PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT

13

B.~No. 2a

The following surveys are in hand :— Mercer to Upper Waikato. Upper Hutt to Wairarapa. Napier to Euataniwha. Manawatu to Wanganui. Wanganui to Waitotara. Washdyke to Orari. Waireka Branch. Winton to Kingston. Tokomairiro to Lawrence. COAL EIELDS. A sum of money having been appropriated by Act for the discovery and development of our Coal Eields, the Government employed Drs. Hector and Haast and Captain Hutton to explore the different localities of the Middle Island where coal was supposed to exist. Reports from those gentlemen have been submitted to the House. I hope that arrangements will shortly be made to develop the Brunner Coal Mine on a scale suited to its importance. The Northern Coal Eields will also receive the attention they so well deserve. The immediate necessity for the development of tho Coal Eields of the whole Colony is fully recognized by the Government, and will receive earnest attention. I will take an early opportunity of bringing this subject more fully before the House. GREYMOUTH PROTECTIVE WORKS. The recurrence of serious floods in the Grey, had long rendered it apparent that substantial works were needed to prevent their destructive effects on the Town of Greymouth, and after one of more than usual severity, steps were taken to protect the River Bank in a permanent manner. The details of the work have already been laid before the House; they consist of a dry stone quay wall 25 chains long, commencing a little above the town, at the lower end of the Rocky Gorge; this will be built of the largest stones procurable and well protected with groins of the same material. The cost is estimated at £6,000, part of which will be borne by the Native Trust. Below this, for a distance of 20 chains, the original wharf is being repaired and strengthened at a cost of £1,000, and beyond for a further distance of 11 chains, a new wharf or quay is being erected of timber in a substantial manner, at an estimated cost of £2,700. This work is nearly completed, and the others are progressing rapidly. The cost is being defrayed out of a loan of £4,000 from the General Government to the Corporation of Greymouth. GOLD EIELDS WATER SUPPLY. The Papers laid upon the Table afford information in detail relative to the action taken by the Government in carrying out those sections of the Public Works and Immigration Acts of 1870 and 1871, authorizing the construction of works for the supply of water upon the Gold Eields, and the granting of assistance by way of subsidy in aid of such works. Under the Act of 1870, the construction of a water race to supply the Thames Gold Eield has been approved, and the survey completed, and the iron for the necessary piping was ordered by the last Suez Mail, and in the meantime the work will proceed without any delay. The estimated cost of this work is £47,000. In the Brovince of Nelson, the construction of a water race upon the South-West Gold Eields has been authorized, and the detailed survey is now proceeding. In Otago, upon the Mount Ida Gold Eield, the survey 4