PUBLIC WORKS AND IMMIGRATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XV, Issue 662, 30 September 1871, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS AND IMMIGRATION.

MR. GISBORNE'S STATEMENT. [lIT ELECTKIC TELEORAPH.] Wellington, Thursday, 4 p.m. Mr Gisborne's Public Works Statement last night commenced with a re-capitula-tion of the various works m constniction under the several sections of the Public Works Immigration and Railway Act during the financial year. These were chiefly a repetition of facts already contained m Parliamentary papers. Mr Audley Coote's powers had not been sufficient, or the contract for the Picton and Blenheim Railway would have been entered into. The total liabilities incurred for the Clutha Railway up to 30th June were £58,412 ; of which £12,494 had been paid as land compensation. The total cost of the line would not exceed £4,500 per mile, exclusive of the cost of the land. In regard to the Canterbury Railways, the Government intended, from the Ist October ensuing, to take over the works heretofore carried on by the Provincial Government, and re-couping them for the expenditure incurred. On the contract for the railway from Timaru to the Washdyke, a distance of 2J miles, a tender had been accepted, amounting to £9,018. The liabilities incurred during the financial year for surveys m the North island amounted to £G,318, and the Middle Island to £5,054. In the Middle Tsland the amount expended for construction of railways amounted to £88,912. In regard to Immigration, the experiment of introducing Scandinavian immigrants had proved very successful. The laborers on public works m the neighbourhood of their special settlement had applied for land on the same terms as they had it, and their request had been granted. Immigration had boon regulated by dividing the immigrants into two classes — nominated and assisted. During the year the nominated immigration had been as follows : — Hawko's Bay 500, Wellington 400, Canterbury 400, Otago 1,000, Marlborough 100 : assisted immigrants — Hawke's Bay 1,000, Wei- j lington 1,501), Canterbury 1,050, Otago, 1,950. The Government would ask authority to refund £23,200 to the provinces of Hawke's Bay; Canterbury and Otago on account of the immigrants brought out prior to the passing of the act. Turning to the future Board of Public Works the first matter the Government had to propose was that it should consist of not less than five members : a President, (Minister of Public Works,) and first and second engineers. The Disqualification Act should not necessarily apply to its members. The general duties of the Board would be to advise Ministers as to works to be undertaken ; also, to exercise a supervision over the progress of • such works. After the present year the Board would also have substantial powers. The Government intended to push on the construction m the North Island of roada through Nativo districts, and m the district north of the City of Auckland to the extent of the £100,000 available for that purpose. It was intended to take over the Kaipara railway from the Province of Auckland conditionally on its providing for an expenditure of £25,000, extending over four years m works m the Northern district of the Province. Two principles would regulate the construction of railways, first their ability to pay working expenses second, the power of local rating m the event of their not paying working expenses. Railways would be divided into three classes, — main lines, feeder lines, and coal mine lines. The main lines were — Auckland to Waikato, Wellington to Napier and New Plymouth, Invercarcargill to the north part of Canterbury, Winton to Kingston, and Nelson to Cobden. It would be advisable for the Assembly during the present session to give authority for the construction of those linos, reserving the right to determine from session to session what poi--tions should be constructed each year. The following lines were proposed to be undertaken this year : — Invercargill to Mataura, 40 miles, (by guarantee) ; Moeraki to Waitan*ri4oi miles ;<Rangiora to Waipara, 20£ miles ; Winton to Kingston, 09 miles ; Wellington to Masterton, 70 miles ; Napier to Ruatamioha, 53 miles ; Auckland to Mcrcor, 47 miles ; Auckland to Kaipara, 17 miles ; Nelson to Foxhill, 21 miles ; Dunodin to Clutha, 51 miles ; Blenheim to Picton, 20 miles ; total, 449 miles. Thoso lines it was estimated would take five years to finish at a cost of £1,699,000 ; the annual liability on account of interest being at the rate of 5£ per cent. As to coal mine lines the Government would endeavour to make the cost to bo homo by tho miners, but the Board would have power to .assist by advances onrecoivingsufticicntsecurity. Tho Government would immediately ask for provision for lines from Lake Brunner to Greymouth and from tho Malvern Hills to Rolleston, and further to assist to complete the lino from Kawahawa to the Port. In respect to feeder lines, the Government would bring m a- bill providing machinery to enable tho residents m any district contiguous to a mail lino to petition the Board of Works for the construction of a branch line. Stipulations would be provided regarding the extent to which the petition would require to bo signed, and to ompower the Government on recommendation of the Board of Works, to authorise tho construction of the feeder or branch line conditional on the residents being subject, if necessary, to -a local rate f so as to cover a.fixed jv pportion

of the annual, charges of the line. All deficiencies m the interest on railway cost would either jbe recovered from the province m which the ! railway is constructed or by a i local rate. It was intended to take land as security for loans, for the construction of the lines from Wellington to Masterton and from Napier to Ruatamioha and use this land for the purpose of settling immigrants by special settlement, the proceeds of which would be credited to the Railway Fund. A tramway from Manawatu to Wanganui, the Government proposed should be constructed forthwith. Other siniilar^worlis would be undertaken on the recommendation of the Board. In constructing railways by guarantee it would be necessary to contract with itorfcons of large means. It was a false economy to' always accept the lowest offer. Accordingly, the Treasurer had entered into arrangements with the Messrs Brogden. The Government intended to ask authority to accept contract No. 2 with certain modifications to be agreed upon when Mr Brogden arrives. The chief of those modifications would be to make the contract include the lines ab-eady authorised or to be authorised this session. The Government thought it unadvisable to pay m land ; as at present, the better use for the land would be for purposes of settlement. They would accordingly propose to substitute money for land payments except as to the giving 20 acres for each adult male immigrant introduced. The lines to be constructed must be authorised, and provision made to enable the Government to purchase the lines by debentures within a specified time after completion. With regard to the acquisition of land for railway purposes, a Bill would be introduced to prevent extortionate demands. With regard to water supply for the Goldfields, the Government concurred with Mr Haughton's report that it was better to assist private persons, after proper investigation, than to undertake works on their own account. They therefore would make a proposal to enable the money to be advanced on the recommendation of the Board of Works. The Government might, however, undertake the Thames Water Works. In regard to Immigration, the Government proposed to take a sum of £250,000 for ihe current and ensuing financial years. The period was made two years as the contracts and arrangements required to carry on the service rendered it indispensable that they should not be confined to the short period of a single year. The Board of Works would have entire charge of the introduction and settlement of immigrants, subject to the direction and veto of Ministers. When land was taken as security for railways it would be used for the purposes of settlement ; and m provinces where the cost of railways was charged to the lane) fund an equitable compensation would be given for • land taken for settlement. The provision of the Act requiring Superintendents to initiate immigration would be altered, and the General Government have the right — checked by the Board — to say what number of immigrants should go to each place, and how they should be settled. As to telegraphs, there was every prospect of Government being shortly able to extend the telegraph to . Auckland and New Plymouth ; then the construction of other lines would be proceeded with. The Road Boards Grant distributions would be settled by the Assembly. The Government believed their proposals were characterised by frugality, prudence, and foresight ; and their policy was to spend money m useful, permanent, reproductive investments.

Postage Stamps.— We learn that after this month new penny, twopenny, ami sixpenny stamps will be issued of different color to those now m use. Tub Australian Mail. — The Alharubra arrived at the Bluff on Thursday mqruinu last, 'mt l>y some blunder on the part of Greville's agent at the Bluff, we lire without our usual telegram of Australian news. Grain Shipment to England. — Advice lms been received by n. Timurn firm that the grain shipped by them to England ptr ship Christian McAuslimd, arrived m good condition, that the prime -wonld fetch 60s per quarter, and that it would probably fetch 56s all round. Tub Artksian Well. — The contractors fdr this well lirvo resumed operations, which hail been suspended for about tlireo weeks owing to their having encountered a dense, .hard, rock, m boring which neither their drills nor driving-rods would stand. The rods formerly used were. of gaspipe, which wunt at the threads of tho joints : these have been . replaced with solid iron rods, artd improved drills hnve also been procured. The bore is now about twenty-four feet into the rock, and about eighty feet from the surface of the ground. Theatrical.— Oh Wednesdny l»Bt, the' Comedy and Burlesque Company gave an entertainment at. the Crown Assembly Rooms, Teinnkn, which gave great satisfaction ; but m consequence' of' the cstrenie inclemency 61' tliQ went her. wna not so fully attended us it deserved. The company performed again m Timaru yesterday evening to rather a poor house. The pieces submitted were " The Youth who never saw a Woman," tho " Area Belle," and tho burlesque of "Tho Fair One with the Golden Locks," all of which were well played. Tho company will perform tonight at. Waimate. Death of Sir Thomas Acland, Bart. The veneraMc Baronet of Killerton, f tther of J. B. Acland, Esq , of Mount Feel, di«d m July last at the ripe ago of : 84. A Devonshire paper says : — "On tho Friday he took his usual carriage airing, and with his usual thoughtful kindliness sent m to Kxeterto the Judges and the Dean what nwy be called his Assize-presents of vensiori. On Saturday morning he appeared to be m his usual health ; but whilst he Was dressing he wnjs seized with a fainting fit, nud so died, suddenly and painlessly. His medical advisetti expected that death would thus overtake him, and of this his family have been for some time aware. I Siikei' WonnvrNO.— Persons keeping sheep m paddocks about Timnrii do so at considerable risk. Every now and agnin we hear df regular holocausts whero 30 to 60 nhccp are destroyed m a night by perhaps a single dog. Last Sunday night a raid was made m Air Woolleombe's padlocks, when some fow sheep and a lot of lambs were killed. It is a shame of those people owning sheep-worrying doge not to tie up their precious pots- One moonlight night is sufficient to do damage to a neighbour that cost many pounds to mate good. But tho worst of it is that m many cases the sheepki,ller gets oil' scot free and is " not to be found." This Weather and the Crops. — The longspell of dry weather we have experienced of late, was broken at about one o'clock on the morning of Wednesday last, the rain continuing until noon on Thursday, daring which period the rain guagc registered seveueights of a cubic inch : a rainfall equivalent to eighty- nine tons per acre. The effect of such a rainfall on the cornfields and gardens has been something surprising, and the rain did not come one hour sooner than- it was wanted, as the crops were beginning to show the ill effects of the drought. The rain was also very acceptable to the squat tera, as, owing to extensive grass (ires on the runs during the winter, feed was very scarce. I n consequence of the rain, the rain rivers were very high, the Temuka beins; impussable all day Thursday, stopping Griffin's coach that could not ci'iihh, the mail was therefore carried over the foot-bridge and brought, mi to town by Mr Cramond m a buggy. The fresh m the Temuka had subsided yesterday and traffic was resumed,

Immigration.— We understfftigj that^the next ship to arrive m LytteUon froTU England* with immigrants, will- be the Gleinmark. Pjerr Bons m want of servants shouldftmake im^ie-^ diate application to the Immigration, Agent; Timaru. ; ; . ' \ ] <; ' High Priced Wool.— An Engish pftjter m rpfcrring to the July -wool sales . sayfe-i-wr- " Some very fine Australian wool from a closely inbred flock, belonj*ing to Mr E. K. Cox of Sydney, f<TOfaigft£?n London about 4s 6d; the highest gripe of a large shipment." The wool, of coursev must have not only been of a very first class quality, but also exceedingly well got up. TiiiAun Resident Magistbatb'b Court.— - At this Court, on, Thurßday,;.before H. Belfield, Esq., J.P. — Charles Riddel was charged with being .drunk and disorderly : being his first offence m this Court he wus dismissed with a caution. Before the same Magistrate yesterday, Duncan Daires, a half-caste, was charged with uttering valueless cheques at Lawrence, Otago. For the production of further evidence, a remand of eight days was granted. The Timaiiu and Washdyke Contract. — Messrs Allen and Stumbles, the 'successful tenderers for the railway, arrived m Timaru yesterday for the purpose of arranging preliminaries before commencing their contract. They intended to have commenced on Monday, but m deference to the public' wishes have deferred opening ground till Wednesday, which is set apart for a general holiday to celebrate the turning of the first sod: The rumour that the contractors intended to bring m Chinese labor is utterly without foundation. (Jricket. — A special general meeting of the Timaru Cricket Club is called for this evening at the Royal Hotel. The business to be brought before it will be the consideration of a suggestive code of rules that have, been prepared by a committee appointed at the last meeting of the Club, the appointment of officers, and- the consideration of other matters affecting the welfare of the Club. A large nmn'ier of gentlemen have signified their intention of joining, and the Club has consequently' taken steps to augment their plant and have determined to put the Club on a better basis m every respect. The great desiderntnm is a good ground, and it is probable that the Club, - with a view of obtaining one within access of the town, will make application to the Park Commissioners to grant them a portion of the Park reserve, where a capital ground could be prepared at a moderate cost. . The meeting to-ni^ht being the most important of the year, it is to be hoped that all members, and intending members, will make a point of being present. Railway Land Compensation.-- A case has been brought under our notice which cannot be passed over m silence, us it involves a somewhat grave question, being no ' less than the bona fides of the Government -with ' respect to the settlement of claims on certain land required for the Timaru. and Teinuka ruilwny. It was generally understood that Mr T. S. Tancred, the Government engineer, employed m the survey of the 'line, had full authority to agree with the.respective owners of land as to' price, etc., and many claims were to our knowledge so adjusted and agreed on and approved of by the Government. One claim, however, which its preferrer and Mr Tancred had agreed to has been repudiated by tho Government; and consequently, the negotiations which involved no little expense nnd trouble hitve been entirely thrown nwny, the claimants' being politely told that thfi agreement entered .into is null and void, and that fresh terms mustbe submitted. This repudiation of their agent's authority is not croditible to the Governmeut—rthntftfr Tuncred hud authority is wo think indisputable — for it loads to. unpleasant remarks being made, that the Government when it suits them to do soapproves, and when otherwise, disapproves. Again, it is most unfair to Mr Tuncced. ' Resident Magistkate's Court, Waimatb. —At this Court on Thursday last, before B. Woollfomb •, £ j q , R.M., the following cases were disposed ol : — George Hayes, VVilliain White, Joseph Maborley, Martin Campbell, Grorgmna Tilling, anil John Boyse (Were eai-h fined £1 and costs for b.-ing owners of unregistered dogs. Fritz Cappel sued John Thompson for £4t on a promissory note. Tho bill being improperly stamped, the plaintiff was non-suited. Samuel: Green v. William Gordon — Claim, Ba, value of a girth alleged to huvo been lent to defendant. After hearing' the evidence, the Resident Magistrate nonsuited plaintiff, with costs 4-s. Ellen McIlwraith v. JSdwin Pratt— Claim, £13 12s, for hire of bullocks. Defendant admitted part of the .debt, to the amount of £5 Ba. Plaintiff stated that she had leased the team of bullocks to the defendant for six, months, and put into Court 'the 'agreement, which being improperly stumped, could not be received ns evidence. Plaintiff stated that she hud let defendant the team for six months, at 25s a week. ' Tho team was perfect, and she' did • nob prouu'so him Another bullock. '.He came and told her that ho had lost one of the team, anij sho off<tre.d'!to;lAndihinipnot'hei?. Defendant stuted that on the 1-ith March lasthe hired a team of bullocks of, plaintiff.,, and when he got the bullocks ' together m the stockynrd. one of them being useless the plaintiff promised him another, ' which she. liad not given him, and ho m consequence had delivered up the .team- oh l the list of August. A few days after he received a note from her (which he hamlm! iirto Court), she (plaintirt 1 ) offering to take back tho bullocks. lie returned the bullocks on tho first day of August, and left them m t.he stockyard with the .rails down. The Resident Magistrate said there being no prbperagreement between the .parties, he. should •" give ' judgment for £5 Bs, and 19s costs/ „-/ . : ■ :,-.. .