America, with a view of obtaining a report f.om ai American or Canadian engineer if eminence and expori-nco in the construction of mouufcsin railways, on the i different prepopals made for the conjstruction of this portion of the riilway. The total ezpenditu e on the MMUmj

railway las': yeararaojntwl *o £41,328, and thin year iin authorisation of £IOO,OOO is p-oposid. aSBrMOUTH-nOKITIXA KXTKISIO* TO KOSB.

This extension originally is about 15 miles in length, and taps over half a million acros of the finest foraai in the colony. Four sawmills are now in operation, and there is a v»sfc quantity of silver pine timber suitable for railway sleepers available. The estimated output of sawn timber is 6,000,000 feet per annum. The main road from Boss to Waitio, and Franois Joseph Glaoier is completed, and a great tourist traffic would eventuate if the line ware mi»t, for the mountain, lake, and foraat scenery of South Westland ii unsurpassed. The present population served by the railway numbers 1000, and titers is a vast area of good land suitable which would bo settled if' this line werw instructed, and the mineral deposits well known to exist would be developed. The amount asked for the current year is £2OOO.

Ngapere-Blackball the selection of suitable site for proposed bridge over Grey river has proved to be work of difficulty. A good site has been selected, however, but a substantial structure will cost a large sum, and tha question seems to require consideration before a definite undertaking is entered into.

Total appropriations for In addition to the sums already mentioned, smaller authorisations totalling £7,500 are proposed under various heads; £76,000 for permanent way and other materials, thus making tha total authorisations £601,500, on .account of which a vote for the currant year of £561,000 is proposed.

HOADS, mo. Roads and other works under the control of the Minister of Linda.—The amount authorised last year for nada and other works was £661,717, and the amrant voted for ezpenditnra £433,997. Of this sum there wi* actually expend) d during the year £310,660, for which amount 622 miles of dray toads and 328 miles ol bridle roids were constructed, 737 mil«« of dray roads and 175 miles of bridle roads were widened and improved, and 2272 miles of dray roads and 1032 mils* of bridle roads were maintained. During the year the bridges constructed were 324 of a total length ef 12.446 feet, and the culverts 3497 of a total length of 70,632 feet. Out of the sum of £310,660 expended, £85,244 was disbursed through loo«l bodies, and £225,416 by the department. At the end of the year authorities remained with local bodies to the extent of £143,860, and with the stuff £292,388, ■ a t;tal liability of £436,246. The largest amount of work last year was * done in the Auckland district, the expenditureamounting to £92,255, that in other districts being as follows: Hawke'ft Bay £31,336, Taraoaki £33,088, Wei-, lington £72,939, Nelson £9278, Marlborough £13,933, Canterbury £BOIS. Westland £11,450, Ofcago £15,902, Southland £20,299. With a general expenditure of £3065, the total last year was £29,536 more than in the previous year, being great* r in the districts of Auckltnd, Taranaki, Welling, tan, Nelson, Wrs'land, Canterbury and Otago, and a little less in the othap distriots.

(To bs continued),