PUBLIC WORKS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIII, Issue 14350, 16 November 1910, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS.

i THE 1 S'i'ATKVi: vi". A RECORD EXPENDITURE.. i j wat::i: vov.krs schemes. | WIRKI.K-s T;:U:graphy. ; i Wr J'rc- > A I ! IVKM.INuTOV N..v. I-V ! Ti:;' .Mini-rcr ~.r I'u'iii - V.\i! (iU.> ! i!■ U. M S< o: i -r-r.:i !: > : ittiai i 1 iir.'.'- \Y~.rL.- a c.• i:a-ii . .n :ii>M.um' la-t vyc:.;: "j' 11 - - :.' i 1 ■vv i • i ; . a .im'-lciisatioii "f :-.au : i '1 !.o yur lVl'-10, si !:>■"- i!u> ; ill the J!li;:i.i tin i).■:i.i!' 1 - : was a vc:y !.,;-y y';,r. 'i ■ r.■ ' have ~iiiy iu.s;- tli.r.ic. . tuir.y U!i V. iii.-h tiu ;.n- ---' luu:v vi Uw U!;k:i1 . 1.'.0 11.■■!:<, S, :! . £ i v. a.. . i;i taj.a. i; ; - -at j - iv s,,- i.v.!. a 'oil i. ii:,-. 1 1 * 1 ° -a.- ai;a . ;j. -~a . . "■ ' ' -. ..i'lv U> i''. ' i-'j-'J »..!-•.!• V. ; L : i ; '- .l'.-' .1:1 , i.l;. ly .U-.-.'i i;-\ ;l:j JLK t i.u '-ill-: I '.—.a j l'j.iU a:i..a pa.-. iL. . j :l; jvli... :i s;; _:;;: L ;• "i:t iiracisi-.ii wcriv m the wav v:'» .i« c;l O.II' i-.; t<_ lb; V't' v.; t:;; ti:u e; oi J:i.y.ur;au'. i:; ' •■■■ : •!:;! fii.oi|.!i:a;v .'.n all v.. v!;s V. > - l-.- ! v.ar a:a.a:itic.i : • • '. >•..■ '• :<■•!;:£! ' 1 : ' i• .-.v. ; w ;i« nn.i -i.- •■ ! i::i; ii.:■ • <*«•».-:• ir;= t«•.«« t ;,i :i-_. '.I;-: !'■ ' r !' I::' i tin- 1-t .! ".nil u •• ' i>:. •. r ■ i - \..ir 5 ; i 1:;i- nil. v ;: ; ii v.oi'Ls i• ir ui:i!iy y.-. rs nn.-t. w \v.~: a.ni) ;>i:;.'..\"s. A; ::Ur M: : ■!:, I" v;, ii:-.!,- u..y. ;."ri v. - v...... : ::.*!•.! a:!.'.!. :.-.v n- . . L:' 11 ■■: •• I !. A. :. i ; L'- ' : 1 li. . ■ \i . 1 i:■ • i- !;• A ■;. !•' V.- 'i • '•>. a 1 •i A**k. :: Li.'' .'V. >i. ■ I Illr! Nf'.v /,• i• 11 i. An. i". • '-"--'C'Sj _ t. ...I ! : .t:::: y . I^; aro of t!>.' y,"::r • i:c>. 1 1.. 1; I 171 v.'ili; ili-r----i.- >'■. 1 ." .St.r.i' •• -«i : :'u ■ :u oi C!r.-v-

in*.u.n-i > :n; : 'vi »> rad'.vav JL'L'!.- • '• . • :■ • _ -17.71 -V. ;i us *t\; Ml,l -• iil: V-. I.a rr«.oii UdailcO uD t;:«> i :>i :f.o \ ( v. r <>r {.'•'•>' !' i i r tr - : n proposed '-*» - a-M .w| :»••;•!- m ; : !>:i::.:i !:'•>;» i.an- L'.>. i:i: •• • r W. r-Ks :ii Land >,•::,: A»t. mi'lt r A*d t'i i'.-v\Y. .A -t. .!_'•*"> ! ' - 1 \ rr ifi. ~a *-"* 'ai pr..i..r Jrri: a(v p» % \ : :T--pr;ai:-.!i A : The wiiis 1.1.' ' ».i'a:i• ai\l. g»v« s a - t•* a! •' i i !• • -i . \ . i«r. f r pn ? -l!e i -.e . ; \.-ar uui;i s<-m.t'-.ir "V n V.a>- :»».l I'.li: 1 1!S) :\i;b L< !•» »»*>. v:e_- n ha'er.'-'' nr :o h- carrv d iVr.wvd t<"> r.ex* year. Ti:.» ::wv.-\>-r tV.*»;n ik? «nns«.i tl '< hr-r-r t!::n was :rn. v. ;«« :i :Ih- Humeri: w;"! - hrotiijit ;]■ wn. K:-t tie ur< -a impr-iwrrent in lie? tvvenue ih.U !. •> viire tike., phue ha> n:aM»-i •!:" oi K'naive » a 1;.:•_»•!* r.i a-.-a-I-in-- '- i!:ai! u ;i-ri'zinaliv rt»!isi(K r eti r: "RATT.WAV T:: * •»:* rai:-ay for «!':siriL r i:i«' !a.-t voar '•r situ.* t'.ia! '•! miii'-. Tlir i-xnrii.l!-tu:«> «»ri railway w.rk* la-i year a::'a-iuit*tl to £1 aiv £3ir».-i'>4. Airnu'u s pass tunnel. Sica'iv to l>2 made wiih the Arultiur l*a>s iunut-I. Vii- i'oiiv'tn ha> now !x v i*n ravaiod lor a iota! Ui-tam-e of one iui!e .-ixtev'ii chui;it'. to lull anu l-'io i\-io lin.nu; Z>'2 t-ha!!i>. Th** wtirk tiial is r loriHCt-l !>v tlii' ("..'iitjT.ct'jrs oi a w'.y i*!iarae;i r, hut I . tliat 1:10 i-- not more rap.u. 'l'iie lime (.Ni'.res in Au^::>t I and ii i> i :!er'.■'!> * v -

dent that there is very little presreetof the work ining completed *.ba; date. The ci::tt'"act<M , s are being uracil to accelerate the rate en progress. The lasr yoar aiiiomuotl t«) a!i«l for iii<' current year a v«»u« <»t i.lUJii'o is proposed*. At tlu* C'anti'riiury onri c.i the railway <«n.M<k'raWo progress luis iikhlm. Ti:o Si'iTiou bet-avon Broken Kl'vr aiut C'.'-s. li miles VJ r!>:»ins. will be o[>eii«al iur regular i:vi!ie at, the end o: llio present nf>n:h.

The Cass-l'ealey soetiiin will easily Tie completed up to the cominer.eement of tlie tunnel contract by the

:ime the tunnel itself is completed. Last year's expenditure) oil this end amounted io £.">!>.700. and ail appropriate.u of LOO,OOO is provided for the turrent year. LAv-,'i;!:NcOX:ILKC:TI LIXE. It has been decided to recommend the House to proceed with tiie Law-rcnee-Roxburgh line as jar as Ueaujnoiit. :tn adilitioaal seven mites. The Government consider it to iake in baud the additional worlt'proposea in order that the country may ;.er:ve a_ retuiii on the expenditure already incurred. l.a,c year's exKV'i';!-- 10 o 'i amounted to joto of -io,oo-0 is proposed. It this vote is passed arrangements will bo made ior construction operations; to be resumed fi=i early as praet cable.

c ATI-i "\'S —Vi'Al 31 AH A KA. Th? -waon to I'iipatona has boon 'V'VS- «!' bv tiio l'iih!:c Works Denaiimear lur ' !!-a present as a baling l,„ e . Th.? ourfcn works ~ii s.v.ion to I'akatiro are Ku in hand. K,:t as they aro of a Heavy and <1;I!ii-iiit character it. will take some tune yet to complete t!:;_scctson liet ween S:>o and 400 men have been employed on ih,. |i, lo throughout- iho year. The- - tore mi tlii- whole railway dnriii.; i IsH financial year nmountr<l to' CiM.l 4l;i J _ii consderab'e incn-ru,. fi! , t] lo previous year. - -m- i': > m: rt 1 nt war a vote of ££'?.(■.•«! h I > I'< 11' i (1. STPYKV V.nu.'f

A fair amount of surv. v j,, . ..nnectioii with pn:ie:-te:l' new lines !,as been lindertiken. Dnr : n<t the v.-ar tin- expond'ture amounted I,i CI 1.1 J'- 1 !. I'.ir the current year a vote of £ISOO is t>roii.-vie'j ; Iu addition to

i!: -:i: iiMU'.I ;; Mill! f.l" ! '' ! : I in : !n; i :•; i- '■ . 'ii■ '• ;ii-i;j> l'»r :II ! ii-' '' ' •" n":"i i;i"»! i ' i * Li. r :: f :;J ;>;!'■ Tr- a till!?. ' tm..l vote .for p:!ctv! oonstruciioii DuriiOses lo r; moo. OTUEK 11A IT. Vi'AY WOKKS. The- fun <>i' C-J'-'S.:'S.2 wib charged <b".".ii! r iii<- ' :ir iis I .'.-"o.-. i nl AVX-k V/ork'ii,. It.iii'A av !' r.arik:- ill. iiirl 11l -H <•» K'lstip-ns Rf/|! i-..!l :li f .'n'Uli i'i u l-'il. -i'Jliali, feltorln'lciiiL; :..i-;'.r, i «•!. •; :r;s t »ii I"■•■;>!!.mi t i-'.. r.niki!:e ■totr-1 (.'.)■»i*.'■> iin.i -l' li-w:!iiiul tc /oSf r.p.-n lin.-s" 1 _ C:'Eh d:s-1-lll'S •-! 1!. lit :i;n il'.llril to Cflfi. Ifi!. | j-.. ;.»■ - ;; •; i (! rp vntrfl i'ij- ; i ill \ i' i 'l* aildltlOHß to i. " •'l. oi w!;:< h i< ' 1' i;«--.\ roliinjj; stock :t;«l iv.ii'!'-!:' n •!, .'i v. ami UI l: 'l' tor :4tar, tabid iiisi.ik lauun. i V: ATE" POWER. T\Yi '■ Nl'.W i-.i'oirrs. t:, . ( c )::sii!oi 3 tkat ihc T ;,-',e a:viv.l to take up with .. . I! (if tile (IcVclnpllig w .it.M* powers. 'J he :• ].i>:t;;isCv.l t\\nX nrr.jio- . . h-.*.:' • !••• iw.i'i'.toc! co w.i-U , . : iu:rJ exu-nJ ii o • L:» vim*- till ail the s '. 11. ;!;11 iir. t!:ive !K-« n SUpvui: i ;• ■' -I.".■tri;- '-lu-rjiy, rlis• jivi's-ii):'.! r-eurces ni power 'h'.-ii "t'"'»:e<l 11 :»ie!vi:i! n<lI 'i. i.-!v :v."i:■ '>< i'". «■ '' f ■ si ; . ituve ho- '1 e' t line*'. :«/ pr'M.---H'.-M "! h!...': St: l!!'!I'. M l'l'r. • "Y\ '>>' W. . i i;:•!-tl v -r i:i i i'.iei i'l 'H -i iri »': L. ' : ". i :• V;=ti r,: I i-t «'.i tic r: - \ •»' ;11 (' • I! 11 1!i ;•.:!«} pre'^ttil^ I- i;:i re-:;l:-s «•;' int': «' ■> \, v\\\W r>":.;rt l*v ?;:i* Mi.-.-A. .I - t-: K... CM l::, ..-ilvie.-t rl the i!.ihr.l :•»!" t »•.. v\-*. s'-';eut.-s Tint ;t urrlu vei-w. >•!',- L; I: i•' '• i.:-- ':••!.:ii> : - to . K'-: >i »:l i S-' r ere. ?v!r li-?!;.:.-; '«><■ i:. '• li! i n,.. I itl-, k ~ li:'..---, fii.lii V. i"!--:! r„t iiltfi's \\ :i' Hi : • r.- eii. iL' ■. iii in-.:'.- liV» n tlt•>. and wsi.ii v■. ' i i i p:;e^_: ; i m t! : « i :)oini;i ;«vi. rejoin- ;ire j 1 : i::lcd lit; l:I:N u. rnsi'i\i)S. !lie o vviu,. n (1 j- nKiitors is »5,.5 M. .11 .* 1 . ■ i.i! ' ' > •••; re>*::rtlii'ver L ;: l;o \\v ;mV :-iv -\ ' .-,, M :U . - - • • :> ,• «u xx j., <-<i;i;ii>< i L ■' -'' 11 r .!<«: i: v- I:,, ojvt-;i " 5J he nt-i!" nr. ' ; J ''•. ;n"ier .7';, " I " ' - I.i - - ..,11 (: 1 U:.)l O ;0'...;lc .tc Ci:-.: , 1Vv:! , ;iil , ; ill. a.!I, !.a-;c {_ M|:Ti v J.r,. r-c! ti-l 11: ;; :l \ :ii: ■•-.-i-l'-l .}■: of tile or,I t,f ti:e uii»re ;ul-

,l l! -'' S!!!'V«-VS. As ! 1 ' :t ""'••ill", liiivc est:ni sue prpparod &,.r tl'o *"•»?♦. ( I •• ' ' ' V" r, '.- an !S " m "" h LAKE OOL.EfUQCE SCHEME. ok co.ST. riu ' '1 i!u ar.. ;« tVlloivs:— MiT-o !>!'..V li.'ci v Mi ; , A!: ' Vr Mr Holmes. IO.'jUO Osj i' ::.i 13.30J 10.0U0 or 2iUl:jO w-riiiiat.id i-nn!tal i . - C UI,UO: *2Vl ; ry.jO -i !iU.);jU W im*l;inix cxpei!>e.< anipip.:— U.oOO e>t;]i:a; t ' <ii probable pioilt l>er ann-:;;i ]», L'lu.j -JI. AUI:; Hi;_vi Air liuhnes' proposal is to \'\ AVvV !iori.e power in ehrisrr hun-ii. h 0 allows for tho yonoj hydraulic works of a &ufcapacity to develop between and XU.i'DH horsepower. \\i:l aveuiuit itj.. Ju«t isiiinato bi>:"n< ! «HL:h'-r than tiie.se oi Haneoek a •»'.! I>:rks. OTMER. SCI-I Ai regards other schemes proposffl niueii less information is available and it- will be ne:-0.-sary during the present \e.ii t-o gather details and romplete the cessary in dor that full and reliable estinuiic.s not only oi' ihe probable '•ise hnt oi the commercial results likely to he oliramed Irom the working of the themes, and of the market for pov. o:\ may be avdable ior ;o parliament, next u-iton. Mv Uirks' e-.timaie oi the probable receipts and

in ihu working <a : the Lake Coleridge and lime r.yer Si.'lioni'O.s uro *jt a niL'.hly laviiurable eharaetor ? and i!:t? of ilu; oxist ing W'aipori scheme, wh.cli is the only installation of irs kind at present, in the Dominion, gives some grounds fur the satisfactory expectation regarding the iir.-t limitloiied M'lu'inrs which !Mr IJirits has expressed. 'i he Wainori scheme carries :: much larger eanitali-at ion per

horse power than either of the Goveminent schemes now proposed, and ;s also <m a much smaller scale (and consequently more expensive to work proportionately!, and yet that scheme is now working at a. profit, notwithstanding that much tiie energy produced is disposed of at only a small fraction over I<l p~r unit.

HYDRAULIC h_\GJ:\EiiitS (jriKr;i>,

The inaugural.on c>L 'our development of wai-er-x>o,ver noi.cy will render it necessary to obtain the services of. a i:\lirauue and electrical engineer of gujU so that the Govern-

iiivriiS' ai;u the country may i'ocl assured that- ib-e uioueys appropriated by i'arliauiunt for expenditure on thesa services are laid o;;i -on gocd, praci-oal. and commercially scuud schemes. aiid to the b;cit advantage. lz is proposed to invito :ippl.'.-ai!<u:.s for the position itaßivdiateiy. Tiio estimates nov/ submitted provide ior an appropriation of I'SiJ i.iiilM, vvhicli mhil v.-.1l be ample to t-unWv* ii u energetic oommencGiucui l-u lire lufulft, RAILWAY ELEGTRirICATION.

CH 111 STCI 1U I! C i 1 -I A' 'HELTON Ll.Nbl. Closely connected with the waterpower proposal* is the question of railway oleotriiieatioij. A report on t!i',; pr»i«)BeU t'loe-rilieaiiffii' of iJms Cfcrisi* ehurah-Lytiekon railway was i;ubmittcd to Parliament in 100 S. This report made it appear that the proposal was Lkely to he unreniuuerative inasmuch ::s interest and depreciation • >n the capital cost of electrical insrai r jai|- v i.lit-- lit'' of v.oi-!.:i;i- r!;.: rallwa.v i-l. n r:> l!y Ml.:: S'.itt t„ a larger sum than 11 :<■ present exoense of workiiiL' the line by steam locomotives. This however was on the assumption tliat the Railways Decart-

! In I \.\iub! have to provide (iv.il ;pot e r-h 1 ai o an-.' '■» i' 1 n . ii 1) < 1 ;i «iovrli.j»nifi>t sehiilW >•? iiuiujlI tmstvl aI. L •->!-. lib.-. : "''-juU! or' ■ ;>■!!.-- 1 1 e a :;i if electric current- is available ui ! Christcliureli at a much lov.-er rate i than we- j ' • ■V.oi.cll no at ni I out- any ii.soj-L.-t cii-1 depreciation on account c«i a eo?tly power- ■ hoo.-o, tiie ciietnu.-ianojs would be? totally <liifcrent. Under our present there is ~ory li'ttifi doubt lliilt. iho lino between I.ytteit-r.R and ■ Christ church .inci probably suburban riws adjacent other cities c\ r e:ki ho »jit-trifled with «rr«nt n<lvantiii?« to the poblic ill the EiatUr of speed and frerjnenev of the service?, and also mth nfir:m!n;'C to the railwav denrrbnent from iho workinii point •»? view. This matter will il:c-.mw l>e SI" no w=™> a-ain with a view "i prav-asals tor elei-triiicati™ <>f swhs'l'im railways bein- j-übmit'od t.( xt session. [RrUCf.TiCM AND WATER SUFP : ~Y. \ very e,-.iisidt>r:\Me amount of survey ar.'S" exploration work in this connection iv:n carried out m CenI tral Oi a;-'" dnrini: last year. ! h is to b ' ; Yal'"y li 1 .- ok. enntaiuiny: acres. M-ssi-s Bnioo a!.-l_ Dobson .lesrrilu- : i! i- o.'Uiitrv as admirably adapted ior I irr!M.:f : -->n. a v:\v !ar ; .:e portion b-.-m»£ i'ivst-c!a:-..s sr.rriVnltnr::! land \v!u,',i wonid lie-"*"?\*** ;, i' tlu' ic.Hion oi v :\- Tin- ; ;v:: in Mo;-,; N -V2..V:''j tiic s/.i.liien- potion r. r vi-S if.' I K':'i \x-.V 1 (»i.i iji.« mm*" '.M-ify irn^at-'u. T h«' i.K'H <'H t (-stiinatx'-:-i-'»r rlu l f U L'iil.n'O. i? i.> -"t \wrhs <.iurir._u - the <»ii• svji i:i V:V i""l. *»!*•" i in r•• I" » i il*'. m ■ v. i!i s:::it '■ < (! r»»->u i os. • T'w 'i s r? si nnbiic '-'.•tN'inus vs-Mr ;Mimr;:Vcoil to !I. C" 1 1 .\~> ii:mii>i* the ( "o!'<.v :•(;:! im! ?•* ii *i 11 :: 11:: 1; ji | -i.s- i!u' I l *.: 1 :!!'- \Vt)r:-:s :'u .d. l\>v ! t\»V.. -! i :iL! L'Mo.- • l'»ti «i. hk ly. C! v; : ' (MIL ; <•••' I 1!-/ v -li'!.iU'fi ■•'u-u! ;i;;5 U!! , .!;-r liu- i'ljii!:,- i'mul. On tii!' rUi'ifiii y v ;:>• vm." })!v)vis?n:i >•; i'or :!;«» oi' tho lit w (•o\"i'rn fill-lit ! loi;.-,'. r-inl a H'.-I'. i;ii ci ;!n- t.-i*fftit>l! i,|' ilic i j i, ■ i\ i J ;.:;:ai:irhX : :Iml ''a^rxhtt-r.t::! iho total v-U' ]>roj)Os.cd :s •LiUjn jo. 1 1 , Vote: are a.kcd for (V.v.rihnu'..' ••Hilom-s ai Ahu.yoi!. aii<i additi.-.ns ."1 1 I lit;' 1-n , X< • "'"7 !-m* ;on!> iiu-liuJe urnvi- - 1• • ■£!■=«■• !-ii<e station a. "aiani. su -,,. ;!s ' v A ' : . :. 4 , ai:;;v,;ia on acV." !!'F -: s f-i' v. i!•;•!■--s telo-'-V V,-1! | hj,. ;-. ...c sum ,f Was expanded <>i tlw i-io-la- V- <irks lMii.,l | : , st on Ec -;°' : ' '"l'1'Hll-s. I'n-visi,:,, 1S li'.'de on ;Ci K * ,! "« s cstii,.:u l: l to ~..<1 f-io-j >i -\ !arre - iviuhtura lor l.oiidin-s is in „ ;! i:C " ""lh soe cNp:--i!i!r:ual farnw. An nine.nni ,s re ( ,;;.reJ for tlio rornisiiinan.l lit:in- no of the l n ,j s > nnartcrs Raiiknni. T);r> provision *■' hjittcr and '-lav o nialcinn; t>ianl. c ; at Rn.ui.nra an:] i.s eontaiiiphaf<--cl Tf:-f=e wnl or,.vide a leeans of utilising tiie r.n'k from the herds on the farms" -Tho difficulties that officer.* have in s-vuriiifr ncfommo'liilii.n in some of tho smaller_c*>ntr-~* renders the crrei ion of .somo (leparln'O'iLal resuleiH cs noc-c.s-f;i ry. ROADS sp.;dces. A v.-ry laiL-e aiihomt of work lias been dun". Among the works in hand, v. nil tiie amounts expended dtirhiy; the year, wore bridge* between Fairiio aiul Cook. 'JL'ii'a. A coniparis.n of the distribution oi ex:>f-nditin-,» as ho"'•ecu t!a' North and Soul!! Islands is largely in favour of the NerlU Island, the actual iig-tire.~ beinNorth Island .C57H.406 South Island L'1H),498 i TouJ £381.904

The iiiui of £40,530 was exuended "" 15-»U4iU-i<is rosids, ami «u tiio ■•iu-Cioii of the new iiutt road. The total sum vol oil by Parliament, l.ial year under ail votes "and a«iiums (.exclusive IH reads oa vote) it-:- lljo construe! ion, supervision and maintonance i.i roads and bridges throughout mo dominion was £.3/;.ill pursuance of the previously expressed intention of tile Governmentto intrust local bodies with the expenditure of the major portion of the voles, £183,443 was either authorised or ofiered to the various county couuc.ls and road boards for expenditure bet worn the time of tile pa-sing of the estimates and the dose oT the linancial \car. and during the same period was authorised to departmental enginper-'. This v;ar it is proposed to invite the local authorities to suhniit their proposals for the expenditure ol tlie .sums available forthwith, and if reasonable expedition is exercised in doing this there should be no difficulty in tlie formal grams being in their hands ami available for expenditure within a few days of the actual passing of tlie appropriations by I'arlinme.it. Vt'liile tin' construction of new roads to open tm backhlocks is a work that may properly be regarded as devolving i upon the Government, and winls? the Government may reasonably be expected to assist ill the improvement and meta.il iug of roads that were originally constructed a.s bridle tracks or were i left unmetalled, the mere maintenance of roads and bridges, except in very special ca.-es. is a work that shotild and must devolve upon the local fiutheritv of tile district. Amongst the numerous applications that* liuvo beta received j or grail.s ior road works during the current year, quite an appreciable percentage are for works of repair and maintenance, which should undoubtedly be provided for by local rating. | During the limine.ai year ffilS-i', the i Government of the Dominion umlerf Look the maintenance of 110 loss tiiaa a:V>:J iii:if s oi dray road, and 20i7 miles oi' bridie ro:ul, or a gross total of 5303 miles of roads. During late year the figures were much smaller, namely, 2507 miles of dray roads, and 1246 miles of bridle road,, or a gross total of 3843 miles of road. The total proviirie-u proposed to be mailt) for read-; is as under: —Roads, ote.l £27ii,iSo, br.ck block roads £229,jeQ, roads on goldiieKis £50.000, loans to local bodies account £IOO.OOO, national endowment acec-tint £10,930, land for settlements ac-eeuut (say) £17,000. maintenance of roads (consolidated fund) £30,000, total tim total amount last year was £5t!1,{)93.

THE «giSMJTAGE. The uetfc expenditure cn works and services under Hoa'tiii Resorts for the year 1909-10 amounted to £14.607 or £977S less tlian (he year 1903-9, The lio-sr.e.l at Mount Cook HrrgtifoKP has been slightly imi>roytiti si ml' i.n.iiniaiii iuus «!•(! r! - rvU'tl. tuitttbly iuriiislnu], is lisatla on the •■•lirreiu year's estimates i'or a new hostelry ar .Mount Cook, on account of offices to the number of 121, and 17 (juired. ilio year £122,423 yas t>x ;; pemled on telefjranlK anc? telephone extension. 'j"]\c. mileage ot intensions a tut (.runic trivetcd was 497 mi!*?* of line, and 2,134 miles of wire, and of 1"ho telephone exchange circuits 1203 mill's of lino, and 0037 miles o( wire. Now telegraph and telephone offices iq tile number of 12} and it

new telephone (• x• •}i:i mrrs were opened. 1 lie number* <tl ioh'r/i;utr .oa.-ha b-s?«.u\ber.s - Ji'M. WSRSI.HSS OTATSONS. Owing to tiiu great importance of wireless telegraphy icr de:c;ic-j ? naval, and mercauiJs marine xia* O'overnmcuv decided to ea'i tenders ior tvvo high power sia ileus in the uvigiiOuuriwcd oi : Hoy and • Bkiii. and throe u-ed.iua power iturious ;n the neighbourhood <.f Gi-hiiino. Capornrewoll and Sumner. The Inidi . power stations v.'ill have :t <»f ]-•")!) nauueal miks, which v.jjl ourible commun.cation to be kept up with :-ta-t-ons to be erected at Sydney and r :ji, and with warships or mercantile vessels at- any point) within ihe : Tiic medium power stations will be* J yuilkaently equipped to command ships ali sea ior oOU miles. The tenders referred io wore called for in -\ew Zealand. the United Kingdom and America, and elo.se at Wellington on the loi.h or. ne:-:t month. Tenderers have to stairs the tine required for ihe completion or ih..-i v/ork. As \he eo.i:volition now existing aiiiuiiji manufacturers of wirele-s apparatus U considerable, no delay skcuid arise. ft i-, expected that several if not ai! the stations will bo ui full working carder he-ore the end r.f 1911. The necessary buildings are to be erected by the Public V.'ork- Department, aad will be put in hand immediately. A tontrnet U let for ihe nirehess telegraphy apparatus. Tins y-ear's niono-als total to 1;"!.■)] .01)0. ineludin*/. io')nO <:u account «•!' wireless t"!e<iraoh stations. The actr,:ii vote submitted far aooroval heme: ClJii.iJOli. LIGHTHOUSES AND KAR BGUFI VYOPiKS. The total expenditure cn th s dace for t'u- yenr was During the current year the new to be provided lor are the ereei.'.ou oi two Ih-iht-s on the Kast Coast, oi the North Inland, ihe protection irr.m sand of the track to Ged;ey J-lend. and the conneeLion oi other hgkthouses with the telegraph system. I'nder the hea-.iiue; oi ''harbour works/' last yevr's expenditure I'iiiuV.tilr-i] vr> 1 1 lie sum of £•! K7IS v.ii! be required for specified v, tvi-hs ihi.s year. the vote ]>ropos m! :>;.-in«£ t'Td'oo. Tin- oxpendituro on haroonr fieji k nci>s amovmied to and as i'tirthor important works arc iti Inmd or contemplated, a larger vote will he necesary for the current year. Provision lias accordingly been rnado for an apTjropriation of £S3GO. TOTAL AP?F2OFfSSATSOK3. In addition to the votes Rpec-iiioally lelVrrod to. the estimates include pro- \ ision i'or the undeianentioned services :—Dopant menial C 15d)('i). immigratinii C-O.l) il'J, lands improvement'J 12.•";')!). continuent defence LT<>,(Ml;), tl'.ns lij-inging the total amount of the pi opnsod apijropriations. including!: special up to £'o,](Jo.9'3">. against 1*2.1524, !*0 voted and .-12,128,'••'io actually exjjended last year.

CONCLUSION. In conclusion fro Minister : "Tho pranical initiation of oar hydro ck-etrical energy policy will. 1 nm s»m\ :K*t ;i< a <j;ro:it stimulus to in(iustriLil development of all kinds, ;md lead to the starting oi' numerous now enterprises. Trade is rapidly improving. tho public revenue is increasing, and with tho amounts for public works services that arc provided, the fullest employment should be available tor our people i:i tho development of tJio eountry, and 1' therefore look torward to a year of considerable activity and progress."