10

E.—l.

to be spent as it may be found necessary to provide for the increase in the traffic in coal, and on the railway. The balance of the amount appropriated for surveys in " The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1872," now in hand will be sufficient to survey and explore a route for the proposed railway from Eoxhill to the Brunner, in the Nelson Province, as also to enable the Engineer-in-Chief to survey what may be deemed the best line to effect a junction between the West Coast and the main trunk line on the East Coast of the South Island, and the continuation of the Waikato Railway in the North Island. All these surveys will be proceeded with as fast as the professional skill at the disposal of the Department will permit. A considerable amount of pressure has been brought to bear upon the Government to induce them to expend the amount already appropriated by Parliament for a railway to take the coal of the Mount Rochfort District to a port of shipment. The Government felt that in the interest of the Colony it was necessary to procure the fullest possible information as to the amount of coal deposited in the various parts of this district, and having obtained that information from the exploration undertaken mainly under the direction of Dr. Hector, they instructed the Engineer-in-Chief to have the coast examined. Appended to this latter officer's annual report will be found the suggestion which the Government propose to adopt, to construct a railway from the Ngakawau River to Westport. They also propose at Westport to carry out by degrees the suggestions of Mr. Higginson, the Superintending Engineer, to protect the banks of the Buller river, —the works suggested by him having the twofold object of protecting the town, and improA ring the means of shipment. We intend asking a further appropriation from Parliament for this purpose. The works on the various railways are now in such a state that it would be possible, if the House wished it, to take a vote each year for the expenditure proposed on every line in the Colony. I have endeavoured, in letting the many contracts which have been put in hand during the year, so to arrange them that the principal part of the ordinary labour should be done between the months of March and October, leaving the skilled work to go on throughout the year, with a view of disturbing the labour market as little as possible. I realize fully the necessity for a continuous stream of labour into the Colony, and the necessity, if such immigration does not take place, of retarding the several works, more particularly in the months between October and March. I will now briefly state the present position of the expenditure under the Immigration and Public Works Acts, up to 30th June, 1873. Up to June 30, 1872, there was a total expenditure under all heads of £678,683 10s. 6d. Up to 30th June, 1873, there was expended the sum of £1,116,259 3s. 2d., making a total expenditure of £1,794,942 13s. Bd.; and there were liabilities in the Colony, and for railway materials, rolling stock ordered from England, sufficient to complete all the railways already authorized, except the coal railways, of £2,035,511 15s. 3d., making a grand total of expenditure and liabilities of £3,830,451 Bs. This, Mr. Speaker, shows in a few words the position of the Public Works of the Colony, the result of the policy adopted in the Session of 1870. The additional works proposed by the Government this year form a portion of that scheme, and without them much of the work now in hand will be of comparatively little value. I will only add, in conclusion, that during the few months I have had charge of the Public Works Department no endeavour has been wanting on the part of the Government to faithfully carry out the details of the scheme as it was originally intended, entirely irrespective of any political or party motives. Should it be the pleasure of Parliament that we continue to administer the affairs of the country it will be our endeavour, keeping in view the necessity existing for improvement in our subordinate Engineering staff and for maintaining a rigid economy in carrying out the details of all these large works, to bring to a successful termination all the works proposed, which can have no other result than to add enormously to the wealth and prosperity of the country. Public Works Office, Wellington, Bth August, 1873.