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DEPAETMENTAL. Honourable members are perhaps not aware of the large amount of work performed by the Public Works Department on behalf of other departments of the public service. As the strength of the Public Works staff requires to be appreciably greater by reason of this, I mention the following as some of the works that have been designed, supervised, or reported on for other departments or local bodies during the late financial year: — Inch Valley Lime-quarry Eailway; rifle-ranges, Shoal Bay and Mount Eden; repairs, Mangere, Panmure, and Orakei Bridges; suspension-bridge over Mangawhero Eiver, W&nganui ; steel cantilever road-bridge over Eangitikei River at Mangaweka; restoration, Vinegar Hill Bridge over same river; bridge over Taueru Eiver ; Karamea Bridge ; road, Whangaparapara to Blind Bay; road, Waimangaroa to Denniston; road, Westport to Waimangaroa; deviation, Great South Road round Mount Hercules and other works. In addition to the above a number of works, too numerous to mention in detail, which have been carried out by local bodies under grants from the Government, have been inspected, and certificates given as to the manner in which the work has been done. RAILWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. The extent of railway-construction work in hand during last year was much the same as during the previous year. It will be convenient if I follow the usual course of briefly describing what has been done on each line, and also at the same time give an outline of the proposals for the current year. Kawakawa-Gkahamstown . The amount of work in hand on this railway last year was not as great as anticipated when the estimates were prepared. The estimates of last year provided for the extension of the line from Waiotu to Hukerenui, but, as the Railways Authorisation Bill, which was to have authorised the work, did not pass, it was impossible to go on with it. It was not foreseen when this line was first started that Hukerenui would be the most suitable position for the principal station for that district. As, however, a large area of kauri forest can be conveniently tapped from this point, it is very desirable that the line should be extended there as soon as possible. The line was opened for traffic to Waiotu on 21st December, 1898. The expenditure during the year amounted to £3,932. It is now proposed to continue the line from Kawakawa southwards, a distance of about six miles. This extension will open up a large area of marketable timber, and when the timber has been cleared, the land, which is of good quality, will be available for settlement. It is also proposed to again make provision for the extension from Waiotu to Hukerenui, and to put the work in hand directly the necessary authorisation Bill has been passed.

.expenditure. Total to 1st January, Total to 31st December, 1891, to 31st March, 1890. 31st March, 1899. 1899. Ixpen iii iure. Class of Works. Railways (including A.O.L.J ... Eoads Public buildings Immigration Purchase of Native lands Lighthouses, harbour-works, and harbour-defences Telegraph extension ... Development of goldfields Defence-works (general) Departmental Minor works and services Cost and discount, raising loans, &c. £ 14,067,100 3,575,804 1,776,003 2,144,386 1,191,137 880,095 600,849 561,101 429,720 349,789 300,689 1,021,472 £ 1,965,266 1,387,311 496,856 2,734 713,120 69,976 228,437 87,530 39,780 84,023 6,055 6,518 £ 16,032,366 4,963,115 2,272,859 2,147,120 1,904,257 950,071 829,286 648,631 469,500 433,812 306,744 1,027,990 Totals ... £26,898,145 £5,087,606 £31,985,751