PUBLIC WORKS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

West Coast Times, Issue 232, 16 June 1866, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

The only new work progressing thdt may be considered in any sense of a public character, is the tramway to connect the Kanieri with Hokitika, -which, although of great publib importance, is undertaken by a private company. The shares have all been taken up ; the necessary contracts entered into ; and the operations of the company, actually commenced. The length of the tramway will only be some four miles; and the capital expended only some four or five thousand pounds, but the line will run through a.district which, although presenting few engineering difficulties, has been hitherto 'impracticable for traffic, and will connect directly with. , Hokitika the nearest, and one of the richest and most permanent of our goldfields. In our last summary we ga,ve some' particulars of the various lines of telegraph which were in active operation in the Middle Island. Since that date the work of stretching the wire from Hokitika to Greymouth has been proceeded with , and this line may be expeoted to be opened for public use within the next few days. It will prove a great convenience to commercial men. Through an unfortunate accident, Helegraphio communication with Christchurch has, beon suspended for some days. • The locality of the accident has, however.

>een now ascertained, and measures are )eing taken to repair it, The town shows signs of great and apid improvement. The banks are recting edifices on the new sites rejently purchased by them, of a substan. ial and imposing character. Shopceepers are in all directions enlarging md improving their premises, and the eading hotelkeepers are.making great additions to their means of accommoda;ion. Many hotels in Hokitika are not only habitable, but> comfortable, and even luxurious in their Appointments. Amongst the improve* rnents most recently effected we may note, in partioulnr, those of Messrs Mader and Edwards, of the Criterion,

Mr Solomon, of the Cafe de Paris, and Mr Wagner, of the Shamrock. In these establishments all the most recent London irapvovementshave been introduced, such as single bedrooms, commodious dining-rooms, bath-roonis, lifts, and other mechauical appliances conducive to the oomfort and accommodation of the inmates.

In many of the streets, not exclusively occupied by business premises, private residences of a very commodious and ornamental character have been erected. The same style of building is becoming a marked feature of the suburbs of the town.