PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

West Coast Times, Issue 4995, 26 August 1885, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

Wellington, August 25

The Hon. E. Richardson, Minister for Public Works, said ;—; —

Mr Speaker, I shall endeavor in tbe Statement I am about to make this even, iug, to briag under tho notice of honmembers ia asconcise a manner as possible, an account of tbe proceedings of tbe department during the past year, together with a description of the action proposed to be taken during the current one. There will be attached to the Statement tbe usual tables and representations mide to me by the heads of several br inches of the department, many of these are of great interest, and to some of them I shall presently refer. For the convenience of hon. members I shall deal with the various subjects very much in the order that I did last year when I had the honor to address you, sir, in a similar occasion. Circumstances over which I hid no coutrol have rendered it impossible for me to examine all tbe lines of railway and other public works throughout the colony, and indeed prevented my visiting several parts of the colony at all, which I very much regret, a3 I can only speak of worka in those districts from representations made to me by permanent officers instead of from ray own observation' This more particularly refers to the Auckland district. I was in the city ot' Auckland when the defence worka were put in band, and it was considered advisable by my calleagues aud myself that I should remain there instead of travelling over the district until I was satisfied that those works were well advanced. I propose speaking, first, of the railways in course of construction, including the addition made (luring the year on opened railway, and then of tbe workiim of cousiruceU iiaea. It will be remembered, that on3lst March, 1884, the colony had 1564 miles of railway

open for traffic, which had cost £11,261,638 and on the 31st March, 1885, we had 1477 miles thai bave cost £11,810,194 ; there was also on the 31st "March last, a length of 155 miles of railway in course of construction. Hon. members will recollect that on the 30 th October last a resolution of this House was passed, authorising the Government to make arrangements for purchasing the various district railways constituted under the District Railway Act, 1877, and the amendments. As soon as possible after the end of last session, I placed myself ia communication with the following district and other, railway companies :— The Cambridge and Rotorua, the Wellington and Manawatu, the Rakaia and Ash burton Forks Railway, the Waimate and Hakateramea and Waimea Plains Railway. The correspondence between theae railway companies and the Government is all printed, and in the hands of hon. members, It will be seen agreements have been come to for the purchase of the Cambridge and Eotorua, the Rakaia aud Aah burton Forks, Duntrocra and Hnkateramea, and the Waimate Railways, subject, of course, to ratification by Parliament. The long correspondence which has taken place between the Waimea Plains Railway Com- ; pany and Government, has led to no agreement being come to, aud the directors of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company having recently declined to proceed with tbe proposed sale to the Government, has led to no agreement being come to. I sha'l not now refer to the details of the agreement entered into with other companies, as there will be a better opportunity of doing so, when the bill to authorise the purchase of these lines is being considered. If these lines become the property of tbe Government there will be great saving in working them, and in abolishing the troublesome accounting system, akin to the clearing house system in England, wh'ch is at present necessitated by the lines belonging to private companies. Under the Ease ani West Coast Middle Island aud Nelson Railway Act of list session, the Oovernment wa i i author'sed to ent'r into the contract for the construction of railways from Springfield to B.umr.rbon and from Brunnertm t) Bellgrove, and after a lengthy negotiation, terms of agreement were settled batween the promoters of these railways and the Government for their construction. It is unnece?siry for me to refer in detail to this contract, as it has been printed and lias been on the table of the House for some weeks, but I t-hall refer more fully to tbe subject of these railways presently, and railways in course of construction and proposed, including additions to opened railways, I now propose to refer briefly to the raiiway works which were under construction during last year.

Kawa Kawa — On. this railway several buildings have been ereced, and other accommodation haß also been provided.

Wh^ngarei-Kamo — A branch line about one mile long has recently been constructed, from tho railway to Whau, where there is a coal mine, at tbe cost of a private company, and is now ready for working. Wiih regard to the main lino itself, a survey is being made with the view of ascertaining the co?t of extending it at the Whangarei end to Deep Water, to enable tbe Jarjely increasing coal output to be economically shipped. Till that survey is completed, aod we have a full report on the cost, I cinnot state what course I have to recommend to the House. There ia no doubt, however, that the accommodation at preaent provided will not be sufficient when tbe Whau and Kamo mine 3 get into fu'l work'ng, and steps must be taken to have tbe necessary additional work-- put ia band without delay. Railway to the northward of Helensville — Hon. members will resollect that last year I promised to procure such information as waa necessary to allow of a decision being come to, a*> to the best way of providing additional railway accommodation for the district to the north of Auckland. I would now call special attention to some representations on this subject, which are attached to this Statement. It will be seen from these representations and the maps attached to them, that although the waters of Kaipara afiVd a la r ge amount of accomoioaV.ion for the shipment of timber, b >th to our own ports and to tbose outside the colony, still there is a laTge tract of heavily timbered country, as well ai a considerable area of rich agricultural land sifuited in the valleys all through the distric', that from the configuration of the country can never be accommodated from the seaboard, and therefore can ouly be brought into communication with a market by railway. It is proved beyoud doubt that the heavy timber grown in the neighborhood of the ra'lway between Auckland and Heleusville. as well as that brought by water to Helenaville, can be carried to Auckland at a rate which pays the railway aud the timber owners and that it is to this traffic we have to loo's for revenue for many years to come, to maka the railway remunerat v.\ Government is therefore of opinion hat the railway should be extended from Heleosville northwards, and that the extension should be Bteady and gradual — constructing a short length aunuilly — so thai as tbe timber is cut away from thc?o localities that now feed the railway fcbe line should

reach successive areas of the finest lands, tapping eac^ one in turn, and with that view it is intended to ask fu« a vute to enable the line to bo contiuued to Kaukapapp, saving several mile* of circuitous navigation of the Kaipara river with all the heavy timber which is now bromht from Helensville for the Auckland market. The line can be continued up the valley of tha Haukaupapa till it reaches a very largo and valuable kauri bush nine miles distant, and thence inward by way of Well's Ford, Port Albert, Kaienaki, Maogaturotou, Mangaramea, Wairos Falls, Mau''gaka!ua Valley, Kaikohe, and the Omapere Lake to the end of Hoki»Dgi River. It will be seen from the engineer's report, that the line will not be a costly one to construct, and that it will provide direct communication with a very large amount of land now in the hands of the Government, as well as a large tract of land, which will jield a good paying traffic to the railway when constructed. In connection with the survey for the railway, I desire to take the opportunity ot conveying my thanks to Mr Mitchelson, the member for Madden, for the pains he has taken in communicating to the engineers engaged all possible inforrnntion which, could iv any way be useful to them in the very difficu t task of determining the best route to be adopted. A map has been carefully prepared, and copies of it will be attached to the Statement, showing tbe various lines of route explored, and also, by distinguishing colors, the areas respectively of Crown lands and purchased lands adjacent to the railway, and how much of the same is foreßt The reports, amongst other things ! show conclusively that the railway from Kawakawa to Whangarei could at any time form a portion of the main trunk line, and therefore other provision will have to be mide for it.

Kaipira-Watkato. — On tbe portion of tbia railway between Helensvillo and Auckland, many of the sharp curves and steep grades have been improved aud i considerable progress has been made in I

tbe new paisenger station at Auckland, which will, 1 hope, be finished ia November next On the fabrtioa between Auckland and Te Awamutu, several improvements have been carried out at wayside 'stations in connection with the proposed Hurittey brarictt line, for the purpose of the developtnijht of the coalfield at Tuapiri. Surveys and plans are now in hand with the view of inviting tenders for the bridge of the Waikato, as soon as a contract is made with the Waikato Coal Company, as directed by the Eailway Authorising Act of last session.

Waikato-Thames.— A.t the time my Public Works Statement was made last year this railway was completed and opened for traffic from Hamilton to Morrinsville, 18 miles, arid trie formation of the section from Motrtnsville to Te. Aroua, 12 mile', and also the construction of the bridge over the Thames river was in hand. Since that day these works have been completed and the platelaying on the* line is now in progress, and it is anticipated that tbe railway will be opened to Te Aroha about February or March next. At the Thames end of the line rails have been laid ou tbe 4£ miles previously formed, and the formation of the H'kutaia section — a further length, of eight miles towards Te Aroha — is now under contract. The bridges on this leugth will shortly be erected, and plans will be prepared for the remaining portion of tbe line to Te Aroha.

In addition to these work 3it is also proposed, during the current year, to complete the station accommodation between Morrinjjrille and Te Aroha, and to generally equip that portion of the railway for traffic.

Hamilton-Cambridge— Tais railway, 12 miles in length, waa opened for traffic on Bth October last

North Bland Trunk Railway, MartonTe Awamutu — Immediately after the route of this railway was determined upon by Parliament, I give instructions to have the contract surveys'put in hand, and the Engineer- in-Chief employed a large staff of surveyors to permanently locate i he Hue, with the result that the department was able to call for tenders ia February laßt, for about 15 miles at the northern end and about 13 miles at the southern end. These contracts were let in April last and the works have been commenced at both ends. About six miles of the formation work of the northern section were retained to be performed by the Maori population resident in the district, and it must be most satisfactory to hou. metnber9, to hear that the whole of this work has- been taken up in small contracts by theae men and that the works are well in band ; and not only this, but the Natives are pressing the department to let them have contracts for further work on the extension of this lino It will be my endeavor to comply with their wishes. The heaviest work on this line is the Purotarru tunnel between the watershed ot the Mokau and Wanganui rivers, about 48 m'les south of Teawamufcu, and it was considered desirable that the work should be undertaken at any early stage of the proceedings in order that there might bo no delay in csutinuiug the line, when the other lighter works are completed up to the tunnel. I therefore called for tbe worka some months since, and a contract for its completion has recently been let at a satisfactory price. Tenderß bave also recently been called for two further sections of this line at the northern end, about twel ?e mile 3in length, and at the southern end, about eight miles, and the tenders for the southern section have been received and are now b iog dealt with.

There is a road from Napier which it may be found advisable to continue inland till it strikes the raiiway. A. careful sueAey has been made of the Wan;aoui river, with the result that by the expenditure of a comparatively small sum, that river will be made available for steamer navigation, and thus ensure easy communication with the reilway. A private company has been established to build a steamer to work on this river, so there is every probability that by the time the heavier stores are required for the railway, tbe Government will be able to get them up at a moderate ost. Tbe railway will strike the river about 140 miles from the sea, and it is estimated that the necessary work, to render the whole length navigable, can be dove quickly and at a moderate cost. It will rest with the House, by its votes, to determine what rate of progress thi* mam trunk line shall be continued.

Napier to Woodville aud Palmerston— Dur ng the last financial year a further kngti of nearly 12 miles was opened to the Manawatu river, through the Gorge. Tahora'i beiug 81 miles from Napier, a contract has been let for 13 miles further, coming withi'i 11| miles from Woodville, and it ia proposed" to let another contract shortly, to embrace the necessary works to eomp'ete the line to Woodville.

From Napier to Matratoa — A considerable amount of money has been expended duriog the year in pr-mdhg water Buppliea and othsr additional a^ommodatiou along the line.

Wellmgton-Woodvil'e— The works on the extension of this line, from Masterton to Mauriceville, 19 miles, which have been considerably retarded by floods and bad weather, are now approaching completion, and a portion of this section, reaching from Masterton to Opaki, is expected to be ready for traffic about December next. The Wellington passenger station has been removed to a more convenient site, and provision has been made for the large increase of traffic which it is expected will ensue when the Wellington-Manawatu Eailway is completed. Foxton-New Plymouth.— The last link on this railway was finished in March last, thus completing through, communication over a distance of 190 miles, from Foxton to Waitara, and during the present year a contract has been entered into for the construction of a branch railway from New Plymouth, to the Breakwater ; this is expected to be completed about November next.

Nelson- Rouadell.— The formation worki on the Waita section of the railway beyond Belgrove for 21£ miles, which were sta'ed last year to be in hand, were com* pleted in February last, nnd a survey haa also been made during the year for the continuation of the line to the Hope Junction.

East and West Coast and Nelson Railway. — I have now to deal with the construction of a railway that has hitherto led to considerable discussion ia the House. I allude to tbe Bast and West Coaßt, Midd'e Island, and Nelson Railway. It is desirable that I should explain tbe views of the Government in reterence to the construction of these lines. I need hardly point out that they were a substantial part of the original Bobeme of railways in 1870, for it was then contemplated that there should be a main trunk lino in both islands. Parliament has on various occasions sanctioned tbe construction of both linesliven before the general scheme of railways and the public works policy of 1870, Parliament had authorised the construction of a railway from Nelacm to Cobden. The mode that had been provided for its construction was grants of land. A3 much as ten thousand acres wera to be giveu for each mile constructed, and as the estimated length of railway was 22 J miles, this meant a granting of 2,200,000 acres for the construction of the

line. Part of the line was commenced and 31 miles have been completed under various provincial acts. In 1878, provision was made for connecting Christchurch with Cook Strait, and with the West Coast, in the schedule of the Railways Construction Act of that year. Tbe lines Amberley to Brunnerton, Grey to Hokitika, Amberley to Cook Strait, were provided for in 1881. Parliament made a further provision for the construction of these lines- By the Railways Construction and Land Act of that year, the Railway East and West Coast (Middle Island) ; Waiau and Reef on, as well ns Bellgrove and Nelson were scheduled. The Act of last year, the East and [west Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway Amendment, the Railway Construction, the Land Act of 1881, and as hon members are aware a contract has been entered into by the Government with Home gentlemen in Cbristchurch and Nehon in pursuauce of the authority thus given. It is unnecessary to detail it at any length, what has been done s'nee the contract was entered into as tbe papers laid on tbe table of the House, coupled with tbe debate, must have informed members. There now, however, seems some difficulty m obtaining the construction of these lines under the Act of last year. It remains for the House to consider what should be done. Government are of opinion the lines are of immense importonce, they will tend to increase the mining population, and develope in a measure the mineral traffic and commerce generally, there are also considerable tracts of land which will be profitably occupied by settlers, and open a new market for agriculture in the eastern side. The North Island will also be benentted, because there will be direct communication beginning at Nelson through the North Island. It is, I think, to be regretted that the construction of this line had not been considered by a Committee of this House, but as tbat has not been done, the Government', believiug that it will benefit the Colony as well is the districts concerned, I intend to ask for a moderate vote this year for the purpose of commencing the construction, and a sum of £150,000 has been placed on the estimates for this purpose Government are of opinion that m this proposal they are placing the matter in a position to which no Parliament of tbe Colony can reasonably object, whilst they are not moving from the districts concerned, tne sense of soreness and injustice unr'er which they now labor, and they hope hon. members will combine to aid Government to deal with a subject that has engaged the consideration of every administration that has held office, for in no sense ought it to be dealt with as one of party Westport-Ngatawa —In this railway considerable addittioas have been made to the rolling stock on account of tbe increased output of coal,

Greymouth-Reef ton. — This railway is in the same condition as kft year, namely, formed for a distance cf 600 chsins beyond Brunnerton, some more improvements have been made during the year to stations at Brunnertoa and Greymoutb, and a considerable increase has been made in rolling stock.

Grey-Hokitika Railway. — At the date of May last.l stated there was a length of 10 miles of this railway partially formed, six miles at the Greymouth end and four miles at the Hokitika end. Since th's, a contract has been let for iayiog the railway on the section at the Hokitika end, reaching from Hokitika to the vicinity of the Arahura, and a further formation contract at the end of the railway, including a bridge over tbe Arahura, will also be let during the present finaucial year, and also a contract lor the completion of formation and p'atelaying on the six miles at tbe Grey end.

ROADS AND BRIDGES.

NOETH ISLAND, SOUTH OP AUCKLAND.

The roadworks now in the hands of the Government in this poetion ot the colony are duriDg the last year have cons'sted almost entirely of the maintenance and improvements of main roads in outljiog districts. Owing to the extension of the r-ilway it is hoped that after this year the

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Business Notices.

contribution from the general Government funds may cease altogether.

MIDDLE ISLAND.

The chief roadworks in the Middle Island have been the completion of the road from Blenheim to Nelson via the Pelorous Sound Valley and Sai Saddle, and various improvements in the road from Nelson to Westport and Greymouth; also the construction of the Kaikoura to Wairan road, length about thirty miles, which is well in hand. A survey haa also been made for a road from Eaikoura to to the Clarence river, and the works along this distance will soon be put in hand. Tbe bridge over the Clarence is now well advanced towards completion, and we may therefore shortly expect to have a completed coach road throughout, from the Waiau township to the north side of tbe Clarence river, and thus get rid of the long standing obstruction to the progress of settlement between North Canterbury and Blenheim.

Bridges are also in progress over the Taipo river on the road from Christchurch to Uokitika ; the Taied river in Otago, aad :he Cliitba at Beaumont and Roxburgh also in Otago. A contract has also been let for the construction of 8 bridge over the Waiau river at the Hanmer Plains, and this will supply a want which has long been felt, in the Bhape of a safe road to the Thermal springs near Jollie'a Pass, as well as to the whole of the interior of the Nelson atid Marlborough districts. The Hanmer Plains' spring", the enrative properties of which are wellknown, have been almost inaccessible hitherto, in consequence of the dangerous nature of the ford over the Waiau. When the railway is opened to the Bedpost, the coach journey to the springs will be reduced to about 24 miles, and there is every reason to expect that this section will be then largely patronised by person? ia the south, who cannot afford the expense of going to Rotorua or other similar springs in the North Island. The bridge which is almost entirely ironwork, is being manufactured in the cohny.

Roads to open up Crown Lands before sale. — On these works, which are under the control of my colleague, the Minister of Lands, the expenditure during the last financial year has been £49,314, and the liabilities at tbe end of March last amounted to £70,072. The individual works done and in progress are so numerous that I cannot conveniently describe them in detail, but they are found on table No. 4, attached to this statement, and from that table hoD, members will, I think, be enabled to realise that a fair amount of attention is being given to the opening up of lands for settlement in all parts of the colony. There are still, however, many millions of acres of Crown lands to be opened up, so that a large cmount of work of this kind will require to be done for many years to come. The expenditure during tbe present financial year is expected to reach about the amount of tbe liabilities existing in March last, viz., the sum of £70,702, and that is all that is is proposed to ask for as a vote ; but, in addition to this sum, it is proposed to ask the House to authorise the incurring of further liabilities during the current year to the extent of, say, £80,000. Roads under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act — Main roads, one-fourth of the cost of the work to be provided or repaid in ten years by the local body, and the balance to be found by the Government. Under this beading the total amount of tbe application received on the 30th June, 1884, (when reduced in aceordasce with the Act of 1683, came to £250,484. Of these application?, those which were for bridges were granted in full, while as regards those which were for road works, exclusive of bridges, the available fund only admitted of their being granted to the extent of 30 per cent of the amounts applied for. The total amount thus distributed for bridges and roads together amounted to £103,294 In addition to these ordinary applications ihere were also applications for repairs of extraordinary damages by floods amounting to £13 577, and grants were made on those to the extent of £9005. The total applied for altogether on occount of main roads was therefore £264,061, and the total granted, £112,209, of which £60,975 •was for bridge?, and £51,324 for other work. The amounts granted within each of the several provinces will be found in the following tables : —

Appliv Grants

cations. Bridges. Roads. Total?. & £ & £ Auckland 69,291 11,333 15,133 26.4C6 Hawke'aßay 14,921 7144 1294 8438 Taranaki 10,000 2077 2039 4,116 Wellington 36,934 5663 9909 15,572 .Nelson 31,839 21,931 1311 23,242 Marlborough 5125 267 1448 1715 Westland 9940 3840 1125 4965 Canterbury 19,715 446 5067 5513 OtagO 66,386 8274 13,998 22,272 Totals 264,061 60,975 51,324 112,299 District roads and river works — Total amount granted to be paid in fifteen years on account of this class of work ~l he total amount applied for during the year ended March laat, has been £34,593 (.including applications amounting to £1186, for flood damage), and in pursuance of this application, loans have been granted to the extent of £26,002. Of this sum £25,402 was for roads and £600 for rivers. The several amounts granted within the various districts are shown in the table below : — Application?. Grants. & & Auckland ... 10,880 ... 5314 Hawke'sßay ... 250 ... 250 Taranaki ... 800 ... 800 Wellington ..-. 15,958 ... 15,958 Neteon nil ... r ii Marlborough ... 600 ... GOO Weßtland ... nil ... u u Canterbury ... 2101 ... 451 Otago 4004 ... 2629 Totals £34,593 £26,002 It will thus be seen that the total amount granted for the year has been £138,301. As several local bodies have, however, since decided to deal with their grants under different sections of the Act, to those under which the grants were originally made, the amount finally granted has been thereby reduced to £18,678 for main roads, and £25,274 for district roads and river works ; so that the grand total for the year, as revised up to 31st March, has been £133,952.

Boads and tracks etc., for the development of goldfields and other mining districts — It has hitherto been usual for these works to be described in the Public Works Statement, but as my bon. colleague, the Minister of Mines, has already made a statement to the House, dealing with the whole question of mining work, it will only be necessary for me to allude to them very briefly. I may state, jiowever, from my previous knowledge of such work, that the rough and moun tainous character of the country where gold and other minerals exists, renders the construction of roads and tracks imperative before the mineral resources of the colony can be developed, and that it is impossible to expect that individual miners or even mining companies can do this work without considerable aid from the G overnment. The expenditure during the year on work of this kind has been £15,630, and the liabilities at the end of the year £33,122. Of these amounts a COAgiffcrable portion j s represented by

subsidies to local bodies, who have undertaken to do the work required, on the principle of receiving £2 for £1 on the cost of construction.

Water-works on Goldfields — These works are also under the control of the Minister of Mines, sojthat I need only state, with respect to them, that the expenditure on the construction of waterraces during the year has been £8209, and the liabilities, £7369. The principal portion of the expenditure during the year has been on the Mikonui Water* race.