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The total amount paid out of the Public Works Fund in respect of these rates up to the 31st March, 1889, was £43,609, out of which, as I have just stated, £2,405 has already been recovered, leaving £41,204 still to be recovered; and, assuming that the estimate of amount still to be paid (namely, £18,595) is correct, the amount to be ultimately recovered will be £59,799. After the payment of rates in respect of the year ending the 31st March last no further sums will be payable on this account, the Act having been repealed. THEEMAL SPEINGS. Coining now to the subject of Thermal Springs, I find that the only one of these with which it is necessary for me to deal, as it is the only one on which any public-works expenditure has recently been going on, is that at Eotorua; but full information as regards the other thermal springs with which the Government is more or less connected will be found in the report of the Crown Lands Department already laid on the table of the House. At Eotorua the extensive alterations and improvements undertaken in connection with the bathing accommodation are now completed, and it is satisfactory to find that invalids from all parts of our own and other colonies, and even from Europe, are attracted by the marvellous efficacy of these baths. The hospital which was burned down last year is to be rebuilt on a more suitable and less costly plan. It is clearly recognised by the Government that it ought not to compete with the local hotels, which can accommodate those who can afford to pay. It is only intended for persons from a distance who must come to Eotorua, and can only do so if cheap hospital accommodation is provided. On thermal springs generally, the amount expended last year was £936 ; and, for this year, we ask for a vote for £2,350 for the Eotorua Hospital, that being the estimated cost to complete it. EXPENDITUEE ON PUBLIC WOEKS OF ALL CLASSES. On account of public works of all classes, with liabilities at end of March, 1888, amounting to £471,695, the amount voted for expenditure during the year ending March last was £895,807, and of this amount £633,365 has been expended. Of the amount thus expended, £104,911 was for costs, charges, and discounts contingent on raising loans, leaving £528,454 as representing the expenditure on other works and services. Apportioning this total to the several parts of the Public Works Fund it shows, — Part I.—Liabilities at beginning of year, £205,323 ; voted for expenditure, £404,555; actually expended, £269,016. Part III —Liabilities at beginning of year, £75,904 ; voted for expenditure, £135,711 ; actually expended, £86,183. Part lll.—Liabilities at beginning of year, £190,468; voted for expenditure, £855,541; actually expended, £278,166. As compared with the total expenditure last year, it may be interesting to mention the totals for a- few years previously, which are in round numbers (exclusive of the purchase of District Eailways). —For 1883-84, £1,409,000; 1884-85, £1,336,000; 1885-86, £1,287,000; 1886-87, £1,167,000; 1887-88, £966,000; 1888-89, £633,000. PUBLIC WOEKS FUND. The funds available for Public Works are as follows:— PART I. Comprising Immigration; some small items of Bail-ways ; Eoads of all classes, except roads along North Island Trunk Railway; Waterworks on Goldfields; Purchase of Native Lands, North Island, except lands along North Island Trunk Eailway; Telegraph Extension; Public Buildings; Lighthouses, Harbour Works, and Harbour Defences; Bates on Native Lands; and Thermal Springs. In Part I. of the Fund we had at the 31st March last the sum of £303,801, and to this there is to be added £87,974, to which this fund is entitled under section 31 of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, making in all £391,775.