D.—l

XIV

As shown by the Estimates, and the detailed statements which will be laid before you, it is also proposed to open up communication by means of roads and tracks with all the outlying districts in the Island where settlement is going on. The principal works of this kind not included in the main roads just mentioned are as follow : —ln the Provincial District of Marlborough—Awatere Shearing Reserve. In Nelson —Aorere Valley, Wakefield to Stanley Brook, Matakitaki to Maruia Valley, Grey Valley to Teremakau, Cobden to Seventeen-Mile Diggings. In Westland and Canterbury — Dillman's Town to Christchurch Road, Upper Ashley Valley. In Otago —Hindon, Beaumont to Miller's Elat, Mount Benger, Greenvale, Seaward Eorest; and a large number of roads to open up runs, the leases of which will shortly fall in, and which will be available for settlement. The expenditure for giving effect to the proposals for opening up Crown lands will, as already stated, be spread over a period of three years; it is intended that it should be commenced without delay. If Parliament agrees to place at our disposal the funds necessary for carrying out these works, there can be no doubt that the result will be important and satisfactory progress in the work of settling the waste lands of the colony. HARBOUR WORKS. Greymouth. —There can be no doubt that the condition and effects of the works at the mouth of the Grey River, and the importance of the coal deposits of the district, warrant and call for the necessary expenditure for continuing the operations advised by Sir John Coode. Westport. —l ask also for a vote for experimental works at Westport, which will probably be found necessary, and the erection of which may be justified by reasons of the same class as those relating to the operations at Greymouth. The River Buller, though a third-rate port, is already the most accessible one on the West Coast, and cautious experiments in the way of directing the land-floods, which are the worst features of the port, may do something towards developing the coal fields, which have a special and valuable character. LIGHTHOUSES. The recent melancholy loss of life in Eoveaux Strait has brought home to us the urgent necessity which exists for an additional light in that locality. Instructions have been given to have the neighbourhood of Waipapapa and Slope Points carefully examined, for the purpose of determining the precise site which should be adopted. A vote is proposed for the erection of the lighthouse, and steps will at once be taken to procure suitable apparatus. The light and apparatus which have for some time been in store at Auckland, for erection on one of the islands, as a guide to the entrance of the Hauraki Gulf, will now be utilized for that object; and the necessary vote will be found in the Estimates. Small sums will also be asked for the erection of leading lights, already in store, at the entrance of Tory Channel, and for placing a substantial beacon in the r< Y*PYI f* N ifi S^ WATERWORKS ON GOLD FIELDS. The Kumara Sludge-channel will be finished, and it is proposed to augment the water supply by the construction of another reservoir in the Kapitea Valley. It is intended to make a diversion of the Argyle Water-race near its head, and to substitute a tunnel for the open race and fluming, which at this place are very costly to maintain. The Mikonui Water-race, in its entirety, involves such an exceedingly large outlay, that the Government are unable to proceed at present with the general scheme. They propose to have further inquiries instituted as to the benefits to be derived from the work, and as to whether some less costly provision is not practicable. The section in hand between Ross and Donelly Creek will be finished, as it will eventually be of some service in working the higher levels of auriferous ground. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Eurther expenditure is desirable for the purpose of providing in several parts of the colony proper accommodation for the transaction of public business. This expenditure is, however, of a character which, in view of the present position of