PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE HON. WILLIAM FRASER, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, D-01

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1915. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE HON. WILLIAM FRASER, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Mr. Speaker,— When I delivered the Public Works Statement last year the general impression was that the war would not last much more than one year. At present who will venture to predict when the war will terminate ? It is a somewhat extraordinary fact that, notwithstanding the thousands of workers who have joined the Expeditionary Forces, some 5,000 men still require to be engaged on public works to prevent the cry of unemployment being heard. This in some measure is explainable during the winter months, but not so during summer and autumn, when shearing, harvesting, and the other operations incidental to the primary industries will require a considerable amount of labour. These primary industries must be considered, or the country as a whole will suffer. That this labour may have to be provided for by slackening off work on railways, roads, and bridges during summer and autumn is very probable. There is no intention to exploit labour on behalf of those carrying on such industries, but employment on public works cannot be found for those to whom work at fair rates is offered elsewhere. It is generally recognized that it will not be wise during the continuance of the war to expend more borrowed money than is absolutely necessary. The expenditure during the financial year ended 31st March, 1914 —£2,949,992 —constituted a record, but the similar expenditure for 1914-15 was actually larger—■ viz., £2,953,368—made up of £2,835,692 under the Public Works Fund and allied special accounts, and £117,676 under the Consolidated Fund.

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The following table shows the brief particulars of the expenditure of the year' and also the total under each class of work from the inauguration of the public-works policy up to the 31st March last: —

TOTAL EXPENDITURE.

WAYS AND MEANS. On the Ist April, 1914, the available ways and means for £ public-works purposes were .. .. .. .. 1,178,584 And further funds were received as under :— Under the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1913 .. .. .. .. 217,778 Under the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1914 .. .. .. .. 1,525,000 Under the New Zealand Loans Act, 1908.. .. 26,114 Premium on sale of 4-per-cent. debentures .. 8,750 Transfer from revenue .. .. .. .. 350,000 Other receipts . . .. .. . . 9,422 Making a gross total of . . . . £3,315,648 The ordinary expenditure of the year amounted to £2,557,295, charges and expenses in respect of raising loans £35,495, redemption of debentures £11,800, and other expenditure £15,296, thus bringing the total disbursements up to £2,619,886, and leaving a credit balance at the end of the year of £695,762.

Expenditure. Expenditure Total Class of Work. {or Ye >ir ended Expenditure to 31st March, 31st March, 1915. 1915, Railways— £ £ New construction ... ... ... ... 646,878 -24,187,621 Additions to open lines ... ... ... ... 499,875 8,851,741 Roads ... 514,430 10,615,759 Public buildings +432,000 6,288,791 Immigration ■ 33,219 2,321,739 Purchase of Native lands ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,063,803 Lighthouses, harbour-works, and harbour-defences ... ... 17,181 1,122,635 Tourist and health resorts... ... ... ... ... 8,232 252,748 Telegraph-extension ... 288,395 2,958,168 Development of goldfields... ... ... ... ... 2,384 884,820 Defence-works (general) ... ... ... ... ... 15,222 989,616 Departmental .. ... ... 100,719 951,464 Development of water-power ... ... ... ... 18,451 Irrigation and water-supply ... ... ... ••• 4,356 Payment to Midland Railway bondholders ... ... ... ... \ 150,000 Lands-improvement ... ... ... ... ... 13,810 134,565 Minor works and services ... ... ... ... ... ... 312,607 Cost and discount, raising loans, &c. ... ... ... 35,495 1,253,030 2,607,790 63,361,914 63,361,914 228,373 101,516 641,605 788,373 33,271 32,960 252,129 80,380 Wellington-Hutt Railway improvement ... .. ... ... 228,373 New Hutt Road ... ... ... ... ... ... 368 101,516 Railways Improvement Account ... ... ... ... 9,024 641,605 Opening up Crown Lands for Settlement Account ... ... 92,975 788,373 National Endowment Aooount ... ... ... ... 9,15.1 33,271 Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Account ... ... ... 10,004 32,960 Aid to Water-power Works Account ... ... ... 74,291 252,129 Irrigation and Water-supply Account ... ... ... 32,089 80,380 Totals :.. ... ... ... ... 2,835,692 65,520,521 65,520,521 * Includes expenditure under Wellington-Manawatu Railway Purchase Account. f Includes £15,00C expended under section 104 of the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1914. t Includes £15,000 iring Act, 1914.

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For the current year it is proposed to provide additional funds as under :— £ Balance of authorized loan-moneys .. .. 1,476,100 Proposed new loan .. .. .. .. 2,000,000 The above, with the balance brought forward, gives a gross total of £4,171,862. The estimated expenditure for public works for the current year (excluding separate accounts having their own ways and means) amounts to £2,803,550, leaving an estimated balance of # £1,368,312 to be carried forward to next year (1916-17). In addition to the above we have authority to raise, outside the Public Works Fund, the undermentioned sums :— £ Under the Aid to Water-power Works Act, 1910 . . 245,000 Under the Irrigation and Water-supply Act, 1913 . . 29,900 Under the Waihou and Ohinemuri Eivers Improvement Act, 1910 .. .. .. ..50,000 RAILWA Y-( IONSTRUCTION. The following sections of railway were completed and opened for traffic during the last financial year :— Otiria to Kaikohe .. .. 16 25 . . May, 1914. Kaihu to Tarawhati . . 2 35 .. June, 1914. Cronadun to Inangahua .. 13 0 .. June, 1914. Cass to Arthur's Pass . . 14 65 . . July, 1914. Pohokura to Whangamomona 6 13 . . July, 1914. Kaiwaka to Otamatea . . 2 45 . . August, 1914. Otoko to Matawai .. . . 12 50 . . November, 1914. Big Hill to Beaumont . . 5 36 . . December, 1914. Houipapa to Tahakopa .. 17 56 . . February, 1915. Total .. ..91 5 The following lengths are practically completed, but have not yet been handed over to the Railway authorities for traffic :— Otamatea to Maungaturoto .. . . .. 4 10 Maunganui to Te Puke .. .. .. 13 4 Mount Egmont Branch . . . . . . 2 77 Whangamomona to Kohuratahi . . .. . . 4 54 Ward to Mills' .. .. .. .. 7 76 The total expenditure on railway-construction and improvement work during last financial year amounted to £1,155,776, as under : — £ Construction of new lines .. . . .. . . 646,878 Additions to open lines .. . . .. . . 499,875 Railways Improvement Account . . .. .. 9,023 Kaihu Valley Extension. In November last construction-work was commenced on the extension from Tarawhati Station to the proposed terminus at Donnelly's Crossing, four miles and a half in length. Heavy work on the first mile is almost finished, and the balance, being lighter formation, will probably be completed during the current year. A temporary service line has been laid to a quarry near Tarawhati, where metal for ballast and concrete culverts is being crushed. Kawakawa-Hokianoa. Formation-work has been completed for two miles and a half beyond Kaikohe, and the next 60 chains, which includes the Tahuna Tunnel, 7 chains long, is being carried out under contract. Progress on this length is rather slow, and will delay the laying of rails up to and beyond the tunnel. Formation is in progress up to a point four miles and a half from Kaikohe, and the line has been located and pegged

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to one mile past the Okaihau-Ohaeawai Road crossing. A new road from Okaihau to Kaikohe to give access to the railway was formed during the year and partly metalled. Whangarei - North Auckland. The first four miles of formation-work on this line is being carried out under contract, but the contract time, which expires in January next, is likely to be exceeded. The next length of nearly four miles to Oakleigh is being formed by co-operative labour, and machinery will be used to take out one .or two big cuttings. A contract has been let for erecting a railway wharf at Mangapai and dredging the river alongside. Lighter formation-work on the next seven miles to Tauraroa, is well in hand, and rails will be laid over this section as early as possible in order to utilize a ballast-pit at its far end. The line has been located for its whole length from Kioreroa to the point where it joins the North Auckland Main Trunk Railway, and formation-work will shortly be commenced from the junction northwards. Waipu Branch. This line was authorized last year, but no sum was appropriated for it. The survey will shortly be completed, and £2,000 is asked for it to provide for initial expenditure. North Auckland Main Trunk, Formation has been completed, rails laid, and. the line partly ballasted from Otamatea, through the Bickerstaffe and Maungaturoto tunnels, to a point half a mile past Maungaturoto Station. The country traversed is liable to slip, and gives a good deal of trouble before stability is secured in the larger cuttings and banks. A temporary goods and passenger service is carried on between Otamatea and Maungaturoto pending the final completion and opening of the section. Earthworks are finished for one mile past the railhead, and are in progress up to the next station at Huarau, but a mile farther on a tunnel 13J chains in length, which has just been commenced, will delay further platclaying for some time. Construction-work on a new section of this line, starting from Kirikopuni, on the Wairoa River, and working southwards, was commenced in April last, and is being steadily pushed on over a length of three miles and a half, of which a tunnel 25 chains long is the only heavy feature. HuNTLY-AwAROA. An important section of this railway, from Huntly to the point where the coal from the Pukemiro Collieries will come in for transport by rail, is practically finished, and the survey of a farther three miles of the route to Burnt Bridge has been undertaken. An addition to the combined bridge over the Waikato River at Huntly was completed early in the year. Waiuku Branch. Formation-work at Paerata Junction and along the first seven miles of the branch line has been in progress throughout the year, under three small contracts and on the co-operative system. Satisfactory progress has been made, and earthworks over the first three miles are approaching completion. East Coast Main Trunk. The Public Works Department still retains control of the completed length of over thirteen miles between Maunganui and Te Puke, on which a regular train service is run, carrying passengers, goods, and metal for the Department's own purposes and for use by local bodies in the district. There has, as was anticipated, been considerable subsidence in the pumice banks which constitute much of the formation along the length, and maintenance parties using steam navvy, locomotive, and earth-wagons are kept busy building up the banks where required. Earthworks between Te Puke and Paengaroa have been finished, but the large steel bridge over the Kaituna River, which is being built under contract, will not be finished

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till about the middle of next year, when through communication by rail from Maunganui to Paengaroa, possibly to Pongakawa, will be established. The stonecrushing plants at Moturiki and Te Puke have maintained a steady output since their installation. Beyond Pongakawa formation-work by co-operative contract is in hand, and good progress has been made up to Otaramakau, thirty miles from the starting-point at Maunganui. Farther on still a little work towards Matata is being done, mostly by horse teams. A contract has been let for the supply of steel rods for reinforced-concrete cylinders of the important steel bridge which is to carry the line across Tauranga Harbour near the town, and tenders are being invited for the supply of structural steel for the bridge itself, which will be erected by the Department's Engineers. On the short section commencing near Waihi satisfactory progress has been made with the rock cuttings under small contracts and by co-operative labour. Two out of six contracts were completed, and the others are well in hand. At the Gisborne end the section between Otoko and Matawai, 12f miles in length, was cleared of slips and handed over for regular traffic early in November. Beyond Matawai some rock cuttings and banks have been completed and the rails laid for a distance of four miles. Bushfelling and preliminary work over another mile is well forward, but the nature of the country traversed does not permit of very rapid progress. On the Grisborne-Napier line the erection of a steel bridge over the Waipaoa River is in progress, and four temporary bridges have been built to permit of the transport by rail of plant and heavy material where the roads are not good. A quarry some distance off the line near Repongaere has been opened up, a temporary line laid into it, and crushing plant installed. Earthworks and the excavation of a short tunnel are in progress up to a point fourteen miles from the junction at Makaraka, and the route ahead has been fixed as far as the Hangaroa Township site. Surveys have also been made near Wairoa, and two miles of the route located on either side of the town, with a view to construction-work being started at that point in the near future. From Napier northwards no construction-work has been in hand during the year, but a start has recently been made with the erection of the reinforced-concrete bridge which is to carry the line across the Inner Harbour. The embankment forming approaches at either end of the bridge is being constructed, under arrangement, by the Napier Harbour Board. Three new sections of this line will be included in the current year's Railways Authorization Act—the first from Athenrec to the end of the authorized length at the Wairoa River, the second from Taneatua to Opotiki, and the third from Hangaroa right through to the limit of the present authorization at the Napier end, including a branch line to the port of Wairoa. Stratford - Main Trunk. Since the opening of the line to Whangamomona construction-work has been in progress over nine miles and a half between the terminus and Tahora. The work comprises two tunnels, road and stream diversions, and several small bridges, besides usual earthworks and culverts. One tunnel 23 chains long is finished, the other is being widened out, most of the bridges are built, and the minor works are well in hand over the whole length. Rails have been laid and the line partly ballasted as far as Kohuratahi, four miles and a half from the terminus of the open line, and a tramway has been laid from that point to the second tunnel to transport plant, material, and stores to the works, in preference to hauling over the longer and steeper route by road. Ballast material for this section of the line is brought by train from Mount Egmont. At the eastern end the contractor for the Okahu Tunnel was unable to carry on the work owing to financial difficulties; and in April last the contract, with the Department's consent, was assigned to Messrs. Dillon (Limited), a company in which most of the parties to the original contract retain an interest. The new contractors have experienced much bad weather since they 'took over the work, but there is every prospect of better progress being made during the spring and summer. The contract covers two miles and a half of formation, including the

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tunnel, 75 chains long. A contract has just been let for the erection of the steel superstructure of a combined road and railway bridge over the Ongarue River where the railway leaves the Main Trunk line at Okahukura. The piers will be built by the Department. Six small contracts for formation beyond the tunnel are approaching completion, and the work is well in hand up to Matiere Township, ten miles from the junction-point. A tramway three miles in length is being laid into Matiere to facilitate the transport of construction material and to keep heavy traffic off the Ohura Road. Settlers' stores will be hauled over the tram-line. Mount Egmont Branch. Owing to alterations in design, of incline and in proposed methods of operating the quarry on the mountain, construction-work on this line has been suspended during the greater part of the past year. Opunake Branch. The line has been located from Te Roti to Opunake, twenty-three miles distant, and construction-work is in hand by contract and co-operative parties over the first seven miles to Kapuni Station. Bridges of substantial design will be required to carry the line over the Waingongoro and Mangatoki Rivers on the first section. Materials for concrete piers are being brought to the bridge-sites. Ohakune-Raetihi Branch. Formation-work is completed for seven miles, and is in hand over the remaining 1 mile 50 chains. All the culverts are in place and piers for most of the bridges built. Steelwork for bridge superstructure is slow in coming to hand. Platelaying is in progress, and ballasting will follow in a month or two. Rangitikei River Branch. In the Railways Authorization Act of last year was included a new branch line from Greatford to a point in the Rangitikei River bed, from which a supply of metal could be obtained for use by the Government and by local bodies in south Taranaki. Since the passing of the Act negotiations have been in progress between the Government and the Rangitikei County Council, who have a somewhat similar scheme in contemplation, as to the manner in which the metal-deposit could be worked to the greatest advantage. Pending a definite arrangement of terms and conditions of supply no construction-work has been done on the line. Featherston-Martinborough. No construction-work was undertaken on this line during the year, and only £70 on account of survey-work came to charge against the vote. South Island Main Trunk. Platelaying and ballasting over a length of eight miles terminating at Mills Station is approaching completion under contract, and with a little trimming and finishing work this section will be ready for opening. Formation-work, mostly of a light nature, is proceeding at a moderate rate on the section beyond Mills. The country traversed here is bare and sandy, and extensive plantations of marramgrass have to be made to protect the railway banks and cuttings from drifting sand. A further length of thirteen miles, from Kckerangu to the Clarence River, will be included in this year's Railways Authorization Bill. Midland. At the Nelson end construction-work beyond Glenhope was resumed in November last, and is well advanced for two out of three miles, which will carry the line to Kawatiri. • The works on this length are fairly heavy, and rapid progress cannot be expected.

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The only other section of the Midland line on which construction-work was in progress during the year was the Arthur's Pass Tunnel, the excavation of which was continued steadily at both the Otira and Bealey ends under the direction of the Department's Engineers. At the Otira end the work is carried on by day labour—three shifts per day, with an average of thirty-seven workmen per shift. During the twelve months ended June last the bottom heading at the Otira end advanced 23*19 chains, and the excavation and lining 24-17 chairs. The face is now 2 miles 50 chains from the Otira portal. At the Bealey end the work is being carried on by co-operative contract, with an average of seventeen men per shift; the heading during the twelve months advanced 16-19 chains, and the excavation and lining 19'82 chains. The respective faces are now distant from the tunnel portals at cither end—Otira, 2 miles 50 chains ; Bealey, 54 chains. The distance between the two headings is 1 mile 64-45 chains, and between the limits of fully excavated and lined tunnel 2 miles 17-06 chains. The rock encountered at the headings has mostly been very wet, requiring heavy timbering practically all the way. No works have been in progress on the Reefton-Inangahua Section since June, 1914, but a considerable amount of the expenditure on this section came to charge during the late financial year. Westport-Inangahua. Three contracts for short tunnels and rock cuttings along the Buller River bank have yet to be completed, after which it is not proposed to put.further work in hand for the present. Greymouth - Point Elizabeth. There was a vote on last year's appropriations to cover expenditure in connection with the extension of this line to the Liverpool State Coal-mine, out of which there was an expenditure during the financial year of £864. Some small items of expenditure are still expected to come to charge, and these are provided for on the estimates. Culverden-Waiatt. Six small contracts for formation-work on this line have been let. The work is completed for the first six miles, and is in varying stages of progress over the remainder of the route. Platelaying is in hand, and some buildings ha,ve been provided. The current year will probably see the completion, of the line to Waiau. Waimate Branch Extension. Forma,tion-work is in. progress over the first four miles from Waihao Downs Station. Some protection-work has been done where the line comes close to the Waihao River. Lawrence-Roxburgh. The section from Big Hill to Beaumont Station, five miles and a half in length, was handed over to the Railway Department in December last for regular traffic. The authorization of the further fifteen-mile section to Miller's Flat will, be provided for in the current year's Railways Authorization Bill. The expenditure on the railway during the past financial year was £14,886, and contingent liabilities to the extent of £4,000 are provided for on the estimates. Otago Central. The extension from Clyde to Cromwell, 12J miles in length, was located and construction-work commenced in July of last year. Good progress has been made, and the work is now in hand right up to the Cromwell Station site. The formation on. this section is of lighter and less expensive character than the standard of recent years. Rails are laid for four miles, and ballasting completed over the first three miles.

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C atlin' s-Waimahaka. Platelaying and ballasting were completed, and station buildings erected at the far end of the seventeen-mile section from Houipapa to Tahakopa, which was opened for traffic on the Ist February last. The terminus will remain at Tahakopa for the present. Balclutha - Tuapeka Mouth. Survey-work to locate the best route for this proposed branch railway was interrupted during the year, and no construction-work was undertaken. Winton - Heddon Bush. No construction-work on. this line was undertaken during the year, but there was an expenditure of £170 on surveys and preliminary work. Orepuki-Waiau Extension. The route was located to Orawia, nearly ten miles from the present terminus, and construction-work has commenced at Tuatapere end. The extension will serve a large area of fertile agricultural land lately subdivided into small holdings. Total Appropriations for Railway-construction. In addition to the votes already mentioned, an appropriation of £1,000 is required to provide for old land-claims and other liabilities on Construction Account, £5,000 for surveys of projected new lines of railway, and £100,000 for permanentway materials. The total vote proposed this year for railway-construction amounts to £700,000. Other Railway- works. The expenditure during the financial year out of the vote for additions to open lines amounted to £524,891, and out of this sum £307,385 was spent on rolling-stock, tarpaulins, workshops, machinery, Westinghouse brake equipment and petrol electric car. The balance of £217,006 covered expenditure on improvements to wharves, water-services, station accommodation and yards, engine depots, Parnell Tunnel duplication, installation of tablet, telegraph, and telephone facilities, also signalling and interlocking plant. Grade-improvement works on the North Island Main Trunk line involved an expenditure of £29,854, and the Mechanics Bay reclamation accounted for £37,999. This latter work forms an integral part of the new Auckland Station rearrangements and railway scheme. The Dunedin-Mosgiel duplicated line was opened for traffic on Ist June, in 14, and the expenditure incurred in this work during the year was £5,273. The vote proposed for the current year amounts to £500,000. ROADS AND BKIDGES. The total amount provided on last financial year's appropriations under all votes and accounts (including the Consolidated Fund Vote for Maintenance, but excluding the Land for Settlement Account —loading) was £1,070,300. The amount authorized for expenditure under the same votes and accounts during the year, added to the unexpended balance of authorities at 31st March, 1914, totalled £1,197,401. The expenditure for the twelve months amounted to £606,237, leaving an unexpended balance at 31st March last of £531,164. In regard to expenditure on road, &c, works under the Land for Settlements Account, the money is, of course, provided by special loan raised on the security of each block of land, and is not shown on the appropriations. Under this head the amount placed at the disposal of this Department by the Minister of Lands for expenditure during the year (including the unspent balance at 31st March, 1914) amounted to £17,360, whilst the expenditure for twelve months amounted to £8,536.

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For the current year the provision made for roads and bridges has not been limited on account of prevailing conditions, but it must of course be understood that the authorization of expenditure will be dependent upon the Government's ability to raise the necessary loan for public-works purposes. Moreover, it is not intended that the ways and means provided shall be expended by 31st March, 1915, but they are expected to suffice till 31st December, 1916, or even, if necessary, to 31st March, 1917. ROADS ON GOLDFIELDS (MINES DEPARTMENT). The total allocation under this head last year amounted to £72,409, on account of which a vote of £53,300 was taken. The expenditure during the year was £30,065. The sum proposed to be authorized for the current year is £63,511, on account of which a vote of £40,000 is asked for. TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR ROADWORKS. The appropriations last year were as under :— & Roads, &e. .. .. .. . . .. 557,700 Backblock roads, etc... .. .. .. 201,000 Goldfields roads, &c. .. . . . . .. 53,300 Improved-farm-settlement roads .. .. 10,000 Opening up Crown Lands for Settlement Account 173,300 National Endowment Account .. . . 40,000 Maintenance of roads (Consolidated Fund) . . 45,000 Total .. .. .. .. £1,080,300 The provision for the current year is as under : — £ Roads, &o. .. .. .. .. .. 300,000 Backblock roads, &c. .. .. .. .. 160,000 Roads on goldfields .. .. .. .. 40,000 Improved-farm settlements .. . . . . 5,610 Land for Settlements Account . . .. 130,000 National Endowment Account .. .. 40,000 New Hutt Road .. .. .. .. 250 Maintenance of roads (Consolidated Fund) .. 50,000 Total .. .. .. .. £725,860 DEVELOPMENT OF MINING. The value of the mineral output for the year amounted to £2,752,730, being a decrease as compared with the output of the previous year. This was only to be expected, however, in view of the prohibition of the export of certain minerals during the term of the war. The output of coal was the highest yet recorded, being 2,275,593 tons, an increase of 387,588 tons over the output of the previous year. Splendid marble is being produced from the Nelson District, and to aid in the development of this industry assistance is being granted by way of loan to enable the stone to be economically transported to the port of shipment. The expenditure under the heading of mining development during last year was £2,384, and a vote of £10,000 is proposed to be taken this year.

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PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The total expenditure on public buildings during the last financial year amounted to £596,562, made up as follows : — £ New buildings (Class XXIII, Public Works Fund) 417,000 Sites for Government Stores, &c, Wellington .... 15,000 Maintenance-works (Class V, Consolidated Fund) .... 65,387 Maintenance-works, schools (Class XV, Consolidated Fund) .... .... .... .... .... 99,175 Total .... £596,562 For the current year the following appropriations are proposed: — £ New buildings (Public Works Fund) .... .... 427,050 Maintenance-works (Consolidated Fund).... .... 70,350 Maintenance-works, schools (Consolidated Fund) .... 102,150 Total .... £599,550 General. The new Parliament Buildings again absorbed the largest item of expenditure under this heading, but the work has been delayed owing to difficulty in obtaining suitable marble. This difficulty has now been overcome, and as the marble will soon be in Wellington, it is hoped that the work will then be carried on with more expedition than has hitherto been possible. The new Departmental Buildings at Gisborne were completed and occupied during the year. One substantial addition was made to the Government Printing Office, and another one is in progress. The proposed vote for the current year includes items for the Parliament Buildings and Printing Office additions. JUDICIAL. Courthouses. —During the past year buildings were erected at Wyndham and Motueka, and additions were made to the Lawrence Courthouse, and the extensions to the Wellington Supreme Court were completed. Gaols. —The principal expenditure last year was in connection with buildings at Waikeria, Invercargill, Auckland, Templeton, and Picton. The erection of a prison at Waikeria will be continued. Police-stations. —New stations were erected at Ahaura, Charleston, Coalgate, Kaitangata, Martinborough, Ngaruawahia, Northcote, Patutahi, Raurimu, Tokomaru Bay, and Whangamomona. Properties were also purchased at Mount Eden, Hamilton, and Mount Roskill, and police residences were built at Dunedin, and Opotiki. New police headquarters and police-stations in Wellington are in progress. POST AND TELEGRAPH. The expenditure on buildings for Post and Telegraph purposes last year amounted to £72,861, being £60,838 for new buildings and £12,023 for maintenance of existing ones. MENTAL HOSPITALS. The erection of one unit at Tokanui to accommodate forty patients was completed early in the year, and a second unit of approximately the same size is now well in hand. Male and female auxiliary buildings at Avondale were completed under contract. Day rooms were added at Porirua, and a receivingward at the same place is approaching completion. A similar ward is beingadded to Sunnyside, and a cottage for men is being built at Seacliff. The current year's estimates include substantial votes for continuing the works at each of the principal institutions mentioned.

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HOSPITALS. An expenditure of £979 out of last year's vote was incurred in providing accommodation for special cases at various general hospitals. On the current year's estimates a vote appears for the same purpose. AGRICULTURE. On account of the conditions existing as a result of the war some works of importance, but not urgent, were held over. It has, however, been decided to provide additional accommodation for learners at both the Moumahaki and Weraroa Experimental Farms-, to install a water-supply at Moumahaki, and to provide additional buildings at the Moumahaki and Tauranga Experimental Farms, also to continue the land-drainage operations at Ruakura Farm of Instruction. SCHOOL BUILDINGS. The expenditure out of the Public Works Fund on school buildings during the year was £122,940, of which about £117,500 was paid in grants to Education Boards and other governing bodies for public schools, teachers' residences, training colleges, technical and secondary schools, and university colleges. The works represented by the balance, over £5,000, were for services directly under the control of the Education Department and comprised buildings and allied work at Native, industrial, and special schools. The extension of the buildings at Otekaike connected with the institution for feeble-minded boys, involving expenditure of about £2,245, is approaching completion. An instalment of a similar institution at Richmond for feebleminded girls is also nearing completion. Demands for school accommodation must necessarily be met without delay as they arise, and consequently there is always a large outstanding liability on this account which must be provided for in the estimates of the year. The total amount of this liability fluctuates according to the time occupied in the prosecution of the various works authorized, and to meet this liability it is proposed to vote £120,000 for the current year. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. The expenditure authorized last year, for some two hundred dwellings, was £100,000. Of this amount £68,275 was paid during the year, and the balance of the expenditure appears in this year's accounts. In response to further applications the erection of an additional hundred dwellings has been decided upon, for which the estimated expenditure is £50,000. DEVELOPMENT OF WATER-POWER. In November last the plant for the development at Lake Coleridge of electrical energy on a large scale was formally opened, but it was not until March of this year that the continuous service started, since when it has been in full operation. The plant has worked smoothly and efficiently, without serious interruption, ant| the country will learn with satisfaction that this important commercial venture on the part of the Government shows every promise of becoming a financial as well as an engineering success. The three units of generating plant now installed are capable of an output equal to 6,000 horse-power; and the present demand, added to that in prospect, for which contracts have already been arranged, calls for the immediate installation of a fourth unit of 2,000 horse-power, and there are indications that two further units of generating plant will have to be provided in the not-distant future. The tunnel and headworks already constructed are sufficient to provide for probable expansion during the next six or seven years, when it is expected that the output will adequately supply the district which can be economically served from the Lake Coleridge scheme. The existing pipe-lines are of sufficient capacity to drive the fourth unit of machinery now on order, and the power-house can accommoda;te this unit without additions.

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Feeder-lines have been extended to Lyttelton, Sunnyside, and Tai Tapu districts* and further extensions are under consideration. Negotiations are proceeding with different borough authorities in South Canterbury as far as Timaru, and, provided satisfactory arrangements are made, a transmission-line will be erected between the power-house at Lake Coleridge and Timaru, from which the whole of South Canterbury will be supplied. §| The demand for electrical energy by power-users throughout Canterbury is most encouraging, ranging from the electric tramways, local bodies, and larger industrial concerns to small farmers, who find that by utilizing a local organization such as a dairy-factory company they can with advantage bring the current on to every farm for lighting and machine-driving purposes. The total expenditure on this scheme from its inception to the 31st March last was £262,034, and the installation of the fourth unit is expected to place the business on a footing where interest on capital, maintenance, depreciation, and workingexpenses will all be defrayed out of revenue. Subsequent additions of plant to satisfy a growing demand should increase the margin of profit. The rapid developments at Lake Coleridge have monopolized the efforts of the Government's Electrical Engineers during the past year; but now that this scheme has reached a practical stage, attention will be directed to investigations to decide the best means of providing an adequate supply of electrical energy to serve the North Island. Numerous water-power licenses have been granted during the year to local authorities wishing to develop local sources of power. IRRIGATION. At the Otekaike Settlement the construction of six miles of distributing-race to serve settlers on the eastern side of the stream was completed under contract, and additional races of a total length of two miles and a half were laid out. The settlers will be able to take advantage of the supply during the coming summer. The development of the important scheme to irrigate the Ida Valley, in Central Otago, was appreciably advanced during the summer months. The large concrete dam at Manorburn was almost finished when work was stopped by heavy frosts in. April, and this part of the scheme will be completed during the ensuing spring. The excavation of the main races along either side of the valley proceeded steadily while weather-conditions permitted, and it is hoped that these races will be out of hand before the end of next summer. The construction of the Poolburn dam and some concrete-work at the Moa Creek weir remains to be done, also some widening and lining of the old Bonanza Race, which is to be incorporated in the scheme. Water was supplied to settlers in the valley during a limited period in the middle of last summer, and a temporary supply on the same conditions will be available next summer. Contracts were prepared for part of the work of bringing in the Manuherikia River water to irrigate the lands lying between Clyde, Alexandra, and Chatto Creek. After some delay, owing to unsatisfactory tenders, two sections were let. The intake of this race from the Manuherikia River requiring particular attention in construction, it was decided to employ day labour, but it was found to be almost impossible to obtain men suitable for this class of work, and more especially was difficulty found in securing the services of a competent overseer, owing to so many having gone to the war. A gang has, however, now been put on to do the necessary rock-excavation, and as soon as the weather permits the concrete-work will be undertaken. WAIHOU AND OHINEMURI RIVERS IMPROVEMENT. The recently completed channels in the Waihou River and the stop-banks along the right bank of the Ohinemuri River were tested by a flood following a heavy rainfall in the district in March last, and proved quite effective, no appreciable damage being done, and there being no overflow into the Paeroa Township. Surveys have been continued with the object of constructing further stop-banks along the

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Waihou, and the destruction of willows which impeded the free flow of the water between Te Aroha and Netherton has been carried on whenever weather-conditions permitted. The dredge specially designed and built for the work is now at work deepening the canals, the excavated material being used for the extension of stopbanks where required. A. large amount of preliminary survey-work is necessary in connection with this canal and stop-bank work, which has been attended to during the year when qualified members of the staff were available. Tenders will be invited shortly for extending the stop-bank along tin; right bank of the Ohinemuri and the Waihou from the railway-station at Paeroa down to and below the Netherton Bridge, and also along the left bank of the Waihou in the vicinity of Tirohia, to join the stop-bank formed out of material obtained from the Ngararahi cut. When this is completed the lands to the westward will be protected from Tirohia downward. A contract has been let for the construction of a, new wharf below the Netherton Bridge, so as to avoid the necessity for steamers passing through tin; bridge? to reach the existing wharves above. TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. The expenditure under this heading amounted to £8,232, compared with £14,989 for the previous year. The sum of £2,971 was spent in completing and furnishing the new hostel at the Hermitage, where the Chief Guide's cottage was also completed. Improvements at Helensville and to electrical works at Rotorua accounted for £'720 and £570 respectively. Additions to the Rotorua Sanatorium cost £671, and improvements at Waitomo Caves £588. The expenditure on the proposed New Sanatorium at Hanmer and drainage-works at Rotorua was held over. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. The expenditure on telegraph and telephone extension during the year amounted to £288,395. Among the larger works undertaken may be mentioned the construction of the following land lines — viz., Opotiki -Cape Runaway, Cambridge-Rotorua, Taumarunui-Ohura metallic circuit, Pahiatua - Palmerston North metallic circuit, Palmerstoii North Waipawa telephone-line, Waitara-Stratford, Waitara New Plymouth, New Plymouth telephone service, Wellington-Masterton metallic circuit, Waikaia Waiau, and Sockburn-Christchurch underground. No less than twelve new exchanges were opened, and the number of exchange-connections increased by 4,846. Three hundred and ninety miles of pole-line and 2,136 miles of wire were added to the telegraph and inter-urban telephone system, and 515 miles of poleline and 34,325 miles of wire to the telephone-exchange local systems. One thousand six hundred and thirty-seven miles of telegraph and interurban telephone lines were overhauled and reconstructed. During the year forty-six coin-in-slot telephones were installed, making a total of 139 slot telephones open for public use. Motor-lorries, suitably fitted up, were obtained and are now being used for general construction-work. The substitution of underground cable for aerial cable and the conversion of earth-working exchanges for the metallic circuit system are proceeding steadily. On account of the abnormal conditions caused by the war some delay has been experienced in obtaining equipment for automatic telephone exchanges, but the provision of suitable building accommodation and underground cable equipment has been steadily proceeded with. The necessary apparatus and material for the re-erection of the wireless station at Samoa were sent forward with the first Expeditionary Force. This station has been reconstructed, and is now being operated by officers of the Department who accompanied the Forces.

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The proposed vote for the current year amounts to £327,000, made up as under:— i Automatic installations. . .. .. .. 110,000 Submarine cables .. . . 1,000 New lines .. .. .. .. .. 30,000 New exchanges and connecting new subscribers . . 50,000 Material .. .. .. .. 136,000 Total . . . . . . . . £327,000 LIGHTHOUSES, HARBOUR-WORKS, AND HARBOUR-DEFENCES. Lighthouses. The works undertaken during the year were —Completion of lighthouse on Channel Islet, Hauraki Gulf; the new Marine Department store at Pipitea Point; the continuation of the erection of the tower for the automatic light on Karori Rock, which is now almost finished; and the improvement of the road to Godley Head Lighthouse. The estimated amount required for the carrying-out and completion of the works already authorized is £2,595, including an additional amount for the construction of an automatic light on Flat Rock, and the cost of a heavy crane for the Marine Department store. Haruour-works. The principal works undertaken during the year were—The construction of a retaining-wall at Kohukohu, Hokianga; improving navigation of Taheke River (Hokianga), Waipapakauri River, Wade River, and Waikato River; construction of wharves at Dargaville (extension), Tokatoka, Silverdale, Marakopa, and Lake Wanaka; reclamation at Mangonui Wharf; harbour-improvements at W r airau and Karamea; sea protective works at Hokitika; and improvements to the landing for fishing-boats at Nugget Bay. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, the ability to give effect to the proposals set forth in the Statement will depend on the response of the public to the loan proposals of the Minister of Finance. The great importance of developing the resources of the Dominion by constructing roads, bridges, and railways will certainly not be lost sight of, but it is necessary to emphasize the fact that some reduction in the rate of expenditure on such works must be expected under the very trying conditions consequent on the war.

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PUBLIC WOKKS STATEMENT, 1915.

INDEX. TABLES. Page No. I.—Total Expenditure:—Summary showing Total Expenditure out of Public Works Fund to , 31st March, 1915, and Liabilities at that date .. .. .. .. .. .'. 2 No. 2.—Yearly Expenditure out of Public Works Fund, 1893 to 1915 .. .. .. .. 3 No. 3. —Railways:—Statement showing Expenditure on Construction of Railways to 31st March, 1915, and Liabilities at that date .. .. .._ .. .. .. .. .. 7

APPENDICES. Appendix A.—Expenditure for the Year: —Audited Statement of Expenditure out of the Public Works Fund for the Year 1914-1915 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 B.—Annual Report on Public Works, by the Engineer-in-Chief .. .. .. 12 » 0. — Annual Report on Public Buildinos, by the Government Architect .. .. .. 21 „ D.—Annual Report on Electrical Work and Power Schemes, by the Chief Electrical Engineer .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25

I—D. 1.

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TABLE No. 1. Summary showing the Total Expenditure on Public Works and other Services out of Public Works Fund to 31st March, 1915, and the Liabilities on that Date.

Number of Table iiontaininir Details. Works. Total Net Expenditure to Slst March, 1914. Expenditure* during Twelve Months ended Slst March, 1915. Recoveries on Account of Services of Previous Tears. Total Net Expendi- LiabiU tie S on Net Expenditure (■14TV7 lime 31st March, 1915. and ,31st March, 1915. Liabilities. Works. ! 3* Railways Roads Development of goldfields Telegraphs Public buildings Lighthouses, harbour-works, and har-bour-defences Departmental Development of water-power|| 18 of 1878 Coal-exploration and mine-development 11 of 1877 I Aiding works on Thames goldfields i Immigration \ Purchase of Native lands I Defence : Charges and expenses of raising loans .. | Interest and sinking fund Rates on Native lands Thermal springs Tourist and health resorts Lands improvement Payment to Midland Railway bondholders Irrigation and water-supplyll I £ £ £ £ £ £ 3* Railways .. .. .. .. 31,898,631t 1,146,753 6.022 33,039,362 417,718 33.457,080 Railways. '. Roads .. .. .. .. 10,101,329 514,430 .. 10,615,759 250,195 10,865,954 Roads. Development of goldfields .. .. 832,691 2,384 255 834,820 500 835,320 Development of goldfields. Telegraphs .. .. .. 2,669.773 288,395 .. 2,958,168 247,114 3,205,282 Telegraphs. Public buildings .. .. .. 5,856,825 432,000} 34 6,288,791 175,041 6,463,832 Public buildings. Lighthouses, harbour-works, and har- 1,105,504 17,131 .. 1,122,635 134 1,122,769 Lighthouses, harbour-works, and harbour bour-def ences defences Departmental .. .. .. 850,745 100,719§ ... 951,464 1,930 953,394 Departmental. Development of water-power|| .. 18,451 .. .. 18,451 .. 18,451 Development of water-power. 8 of 1878 Coal-exploration and mine-development 10,835 .. .. 10,835 .. 10,835 Coal-exploration and mine-development. 1 of 1877 I Aiding works on Thames goldfields .. 50,000 .. .. 50,000 .. 50.000 Aiding works on Thames goldfields. i Immigration .. .. .. 2,288,520 33,219 .. 2,321,739 .. 2,321,739 Immigration. Purchase of Native lands .. .. 2,064,863 .. 1,060 2,063,803 .. 2,063,803 Purchase of Native lands. I Defence .. .. .. .. 974,395 15,221 .. 989,616 288 989,904 Defence. i Charges and expenses of raising loans .. 1,252,400 630 .. 1,253,030 .. 1,253,030 Charges and expenses of raising loans. ; Interest and sinking fund .. .. 218,500 .. ... 218,500 .. 218,500 Interest and sinking fund. Rates on Native lands .. .. 68,672 .. .. 68,672 .. 68,672 Rates on Native lands. Thermal springs .. .. .. 14,600 .. .. 14,600 .. 14,600 Thermal springs. Tourist and health resorts .. .. 244,528 8,232 12 252,748 1,642 254,390 Tourist and health resorts. Lands improvement .. .. 121,277 13,810 522 134,565 399 134,964 Lands improvement. Payment to Midland Railway bond- 150,000 .. .. 150,000 .. 150,000 Payment to Midland Railway bond holders holders. Irrigation and water-supplyll .. 4,356 .. .. 4,356 .. 4,356 Irrigation and water-supply. Totals Totals.. .. .. 60,796,895 2,572,924 7,905 63,361,914 1,094,961 64,456,875 Totals. 60,796,895 2,572,924 7,905 63,361,914 1,094,961 64,456,875 * Table 3 also includes Hutt Railway and Road Improvement, and Railways Improvement Accounts. f Expenditure under Wellington-Manawatu Railway Purchase Account now included, J Includes £15,000 under section 104 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1914. § Includes £94 charged to " Unauthorized." || Expenditure subsequent to 1911-12 is under separate special accounts. Does not include expenditure on Hutt Railway and Road Improvement, and Railways Improvement Accounts.

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TABLE No. 2. GENERAL SUMMARY. Showing Net Yearly Expenditure out of Public Works Fund, 1893-94 to 1914-15.

N.B. —The figures in italics, prefixed by " Cr.," are either reo The totals from 1892-93 to 1896~-97, inclusive, include •veries on aci expenditure :ount of services of previous years or receipts-in-aid applied in reduction of expenditure. under Native Lands Purchase Account; and from 1894-95 to 1896-97, inclusive, expenditure under Lands Improvement Account. Total Net Expenditure. Description of Services. to 31st March, 1693. 1895-96. I I 1896-97. l>97-98. 1898-89. 1899-1900. 19C0-1. 1901-2 1902-3. 1893-94. 1894-95. 1903-4. i £ 2,146,210 £ 343 £ 101 £ Cr. 10 £ 301 £ 70 £ 105 £ 385 £ 214 £ 139 £ 142 £ Cr. 7 Immigration ... .. .. .. .. 2,146,210 343 101 Cr. 10 301 Public Works (Departmental) .. .. .. .. 367.755 8.406 j 8,680 14.300; 367.755 8.406 ! 8.680 14.300 14.892 14,892 9,689 10,090 12,572 12,932 1 17,771 13,949 16,088 Development of Water-power Irrigation and Water-supply Railways .. .. .. .. .. .. 14,478,723 176,304 247,545 197.105 14,478,723 176,304 247,545 197.105 207,231 Cr. 334 207,231 Or. ZXd 351,600 374,192 : 417,937 717,723 1,333,940 759,752 828,704 Payment to Midland Railway Bondholders Vr. 3iS4 I .. 150,000 Roads :— Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges .. .. .. 3,535,567 127,281 50.544 45,261 Or. 1,030 Cr. 7,050 Cr. 573 Roads on Goldfields.. .. .. .. .. 203,249 20,387: 17,577 21,513 Development of Thermal Springs and Natural Scenery Lands Improvement Account .. .. .. .. .. 89,207 ; 108,168 15,691 Cr.365 32,578 16.023 103.555 241,209 Or. 365 49.569 248,934 Cr. 365 46,550 237,351 Cr. 347 48,039 267,374 48,417 354,687 230,349 47,573 51,690 316,248 45,594 Total, Roads .. .. .. .. 3,738,816 146,638 150,278 174,369 Development of Goldfields .. ..' .. .. 567,169 5.272 5,865; 9,345 167,482 10,508 167,482 290,413 295,119 285,043 j 315,791 402,260 282,039 361, 842 5,865 ; 9,345 10,508 33,117 17,355 21,815 15,907 15,326 ; 24,213 16,278 \ ; : Purchase of Native Lands .. .. .. .. 1,295.625 4,320! 349 Or. 2,428 \ Cr. 12 Native Lands Purchase Account .. .. .. 19,575 78,985 j 101,009; 163,411 Cr. 37 129,000 Cr. 37 61,503 53.182 Cr. 225 32,025 28,688 18,261 I 15,782 5,352 129,000 ■■ Total, Land Purchases .. .. .. 1,315,200 80,877 101,346 163,411 128,963 128,963 61,503 52,957 32,025 28,688 18,261 15,782 5,352 — Telegraph Extension .. .. .. .. .. 663,666 16,127 19,229 1 35,538 19,229 35,538 36,791 36,791 29,384 28,551 26,771 50,101 31,729 68,578 47,228 | Continued on page 4.

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TABLE No. 2— continued. GENERAL SUMMARY— continued. Showing Net Yearly Expenditure out of Public Works Fund, 1893-94 to 1914-15— continued.

Description of Services. Total Net Expenditure to 31st March, 1893. 1893-94. 1896-97. 1897-98. Expenditure. 1898-99. 1899-1900. 1900-1. I 1894-95. 1895-96. 1901-2. 1902-3. 1903-4. I Public Buildings :— General (including Miscellaneous) Parliamentary Judicial Post and Telegraph.. Customs Quarantine-stations Mental Hospitals Public Health Hospitals and Charitable Institutions School Buildings Agricultural Workers' Dwellings £ 195.737 13.962 278.083 151.438 5.194 3.525 330.542 £ 621 209 5.262 3,154 666 3 18.957 £ 2,551 6,822 11,487 3.542 12 306 13.633 £ 3,724 27,341 6,194 647 10,935 £ 8,178 ! 14.806 7.504 16 j £ 14.797 466 12.727 5.888 385 £ 8.764 20,636 11,109 5,168 17,667 520 £ £ 3,957 5.594 9,883 j . 3,039 19,682 j 29.630 13.483 i 20.954 107 875 2.607 17,712 ' 18.872 899 5.141 49.256 33.681 447 971 12.513 4.424 28.728 40.361 2.066 424 16.743 1.200 38.606 535 £ 9.031 1.503 33.224 74.686 6,630 10.167 3,540 57.790 883 £ 10,964 6o2 25,978 53,918 8,719 15,812 6,315 4,291 87,089 2,504 16,404 j 14.130 41.183 827.014 j 15,000 160 15.000 837 6,561 20.000 1.127 700 i 22.143 - 819 | 23.864 1.328 •• Total, Public Buildings 1.846.678 44.032 54,190 j 76,529 70.579 : l_ 73.585 107.267 115.426 121.364 145.600 197.454 ' 216,192 Lighthouses, Harbour -works, and Harbour-defences :— Lighthouses Harbour- works Harbour-defences 126.208 310,107 464,056 2.612 650 2,495 234 3,861 3,314 6,067 | 866 4,667 2,180 568 2,547 3,727 1.777 10,158 3,333 365 5.328 r 1.017 1.540 3,960 | 2.060 3,421 6,678 6,082 , 1.373 6,126 i 6,206 1,773 2,885 3,976 Total, Lighthouses, &c. 900.371 6,588 3.145 7.409 11,000 5,295 15.662 9.026 6.517 12.159 13.581 10,864 Rates on Native Lands 60.658 415 561 340 332 156 347 74+ 673 . 571 471 666 Contingent Defence 429.719 5.000 10,554 10.360 13.867 42.810 37.650 j 146.875 37.005 38,723 Tourist and Health Resorts • 11.260 10,949 , 15,643 Lands Improvement* .. .. 1.741 2,349 2.019 Charges and Expenses of raising Loans 1.026.828 943 Cr. 6 j 5 Cr.5 224 28.322 1,460 ! 5,620 Or. 516 j 88,180 87,249 I Interest and Sinking Funds 218.500 Coal-exploration and Mine-development 10.835 Thermal Springs ■'■ 14.600 ; Total Ways and Means Credits Grand Total —Net Expenditure 27,785/728 3.458 485,002 7.062 573 590.940 683.336 705 370 ' 590 659,836 865.172 ! 915,736 347 992.876 516 ! 1,309.020 2,142,736 1,514,444 7 1,796,841 * For previous expenditure see Roads Class. Continued on page 5.

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TABLE No. 2-continued. GENERAL SUMMARY-continued. Showing Net Yearly Expenditure out of Public Works Fund, 1893-94 to 1914-15— continued.

Description of Services. 1904-5. Expenditure, 1913-14. | 1914-15 Total Net | Expenditure to 31st March, 1915. 1905-6. | 1906-7. 1908-9. 1909-10. 1910-11. 1911-12. 1912-13. 1907-8. !_ I £ 6.481 £ 8,753 ■ £ 14,353 £ 9.132 15.075 ! £ 17.003 I £ 9,441 £ . 11,681 £ 14,694 £ 33,914 £ £ 33,219 2,321,739 Immigration 6.481 j 8,753 14,353 1 9,132 15,075 ' 17.003 i 9,441 11,681 14,694 33,914 33,2i9 2.321,739 Public Works (Departmental) .. 12.814 13.517 16,710 | 18.219 24,512 41.176: 42,733 49,864 57,426; 66,650 *100,719 951,464 13.517 16,710 | 24,512 42,733 49,864 57,426 66,650 ! *100,719 | 951,464 18,219 41.176 j : > . : . . : : : : Development of Water-power 468 2,901 4,664 j 315 .. .. 1,021 ; 9.082 { t t 18.451 468 2,901 4,664 315 1,021 9.082 % t 18.451 Irrigation and Water-supplyf 1.562 2,794 i § § 4.356 1.562 2,794 § § § 4.356 ..„„- Railways Pavment to Midland Railway Bondholders 779,891 1.021.265 1.227,880 d,093, 535 1.116.184 1 .128.400 1.104.071 1,125,905 1.148.832 1.104.897 2,i46,753|> 33.039,362 Or. 652 Cr. 6,987 \ Or. 29,528 l Cr. 5.485 l Cr. 6.022 150.000 ! ; ! ! : Roads :— |_ 1 ; 1 Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Roads on Goldfields.. Development of .Thermal Springs and Natural Scenery .. Lands Improvement Account 202.850 306,065 | 308,500 285,248 422.174 297.932 229,537 383,511 337,584 J 3^ 3 '?f,- '- 484,365 y L t\ a la i 26,112 45,139 38.970 38.494 47,375 40,830 25,626 41.067 36,761 24.143 30,065 Total, Roads .. .. .. 228.962 351.204 347.470 323.742 469,549 338.762 1 255,163! 424,578 374,345 | 377,464; 514,430 10,615,759 228.962 351,204 347,470 323,742 469,549 338.762 j 255,163 j 424,578 374,345 377.464 514,430 10,615,759 Development of Goldfields 6,258 ' 18.533 11.064 j 8,633 32.859 18.597 10.845 '' 21,244 10,644 i 4.889 2,384 ' 884,820 r'- 7 /j/j/j j-.,. / /j/j/j n,. in n v i riitz n*. oztz 6.2.58 18.533 11.064 8,633 32,859 18.597 10.845 Cr. 1.000 Cr. 1.000 . 21,244 10,644 Or. 30 Cr. 1.015 4,889 | 2,384 Cr. 255 884,820 Cr. 1.000 Cr. 1.000 , Cr. 30 Or. 1,015 Cr. 255 Purchase of Native Lands 6.281 13.777 9.135 2.190 2,099 30,567 2,976 Cr. 2,466 Or. 917 Or. 857 ' Cr. 1,060 6.281 13.777 9,135 ! 2.190 2,099 30.567 2,976 Cr. 2,286 Cr. 2,466 Cr. 917 Cr. 857 ' Cr. 1,060 Native Lands Purchase Account Cr. 2,286 " I " " .. . .. •• - Total, Land Purchases 6,281 13.777 9,135 2,190 2,099 30,567 690 Or. 2,466. Cr. 917 j Or. 857 Cr. 1,060 2,063.803 6.281 13.777 9,135 2,190 ! 2,099 30,567 690 Cr. 2,466 Cr. 917 ! Or. 857 Or. 1,060 2.063.803 , Telegraph Extension : ■ I 79,298 77.186 114.068 155,491 163.033 123.423 111.867 147,692 251.375 392.648 288,395 2.958,168 79.298 77.186 114.068 j 155,491 163,033 123,423 111,867 147,692 251,375 392,648 288,395 2,958,168 I i * Includes " Unauthorized," £94. f Previously included under Lands Improvement. J Expenditure from 1912-13 is under the Aid to Water-power Works Account. § Expenditure from 1912-13 is under the Irrigation and Water-supply Account. || Includes £1,000,000 expended 1908-9 and 1909-10 under Wellington-Manawatu Railway Purchase Acccunt.

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TABLE No. 2— continued. GENERAL SUMMARY-continued. Showing Net Yearly Expenditure out of Public Works Fund, 1893-94 to 1914-15— continued.

Description of Services. 1904-5. 1905-6. 1906-7. 1907-8. 1908-9. E; Expenditure. !xpenditure. 1909-10. ! 1910-11. j 1911-12. 1912-13. 1913-14. Total Net Expenditure to 31st 1914-15. March, 1915. Public Buildings :— General (including Miscellaneous) Parliamentary Judicial Post and Telegraph Customs Quarantine-stations Mental Hospitals Public Health Hospitals and Charitable Institutions School Buildings Agricultural £ £ £ 9.021 2.231 14.216 697 71 1.047 13.083 15,899 35,192 16.008 38,419 43,918 13,018 7.903 414 '.'. 15.949 16.235 8,049 4.265 : 7.926 1.765 1.204 4.786 10,259 42,721 69.223 109,459 1.362 2.618 2.707 £ 9.021 697 13.083 16.008 13.018 £ 2.231 71 15,899 38,419 7,903 £ 14.216 1.047 35.192 43.918 414 8,049 1.765 10,259 109.459 2.707 £ 16,260 4,119 28.938 43.724 47 7.987 7,497 15,576 100,197 1,690 £ 16,260 4,119 28,938 43.724 47 7.987 7,497 15,576 100,197 1,690 £ 39,635 5.172 37.211 62,262 2,507 15.296 j 4,402 11,153 102,340 5.543 £ 39,635 5.172 37.211 62,262 2,507 15.296 4,402 11,153 102,340 5,543 41.964 i 3,157 31.606 | 68,574 233 19.839 I 319 I 7,259 98,103 6,103 £ 44,044 237 22,295 117,815 12,707 1,484 124,926 1,160 £ 34,721 2.004 44.133 130,815 8,809 12.745 90.535 3,684 22,644 £ 44,719 18.806 45,431 122,999 | 46,181 376 8,750 105,000 6,475 46,455 £ £ 43,199 *52,239 23,612 31,478 28,445 38.808 78,815 60,838 26,001 53,996 1,435 998 121,954 122,940 4,398 2,428 Cr. 34 41.741 68.275 £ 15.949 4.265 1.204 42.721 1.362 16.235 7.926 4,786 69.223 2,618 Workers' Dwellings Total, Public Buildings 117.328 ! 165,311 227,026 117.328 165,311 227,026 226,035 226,035 285,521 285,521 277,157 324,668 350,090 ] 445,192 I 369,600 431,966 6.288.791 Lighthouses, Harbour-works, and Harbour-defences :— Lighthouses Harbour-works 2.167 962 1,308 2.684 2,963 2,963 1,417 2,867 1,417 2,867 7,481 4,439 7,481 4,439 6,762 4,548 j 5,372 , 1,470 4,092 2,865 5,428 6,004 1.144 9,031 5,174 7,415 3,346 Or. 1,462 339 539 Cr. 300 ,3,887 12,563 681 Harbour-defences 2.515 1.300 1.541 1.541 2,579 2,579 7,297 7,297 l \ 1 h- ! _! , 1 Total. Lighthouses, &c. Rates on Native Lands Contingent Defence Tourist and Health Besorts 5.990 4.946 4,504 631 548 695 46,588 35.569 14.874 17.508 15.888 42.271 4.946 548 4,504 \ 695 6.863 ! 837 18,;574 45,048 6.863 ! 837 ; 19,217 19,217 27 10,766 24,286 27 16,682 8,427 ' 12,576 16,785 j 7,297 ! 17,131 1.122,635 68,672 10,766 4,977 6,071 10,437 j 23,790 i 30,186 ! 15,221 989,616 . . ~ 14,507 5,912 13.361 12,906 14,989 8,232 Cr. 12 252. 748 ' Lands Improvement .. 2,248 1.052 5,605 9,561 9,561 19,542 19,542 ' 6,910 ; 11,125 20,394 ' 22,550 : Cr. 383 16.996 ! Cr. 432 13,810 Or 522 134,565 : Charges and Expenses of raising Loans .. 10.764 236 Cr. 5,175 C 236 Or. 5,175 Or. 8,487 \ Or. 8,487 575 575 17,715 ! 66,367 67,470 I 72,950 j 105,449 35.495 Cr. 12,000 ! Cr. 66,392 Cr. 66,954 , Or. 71,681 \ Cr. 96,741 Cr. 34,865 1,253.030 , |- Interest, and Sinking Funds 218,500 L_ Coal-exploration and Mine-development 10,835 Thermal Springs , ! _ —___: 14,600 Total Ways and Means Credits Grand Total —Net Expenditure 5.175 .. 1,321,510 1.730.686 2,035.144 01 8,487 | •• .. .. 10,530 103,524 105,792 43,400 01,99,688 |2,183,245 2.022,876 1,891,918 2,190,731 2,347, 965 2,421,464 2,565,019 8,487 I 1,99,688 2, ~ ,183,245 : 63.36.,9i4 * Includes £15,000 under Section 104 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Public Bodies Em] lowerini Act, 1914.

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TABLE No. 3. Expenditure on Railways to 31st March, 1915, and Liabilities on that Date.

Expend L» , ff, ""■•«. . bv General °S±H^ "' New Works. Government to Expenditure 31st March, of Previous 1914. ' Years. Construction! Permanent- Total New and Survevs. way. Works. i I i Expenditure out of Public Works Fund during Year 1014-15. ! id during Year 1914-15. Amounts ! Expenditure previously under charged to Work- land Claims I Special Acts " Surveys of New nr. n™ and other during l r ear Lines "now Ten? 0!,i 1914-15. charged to Liabilities. j Individual Lines. Valuation of Total Works Wnerfr 'Xvinc^ Government „ f2\2S??., to 31st March, «™*™ lal °- Company.* Total Expenditure and Liabilities, 31st March, 1915. Lines of Railway. liabilities. Kaihu Vaile}' Otiria to Hokianga Opua Wharf to Whangarei and Onerah; Whangarei to North Auckland Main Trunk .. Helensville Northwards Helensville to Te Awamutu Waiuku Branch Huntly to Awaroa Cambridge Branoh Waikato to Thames — Frankton to Te Aroha Te Aroha to Thames Paeroa to Waihi and Tauranga Thames Valley to Rotorua — Morrinsville to Lichfield Putaruru to Rotorua Marton to Te Awamutu Raetihi to Ohakune Tauranga to Taneatua Gisborne to Motu Gisborne to Ormond Tramway Napier to Gisborne — Gisborne Southwards Napier Northwards Wellington to Napier — Napier to Woodville and Palmerston North Wellington to Woodville, including Te Aro Extension Featherston to Martinborough Wellington to Waitara — Wellington to Longburn Foxton to Waitara Mount Egmont Branch Opunake Branch Rangitikei River Quarry line Stratford to Okahukura (East End) Stratford to Okahukura (West End) Nelson to Roundell £ 83,937 149,830 517,933 3,231 685,620 1,705,517 ■ 1,254 49,178 51,111 149,713 203,998 152,249 165,811 198,765 2,706,044 7,833 145,904 561,199 4,975 61.274 14,716 I 907,108 1,601,160 328 971,487 1,542,057 68,142 1,773 47,752 567,127 198,256 £ 27 1^854 25 4,034 £ £ £ £ 6,686 .. 6.686 331 17,829 1,754 19.583 3,862 16.121 .. 16,121 .. „ 57,447 0.6,312 51,135 J 224 136,038 17,505 728 18,233 38,866 Cr. 2,820 36.046 273 2.000 2.265 10,149 .. 10.149 871 871 9,260 23,115 .. 23,115 46,268 2.287 48,555 30,629 3,785 34,414 479 45,968 6.894 52,862 1.959 .. 1.959 5.670 7,309 70 .. 70 6,559 5,540 3,996 195 4,191 4,339 .. 4,339 206 .. 206 48,076 .. 48,076 54,089 3,171 57,260 750 ', 1 £ 173 83 111 £ £ i » 90.954 169.413 521.795 19,352 736,979 1,841,528 19.487 85,224 51,384 151.713 206,263 i 162,398 166,682 199.636 2,713,450 30.948 194.459 596,092 4.975 114,136 16,675 912.778 1.608,469 398 978,021 1,543,736 72,333 6,112 206 95.828 624,470 I 199,117 £ £ £ 1.093 92.047 12,607 182,020 521.795 19,598 38.950 4,755 741.734 1,841.528 3.426 22.913 7,031 92,255 51,384 151.713 206.263 4,890 167,288 166,682 199,636 2,713.450 1,131 32,079 10,569 205,028 4.110 600,202 4,975 9,217 123,353 22 16,697 912,778 1,608,469 1 399 978,021 1,543,736 72.333 1.007 7,119 206 79.318 175,146 2,570 627,040 199,117 * Also includes value for £150,000 iaid to debenture-holders under the Midland Railwa 1 Petitions Settlement Act Amendment Act, 1903

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TABLE No. 3—continued. Expenditure on Railways to 31st March, 1915, and Liabilities on that Date— continued.

8

Lines of Railway. Total Expenditure by General Government to 31st March, 1914. on Account of Expenditure of Previous Years. Expenditure out of Public Works New Works. md during I'ear 1914-lp. Land Claims under Special Acts during Year 1914-15. Amounts previously charged to " Surveys of NewLines" now charged to Individual Lines. Total ! Va S££?°* Expenditure j __j!2 £. ,,„ bv General C0^' r "°^ d by Government ' to 31st March, <***%?* lal0 ' Company.* Liabilities. Total Expenditure and Liabilities, 31st March, 1915. on Open Lines. Old Liabilities. Construction and Surveys. Permanentway. Total New Works. Midland Railway — Belgrove to Inangahua Stillwater to Inangahua.. Brunnerton to Bealey Springfield to Bealey Westport to Ngakawau Westport to Inangahua Ngahere to Blackball Greymouth to Point Elizabeth Greymouth to Brunnerton Greymouth to Ross and Mikonui Picton to Waipara — Picton Southwards Waipara Northwards Culverden to Hanmer (motor-ears and sheds) Culverden to Waiau Hurunui to Waitaki — Main Line (Culverden-Waitaki) Oxford Branch Eyreton Branch Lyttelton Branch Southbridge Branch Springfield and Whitecliffs Branches Fairlie Creek Branch Waimate Branch Ashburton Forks (Methven) Branch Upper Ashburton (Springbum) Branch Little River Branch Canterbury Interior Main Line — Oxford to Malvern .. Whitecliffs to Rakaia Temuka to Rangitata Waitaki to BluffMain Line, including Port Chalmers Branch Duntroon Branch Ngapara Branch £ 248,495 199,909 571,500 736,851 188,009 132,097 147,537 254,116 150,543 336,873 600,207 373,623 3.834 659 1,813,622 51,467 44.277 80,908 89,524 95.384 67,039 50,158 74,610 61.639 108,113 53,649 542 5,152 3,253,408 97,099 26.090 £ £ 2,765 3.264 72,458 4,704 11^288 864 8,737 284 2,902 £ 12 957 14,490 £ 2,765 3,276 72,458 5,661 11,288 864 23,227 284 2,902 £ 275 282 289 600 2,110 £ 235 £ £ £ 251,495 203,460 I 644.240 I 742,801 188,009 143,385 147,537 254,980 150.543 337,473 625,544 373,907 3.834 3,561 £ £ £ 78,307 400 i 330,202 543,574 | 3 g | 1,395,165 61,579 'l55 804,535 188,009 1,603 144,988 147.537 254,980 150.543 337,473 4,761 630,305 373,907 3.834 840 4,401 70 3,750f 9,033 9,033 20,773 476 198 236 11,639 9,024f " 1,834,325 51,467 44.277 80,908 89. .324 95,860 67,237 59,191 74.610 61.639 108,349 53.649 542 5. 152 3,270,321 97,099 26.090 316,135 .. 2,150,460 51.467 44,277 340,500 .. 421.408 89,524 95,860 75.124 .. 142,361 929 60,120 74,610 61.639 108,349 53,649 542 5,152 82,259 .. 3,352,580 37,500 .. 134,599 58,009 .. 84.099 t * Also includes value for £150,000 paid to debenture- holders under the Midland Railway Petitions Settlement Act Amendment Act, 1903. Authorization Act Account. , t Expenditure under Railways Improvement

9

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TABLE No. 3—continued. Expenditure on Railways to 31st March, 1915, and Liabilities on that Date— continued.

Expenditure out of Public Works md during Y'ear 1914-15. Amounts Total Expenditure by General Government to 31st March. 1915. Valuation of Works constructed by Provinces and Midland Railway Company.* Total Expenditure and Liabilities, 31st March, 1915. Line3 ol Railway. Total Expenditure by General Government to 31st March, 1914. on Account of Expenditure New Works. under charged to Works 4< an d Claims . Special Acts " Surveys of New n „ A and other , during Year Lines" now ?"? Old 1914-15. charged to ijines. Liabilities. Individual Lines. Liabilities. previous Years. 'Construction Permanent- Total Newland Surveys. way. Works. „ r-l Waitaki to Bluff — continued. Fernhill Railway Purchase Brighton Road Branch Outram Branch Lawrence Branch Livingstone Branch Waihemo Branch Balclutha -Tuapeka Mouth Catlin's River Branch Heriotbum Branch Waikaka Branch Waimea Plains (Gore-Lumsden) Branch .. Toitois (Edendale-Glenham) Branch Riversdale to Switzer's Kelso to Gore Seaward Bush to Catlin's Otago Central Invercargill to Kingston — Main Line Mararoa Branch Winton to Heddon Bush Makarewa to Orepuki and Waiau .. Thornburv to Wairio Forest Hill Expenses of Railway Commissions and other Expenditure not chargeable to Individual Lines £ 1,415 6,474 11.951 289,285 82.785 33,191 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1,415 6,474 11,951 304,293 82,785 33,191 1,217 461,397 123,456 67,821 111,966 52,743 82,058 602 184,881 1,293,790 £ £ 441 477 1,658 £ 1,415 19,303 41,642 304,734 82,785 33.191 1,217 461.874 123,456 67,821 111,966 52,743 82,058 602 184,881 1,295,448 12,829 29,691 14,886 122 15,008 •■ .. 426,190 123,231 67,821 111.966 52,743 81,552 602 184,889 1,280,641 643 28,926 5,978 643 34,904 303 225 574 ■• 506 •• Or. 8 10,345 1,625 Cr. 8 11,970 1,179 351,598 27,217 61 170 170 6,956t 358,554 27.217 231 91,937 450,491 27,217 231 ! 329,455 12 327 327 268 330,038 60,297 67 390,402 22,984 10,337 22.984 10,337 22,984 10,337 Surveys of New Lines — North Island Middle Island Rolling-stock Stock of Permanent-way Materials, 31st March, 1914 .. ..£83,601 31,558 6,129 5,703.443 2,810 197 2,810 197 Cr. 574 34,368 5,752 5,975,207 186 ! 182,314 I 34,554 •5,752 6,157,521 271,764 83,601 .. 32,763,335 14,991 ■I Stock of Permanent-way increased by £14,991 •• • • Stock of Permanent-wav Materials, 31st March, 1915 " .. .. £98,592 . 98,592 58,651 157,243 IT Total .. 32,778,326 9,772 597,913 32,866 | 630,779 499,875 1,108 9,024 ! 33,909, 340 1,787,741 417,718 36,114,79! * Also includes value for £150,000 laid to debenture-hol Iders under the Midland Railway Petitions Settlement Act Amendment Act, 1903. t Includes £1,072 expended on Slipway, Lake Whakati] (U.

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10

APPENDICES TO THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, 1915,

APPENDIX A. AUDITED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS OUT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS FUND FOR THE YEAR 1914-15.

Prepared in compliance with Section 8 of the Public Works Act, 190S.

Sir, — Public Works Department, Wellington, 10th June, 1915. In compliance with the Bth section of the Public Works Act, 1908, I enclose a statement of the expenditure during the preceding financial year on all works and services chargeable to the Public Works Fund. I have, &c, W. Eraser, Minister of Public Works. The Controller and Auditor-General, Wellington. • —.»_ _

Statement of Net Expenditure on all Works and Services chargeable to the Public Works Fund for the Year 1914-15.

Ohas. B. Bennett, Accountant. H. J. H. Blow, Examined and found correct. Under-Secretary. Eobert J. Collins, Controller and Auditor-General. Note. —Charges and expenses of raising loans not included in above figures. (Details on next page.)

Class. Votes. Summary. AP tion Pria " Expenditure. Credits. Net Expenditure. XVI XVII XVITL XIX XX XXI XXII 87 88-89 90-97 98-100 101 102 103-105 Public Works Fund. „ Public Works, Departmental .. i 96,525 Railways .. .. .. 1,460,000 Public Buildings .. .. 551,175 Lighthouses, Harbour-works, and 26,258 Harbour-defences Tourist and Health Resorts .. 22,246 Immigration .. .. .. 36,000 Roads, Bridges, and other Public 812,000 Works Development of Goldfields .. 4,600 Telegraph Extension .. .. 410,000 Contingent Defence .. .. 50,000 Lands Improvement .. .. 23,390 Unauthorized £ s. d. i 101,551 I 6 1,159,566 10 6 425,853 17 0 17,150 14 3 8,257 3 4 59,327 6 1 535.939 10 11 £ s. d. 926 13 3 12,813 4 7 8,854 0 7 19 12 5 25 I 0 26,108 4 2 21,509 1 I 2 £ s, tl. : 100,624 8 3 1,146,753 5 II 416,999 16 5 17,131 I 10 8,232 2 4 33,219 I II 514,429 19 9 XXIII XXIV xxv XXVI 106 107 108 109-110 2,436 6 I I 328,512 0 9 15,716 4 3 16,625 5 1 I 325 7 I I 52 7 0 40,116 15 2 494 1 I 6 2,815 9 II 231 3 0 2,383 19 11 288,395 5 7 15.221 12 9 13,809 16 0 94 4 11 Total Publio Works Fund .. 3,492,1 94 2,671,261 9 4 I 13,966 ] 3 9 2,557,294 15 7

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APPENDIX A—continued.

Name of Vote. pnSn. E*P-nditure. Credits. Net Expenditure I Public Wokks Fuhd. Public Works, Departmental— 87 Public Works, Departmental .. Railways— Railway-construction— (" Kaihu Railway Extension Kawakawa-Hokianga North Auckland Main Trunk— Kirikopuni, Southwards Kaiwaka, Northwards Whangarei - North Auckland Main Trunk Waiuku Branch Huntly-Awaroa Raetihi-Main Trunk East Coast Main Trunk— Waihi-Tauranga Tauranga-Te Maunga Maunganui-Taneatua Gisborne-Motu Napier-Gis borne— North End South End Mount Egmont Branch Stratford-Main Trunk Opunake Branch 88 ■{ Stono Quarry Line, Rangitikei River .. Featherston-Martin borough .. South Island Main Trunk Midland Railway— Nelson End Reofton End Otira-Bealoy .. Broken River - Bealey Westport-Inangahua Greymouth - Point Elizabeth Culverdcn-Waiau Waimate Branch Extension Lawrence-Roxburgh Otago Central Balclutha-Tuapeka Mouth .. Catlin's-Waimahaka Winton - Hetldon Bush Orepuki-Waiau Extension .. Land Claims, &c. Surveys, New Lines of Railway Permanent-way Materials £ £ s. rl. £ s. (I. £ s. d. 87 90,526 101,551 1 8 926 13 3 100,624 8 3 11 10,000 6,708 12 8 25,000 18,298 8 3 22 2 3 469 14 7 6,686 10 5 17,828 13 8 15,000 60,000 57,089 11 3 35,000 16,120 13 0 25,000 17,519 7 1 30,000 38,877 1 9 30,000 23,117 11 9 242 6 I 57,447 5 2 16,120 13 0 17,504 12 10 38,866 0 4 23,114 19 10 14 14 3 11 1 5 2 I 1 II 25,000 10,149 2 6 20,000 4,964 16 1 50,000 43,074 12 3 30,000 33,031 11 II 5 11 10 1,765 16 8 2,402 5 5 10,149 2 6 4,959 4 3 41,308 15 7 30,629 6 6 45,000 45,979 9 11 20,000 2,067 15 7 7,500 3,999 13 4 100,000 103,902 7 9 40,000 4,348 10 9 7,500 206 4 0 15,000 70 0 4 26,000 9,533 12 6 11 10 9 108 15 10 4 4 2 1,736 13 0 9 12 ! 45,967 19 2 1,958 19 9 3,995 9 2 102,165 14 9 4,338 18 8 206 4 0 70 0 4 9.020 15 9 SH 512 16 9 20,000 2,855 19 9 4,000 3,372 0 6 70,000 73,952 12 5 10,000 5,596 6 0 18,000 11,346 5 5 3,000 895 17 7 25,000 2,902 3 11 15,000 9,033 9 5 15,000 15,101 4 7 20,000 10,346 8 4 10,000 653 9 5 20,000 30,463 I 7 8,000 109 II 4 10,000 326 18 5 1,000 1,118 1 6 5,000 3,007 16 10 90,000 48,115 6 II 90 12 10 .107 10 9 1,495 4 9 892 10 9 57 12 6 32 8 I 2,705 6 11 3,264 9 9 72,457 7 8 4,703 15 3 11,288 12 11 863 9 6 2,902 3 11 9,033 9 5 14.885 17 0 10,345 5 10 642 19 5 28,917 10 3 169 11 4 326 18 5 I ,108 1 6 3,007 1 4 47,857 3 0 215 7 7 1 2 6 10 10 0 I,545 11 I 10 0 0 0 15 6 258 3 II Total Vote, Railway-construction 960,000 658,915 16 7 12,037 7 6 646,878 9 1 89 Additions to Opon Lines Public Buildings— 90 General 91 Judicial 92 Postal and Telegraph . . 93 Agricultural 94 Mental Hospitals 95 Hospitals and Charitable Institutions 96 School Buildings 97 Workers' Dwellings Lighthouses, Harbour-works, and Harbour-defences — 98 i Lighthouses 99 Harbour-works 100 Harbour-defences Tourist and Health Resorts — 101 . Tourist and Health Resorts Immigration— 102 Immigration Construction and Maintenance of Roads, Bridges, and other Public Works — 103 Roads, &c. .. 104 Backblocks Roads, &c. 105 Road and other Works on Goldiields and Mineral Lands j Development of Goldfiolds — 106 I Development of Goldfields Telegraph Extension — 107 i Telegraph Extension Contingent-defence— 108 : Contingent Defence .. i Lands Improvement— 109 ; Improved-farm Settlements 110 Lands, Miscellaneous Unauthorized — Services not provided for 500,000 500,650 13 11 775 17 1 499,874 16 10 105,500 75,715 0 9 47,350 38,862 18 9 116,325 61,991 19 9 5,000 2,428 2 6 50,000 54,242 10 8 6,000 997 19 6 129,000 123,274 3 5 92,000 68,341 1 9 6,998 7 4 55 3 6 1,153 7 4 247 0 0 68,716 13 5 38,807 15 3 60,838 12 5 2,428 2 5 53,995 10 8 997 19 6 122,940 6 0 68,274 16 9 333 17 5 66 5 0 4,758 3,897 8 7 20,500 12,563 5 7 1,000 690 0 1 10 3 8 0 0 6 9 8 3 3,887 4 11 12,563 5 1 680 11 10 22,246 8,257 3 4 25 1 0 8,232 2 4 36,000 59,327 0 1 20,108 4 2 33,219 1 11 557,700 369,633 16 8 201,000 136,001 10 3 53,300 30,304 4 0 20,378 9 5 891 13 4 239 8 5 349,255 7 3 135,109 16 11 30,064 15 7 4,600 2,436 0 11 52 7 0 2,383 19 11 410,000 328,512 0 9 40,116 15 2 288,395 5 7 50,000 15,716 4 3 494 11 6 15,221 12 9 16,000 14,950 2 9 7,390 1,675 3 2 2,815 9 11 12,134 12 10 1,675 3 2 325 7 11 231 3 0 94 4 11 Total Public Works Fund .. 3,492,194 2,671,261 9 4 113,966 13 9 2,557,294 15 7

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APPENDIX B.

ANNUAL REPORT ON PUBLIC WORKS BY THE ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF. (Ist July, 1914, to 30th June, 1915.) The Bngineer-in-Chiep to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 30th June, 1915. I have the honour to submit the following report on the various works completed and in progress throughout the Dominion during the past year : — EAILWAYS. Abstract. The following table shows the expenditure and liabilities on Government railways in New Zealand up to the 31st March, 1915: —

Name of Kailway. Total Length of Kailway or Section. Open for Traffic. Expenditure to 31st March, 1915. Liabilities on 31st March, 1915. Kaihu Valloy Kawakawa-Hokianga Opua Wharf-Grahamtown (Onerahi) Whangarei southward North Auckland Main Trunk Railway (from Helensville) Helensville - Te Awamutu, with Branches Hamilton-Thames, with Branches Thames Valley - Rotorua Tauranga-Opotiki, with Branches .. .. .. Gisborne-Motu Napier-Gisborne Wellington-Napier and Palmerston North (including To Aro Extension and Greytown and Martinborough Branches) Wellington-Waitara, with Branches Stratford - Okahukara North Island Main Trunk (Marton-Te Awamutu), including Raetihi Branch Picton-Waipara (South Island Main Trunk Railway)— Picton southwards Waipara northwards Nelson-Belgrove Midland Railway* Westport-Ngakawau Westport-Ngakawau Extension to Mokihinuif Mokihinui Colliery LineJ Westport-Inangahua Ngahere-Blaokball Greymouth - Coal Creek Greymouth-Brunner Greymouth-Mikonui Culverden-Hanmer Motor-oars and Sheds Hurunui-Waitaki, with Branches Canterbury Interior Main Line—Oxford-Temuka Waitaki-Blufi, with Branchos Otago Central Invercargill-Kingston, with Mararoa Branch .. Forest Hill Railway—Winton-HedgehopejJ Western Railways Preliminary Surveys Miscellaneous Stock of Permanent-way on hand Rolling-stock M. ch. 24 30 45 25 58 6 19 77 86 22 162 6 116 18 69 33 87 27 92 56 157 35 M. ch. 19 58 16 25 58 6 £ 90,954 169,413 521,795 19,352 736,979 1,997,623 520,374 366,318 194,459 596,092 130,811 £ 1,093 12,607 47 77 151 1 75 18 69 33 19,598 4,755 10,457 4,890 44 34 10,569 4,110 9,239 249 44 347 50 101 27 233 12 285 59 37 53 2,521,645 2,600,408 720,298 1 1,007 81,888 218 42 209 69 2,744,398 1,131 92 38 90 45 22 73 239 75 19 56 7 12 3 69 26 0 3 40 8 70 7 51 41 0 48 10 44 14 22 73 16G 53 19 56 7 12 3 69 5 74 3 40 8 70 7 51 38 68 625,544 373,907 199,117 1,841,996 188,009 4,761 4,446 143,385 147,537 254,980 150,543 337,473 3,834 2,570,848 59,343 4,919,860 1,293,790 386,002 22,984 330,038 40,120 10,337 98,592 5,975,207 M03 501 52 83 0 598 11 182 56 117 4 12 40 91 8 443 8 11 44 546 16 134 78 97 44 12 40 70 31 i',769 "918 1,658 67 186 182,314 Total 3,985 78 2,942 16 133,904,365 417,718 Provincial Government Lines, etc. Canterbury (lengths included above) Otago and Southland Gisborne to Ormond Tramway Midland Railway, valuation of works constructed by company 731,759 372,522 4,975 11683,460 Grand total 3,985 78 2,942 16 35,697,081 417,718 35,697,081 * The amount shown as expenditure represents tho net amo 1 The funds for this extonsion —namely, £35,501 2s. lid.—wen I The funds for purchase of this line, .£15,745, were provided I § The expenditure on this line as a tramway was made by th ' Includes expenditure on railways under Hutt ltoad and 1 and Wellington-Manawatu Kailway Purchase Act Accounts. II Includes value for £150,00(1 paid to debenture-holders ur Act, 1903. unt charged e provided b; jy tho Wostp ie Lands Der. Railway Imp against the i y the Westpi >ort Harbour jartnient. iroveinent, 1 Dominion. ort Harbour Board. ! Board. Kailway Improvement Authorization Act, icier the Mic Hand Kailwi ay Petitions Settlement Act Amendment

J), 1

WAIHOU AND OHTNEMUKI RIVERS IMPROVEMENT WORKS.

Waihou Dredge.—Stern View showing Junction with Floating Pipe-line.

Waihou Dredge (under Construction).—Part View of Engine-room Interior.

D.--1

WAIHOU AND OHINEMURI RIVERS IMPROVEMENT WORKS.

Waihou Dredge.—Outlet End of Discharge-pipe.

Waihou Dredge at Head of Koutu Cut, looking towards Dredge from Landing-end of Floating Discharge-pipe.

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Road-bridge over Wairoa River, Tauranga County.—General View.

Road-bridge over Wairoa River, Tauranga County. Eleven Spans of 45ft. Total Length, 495ft. Width between Wheel-guards, 12ft. Piers, Abutments, and Superstructure of Reinforced Concrete.

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Road-bridge over Hapuka River, Kaikoura County. Six Spans of 100ft. 6in. Total Length, 603ft. Width between Wheel-guards, 12ft. Cast-iron Cylinder Piers and Concrete Abutments. Superstructure of Mixed Australian Hardwoods.

Tuatapere Road-bridge over Waiau River, Wallace County, Southland. One Span of 151ft., Two Spans of 61ft. 3in., and Six Spans of 30ft. Total Length, 453ft. 6in. Width between Wheelguards, 12ft. Piers and One Abutment Ironbark Timber, One Abutment Concrete. Superstructure of Australian Hardwoods.

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Te Reinga Falls Road-bridge over Wairoa River, Wairoa County. One Span of 151ft., Two Spans of 41ft., One Span of 20ft., and One Span of 15ft. Total Length 268ft. Width between Wheel-guards, 12ft. Concrete and Timber Piers arid Abutments. Superstructure of Mixed Australian Hardwoods.

Midland Railway.—Protective Groynes, Otira and Rolleston Rivers.

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Arthur's Pass Tunnel.— View showing Timbering.

Arthur's Pass Tunnel.— View showing Timbering.

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13

During the year a total length of 53 miles 12 chains of railway, as shown in the following table, was handed over to the Railway Department for general traffic : —

Kaihu Valley Railway. The construction of the extension of this railway beyond 19 m. 22 ch. to 23 m. 70 ch.— A miles 48 chains in length—was commenced last November; formation-work is now in hand up to "21 m. A quarry has been opened up at 19 m. 47 ch. to supply stone for concrete and ballasting. Rails have been laid up to 19 m. 38 ch. Kawakawa-Hokianga Railway. Okaihau Section (16 m. 25 ch. to 25 m.). —The formation of service-road between Kaikohe and okaih.au was completed and 2J miles of metalling done. The formation of railway has been completed up to 18 m, 64 ch. under the co-operative system. A contract is in progress for the formation, including tunnel, of the line between 18 m. 64 ch. and 19 m. 44-ch. Beyond this point the work, has been put in hand as far as 21 m. Whangarei - North Auckland Main Trunk Railway. Kioreroa Contract (0 m. to 4 'in.). —A contract was let for formation-work and construction of bridges on the first 4 miles of this line. All the culverts are in, but there still remains a good deal of earthwork to do, principally on the long banks. Sonic of the material for the bridges' is on the site, and a start has been made on the construction of one of them. Oahleigh Section (J/.m. to 7m. 60 ch.). —Co-operative contract parties are at work on the formation of this length, including the Oakleigh Station yard, which is almost completed. A contract has been let for the erection of a wharf opposite Oakleigh Station, to enable rails, sleepers, etc., to be delivered on the works. Most of the material for wharf is now on the ground. Two platelayers' cottages and the permanent goods-shed have been erected at Oakleigh Station. Tauraroa Section (7 m. 60 ch. to 15 m. Och.). —The whole of the earthwork is now in hand, and should be completed by the end of January next. It is expected that platelaying will be started before Christmas. The formation is in hand of Mangapai and Tauraroa station-yards, also a siding from Tauraroa Station into the ballast-quarry close by. This quarry was tested, and found to contain a large quantity of good stone, so a crushing plant is to be installed. A platelayer's cottage is now being erected at Tauraroa Station. North: Auckland Main Trunk Railwa-s Kirikopuni Section (118 m. ]fi ch. to 115 m.). —A start has recently been made on the section of the North Auckland Railway, starting at Pukehuia Station, where the line strikes the Wairoa River, and working southwards. The clearing and formation-work'are now in hand from 118 m. 40 ch. to 117 m. 15 ch., including the forming of Pukehuia Station yard. A service tram-line is shortly to be laid to 115 m. 72 ch. to permit of the construction of the 25-chain tunnel at this point being undertaken. Otamatea, Section (81m. 30 ch. to 88'in. 75 ch.). —This section was completed and handed over to the Railway Department on the Ist August, 1914. Bickerstaffe Section (88 m. 75 ch. to 88 m. Iflch.). —The formation, including the Biekerstaffo and Maungaturoto tunnels, has been completed. Extensive slips in banks at 86 m. 17 ch. and 86 m. 37 ch. delayed platelaying for some time, but now the railhead is at 88 m. 40 ch. just beyond Maungaturoto Station yard. On account of the treacherous nature of the country it was found necessary to strengthen the north end of Bickerstaffe Tunnel. Metal for concrete and ballast has been constantly supplied from the Hoteo quarry. The ballasting is completed to north end of Bickerstaffe Station, and the first lift has been put on up to Maungaturoto Station. Station buildings have been erected at Bickerstaffe, and tenders are being called for those at Huarau and Maungaturoto. Paparoa Section (88 m. 1/0 eh. to 92 m. 16 ch.). —Most of the earthworks are in a forward state up to 90 m. 30 ch. Extensive slips have occurred in several of the cuttings, and are proving troublesome at the approach cutting to Huarau Tunnel. These cuttings are now in hand, and a drive has been commenced at south end of tunnel.

Plan Mileage. Railway. Section. Length. Date. M. ch. M. oh. 81 30 to 83 75 31 25 „ 43 75 North Auckland Main Trunk East Coast Main Trunk (Gisbornc-Motu) Midland Lawrence-Roxburgh Otamatoa Rakauroa and Matawai .. M. ch. 2 45 12 50 1 Aug., 1914. 2 Nov., 1914. 21 40 „ 42 25 29 33 „ 34 69 Cass to Arthur's Pass Beaumont (Puketiro . . \ \ Papatowai . . I (Tahakopa .. ) 14 65 5 36 1 July, 1914. 15 Dec., 1914. 21 8 „ 41 64 Oatlin's-Waimahaka 17 56 1 Feb., 1915.

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The formation of I'aparoa Station yard is in progress. A contract is in hand for manufacture of steelwork for bridges on this section. Mareretu Section (92 in. 16 ch. to 96 m. 38 ch.). —Some of the small culverts have been built, and several of the cuttings opened up on this section. II lINTLY-A W A IK)A RAILWAY. The extension of the Huntly Bridge to form a subway across the Main South Road was com pleted early in the year. All formation-work and bridges are complete up to 7m. 22'5ch., with the exception of a single-span bridge at 2m. 65 ch. and an overbridge at 6 in. 5 ch. Within a month or so the line should bo completed to 7m. 22 - sch. Waiuku Branch Railway (Length, 12 miles 25 chains). The formation of the hist three miles of this line is being carried out by small contracts, whilst further earthworks, culverts, and fencing ate in hand under the co-operative system up to 7 m. 23 ch. The formation of flic existing main line from 27 m. 66 ch. to 28 m, 20 eh. has been widened, and rails' have been laid and ballasting completed to carry the branch line to Paerata Station. The concrete piers for the bridge at (I in. 11 ch. have been erected; the steel superstructure is being manufactured in Auckland. Two platelayers' cottages have linen erected at Paerata .1 unci ion. East Coast Main Trunk Railway. Waihi—Tauranga. Athe-uree Section (om. to 12 m. ■!■"> ch.). —Two piers of the Victoria Street bridge subway in Waihi have been built, and the roadway has been lowered the I'ull width Io give the required headroom. Between Im. and 6m. contracts for the earthworks only are in progress. From (i in. to Sin. cuttings, stream and road diversions arc in hand. A contract for the manufacture of the steelwork for bridges mi this section is in hand in Auckland, Tauranga—Opotiki. Te Maunga Sec/ton (1,1 m. Io i/') in.). —The earthworks on this section have been put in hand up to the harbour-front, and a start made with the long embankment across the foreshore forming the approach to the bridge across I lie harbour. Rails have been laid round triangle al junction and to high-water mark. Ballasting lias been done on a small purl inn. Plans have been made of the bridge across Tauranga Harbour, ami one contract let for the supply of portion of the steel; ami offers arc now being invited for the supply of the remainder. Maunganui —Te Puke Section (Maunganui, om.tol, m. 27 ch.; Te Puke, $.6m. to 51, m.). — Considerable subsidence still takes place on the banks on this sect inn, so a steam-navvy has been erected in a suitable position to obtain material for maintaining them. This lias so far worked very well. Quarrying and crushing has been continued al Moturiki quarry; a crane lias been erected, and everything put in order for procuring stone for the protective work on the long bank across the harbour. Te Puke quarry was opened up and two crushers installed, and a further larger crusher, willi elevator, screens, &c., is now being erected. A considerable amount of traffic has taken place on this section during the past, twelve months. Te Puke -Paengaroa Section (51/ m. to 59 m. 05 ch.). —All earthworks have been completed, but the long Kaituna bank gives trouble through subsidence: it is now being made up with stripping from the Te Puke quarry. The bridges are complete, except the Kaituna, for which a contract has been let : the ironbark limber is now on the ground, but no work has so far been done Inwards erection. Most of the bridges have boon erected by the Department's own staff, and the steelwork manufactured in the Department's workshop at Tauranga. Rails have been laid throughout, and the lino, including station-yard, completely ballasted, with the exception of I he Kaituna bank . Stockyards and goods-shed have been erected at Paengaroa. Paengaroa-Pqngakawa Section (59 m. 05 ch. to 01, m. 10 ch.) .—Nine small contracts were let. for earthworks; they have been satisfactorily completed, though subsidence still occurs on many of the banks. Bridges have been erected at 60 m. 76 ch.. til in. 3'soch., and 61 m. 55 eh. The rails have been laid to 62 m. lOch. and ballasting is in hand to 61 in. 55 ch. A contracl has been lei for the erection of station buildings at Rangiuru, Maniatutu* Paengaroa, and Pongakawa stations. Pongakawa-Otamarakau Section (01, m. 10 ch. to 71m. 5 ch.). —Most of the formation-work is complete, except some of the banks and cuttings which have been made narrow: in these cases it will be more advantageous to complete with steam-navvy, locomotive, and trucks. Oiamarakau-Matata Section (71m. 5 eh. to 80m. ','.', ch. ).~\ fair amount of earthwork has been done on this section, including side drains and road-diversions. Gisborne—Motu. Rakauroa Section (31m. 25 ch. to 38 m. 25 ch.).— Slips on various parts of this section were very troublesome, therefore a considerable amount of drainage work had to be undertaken before the section was safe for traffic. It was handed over to the Railway Department on the 2nd November, 1914.

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Matawai Section (38 m. 26 ch. to 43 m. 75 ch.). —This section also suffered a great deal from slips during the earlier part of the year, and a large gang of men with locomotive and trucks were employed for several months clearing these slips. This section was handed over, together with the Rakauroa Section, to the Railway Department on the 2nd November, 1914. Motu Section (43 m. 75 eh. to /,9 m. 8 ch.). —Most of the earthworks, except the formation of Kowhai Road Station yard, are complete. The rock from several of the big cuttings was utilized for concrete and metalling roads. A contract, has been let for the erection of a bridge over the Motu River. Platelaying is complete to 48m. 20 ch. near (he site of the above bridge. The line is completely ballasted to 47 m. 55 ch. Gisborm Napier (North End,). Ngatapa Section (om. to 10 in. 29 ch.). —The formation is completed, and the remainder of the works on the section are well advanced. Tenders have been called for the manufacture of steelwork for several of the bridges on this length. A quarry has been opened up near Repongaere Station yard, and a branch line has been laid into it from that station, and a crushing plant installed. All the piers of the Waipaoa Bridge have been erected. Considerable difficulty was experienced with the sinking of the cylinders on account of the large quantity of timber encountered. Most of the steelwork superstructure is at the site ami is now being assembled in position. _-.-_ Four cottages have been erected at Repongaere Station by day labour, and two more cottages, goods-shed, and platform-front at Ngatapa. Bails, including all sidings, have been laid throughout the section, and the first lift of ballast put on the whole length. Mangatoetoe and Waikurq Sections (10m. 29 eh. to 22 m.). —The earthworks are fully manned up (o 14m., and several culverts have been constructed. The bottom heading in the tunnel at loin. loch, has liein driven 150ft. Gisborne—N apier (South hind). Eskdale Section (Out. to 10 in.). -An amended centre-line has been pegged across the Inner Harbour, leaving the present Napier-Spit Railway a! a point near the recreat ion-ground, thus allowing more room for harbour area. The Harbour Board has undertaken to construct the earthworks, culverts, fencing, &c, from the junction to a point near Westshore, and has now built a bucket dredge with conveyer for the work. The Westshore Bridge across the Inner Harbour will be built by (he Department's own staff, and a start has been made" with the preliminary work. All the reinforcing steel has now arrived at Napier, and is being stacked on the site. Stratford - Main Trunk Railway. West End. Whangamomona Section (Sim. Ifieh. to 37 m. 63 eh.). —Though handed over to the Railway Department in the previous year there were several unfinished works on the section. These have since been completed. Tahora Section, (37m. 53 eh. to 1/7 in. 25 ch.). —The whole of the earthworks are complete up to and including Kohuratahi Station yard, and good progress has' been made beyond this point to No. 2 tunnel at Tahora saddle. Earthworks are in hand beyond No. 2 tunnel, principally road and stream diversions, side ditches, and water-drives. A service tramway is being laid from the end of present line to enable construction to be put in hand up to Raekohua Station yard at 47m. No. 1 funnel was completed for 15] chains during the year; 17 lineal yards are still uncompleted. The bottom heading of No. 2 tunnel is through, and enlarging and lining have commenced. All bridges up to Kohuratahi are complete. In the workshops fifty-four spans of 20ft. rolled-steel joists wvrr strengthened. Materials for road-bridges at Raekohua Station yard are now being delivered. The permanent rails have been laid into Kohuratahi Station yard, and the line up to this point partially ballasted. All station buildings have been erected al the above-mentioned station, East End. Maticr.c Section (0 m. to 11 in.). — Plans for bridge over the Ongarue River at om, 7 ch. have been completed, and tenders are now being called for the manufacture and erection of the steel superstructure. The piers are to be constructed by the Department's staff, and preparatory work is in hand. The formation is practically complete to Im. 40 ch., except cutting at Im. 29 eh., which has again slipped badly. The contractor for the Okahu contract (1 m, 40 ch. to 4 m.), which includes the construction of a tunnel 75 chains long, made very poor progress, and finally surrendered his contract in February last. Messrs. Dillon Limited took over the contract, and are now at work widening and timbering headings. Earthworks arc complete between 1 m. 40 ch. anil 2 m. 19 ch., except for cutting at 1 m. 50 ch. The bottom heading of tunnel has been driven from eastern end to 2 m. 46 ch., and from western end to 2m. 76 eh., leaving a gap of 30 chains. Earthworks between 3m. 20 ch. and 4 in. are in an incomplete state. From 4m. Io sm. 53 ch. several contracts were let for formation-work, and fair progress has been made. Beyond 5 in. 53 ch. formation is well in hand to 10 m. at Matiere Township. A bottom heading has been driven through the tunnel at 7m. 55 ch., and heading through tunnel al 8 m. 55 ch. is almost complete,

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A tramway is now being laid from the brickworks at 7 m. into Matiere Township to serve for cartage of construction materials and for haulage of settlers' goods. All culvert-work is practically complete to Matiere. The erection of a plant for the manufacture of bricks from papa by the semi-dry press method is almost complete, and making and burning of bricks is to begin at once. North Island Main Trunk Railway. Raetihi Branch (0 m. 8 eh. to 8 m. 51, ch.). —The whole of the earthworks and culverts are in hand, the formation being almost complete to 7m. Bridge-piers are complete at Im. 23 ch. and Im. 60 ch., and those at 4m, 77 ch. aro in course of construction. The steelwork for these bridges is being manufactured by contract. Rails have been laid to Im. 20 ch. It is expected that the ballasting of line will be put in hand by September. Opunake Branch Railway. Kapuni Section (0 m. 0 ch. to 7m. 0 ch.). —This section has been cleared throughout. A small contract was let for the formation of Matapu Station yard. All cuttings up to sm. are in hand, and 2m. 5 ch. of light earthwork has already been formed. A steam-navvy is being assembled at 1 m. 5 ch. to take out long cutting at this point. The duplication of the main line from Te Roti Station to the junction with branch ltiie is now being done by the Railway Department. Plans are now complete for the bridge over the Waingongoro River near Te Roti. A start has been made with, the delivery of gravel for bridges ahead of this. Two platelayers' cottages have been erected at Kapuni Station. South Island Main Trunk Railway. North End. Mirza and Mills Sections (51m. 1,5 ch. to 56 m. 6ch.). —A contract was let for the completion of earthworks, platelaying, and ballasting to 56m. 6ch., the end of the Mills Section. All earthworks have been completed and the rails laid throughout. The main-line ballasting is complete, and the station-yards are nearing completion. A contract for the erection of station buildings on this section is in hand. Kekerangu Section (56 m. 6 ch. to 60 m.). —Several culverts and an 18 ft. arched concrete bridge have been constructed. Earthworks are in hand between 56 m. 6 ch. and 57 m. 59 ch. Large areas' of drifting sand lying between the railway-line and the sea-coast are being planted with marram-grass with great success. Midland Railway. Nelson-Westland Section (North End). Kawatiri Section (59 m. 17 ch. to 63 m. 10 ch.). —Construction-work was resumed on this section in November, 1914. The earthworks are completed from 59 m. 20 ch. to 60 m., and partly so from that point to 62 in. The culvert-work is also in hand, and plans for the bridges are almost ready. Arthur's Pass Tunnel. At the Otira end of tunnel all work has been carried out by day labour. Better progress has been made this year than last. This end is practically all wet, and heavy timbering has been necessary. At the Bealey end work has continued under the co-operative system : here also an improvement in progress has been made. Since November last the bottom heading has been in wet ground. The total length of heading driven during the year (both ends) is 39'38 chains, and the length of tunnel completed 43'99 chains. The distance between the ends of the headings is now 1 mile 64'45 chains, and between the completed portions 2 miles 17'06 chains, the length of the tunnel being 5 m. 25 ch. 12 ft. Culverden-Waiau Railway (Length, 13 miles). Contracts have been let for formation-work for the whole length, and good progress is now being made. The earthworks are complete to 5 m 66 eh., and in various stages of progress up to 13 m. Fencing is complete to sm. 24 ch. All culverts and bridges (except for stringers) are finished up to 6 m. Two cottages were removed from the South Island Main Trunk Railway and re-erected at Waiau Station yard. Platelaying has commenced at Culverden Station. Westport-Inangaiiua Railway. Cascade Section (5 m. 71, ch. to 10 m.). —The earthworks on this section are being carried out under the small-contract system. Several of these contracts have been completed during the year, and there now remain practically only three to complete. Waimate Branch Railway Extension (Length, 4 miles 60 chains). The formation of this extension was commenced during the year, and the earthworks and culverting are now in hand up to 4m. Crushed stone has been delivered at the various bridgesites. A considerable amount of wire-netting protective work has been completed at om. 58 oh., where the river is close to the railway. Lawrence-Roxburgh Railway. Beaumont Section (29 m. 33 ch. to 31, in. 09 ch.). —This section was completed and handed over to the Railway Department on the 15th December, 1914.

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Catlin's-Waihaiiaka Railway. Catlin's End. Puketiro, Papatowai, and Tahakopa Sections (21, in. 8 ch. to 1,1 m. 01/ch.). —The whole line was completed and handed over to the Railway Department on the Ist February, 1915. Otago Central Railway. The construction of the extension of this railway from Clyde to Cromwell (12 miles 28 chains) was commenced in July, 1914, and very good progress has since been made. The earthworks are all in hand up to Cromwell. The first bridge, at IT m. 20 ch., has been erected, and it is hoped to have the others in hand shortly. Hails have been laid to 47m. 51 ph., and ballasting has been completed to 47 in. 27 ch. Orepuki-Watau Railway. Orawia Section (1/8 in. 23 eh. to 58 in.). —Construction-work has started on this section beyond Tuatapere, and some of the earthworks are now in hand. A contract for the erection of two platelayers' cottages at Tuatapere is in progress. SURVEYS OP RAILWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, NEW LINES OF RAILWAYS. LAND PLANS.'ETC Kawakawa-Hokianga Railway. ■A. land-plan survey was completed during the year from 16 m. 60 ch. to 19 m. 44 ch., and tenders are now being called for land plans up to 25 in. Exploration surveys were completed beyond the Hokianga River. The permanent line has now been pegged to 26m. Whangarei Southwards Railway. The plans of the permanent line from 15 m. to 1.9 m. 78 ch. where it junctions with the main line were completed during the year. Land-plan surveys have been made from om. to 14 m. Mangapai-Waipu Survey. Four miles of permanent-line pegging has been done. Kaikohe to Ohaeawai. A trial line survey was completed during the year. North Auckland Main Trunk Railway. The permanent line has been surveyed from 93m. 70ch. right through to Kirikopuni at 122 m. Reconnaissance surveys were made from Kaiwaka io Waipu, and from Mareretu to Waipu. Landplan surveys of the Paparoa Section of railway and the access road to the Paparoa Station have been carried out. Waiuku Branch Railway. Surveys of the permanent line were made from 9m. 40 ch. to 12 m. 20 ch. A land-plan survey contract of the first 4 miles is in progress. Huntly-Aw akoa Railway. A survey of a further •'! miles of this line to Burnt Bridge is in hand. Land-plan surveys are complete to 7 m. 22 ch. East Coast Main Trunk Railway. Tauranga-Opotiki. —A trial survey was made from 92 m. 71 eh. to 100 m. 40 eh., and permanent survey will now be put in hand. Gisborne—Motu. —Land-plan survey is in hand from Matawai to 19 m. 10 eh. Gisborne—Nap-ier. —From the Gisborne end the permanent survey has been extended to 34m. at Hangaroa Township. A trial survey of a deviation from 14 m. to near 20 m. is to be put in hand. About 2 miles of line both north and south of Wairoa have been permanently pegged. Te Roti - Opunake - Moturoa Railway (Length, 58 miles 74 chains). Te Roti-Opnnake. —The permanent survey has been completed to 23 m. at Opunake. .Opunake-Moturoa. —The permanent-line survey has been extended from 35 m. to 38 m. 60 ch. From 38 m. 60 ch. to Moturoa various trial lines aggregating altogether 56. ] , miles have been run. Manaia Branch. —The permanent line has been pegged from 0 in. at Kapuni Station to sm. 50 eh. at Manaia. Wellington-Paekakariki Railway. Last November this Department took over from the Railway Department surveys for the relocation and duplication of the railway between Wellington and Paekakariki. The surveys for six different routes between Wellington and Tawa Flat were completed, and information obtained for duplication between Tawa Flat and Plimmerton. Between Plimmerton and Paekakariki two routes have been surveyed. Wellington -Wairarapa Railway. Surveys for a deviation through the Rimutaka Range were put in hand during last autumn, and a trial line has been run from the Wainui-o-mata Stream to Pigeon Bush, via the Wairongomai Stream. Work is now in hand between Wainiii-o-inata and Petone.

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South Island Main Trunk Railway. Kekerangu Section. —A survey of a deviation between 60 m. and 61 m. 22 ch, is nearly finished. This was necessary on account of large slips near 61 m Midland Railway (Nelson-Westland Section). Kaioatiri Section. —The permanent survey was completed to 63 m., and is now being continued to 65 m. Waimate Branch Railway Extension The permanent survey of line to 4 m. 60 ch. has been completed. BaLCLUTHA - TUAPEKA MOUTH RAILWAY. A trial line about 23 miles long was completed early in the year, and about 6 miles 70 chains have been permanently pegged. Otaoo Central Railway. The survey work from Clyde to Cromwell was completed in December, 1914. Wyndham-Mokoreta Railway. Trial surveys of this proposed railway have been made. Orepuki-Waiau Railway. Trial surveys have been made to Orawia, and the permanent line has been pegged to 53 rn.

ROADS, BRIDGES, ETC. Exclusive of the usual road-formation, metalling, and maintenance works carried out, the following are some of the more important works which call for special mention : — The Motu-Opotiki Main Road has now advanced so far towards completion as to allow of limited wheeled traffic. On the Mangapoike Road, 1 mile 15 chains of dray-road and 4 miles 48 chains of bridle-track have been completed, leaving about 7 miles of bridle-track to widen in order to complete as a dray-road from Gisborne to Wairoa. Over 9 miles of metalling were completed on the Napier-Wairoa Road; the whole road has been maintained, and straightened and widened at some of the sharp bends. On the Te Kuiti - Mokau Road about b\ miles of metalling has been done, besides ditching and maintenance. Two miles of Awakino Valley (Lower) Road have been formed into a drayroad, and 1 mile of ditching done, and a tunnel is in hand. On the Ohura Road a considerable amount of metalling has been done, besides maintenancework and various improvements. The erection of a bridge over the Tangarakau River (top crossing) is nearing completion. On the Rotoaira-Waimarino Road a good deal of widening and pumicing has been done, and two bridges have been built. Thirty-eight prison buildings were built at the prison-camp site and 4| miles of telephone-line erected. About 14£ miles of the Main Kohatu-Westport-Reefton Road have been metalled, besides several miles of patching. Several bridges have been repaired, and the new bridges over Blackwater Creek and Orowaiti overflow are almost finished. The main road between Arthur's Pass and Waiho has been maintained and 39J, miles metalled, besides several miles of metal patching and re-forming. The work of improving the Kaikoura to Conway River main road so as to make a first-class coach-road was commenced during the year : already about 18 miles have been widened and improved and 1| miles metalled. A few of the principal bridges, protective works, &c, are mentioned briefly below :— Tokatoka Swamp Stop-banks, Drainage, and Tramway. —The 15 J chains of tram-line required to complete have been constructed by the Department. Fourteen miles of stop-banks have been maintained during the year. Owing to serious tidal encroachments along the foreshore about 21 chains of stone protection-work were constructed. Mangere Bridge. —The erection of a ferro-concrete bridge 808 ft. long and 38 ft. wide to carry a roadway and double line of tramway over the Manukau Harbour between Mangere and Onehunga has been carried out by the Mangere Road Board under Government subsidy. Waikato River Bridge (Rangiriri) .—-A. contract has been let for the erection of a bridge 438 ft. long over the Waikato River at Rangiriri. Waihou River Bridge. —The erection of the bridge with approaches over the Waihou River at Puke, on the Paeroa-Netherton Road, has been completed. It has been provided with an opening span, and dolphins have been erected to prevent passing vessels from damaging the bridge. Wairoa River Bridge. —A ferro-concrete bridge, consisting of eleven spans of 45 ft. each, has been constructed across the Wairoa River on the Tauranga to Waihi Road, about 5} miles from Tauranga. Rangitaiki River Bridge (Te Teko). —The erection of this ferro-concrete bridge is being carried out by the Department. It is situated on the main road between Rotorua and Whakatane, and consists of seven spans of 45 ft. each. Ongarue River Bridge. —A bridge has been erected across the Ongarue River near Taringamotu Station, which will give access to the Irawhata Block,

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ttaipawa River Bridge.-A bridge 880 ft. long with 29 chains of approaches, including pro-tection-work has been erected by the Waipawa County Council between Ongaonga and Tikokmo laramakau River Bridge.—The spans washed away in 1913 have been restored, and additional spans have been constructed. Butter River Bridge (Gowan Rood).— This bridge, consisting of one 144 ft. truss, one 60ft truss, and three 20 ft, stringer spans, has been completed, with approaches. Opawa River Bridge.— A start was made with the erection of this bridge, a ferro-concrete structure 560 ft. long. All plant, buildings, and staging are complete, and 120 concrete piles nave been made and seventy driven. Hapuku River Bridge and, Approaches.— This bridge, consisting of six 100 ft. trusses on cylinder piers and concrete abutments, was completed in February last. Kowhai River Bridge.— A timber bridge of fourteen 25 ft. spans on ironbark pile piers was completed during the year. Conway River Bridge and Iluiidalec River Bridge and Approaches.—A contract has been let for the erection of these bridges, and some of the material has been obtained. Clutha River Bridge (Luggate).— Cylinders were sunk and the 100 ft,, 200 ft., and 40 ft, spans erected. The approaches are nearing completion. Balchitha Traffic Bridge.—A contract for lengthening this bridge has been satisfactorilv completed. The bridge was also raised at fairway to a height of 2 ft. 6 in. to allow sufficient clearance for river-steamers. Lower Shotover Bridge.— This bridge was finished and opened for-traffic in April last. Waiau River Bridge (Tuatapere).— This bridge has now been completed, Balelutha Protective Works.— Good progress has been made with this work. The old protective work has been raised and widened, and below traffic bridge a new bank has been formed as far as Greenock Street, A contract has been let for a further 24* chains. A considerable amount of grassing and fencing has been done. Mataura River Protective Works (Wa.ipounamu). —Groynes have been built at various points, and in Section 6, where the river had cut into an old channel, a strong wall of stone and wire netting was built which has successfully deflected the stream into the right channel.

IRR [CATION. Otekaike Settlement . 'Hie contract for cutting 6 miles of race on the eastern side of river was finished, as well as fixing distributing-weir at junction with main race. All the siphons were placed, and flumes in several places had to be added. A further length of 65 chains of race was cut beyond 6 miles, and an offer to cut a further 145 chains has been accepted. A report was made on the advisabilitv of cleaning out the present race on the western side of river. Ida Valley Scheme-. A small amount of excavation was done at the Manorburn dam at end on right side of creek. In January a double shift was worked at the concreting until the wall narrowed to 4 ft, or 5 ft. During the season 3,987 cubic yards of concrete were placed, bringing the wall to within 9i ft. of the top. The valve-tower was built Io the same height, including steps inside and cantilevers for valve-rods. At the end of April severe frosts stopped all work at the dam. A month's work next season should complete this work. Concreting was started on Moa Creek weir and the whole wall was built, except cross-wall carrying gates and straight-section over race-outlet. A few days' work will finish the concreting. On Black's No. 3 race, on the left-hand side of the valley, all the race has been cut from the weir to the end at 10 in. 65 ch, There still remain to be done on this race two flumes, one over Alexandra Road, and another one half-way along the race. On the right side work on the German Hill race is in hand from om. 25 ch. to 3m. From 3 m. 10 ch. to 4 in. 15 ch. the race is complete. The Bonanza race has been widened and deepened from intake to Im. 1 ch. From this point to 3m. 65 ch. the race has been widened and walls built on low side. Work is in hand up to 6m. 76 ch ; beyond this the new race has been cut for a further 74 1 chains. The work for next season will include masonry walls on low side of race, small intake-weir, Hun ling, and some concrete-work. Three lines for a dam at the upper site, Poolburn, have been pegged, and a number of bores put down to rock. Further information will be necessary before finally deciding on site. During the irrigation period water was sold to various irrigators in the valley. Manuherikia-A lexandra-Clyde Scheme. Survey work was continued until the end of October, the work done being chieflv surveving and levelling long distributary-race lines from various points in the main race. A deviation of the Olrig race, about 3 miles long, was surveyed. A water-gauge was erected in the Manuherikia River just below the road-bridge at Ophir, and arrangements made for regular readings: also a rain-gauge at the Post-office, Ophir. Two contracts have been let for race-construction, and work on these is now in hand. On No. 1 contract nearly 16 chains of race have been cut, including settling-basin, and on No. 2 about 8$ chains cut.

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OTEKAIKE SPECIAL SCHOOL. Plantation, ('let/run;, Eciliny, Sawmilling, Roadmaking, &c. —- This work was originally being carried out by a private contractor, but. was eventually taken over by the Department, An improved sawmilling plant was installed and worked. Some 8 acres of plantation have been cleared, and are already built upon. Up to the end of June 262,030 ft. of timber has been cut. Roadmaking is also in hand to join the main road and the road passing the cottage homes. WAIHOU AND OHINEMURI RIVERS IMPROVEMENT. A survey has been made of i miles 68 chains of slop-bank on the Upper Waihou between Tirohia and Ngararahi. On the Lower Waihou about 12 miles of survey work has been plotted. A part)' of men have been employed between Te Aroha and Netherton destroying willows and working on maintenance generally. The dredge has been completed, and has commenced work deepening the surface canals. A slipway for the dredge has been finished, and a workshop erected on the slip reserve. TRAMWAYS. Auckland. —During the year all cars were altered to comply with the provisions of the Tramways Act, 1913. The Tramway Company lias .submitted plans of the apparatus fftr the magnetic control of points at the junction of Wellesley and Queen Streets. Napier. —Two new cars were inspected and passed for traffic. Wanganui. —The extension, of the tramway from Dublin Street Bridge to Eastown Station, a distance of 1 mile, was completed during the year; also the A.ramoho extension to Quick Avenue, a distance of 1 m. 39 chains. New Plymouth. —The construction of this tramway is in hand. Wellington. —A loop lias been put in at Ohiro Road and portion of the Kilbirnie route duplicated. Work is in hand on the extension of the Constable Street line over the hill into Kilbirnie. Several new cars have been inspected and passed for traffic. Christchurch. —All centre poles have been removed and span-wire construction substituted, except in Moorhouse Avenue. The Burwood to New Brighton route has been electrified. Duplications have been made on the Sumner and New Brighton routes, and a short extension of the Fendalton route has been opened for traffic. MARINE. Kohukohii Reclamation. —Separate oontracts were let for the pile-driving, supply of timber, and supply of ironwork. The whole of the timber retaining-walls are finished, and there now remains only a few weeks' work to complete the filling. The repairs to wharf and the erection of a wharf-shed are complete. Mangamuka and/ Orira /livers.- —These rivers were cleared and snagged, and are now safe for launch navigation. Channel Island Light, —The erection of trestle, wire rope, winch, and pedestal has been, satisfactorily carried out. The apparatus has been placed in position and the light exhibited. Howick Wharf. —Repairs to this wharf have been carried out. Netherton Wharf and Goods-shed. —A tender has been accepted for the erection of a wharf and goods-shed on the Waihou River at Puke, and the work is now in progress. Narrows Rock Beacon. —A lender has been accepted for the manufacture of a beacon light for Hokianga Harbour. Hauraki Gulf .Beaches. —A laud-plan survey of the above has been completed. Rangiriri Wharf. —This wharf has been erected by the Waikato County Council. Waikato River Snagging. —Some useful work consisting of blasting out stumps has been done during the summer months between Rangiriri and Huntly. Miranda Wharf. — A new wharf has been erected by the Department to replace the old wharf, which had become dangerous. Mokau. Ferry. —A new cottage has been erected. Taiatoa Heads. —A landing shed has just been finished. Karori Rock Beacon. —-The construction of this beacon is now Hearing completion. Karamea Harbour. —The T end of'the wharf has been extended 10 ft, up-stream and 10 ft. down-stream, and the dolphins have been repaired. The whole of tin; training-wall has had piles driven along the back and walings attached thereto. Another 160 ft. length has been added to the wall. During the year an attempt was made to cut a. new channel, but was not very successful. A flood immediately afterwards, however, cut a new channel in the desired position, and also seriously damaged three bays of the training-wall then under construction. Miscellaneous. —Proposals submitted by local authorities have been examined, and various surveys made and reports furnished by the district officers of the Department.

DEFENCE WORKS. Various buildings, &c, have been constructed, and repairs and improvements carried out in connection with Defence works throughout the Dominion. T have. oVc, The Hon. the Minister of Public Works. R. W. Holmes, Engineer-in-Ohief.

J).-1.

Enclosure to Appendix B. Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915. NORTH ISLAND.

21

> OIE. —( ioiumn or :ail lormai iion as lates oj openings o: such portions o: .ines as are not given in tl is tab! e see tables of lengths of lines in Public Works Statements, 1904-10. State of Line. state ot Line. 3KI.Ee or Xjltie. I : 1 Grahamtown (Onerahi) Appropriation. Grahamtown (Onerahi) Laihu Valley forth Auckland Railway y ; . ; Division. §> Section. am » Total. «j Onened J Lme. fi | Under \ Under ! upenea. | So jForma-j Plate- | " .' tion. laving. : „ I B . o Date _ 191{) _xi 19H-12 1912-131913-1*1914-15 — — — ! I ; _! _ ™ _J_ II ; 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 i 20 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. i M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. eh. M. ch. I M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Kawakawa ,. 7 16 Opua Wharf - Kawa- 7 16 0 57 7 73 | kawa Kawakawa-Kamo .. 41 48 Kawakawa-Towai .. 21 18 0 61 \ 21 79 .. .. .. 12 April,1911 .. .. I 21 18 Towai-Hukerenui .. 4 30 j 0 33 i 4 63 .. .. .. 2 May, 1910 .. 4 30 ! Hukerenui-Karno .. 16 0 ; 3 29 j 19 29 Kamo-Graharntown 9 22 Kamo-Kioreroa 6 52 ■■ 2 27 8 79 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Kioreroa-Grahamtown 2 50 1 16 i 3 66 .. .. .. 2 Oct., 1911 .. .. 2 50 Wharf Kawakawa-Hokianga 45 25 ' Otiria-Kaikohe ..16 25 1 451 17 70 .. .. .. 1 May, 1914 .. .. .. .. .. 16 25 Kaikohe-Hokianga.. 29 0 .. j 29 0 2 38 3 17 Kaihu Valley .. i 24 30 Dargaville-Booms .. 17 21 0 75 , 18 16 Booms-Tarawhati .. 2 37 0 25 2 62 ; .. 2 37 .. 1 June, 1914 .. .. .. .. .. 2 37 Tarawhati-Donnelly's 4 52 0 16 4 68 .. 4 52 Crossing Kaipara Northwards i 86 22 Extension., .. 26 0 ! .. ' 26 0 i 26 0 Estim. .. .. .. .. .... McCarrol's - Papa- 4 10 .. 4 10 ! 4 10 ; Total. j Total. 21 M. ch. 7 16 21 18 U 2 ■2 50 16 25 17 21 2 37 Kaihu Valley North Auckland Railway /hangarei - Slorth Auckland Railway Paparewa-Bickerstaffe] 5 10 | .. 5 10 ! 5 10 5 10 Bickersiafie-Otamatea; 3 05 I 0 65 3 70 j .. 3 70 3 70 Otamatea-Kaiwaka.. 2 35 I 0 62 3 17 .. .. .. ; 1 Aug., 1914 .. .. .. .. .. 2 35 Kaiwaka - Te Hana.. ! 8 65 103 9 68! .. .. .. ! 18 Mar. 1913 .. .. .. 8 65 Te Hana-Wellsford.. I 3 27 0 58 ' 4 5 .. .. .. 16 May, 1910! .. 3 27 Wellsford-Waj by .. i 3 18 0 28 1 3 46 .. .. .. I 1 April, 1909: .. ..,!.. Wayby-Hoteo .. 3 40 0 13 3 53 .. .. .. 13 May, 1908| Hoteo- Kaipara Flats 2 45 0 13 2 58 -- .. .. HJune, 19071 Kaipara Plats-Wood- 3 5 0 16 3 21 .. .. .. 17 Nov., 19051 cock's Woodcock's-Ahuroa 2 41 0 16 2 57 ' .. .. .. 18 May, 1905: .. .. .. .." Ahuroa-Helensville.. 18 41 1 75 20 36 .. .. .. .. .. .. ...... Whangarei - North: 19 77 Kioreroa-Waikiekie.. 19 77 1 76 21 73 5 77 14 0 Auckland : 2 35 )- 45 42 Whangarei - North Auckland Railway

D.-l.

Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915 — continued. NORTH ISLAND— continued.

22

State of Line. 1 . i , State of Line. AP ?LT ia " division. § Section. T Mai " | Total, i „5 „ a I TT a Opened tion. « Line. a o Under Under upenea. 2 . S g Forma- Plate- I *< tion. laying. - „ <g - Date. — 1910-llj 1911-12 1912-1311913-14 1914-15 — Opened. — — ! Total. J ' _ __ _! _J , I _ I _ '_ I I I I - - - I I 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 M. ch. j M, ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. cb. M. eh. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Kaipara- Kaipara-Newmarket 35 73 Helensville-Newm'rk't 35 73 6 66 42 59 Waikato Onehunga Branch .. 2 73 Penrose - Onehunga 2 73 1 70 4 63 Wharf Auckland- Waikato .. 100 13 Auckland-Te Awamutu 100 13 , 16 66 j 116 79 Auckland-Penrose — Deviation via Beach [ 6 50 i Deviation via Beach 6 50 6 50 6 50 Auckland City Branch; 2 60 ! Auckland City Branch: 2 60 .. 2 60 2 60 Prelim. —Kingsland Station to Auckland Station via Western Park and Freeman's BaySurveys, new j Waiuku Branch Rly. . 12 5 Paerata- Waiuku 12 5 12 5 12 5 lines ! Huntly-Awaroa .. j 9 0 ; Huntly-Awaroa .. ; 9 0 .. 9 0 1 57 7 23 Paeroa-Pokeno .. ! 40 15 \ Paeroa-Pokeno .. • 40 15 .. 40 15 40 15 Waikato- ! Waikato-Thames .. 62 58 ! Prankton Junction-: 62 58 I 10 17 72 75 I Thames Thames Paeroa- Paeroa-Waihi .. 12 40 | Paeroa-Waihi .'. 12 40 130 13 70 .. .. .. 9Nov.,1905 Waihi East Coast Waihi - Opotiki, or , 124 0 ; Waihi-Tauranga ,.,41 0 .. 41 0 |„I ?» [ 7 0 Railway East Coast Railway \ ! via Matata 1 J_ 19 20 21M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. .. j 35 73 2 73 100 13 62 58 12 40 Tauranga-Te Maunga 4 0.. 40 .. .. 3 15 Junction Te Maunga Junction- 9 0 1 15 10 15 .. .. 10 15f Te Puke Te Puke-Paengaroa.. 5 65 | 1 41 _. 133 0+1 1 29 j 6 69 .. Paengaroa-Opotiki .. ; 64 15 .. J lx * |{ 9 62*i 11 0 i 8 0 Branch .. .. 4 27 Mount Maunganui - 4 27 0 47 4 74 .. .. 4 74 Te Maunga Junction Hamilton- Hamilton-Cambridge 12 2 i Ruakura Junction- j 12 2 | 3 14 15 16 Cambridge Cambridge ,j . Thames Val- Thames Valley-Roto- 69 33 ; Morrinsville-Rotorua 69 33 5 27 74 60- .; ley -Roto- rua . rua 12 2 +69 33 ■■ Trial survey. t Completed all but Te Maunga Yard. t Permanent survey.

23

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Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915— continued. NORTH ISLAND— continued.

State of Line. Appropria- X>ivi s ion. § Section. ? Iam & Total. -d taori - j> Lme. | |S Under Under i g -2 oi' iPorma- Plate- | tion. laying. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 M. ch. I M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Gisborne- Gisborne-Opotiki .. 92 56 ; Gisborne Wharf-Kai- 13 10 2 45 15 55 .. .. .. -,.. Rotorua teratahi Kaiteratahi-Karaka 5 5 0 71 I 5 76 .. .. .. 13 April, 1905 Karaka-Puha ..175 0 24 2 19 .. .. .. 20 May, 1907 Puha-Waikohu Bridge 3 29 .. 3 29 .. .. .. 28 May, 1908 Waikohu Bridge- Wai- i 0 35 0 32 0 67 .. .. .. 1 April, 1909 kohu Waikohu-Otoko .. 7 75 0 32 8 27 .. .. .. 6 April, 1912 Otoko-Rakauroa .. | 6 60 I 0 32 7 12 ..'. .. .. 2 Nov., 1914 Rakauroa-Matawai.. I 5 65 0 50 6 35 .. .. .. 2 Nov., 1914 Matawai-Kowhai ! 5 10 0 55 5 65 .. 0 10 4 0 Road Kowhai Road-Motu j 2 10 .. 2 10 : 2 10 Motu-Opotiki .. I 41 2 .. 41 2 41 2 Estim. New survey Napier-Gisborne .. 157 35 : Napier- West Shore.. i 3 37 .. 3 37 ! 3 12 : 0 25 West Shore-Petane... 3 57 .. 3 57 ; .. 3 57 Petane-Eskdale .. 3 35 .. 3 35 i 0 35 : 3 0 Eskdale-Wairoa .. 47 31 .. 47 31 : 47 31 ; Prelim. Wairoa River-Gisborne 62 0 .. 62 0 46 69 15 11 Gisborne Station- 35 .. 35 Makaraka Makaraka-Patutahi , 4 55 0 40 5 15 .. .. 4 55 Patutahi-Ngatapa .. i 6 50 0 50 7 20 .. 1 30 5 20 Ngatapa-Waikura .. ! 7 30 .. 7 30 4 30 1 30 1 50 Waikura-Waterfall* ,60 .. 60 60 Prelim. Waterfall-Hangaroa* ! 5 0 ..5 0 5 0 Prelim. Wairoa-Gisborne ..20 ..20 20' Wairoa-Napier .. , 2 55 .. 2 55 2 55 Napier- Napier-Woodville .. 96 65 ; Napier Spit-Woodville 1 96 65 15 5 111 70 ■ Woodville and Palmerston Woodville-Paimerston 17 21 , Woodville-Paimerston: 17 21 0 51 17 72 North North North Wellington - Woodville-Wellington 115 79 Woodville-Wellington 115 79 21 73 137 72 Woodville [Te Aro] Greytown Branch .. 3 7 Woodside-Greytown 3 7 0 64 i 3 71 Featherston - Martin- 11 50 Featherston - Martin- 11 50 .. 11 50 11 50 borough borough Greytown- Martin- 4 62 Greytown-Martin- 4 62 j .. 4 62 4 62-f I borough borough Opened. — 1910-li;i911-12 1912-13:1913-141914-15 — — 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. ftl. ch. M. ch. " 7 75 6 60 5 65 Opened. — Total. 20 21 M. eh. M. eh. '' v 44 34 '.'. 9665 17 21 115 79 3 7 I * Approximate. f Trial survey.

D.— 1

24

Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915— continued. NORTH ISLAND— continued.

*PP«r- Division. | Section. j ?£ | Total. , UnderUllde / S . "S £ Forma- Plate'h tion. laying. : Date. State of Line. Opened. j : I j j ~ — 1910-11:1911-12 1912-131913-14 1914-15 — — — j Total. State of Line. Opened. 1 2 3 4 56789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ■ M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. ! M. ch. M. ch. Rimutaka Coach road Route .. 9 0 Kaitoke-Featherston 9 0 .. 9 0 9 0 Prelim. Incline Tauherenikau Route 2130 Upper Hutt-Wo3dside 2130 .. 21 30 21 30 Deviation Wainui-o-mata: 31 40 Petone-Pigeon Bush I 31 40 .. 31 40 31 40 Surveys Route Coast Route .. j 52 0 : Petone-Pigeon Bush 52 0 .. I 52 0 | 52 0 Coast Route .. 70 0 ] Petone-Carterton, ilia 70 0 .. 70 0 ! 70 0 Martinborough Wellington-Manawatu 83 37 Wellington-Longburn 83 37 15 76 99 33 Foxton-New Foxton-Patea .. 120 44 : Poxton-Patea ..il20 44 14 75 135 39 Plymouth j Route Improvement 26 7 Turakina-Matarawa 11 67 .. 11 67 11 67 Surveys ' Aramoho-Goat Valley 7 40 .. 7 40 ' 7 40 Tunnel Kai Iwi-Okehu .. 3 60 .. 3 60 ' 3 60 Nukumaru-Waitotara : 3 0 .. 3 0:30 Prelim. Patea - Waitara and j 72 29 1 Patea-New Plymouth 72 29 11 52 84 1 ! New Plymouth Breakwater Bull's Branch .. 3 79 , Bull's Branch .. j 3 79 .. 3 79 3 79 Prelim. Wanganui Branch .. 3 29 Aramoho- Wanganui 3 29 2 23 5 52 Stratford- , Stratford-Main Trunk 101 27 Stratford-Toko .. 6 26 0 40 6 66: Mam Trunk Toko-Oruru ..I 4 72 0 36 5 28' Oruru-Huiroa ..[4 50 0 35 55^ Huiroa-Te Wera .. i 6 77 1 16 8 13 Te Wera- Pohokura.. 8 55 0 65 9 40 Pohokura - Whanga- 6 13 0 45 6 58 momona Whangamomona- Ta-! 9 67 0 60 10 47 .. 5 20 4 47 hora Tahora-Heao .. I 1 40 .. 1 40 1 40 Heao-Matiere ..135 57 .. 35 57 | 35 57 Prelim. Okahukara-Matiere.. 10 23 0 75 11 18 0 75 10 23 Matiere-Waitawhenua [ 6 27 .. 6 27 j 6 27 Watershed 7 Dec, 1908* 1 Mar., 1905 1 April, 1908 20 June, 1910 1 Aug., 1912 1 July, 1914 ■ ■ M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. I M. ch. M. ch. | M. cb. 83 3^ 120 ii .. 7223 2! 8 55 .. .. 6 13 J * Date of purchase ■i • i .. ; '

D.—1

Public Works Map SHOWING THE RAILWAYS NORTH ISLAND OF New Zealand 1915

Public Works Map SHOWING THE RAILWAYS SOUTH ISLAND OF New Zealand 1915

4—D. 1

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Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915— continued. NORTH ISLAND— continued.

25

Appropriation. Division. 60 1 Section. Main Line. OO 33 Total. ID r^ aj > U2 Under Under Forma-! Plate- — tion. laying. Date. State of Line. Opened. 11910-11 1911-12 1912-13 1913-14;1914-15 Total. 1 2 Stratford- Stratford - Ongarue — Main Trunk Deviations — ctd. Puketutu - Mangaroa Deviation Opunake-Mountain Rd. Te Roti-Moturoa 3 4 5 M. ch. M. ch. 33 40 Mangaroa-Puketutu 33 40 14 0 Aramatai-Hangatiki 14 0 30 0 .. 30 0 23 10 i Opunake-Eltham .. 23 10 58 74 Te Roti-Kapuni .. 6 70 Kapuni-Auroa .. 5 8 Auroa-Pihama .. 4 42 Pihama Opunake .. 6 30 Opunake-Stony River 21 10 Stony River-Moturoa j 14 74 8 77 Manganui Section .. 5 74 Quarry Section .. 3 3 209 69 Marton Junction- 31 67 Mangaweka Mangaweka-Taihape 13 1 Taihape-Mataroa .. 5 70 Mataroa-Waiouru .. 18 10 Waiouru-Erua .. 30 63 Erua Taumarunui .. 35 65 Taumarunui-Te Awa- 74 33 mutu 8 53 Raetihi Section .. 8 53 30 0 Ohakune to Mokau- 30 0 Retaruke Divide 34 0 Makatote Gorge-Ma- 34 0 rae Kowhai 20 0 Marae-Kowhai-Ohura 20 0 Valley 103 58 Ngaire Section .. 38 73 Tangarakau Section 26 0 Heao Section .. 10 70 Ohura Section .. 27 75 46 75 Waitara Section .. 46 75 12 0 Urenui to Tangitu 12 0 River 170 0 Hastings-Te Awamutu 170 0 2627 2 .. 2627 2 1 6 7 8 9 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 33 40 33 40 Prelim. 14 0 14 0 Prelim. 30 0 30 0 Prelim. 23 10 23 10 6 70 3 70 3 0 5 8 5 8 4 42 4 42 6 30 6 30 21 10 21 10 14 74 14 74 Prelim. 2 3 7 77 0 60 3 63 .. 1 58 4 61 36 48 1 61 14 62 0 61 6 51 112 50 97 28 - 6 20 80 58 P " '.'■ 17 9 60 .. 8 23 30 0 30 0 Prelim. 34 0 34 0 Prelim. 20 0 j 20 0 Explor. 38 73 38 73 26 0 ! 26 0 10 70 ] 10 70 27 75 27 75 46 75 ! 46 75 12 0 12 0 Prelim. .. 170 0 170 0 Prelim. 194 70 2821 72 1192 72 113 45 10 M. ch. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 M. ch. M. ch. I M. eh. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. eh. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. •• Mount Egmont Branch Northlsland Marton-Te Awamutu Main Trunk Railway - 1 25 .. 1 0 30 1 April, 1908 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 0 10 Sep., 1904 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 58 1 June, 1907 30 June, 1908 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ) 13 Feb., 1909 j t 84 58 9 Nov., 1908 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. j 74 33 Ohakune - Raetihi Branch Central Route Deviation Surveys Ngaire-Ongarue Waitara-Tangarakau Urenui Route - Hastings-Te Awamutu 57 70 1144 53 14 54 23 68 25 35 .. 39 75 .. .. .. 1248 45 Totals 57 70 ' [1248 4: 194 70 i2821 72 1192 72113 45 Note. —Taonui and Lichfield Branches not mentio: ,ed above, as the rails have been taken up.

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Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915— continued. SOUTH ISLAND.

Note. —Column 12 : For detail info: mation as to dates of openings of such portions of lines as are not given in this table see tal es of lengths of lines in 1C or, ernenl iS, Appropriation. Division. Mileage. Section. J 1 "'" Siding!!. Total. lone. ** 0 Under Under veved For - Plate " J ' mation. laying;. State of Line. Opened. Date. 1910-11. 1911-12. 1912-13. 1913-14. 1911-15. — Total. 1 NelsonRoundell Midland Railway 2 3 M. ch. Nelson-Belgrove.. 22 73 4 5 M. eh. Nelson-Belgrove .. 22 73 6 M. oh. 2 52 7 S M. ch. M. ch. 25 45 9 M. ch. 10 M. oh. 11 12 13 M. ch. M. ch. 14 15 M. ch. M. ch. 16 M. ch. 17 M.ch. I ! I 18 19 20 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 21 M. ch. 22 73 Stillwater - Bel- 147 7 grove (viaT&dmoi) Stillwater-Reefton S. 37 30 Reefton S.-ReeftonN. 130 Reefton N.-Cronadun 5 38 Cronadun-Landing .. 8 40 Landing-Iuaugahua 6 0 Inangatiua-Kawatiri 46 43 Glenhope-Kawatiri 4 5 Glenhope-Tui .. 9 42 Tui-Kiwi .. .. 3 17 Kiwi-Tadmor .. 5 9 Tadmor-Kohatu .. 10 29 Kohatu-Belgrove .. 9 44 Brunner-Otira .. 42 27 Rolleston Section .. 12 Tunnel Contract .. 8 0 Tunnel Contract-Cass 13 79 Cass-Broken River.. 15 22 Broken River - Ota- 7 40 ram a Otarama-Springfield 4 58 Ngahere-Blaekball .. j 3 40 4 79 1 0 0 56 0 45 0 10 015 0 55 0 34 0 29 0 69 0 62 2 68 6 20 1 29 0 30 0 16 1 20 42 29 2 30 6 14 9 5 6 10 1 26 46 43 46 43 4 20 0 74 10 17 3 51 .. 5 38! 11 18' 10 26 45 151 12 8 0 .. 14 19 16 51 7 70 3 11 8 40 4 54 ::) 31 Mar.. 1907 7 Aug., 1908 2 Sept., 1912 18 Dec, 1908 7 Aug., 1906 •-. •• {::'' :: .. .. 9 42 3 17 37 30 1 30 5 38 •■ 12 59 .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 9 10 29 9 44 42 27 .. .. Brunner - Spring- 92 68 field 7 12 i"a .. v. i 1 July, 1914 1 July, 1914 10 Dec., 1910 29 Oct., 1906 " I " 0 68 13 79 "6 68 13 79 ) 27 40 I 4 74 .. .. Blackball Rail way GreymouthNelson Creek W e s t portNgakawau WestportNgakawau Extension Ngahere-Blaekball 3 4o| 4 60 16 July, 1910 3 40 3 40 Greymouth - Nel- ; 7 51 son Creek Greymouth-Brunner- 7 51 ton-Still water 6 18 13 69 7 51 19 56 Westport - Ngaka- j 19 56 wau Ngakawau -Moki-. 7 12 hinui Westport-Ngakawau 19 56 8 12 27 68 Ngakawau-Mokihi- 7 12| nui 1 18 8 30 7 12 Mokihinui Colliery 3 69 Line Westport Inanga- 26 0 hua Junction Mokihinui-Seddonville 3 69 Westport - Te Kuha .. 5 74 Te Kuha - Inangab.ua 20 6 Junction 0 25 0 10 4 14 3 69 WestportInangahua 6 4 .. 20 6| 16 6 4 0 1 April, 1912 .. '5 74 5 74 •■ I I I

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Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915— continued. SOUTH ISLAND— continued.

Appropriation. Division. Mileage. Section. J*:*" 1 Sidings. Total. Line, j H o Under i Under 3ar j For- Plate- [ — veved. _ ,. i - mation. I laying. Date. Opened. 1910 11. 1911-12. 1912-13.]! 913-14. 1914-15. State of Line. Opened. Total. I 4 Greymouth - Runanga Colliery 5 6 M. ch. M. ch. 5 1 2 10 8 9 ! 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. lDec.,1904 .. 21 Jan., 1914 3 69 4 10 .. .. .. 9 Nov., 1906 1 April, 1909 1 44 .. .. .. 2 54 .. .. .. • - } 13April, 1911 | "• " 8 15 " 4 38 .. 7 0 Prelim. .. .. 29 32 .. 4 38 .. 23 0 Prelim. .. .. .. .. 2 0 3 61 .. .. ISept., 1912 8 43 1 Aug., 1910 .. 3 63 f .. .. .. 14 Nov., 1906 \ .. .. .. 21 Mar., 1907 3 Nov., 1905 21 M. ch. 5 1 3 69 24 37 7 10 7 21 [ 48 10 L 44 14 1 2 3 M. ch. State Col- Greymouth- Point 5 1 liery, or Elizabeth ColCoal Creek: leries Railway Extension .. 3 69 Greymouth- Greymouth - Hoki- 24 37 Hokitika tika K u m a r a Kumara Branch 4 10 Branch Hokitika- Hokitika-Ross .. 15 75 Ross Runanga Colliery-Point Elizabeth Collieries Greymouth-Hokitika 3 69 2 20 24 37 2 10 7 M. ch. 7 11 6 9 26 47 Kumara Branch 4 10 4 10 Hokitika- Ruatapu .. Ruatapu-Ross Survey to Ross Township Ross-Waitaha Picton-Seddon Seddon-Kaparu Kaparu-Ward Ward-Mirza Mirza-Mills Mills-Kekerangu Kekerangu - Hapuka River Hapuka River-Lime-stone Creek Limestone Creek-Con-way River Conway River - Mendip Hills Mendip Hills 7 10 0 61 7 21 0 69 1 44 10 0 33 45 3 26 6 30: 0 76 8 15: 1 20 3 38 : 0 30 4 38 0 34 7 0 29 32 23 0 7 0 10 50 5 61 7 71 8 10 1 44! New survey Ross-Waitaha .. 10 0 Picton- Picton - Kaikoura 92 38 Waipara 10 0 36 71 7 26 9 35 3 68 4 72 7 0 29 32 ' Hapuka River- 40 50 Mendip Hills 23 0 7 0 10 50 Mendip Hills-Par- 5 61 nassus Parnassus- W ai - 44 14 5 61 5 61 44 14 Parnassus-Mina Mina-Domett Domett-Tormore Tormore-Ethelton .. Ethelton-Scargill .. Soargill-Waipara Culverden-South Waitaki Culverden-Flintoff's Plintofi's-Rotherham Rotherham- Waiau .. 8 43 1 14 3 63 0 70 3 10 | „ RR 5 28 | ° 66 8 51 0 51 14 59 12 206 7 64 68 5 23 0 10 1 75 0 43 5 62 11 9 57 4 53 para 9 24 Hurunui- Main Line .. 206 7 Waitaki 13 0 9 22 15 61 270 75 206 7 13 0 5 33 2 38 6 63 5 33 .. .. 2 38 .. .. » •■' 3 1 3 62 .. .. ,' 206 7

1).—1

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Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915— continued. SOUTH ISLAND— continued.

Appropriation. Division. M ile age. Section. Line" 8idin B»- *° M - State of Line. Under Opened. Under Surveyed, riate- — laying, i Date. [1910-11. 1911-12. 1912-13. 1913-14. 1914-15. 1 — 1 Total, mation. 1 2 3 M. ch. Hurunui- Branches, — Waitaki Rangiora-Oxford 2176 — contd. Eyreton (from 20 7 Main Line) Lyttelton .. 6 26 Southbridge .. 25 31 Little River- 42 10 Akaroa Springfield .. 30. 60 Whitecliffs .. 11 38 Rakaia-Ash- 22 20 burton Porks Ashburton .. 29 46 Opawa and AI- 55 8 bury to Fairlie Creek and Burke's Pass Waimate .. 4 42 Waimate Gorge 8 21 4 Rangiora-Oxford West Main Line - West Eyreton-Bennett's Lyttelton - Christchurch Hornby-Southbridge Lincoln-Little River Reconnaissance Rolleston-Springfield Springfield-Coal-mine Darfield-W'hiteclifis Whitecliffs to Bridge Rakaia-Methven Tinwald-Springburn Extension Washdyke-Eversley 5 6 M. ch. M. ch. 21 76 2 36 20 7 1 61 6 26 25 31 3 17 22 46 2 5 19 44 29 63 1 0 77 \ 6 ' "B3| 153 22 20. 2 65 27 29i 1 52 2 17! .. 36 5! 2 45 7 M. ch. 24 32 21 68 6 26 I 28 48 24 51 19 44 33 67 13 11 25 5 29 1 2 17 38 50 8 M. ch. 19 44 " 2 17 9 M. ch. Prelim. 10 M. ch. 11 12 M. ch. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. . . . . .... I « 1 • • . . .. .. . . 21 M. ch. 21 76 20 7 6 26 25 31 22 46 30 60 11 38 22 20 27 29 36 5 4 42 8 21 11 44 246 69 21 75 15 38 14 76 11 75 8 55 Preliminary survey .. Studholme- Waimate Waimate- Waihao Downs Waihao Downs - Serpentine Sepentine-Kelcher's Oxford-Sheffield .. Surveyed Reconnaissance 19 3 4 42 13 8 21 0 54 19 3 5 45 8 75 19 3 Prelim. Waimate Branoh 4 60 Extension 2 65 2 65 0 45 2 20 Canterbury Oxford-Temuka .. 83 0 Interior Main Line Waitaki- Main Line .. 246 69 Bluff and Branches, — Branches Duntroon .. 21 75 Duntroon-Haka- 15 38 teramea Ngapara .. 14 76 Livingstone .. 16 40 Palmerston-Wai- 8 55 hemo 0 65 t 1 75 11 44 0 27 21 7 50 29 1 75 11 71 21 7 50 29 1 752l"7 50 29 Prelim. South Waitaki-Blufi 246 69 59 13 306 2 Pukeuri-Duntroon .. Duntroon - Hakatera21 75: 1 35 15 38' 1 5 23 30 16 43 i mea Waiareka-Nga-para .. Windsor-Tokorahi .. Survey (trial) Palmerston-Dunback Surveyed 14 76 1 31 12 0 0 50 4 40 8 55 0 54 0 65 16 27 12 50 4 40 9 29 0 65 4 *40 0*5 Prelim. o"(55 j ■•

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Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915— continued. SOUTH ISLAND— continued.

State of Line. Appropriation. i Division. Mileage. 8ection. Lit «*■■* Total. Sor- : veyed. Under : Under ( 1 For- | Plate- | — mation. laying. j Date. state ot Line. Ooened. 1910-11. 1911-12. 1912-13., 1913-14. 1914-15. Ouened. : Total. 12 3 4 5 ! M. ch.l M. ch. Waitaki- Branches —contd. Blufiand Inch Valley Rail- 2 29: Inch Valley-Lime Kiln 2 29 Branches way — contd. Port Chalmers.. 1 9 Glendermid - Port 1 9 Chalmers Green Island .. 2 44: Burnside-Saddle Hill 2 44 Green Island to 4 65 Surveyed .. .. 4 65 Brighton Fernhill Colliery 1 60, Abbotsford to Fern- 1 60 Line hill Colliery Kaikorai Valley 2 60 ! Surveyed .. .. 2 60 Railway j Outram .. 8 78 Mosgiel-Outram .. 8 78 Lawrence .. 21 76: Clarksville-Lawrence 21 76 Lawrence-Rox- 37 10'Lawrence-Big Hill .. 7 33 burgh " Big Hill-Beaumont.. 5 36 Beaumont-Roxburgh 24 21 Balclutha - Tua- 22 0 Surveyed .. .. 7 0 peka Mouth Trial Survey .. 15 0 Balclutha-Apple- 105 49 Balclutha-Owaka .. 19 20 by Junction, or Owaka-Catlin's .. 3 38 Catlin's - Sea- Catlin's-Houipapa .. 2 30 ward Bush Houipapa-Puketiro.. 7 11 Puketiro-McLennan 5 29 McLennan-Tahakopa 5 19 Tahakopa-Marinui .. 23 63 Marinui-Tokanui .. 6 0 Tokanui-Waimahaka 8 27 Waimahaka-Appleby 24 52 Waipahi - Heriot 20 3 Waipahi-Heriot .. 20 3 Burn Heriot Extension 6 20 ! Heriot-Edievale .. 6 20 Extension to Rox- 28 10 Surveyed .. 28 10 burgh, via Rae's Junction and Ettrick Via Spylaw .. 25 701 Surveyed .. 25 70 Waimea Plains 36 39: Gore-Lumsden .. 36 39 District Ry. Kelso-Gore ... 24 0 Surveyed .. 9 58 I Preliminary survey.. 14 22 6 7 8 9 M. ch. 1 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 0 23 2 52 3 40 4 49 0 52 3 16 4 65 4 65 0 24 2 4 2 60 2 60 0 68j 9 66 2 2j 23 78 0 44| 7 77 0 45| 6 1 .. j 24 21 24 21 7 0.. 15 0 1 63 21 3 0 30 3 68 0 9 2 39 0 43 7 54 0 59 6 8 0 38 5 57 23 63 23 63 Prelim. 6 0 6 0 0 64 9 11 1 50 26 22 2 3 22 6 0 45 6 65 .. ... 28 10 28 10 Prelim. 25 70 25 70 Prelim. 1 34 37 73 9 58 9 58 .. I 14 22 14 22 Prelim. 10 M. ch. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 1 Aug!, 1910 .. 7 33 15 Dec, 1914 5 36 1 Aug., 1904 17Dec,1909 lFeb., 1915 '.. .. 7 11 1 Feb., 1915 5 29 lFeb., 1915 ' .. .. 5 19 20 Sept. 1911 .. .. 8 27 15 Feb., 1905 21 M. ch. 2 29 1 9 2 44 1 60 8 78 21 76 7 33 5 36 19 20 3 38 2 30 7 11 5 29 5 19 '8 27 24 52 20 3 6 20 36 39 1 34l l| I

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Table of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1915— continued. SOUTH ISLAND— continued.

Appropriation. Division. Mileage. Section. W D 8idin *- B - Total. 8urUnder ForUnder PI areState of Line. Opened. -V veyed. Formation. mation. laying. flatelaying. 1910 11. * 1911-12. 1912-13.J 1913-14. 1914-35. I j Total. Date. .. I.J.. L.I.. I..I..I-I 20 21 ! M. ch. M. ch. 1 2 3 4 5 M. ch. M. ch. 3 M. ch. 6 M. ch. 7 M. ch. 8 9 M. ch.: m. ch. 10 M. ch. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 1 M. chJ M. ch. 1 M. ch. 26 Nov., 1908 1 Oct., 1909 19 ; M. ch. 1 _...._ Waitaki- Branches —contd. Bluff and Gore-Waikaka .. Branches Riversdale- Switcontd. zers Edendale-Toitois 12 65 Waikaka Section .. 12 65 13 70 Riversdale- Waikaia ! 13 70 12 65 13 70 1 51 1 40 14 36 15 30 12 65 13 70 19 30 Edendale-Glenham 9 36 Surveyed .. 9 74 182 56 Wingatui-Ida Valley 98 18 Ida Valley-Omakau 13 20 19 30 0 72 i 10 28 9 74 104 0 14 36 -__ j 9*74 '.'. .. .. .. .. .. i 9 36 1-134 78 Otago Cen- Waitaki Bluff tral Main Line to Lake Hawea 182 56 5 62 1 16 .. ISept. ,1904 .. .. •■ ■■ Omakau-Chatto Creek 7 36 Chatto Ck.-Alexandra 10 39 Alexandra-Clvde .. 5 45 Clyde-Cromwell .. 12 40 Surveyed .. 35 18 87 4 Invercargill-Kingston 87 4 Wharf 30 0 Lumsden- Mossburu 10 40 0 34 1 6 0 77 0 10 7 70 11 45 6 42 12 50 35 18 92 19 I .. I .. 14 July, 1906 15 Dec, 1906 27 Mar., 1907 .. .. 12*40 Invercar- Invercargill-King-gill-King- ston ston and Lumsden-Mararoa Branch, LumsdenMararoa 5 15 3518 '.'. .. 87 4 1 0 11 40 10 40 Surveyed .. .. 8 20 Reconnaissance .. 11 20 11 0 Surveyed .. .. 11 0 8 20 11 20 11 0 8 20 11 20 Prelim. 11 0 Winton - Heddon Bush Forest Hill Winton to HedgeRailway hope Western Orepuki Branch Railways 12 40 Winton - Hedgehope 12 40 0 65 13 25 * 12 40 I Otautau Branch Orawia Branch .. 35 41 Makarewa- Orepuki.. 35 41 22 15 Thornbury-Wairio .. 22 15 11 0 Surveyed .. .. 11 0 22 32 Orepuki-Waihoaka .. 4 48 Waihoaka-Tuatapere 8 7 Surveyed .. .. 9 57 2299 16 .. J2299 16 1 [ 6 37 64 13 11 0 1 Oct., 1909 .. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. 1,571 54 29 78 22 72 2*? 16 3 69 38 2 35 41 22 15 I 11 0 Orepuki- Orepuki-Waiau .. W a i a u River 0 58 1 10 5 26 9 17 9 57 9 57 .. 4 48 8 7 • Totals 256 75 . 2556 111 L 1 !494 53 32 2 39 10 .. ! 1693 51 ■ •

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APPENDIX C. ANNUAL REPORT ON BUILDINGS BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT. The Government Architect to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1915. I have the honour to submit the following report on the various building-works throughout the Dominion carried out by the Department during the year ended the 30th June last: — New Parliament Buildings. The contractors have carried the whole of the walls up to the limit of the Coromandel granite facing, all of which is in place except entrance steps and side walls thereto. Brickwork is in progress for most of the second story, but there has been delay in obtaining the marble specified for facing the walls of the two upper stories. The laying of concrete floors and staircase is in hand, and most of the steel framing required is on the site. Marble is now being quarried at Sandy Bay, and the rough blocks should be coming on the site during the next month or two. A bronze statue of the late Right Hon. Mr. Seddon has been erected on a pedestal opposite the main entrance to the new building. General. Government House, Wellington. —Renovations and repairs to small detached buildings, fences, and grounds were the only works undertaken during the year. Government House, Auckland. —Additions and alterations to repair damage caused by the fire of last year were carried out, and the electric wiring overhauled. Departmental Buildings, Auckland.— -Internal alterations to permit of the more convenient allocation of rooms were carried out, and fittings supplied. An electric elevator was installed in the building. Mount Albert Industrial School. —The dining-room and veranda are being extended under contract now in progress. Motuihi Island. —Various improvements have been effected in the main quarantine buildings, a cottage for the caretaker erected, and dog-kennels provided. Tauranga Departmental Buildings.- -Plans have been prepared and tenders invited for substantial additions to the existing buildings. Gisborne Departmental Buildings. —A fine block of buildings in brick was completed under contract, and fittings supplied. Taumarunui Engineers Residence. —A wooden building within the Railway Reserve was erected. Wellington Departmental Buildings. —Additions of no great importance were made to some of the detached buildings during the year. Government Printing Office. —One contract for additions was completed early in the year, and another contract for more extensive additions on the Featherston Street side has been let. The work is in progress. Public Works Store, Pipitea. —The new store was completed and occupied during the year. Nelson Departmental Buildings. —Various repairs and improvements have been carried out during the year. Special School for Girls, Richmond. —A contract has been let for the erection of cottage homes, and the work is in progress. Westport School of Mines. —An extension of the building was completed and occupied. Ghristchurch Departmental Buildings. —Fittings for various Government Departments were provided and fixed in the new building. Provincial Buildings, Christchurch. —A contract was let for additions, in brick, to the strong-rooms. Mount Cook Hostel. —A house for the Chief Guide was built, and quarters-for the other guides are in course of construction. The old hermitage has been dismantled. Chatham Islands. —A building comprising Courthouse and Post-office is in course of erection at Waitangi, also a residence for the Magistrate. Otekaike Special School. —A contract has been let for the erection of special school buildings. Some of the timber is being cut from plantations on the estate, and the work is well in hand. Invercargill Departmental Buildings. —Minor alterations have been carried out, and sanitary drainage installed. Post-offices. Hikurangi. —A wooden building was erected under contract, and equipped. Kawakawa. —Extensive alterations to the old post-office building were carried out. Whangarei. —Small additions were made, and the whole building renovated. Dargaville. —A new building in brick was completed early in the year. Auckland. —Water-service was installed, lighting and pneumatic-tube installations overhauled, a small lift put in, and minor alterations carried out. Auckland (Old Post-office). —Gas and electric lighting services were overhauled, and partitions built to facilitate letting portions of the premises. Mount Eden. —An automatic telephone exchange in concrete and brick is being erected under contract. Remuera. —A handsome two-story building in brick was completed under contract. An automatic telephone exchange is being erected under another contract. Ponsonby. —The erection of an automatic telephone exchange in concrete and brick is proceeding under contract.

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Bombay. —The erection of a wooden building was completed during the year. Malakana. —A small wooden building was completed in October last. Raglan. —A two-story brick building was completed under contract. Hamilton. —A contract for extensive additions and alterations was let in March, and the work is in progress. Another contract for the erection of an automatic telephone exchange in brick was let later, and the work is just being started. Otorohanga. —Additions in wood were completed in February. Mamaku.— A contract has been let for the erection of a building containing offices and quarters. Rotorua. —A new building of special design was completed under contract, and the Seddon memorial clock, purchased by the citizens, installed in the tower. Tologa Bay. —Substantial additions to the quarters were carried out under contract. Ngatapa. —A small wooden building was erected. Ormondville. —A small building of wood was erected under contract. Waipukurau. —A new building in brick, consisting of office, quarters, and store, was completed under contract. Taumarunui. —Extensive alterations were carried out by contract. Manunui. —A wooden building, with quarters, was erected under contract. Kakahi. —A wooden building, with quarters, was completed under contract. Raurimu. —A building comprising office and quarters was erected and furnished. Matiere. —A wooden office, with quarters, was erected. Ohakune Junction.—A building was altered to serve as a post-office. Ohingaili. —A small wooden building was erected. Wanganui. —Extensive alterations to brick building were carried to completion. St. John's. —A wooden building was erected under contract. Urenui. —Substantial additions were carried out. Kaponga. —Extensive additions and alterations are in progress under contract. Okaiawa. —A wooden building was erected. Glen Oroua. —A small office building was erected. Hinakura. —A small wooden building was erected. Masterton. —A brick building for use as an automatic telephone exchange was erected. General Post Office, Wellington. —Various finishing works and minor alterations were carried out during the year. Bulk Store, Wellington. —Electric lifts have been installed, gas fires and water-supply laid on. Courtenay Place, Wellington. —A new building to accommodate the automatic telephone exchange was erected. Wellington South. —A considerable addition was made to accommodate the automatic telephone exchange. Blenheim. —A contract has been let for the erection in brick of an automatic telephone exchange. Port (Nelson). —A new brick building has been erected, and portion of the old structure removed to another site. Nelson. —The old post-office building is being altered for the accommodation of departmental officers. Motueka. —A Postmaster's residence was completed under contract. Murchison. —A cottage for the lineman was erected. Reef ton. —The new brick building was completed during the year. Ross. —A new building on the original site has been erected under contract. Oxford. —A new office has been built and fitted up. Akaroa. —The new brick office was finished and occupied. Methven. —A new office, with quarters, was erected and fitted up. Arrowtown. —A contract for the erection of a new building was let in December last. Cromwell. —Additions were completed, and new store built in January. Lowburn Ferry. —A small building was erected under contract. South Dunedin. —A brick building of two stories was completed under contract. Courthouses. Hikurangi. —The Courthouse was practically rebuilt under contract. Waipu. —A now building was erected, and another room added later. Whangarei. —Substantial additions were made, and renovations carried out. Auckland Magistrate's Court. —A motor-garage, and cottage for the caretaker, have been erected. The old Courthouse is being altered to accommodate the Lands and Deeds Registry Department. Rotorua. —A Native Land Court office was erected by day labour. Wellington Supreme Court. —Additions in brick were completed. Motueka. —A wooden building was erected, and fittings supplied. Dunedin. —Electric light was installed in the law-courts, and a store-room provided. Interior alterations are in hand. Balclutha. —A contract was let for the erection of a brick building. Invercargill. —Sanitary drainage has been installed, and new outbuildings provided. Police-stations. Northcote. —A wooden building was completed in February. Takapuna. —Lock-up and stables were built, and repairs carried out. Tuakau. —-Lock-up and office were completed during the year. Hamilton. —A two-story building of wood, with rough-cast finish, is feeing erected under contract. Opotiki. —The old post-office building was converted into a police-station.

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Port Awanui. —Renovations and repair of damage caused by earthquake were carried out. Waipiro Bay. —Repair of earthquake damage was carried out. Tokomaru Bay. —The erection of station and residence by day labour was completed. Raurimu. —A residence, with office, was erected under contract. Kaponga. —A contract was let for the erection of station and lock-up. Martinborough. —A. wooden building was completed under contract. Police Headquarters, Wellington. —The foundations were put in by day labour, and a contract let for the erection of a four-story brick building with steel framing. Wellington (Taranaki Street). —The erection of a station in brick is being carried out by day labour. The work is well advanced. Ahaura. —A new station (of wood) was erected. Charleston. —A residence and lock-up were erected under contract. Darfield. —A contract was let for the erection of a new station. Coalgate. —A new residence has been erected. Ashburton. —A new lock-up is being built under contract. Geraldine. —A contract was let for the erection of a sergeant's residence. North Dunedin. —A sergeant's residence was completed under contract. Kaitangata. —A residence, office, and lock-up were completed under contract. ■ Prisons. Auckland.—The erection by prison labour of a now wing in stone has been in progress throughout the year. Electric lighting is feeing installed. An. additional warder's cottage was erected. Waikeria. —The main wing, kitchen, power-house, and one cottage are being built under the direction of the Gaoler. One cottage and official quarters are finished. Gisborne. —A store was built, repairs effected, and grounds set out. Picton. —The erection of a police-gaol, also a lock-up, was completed under contract in March last. Addington. —A warder's cottage was erected. Invercargill. —The main building (in three stories) is being extended by 132 ft., a boundary-wall in concrete blocks constructed, and a warder's cottage erected. Mental Hospitals. Avondale. —The contract for the erection of female auxiliary No. 2 was completed in September. No. 3 male auxiliary was completed under contract in February. Tokanui. —The erection of No. 1 unit was completed by day labour in March last. No. 2 unit is just being started. Porirua. —The erection of additional day-rooms has been completed under contract. A receivingward is being built in brick by day labour, good progress being made. Sunnyside. —The portion of the female wing destroyed by fire has been restored, and a large receiving-block is being erected. Additions have been made to the dining-hall. Seacliff. —A cottage for men is being erected. Military Buildings. Devonport. —Huts, cookhouse, and offices are being built by day labour at the Maori Military Camp at Narrow Neck. Thames. —A drill-hall, with orderly-rooms and outbuildings, is approaching completion. Morrinsville. —A drill-hall of wood and iron is being erected by contract. Cambridge. —A drill-hall was erected under contract. Hamilton. —Defence offices, with strong-room, are being built under contract. Opotiki. —A drill-hall was erected, and lighting installed. Gisborne. —Outhouses were provided, and drainage carried out. Waitara. —Additions and alterations to the drill-hall were carried out. Featherston. —A drill-hall is being erected under contract. Trentham Camp. —At the time of writing fifty hutments for men and fourteen for officers have been completed, besides five cookhouses, latrines, and ablution-stands. Electric lighting and drainageworks on a large scale have also been attended to. Trentham Hospital. —A contract was let for the erection of a building in wood and plaster, which is approaching completion. Somes Island. —Considerable repair works to old buildings to accommodate prisoners of war were carried out. A caretaker's cottage was erected. King Edward Barracks, Christchurch. — Signal Corps' rooms damaged by fire were restored, orderly-rooms rebuilt, and alterations to quarters carried out. St. Kilda Artillery Depot. —Drainage and other minor works were completed. Besides the works mentioned in the foregoing report, a large number of minor works, consisting of small buildings, additions, alterations, installation of lighting, water, and drainage services, have been carried out by petty contract, day labour, or by the Department's artisans. Renovations, maintenance-work, painting, and repairs to buildings throughout the Dominion, owned by the Government have been attended to as required, and fittings and furniture have been supplied mostly from the Department's workshops in the principal centres. I have, &c, John Campbell, The Hon. the Minister of Public Works. Government Architect.

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APPENDIX I). ANNUAL REPORT ON ELECTRICAL WORK AND POWER-SUPPLY UNDERTAKINGS BY THE CHIEF ELECTRICAL ENGINEER. The Chief Electrical Engineer to the Minister of Public Works. Sir, — Public Works Department, Wellington, sth July, 1915. I have the honour to submit the following report respecting the development of water-power and the erection of electric lines. Lake Coleridge Works. This plant was officially opened on the 25th November last, and duly put into service. The headworks, however, were not quite completed, and in consequence we were unable to give a continuous service until the Ist March, since when the plant has been in full operation. Present Load. The following consumers are already being supplied : Horse-power. » City Council . . .. .. . . .. 1,400 Riccarton Flour-mill .. . . . . . . . . . . 75 Central Dairy Company . . . . . . .. .. .. 75 Wright-Stephenson Seed-cleaning Works . . . . . . .. 50 Christchurch Brick Company.. .. • . . . . .. .. 50 Sunnyside Mental Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Cashmere Sanatorium . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sharp's Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Winsor's Woodworking Works .. . . . . . . . . 12 Retail customers —thirty .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,740 Contracts have been entered into with the following, and supply will be given as soon as the consumers have installed the necessary plant: — Horse-power, Christchurch Tramway Board . . . . . . .. 1,600 Lyttelton Harbour Board . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Tai Tapu Dairy Company's reticulation . . . . . . . . 150 Canterbury Seed Company .. .. .. . . . . . . 33 G. L. Bowron .. .. .. .. . . .. . . 50 Canterbury Jockey Club . . . . . . .. ... . . 40 Prison Camp, Yaldhurst .. .. .. .. 20 Lincoln Agricultural College . . . . .. . . .. .. 20 Retail customers (about a hundred additional) .. .. .. .. 50 2,183 Negotiations are also in hand with several other large power-consumers, amounting to about an additional 1,000 h.p. in immediate prospect. This includes two new freezing-works which it is proposed should be established in North Canterbury, and which will take substantial quantities of power, including a large proportion of all-night running; and also with several of the local authorities outside the city area for bulk supply for domestic purposes. The supply within the city is only given through the City Council, whose load is rapidly increasing, and may be expected, to reach 5,000 to 6,000 h.p. in course of a few years. Within the suburban boroughs, pending negotiations for the supply by the local authorities, a supply is given by the Department to retail consumers on the basis of a fixed rate per lamp, which is proving very popular and returning a reasonable revenue. This form of tariff dispenses with the need for meters and with the attendant cost of renewals, repairs, and meter-reading. Arrangements have been made with the local authorities for collecting the revenue accruing for the sale of electrical energy in their respective districts on a percentage basis, so as to obviate the necessity of creating a collecting and clerical stall'. The most interesting development is perhaps the retail reticulation of an adjoining farming district by the Tai Tapu Dairy Company. This company has taken out a license for reticulation within an area of 60 square miles, including Tai Tapu, Haiswell, and Lincoln, which is entirely a farming and dairying district where the majority of the farmers are shareholders of the company. Owing to the widely spread nature of the district the number of consumers is only three to four per mile of line, which renders the problem of reticulation, exceedingly difficult. As it has an existing organization in the centre of this district, the Tai Tapu Company is in a better position to undertake this work than any other authority, and has been very successful in arranging contracts for retail supplies with practically every farm or house on its distributor routes, amounting to about nine miles and a half. Numerous inquiries are coming to hand from the Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Cust, Oxford, Sheffield, and Springfield districts, which will justify a loop line in the early future connecting with the main trans-mission-line at Coalgate and passing round via Sheffield, Waimakariri Gorge, Oxford, Cust, and Rangiora, joining up with the existing northern distributor at Kaiapoi, and thus considerably improving the general reliability of the whole system.

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Negotiations are in hand with the Timaru Borough Council and other local authorities and powerusers in South Canterbury. It is estimated that there is a load in sight of 1,000 to 2,000 h.p. in this district at rates which will prove remunerative to the Department and advantageous to the consumers. This line, if constructed, will have a length of 100 miles, and will thus exceed any other transmissionline in the Southern Hemisphere. The present load, together with the contracts entered into, amount to 4,000 h.p., and allowing 1,000 h.p. for the ordinary development of the City of Christchurch, a total of 5,000 h.p. has to be provided for within a year's time. Inasmuch as the sales-capacity of our present plant is only 1,000 h.p., it became necessary to procure an addition to the generating plant, and an order has been placed for a 2,000 h.p. turbine and generator, which will increase the plant-capacity for the supply of power, leaving one unit of 2,000 h.p. as stand-by. Regarding the future, it is evident that a further addition to the generating plant will shortly become necessary to provide for the normal growth of the existing consumers and the requirements of the new customers. The following is a statement of the expenditure up to the Ist M'arch, together with an estimate of future expenditure upon generating plant and distribution up to the limit of the present headworks, also the approximate order of expenditure : —

Number of units of generator plant 3 4 5 13.. Date of attaining each stage .. 1915 1917 1919 1921 - Total capacity of power-house plant 6,000 h.p. 8,000 h.p. 12,000 h.p. 16,000 h.p. Available capacity of plant .. 4,000 h.p. 6,000 h.p. 8,000 h.p. ■ 12,000 h.p. Capital investment .. .. £289,980 £335,850 £367,620 £397,920 Additional for South Canterbury .. .. £20,000 £40,000 £62,000 Total .. .. .. £289,980 £355,850 .£407,620 £459,920

It will be seen that the capital expenditure and commitments up to the 31st March last amounted to £289,980, and that a further expenditure of £169,940, spread over six years, is required in order to fully utilize the present headworks and to adequately supply the district within reach of the powerstation at Lake Coleridge. The present headworks and buildings at Lake Coleridge have a capacity of 16,000 h.p., the pipe-lines of 8,000 h.p., and the turbines and generating machinery have a capacity of 6,000 h.p., whilst the transforming-apparatus and transmission-lines have a capacity of 12,000 h.p. The present sales-capacity of the generating plant is 4,000 h.p., after providing one unit as stand-by, whilst the ultimate sales-capacity is 12,000 h.p. The present stage is obviously a preliminary and immature stage, and no profits can be expected. It is anticipated, however, that with the installation of'the fourth unit the plant will earn workingexpenses and pay interest charges, and possibly leave a small surplus. It is confidently anticipated that the fifth-unit stage, with a sales-capacity of 8,000 h.p., will meet all working-expenses, pay all capital charges, and leave a small surplus after contributing to a depreciation fund. The sixthunit stage, with a sales-capacity of 12,000 h.p., will yield a substantial surplus, which will be employed towards paying off interest paid out of capital during construction, also losses on working during the preliminary stages, after which the surplus can be applied towards making a reduction in the charges for electricity. Comparing the expenditure to date with the estimated revenue, the original estimate at the present stage of development of the works was £259,220, compared with an actual expenditure of £289,980, showing an exoess of £30,760. The two expenditures, however, are not directly comparable, because, for reasons connected with the' design of the plant and continuity of supply, double the capacity of transformers originally estimated on have been installed, whilst the actual expenditure also includes interest paid out of capital, and a debit balance against operation. Comparing the actual expenditure with the estimates on the pro rata basis, I am glad to state that the original estimate has been fully borne out, and indications point to the business being more profitable than originally anticipated. The operation of the plant up to the present has been extremely satisfactory, and I can confidently assert that no power plant of the kind when first put into operation encountered fewer troubles and difficulties. There has been no trouble or hitch other than a few interruptions on the trans-mission-line, mostly due to malicious damage. A certain amount of interruption is anticipated on long transmission-lines until the weak links in the chain have been eliminated. Since going into continuous service on the Ist March there has been one failure, when the plant was shut down from 8 o'clock at night until 6 or 7 o'clock the next morning. This was due to a fault in one of the transmission-lines ; whilst the delay in restoring power on the line is accounted for by the fact that the second line was under repair at the time. Four other failures have since occurred, but these were of short duration, the interruptions varying from half a minute to fifteen minutes on one occasion. We have been very successful in organizing the staff, and very fortunate in our choice of men. The normal operation of the staff is now under full control, and the arrangement for dealing with a failure of the transmission-line is now complete, and the organization is gradually being brought to a state of perfection. Great credit is due to the staff for the manner in which they have carried out their duties, and particularly for the way in which they have responded in cases of emergency, such as the breakdown of the transmission-line. Three members of the power-house staff at Lake Coleridge have resigned in order to join the Expeditionary Forces, whilst two others have retired to take up positions elsewhere.

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I am now in a position to state that the Lake Coleridge development is already an assured success from a financial point of view. I may confess that I had some misgivings when I first faced the problem, because of the comparative sparseness of the population to be served. As a general rule, water-power has to be developed on a large scale in order to be a financial success. The usual order at the present day is over 100,000 h.p., compared with our 12,000 h.p. at Lake Coleridge. Of course, there is the other point of view that the development of water-power, like railways, helps to develop the country, which is a justifiable end in itself; but I have not, however, taken advantage of this aspect of the case, but endeavoured to conduct the development on strictly economical lines. As regards development of industries, there are definite indications of new activities in the direction of electro-chemical industries in the neighbourhood of Christchurch. The staff has instructions to co-operate with the promoters of such industries, and I am recommending that power for experimental]purposes should bo given free, provided that the supply does not interfere with the operation of the plant. I am in communication with the Board of Agriculture with a view to providing power for grinding phosphate rock on a large scale, so as to take the place of basic slag, the supply of which has feeen cut off owing to the war. Electricity-supply in the North Island. Inquiry into the best means of adequately providing the North Island with a supply of sheap electricity is now actively proceeding. Very little has hitherto been done owing to a lack of organization and staff. Mr. Kissel was, however, transferred to the Head Office on completion of his duties at Lake Coleridge at the beginning of April, and he is now engaged on surveys and estimates. No adequate progress, however, can be made without the assistance of a larger staff devoted entirely to this work. A good deal of work already done lias to be revised in view of the observations made of the flow of the rivers during the present year. These are lower than any record hitherto obtained, due to a succession of phenominally dry seasons, and previous estimates of power, &c, must be considerably discounted. Water-power Licenses. Water-power licenses have been issued to the following : Tauranga Borough Council; Waverley Town Board ; Kaponga Town Board ; C. F. Murray, Wharanui; E. Parker, Blenheim ; J. Barnett, Leeston. Electric Light and Power Licenses. Licenses under the Public Works Act have been issued to the following local authorities and companies : Gisborne Borough Council (amending license); Heathcote County Council; Wellington City Corporation ; New Plymouth Borough Council (amending regulations); Christchurch Tramway Board ; Tauranga Borough Council; Wanganui Borough Council; Whangarei Borough, Council; Waverley Town Board (amendments) ; Tokomaru Farmers' Co-operative Company; Tokomaru Sheep-farmers' Freezing Company ; Tamaki West Road Board ; J. F. Pettie, Waipiro Bay ; Stevenson and Cook (Limited), Port Chalmers ; F. J. Mansell, Bull's ; Napier Borough Council (extensions) ; Invercargill Borough Council (extensions) ; Kaponga Town Board ;J. O'Dowd, Tapanui; C. F. Murray, Wharanui; Miramar Borough Council ; Auckland City Council (amendments) ; E. Parker, Blenheim ; Ellis and Burnand, Mananui ; J. Barnett, Leeston. The following are under consideration : Patea Borough Council; Stratford Electric Light Company ; Robert Ellis, Brightwater (extensions) ; Ross Goldfields (Limited) ; A. J. Cameron, Makuri; J. M. Gilbert, Hundaleo ; New Zealand Coal and Oil Company and Otago Charitable Aid Board, Kaitangata ; Tai Tapu Dairy Company ; H. J. Hodgson, Murchison ; ' Christchurch Tramway Board (two) ; Redwood Bros., Blenheim ; Wellington City Corporation. The following installations have been inspected during the year: Opotiki Borough Council; Napier Borough. Council; Wellington City Council (Denhard Bakeries and Pufelio Hospital); Wanganui Borough Council (George and Kersley) ; Silverstream Mines, Maratoto ; Ohakune Borough Council; Wellington City Council; Feilding Borough Council; Winton Borough Council; Waipiro Bay ; Hastings Borough Council; Invercargill Borough Council; Bluff Borough Council; New Plymouth Borough Council; Waitara Borough Council; Inglewood Borough Council; Stratford Electric Light Company ; Eltham Bacon Company ; Hawera Electric Light Company ; Patea Borough Council; Havelock North Town Board ; Devonport Borough Council. The standard of work carried out under licenses issued to local authorities and others for overhead lines is steadily improving, whilst the departmental regulations have also contributed to assist towards uniformity in electrical apparatus, which has the effect of cheapening the apparatus throughout the country and enabling licensees to assist each other with material when requiredGeneral regulations were issued and gazetted on the 29th April, 1915, which are applicable to the whole of the Dominion, and cover every class of electrical work. A standard form of license has also been adopted, and this, together with the issue of the regulations, has expedited the issue of licenses and greatly reduced the labour and work connected with the same. I have, &c, E. Parry, Chief Electrical Engineer.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ls.