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settlers better served. The trains running immediately alongside their holdings would insure the conveyance of produce and stores by the railway. The expense of station-buildings would be almost eliminated except at important points, where they would be necessary for the convenient working of the line. Subject to the conditions above mentioned, the cost of a 2 ft. gauge railway, exclusive of rolling-stock, should be— (1.) In easy country ... ... ... ... ... £2,000 per mile. (2.) In medium country ~. ... ... ... £3 000 (3.) In difficult country ... ... ... ... £4*500 Included in this estimate are the rails (estimated to cost £600 per mile for 301b. rails and £750 per mile for 401b. rails) and the sleepers—of proportionately reduced length (cost £300 per mile)—making a total for permanent-way of £900 per mile for 30 lb. rails and £1,050 for 40 lb. rails. The difference between this amount and the completed cost of the line being the cost of land, formation, bridges, culverts, fencing, platelaying, ballasting, stations, &c. There are several districts in the colony where narrow-gauge lines could be fairly tested as to cost of construction and earning-power. One of these I shall refer to later on. AVAILABLE WAYS AND MEANS FOE PUBLIC-WORKS PURPOSES. At 31st March, 1899, the available balance of ways and means for publicworks purposes was £380,856, and further funds were provided last session as follows: — Under the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act... ... 1,000,000 Transferred from revenue ... ... ... ... ... '450 000 Miscellaneous receipts ... ... ... ... 2116 thus making a gross total of £1,832,972. The expenditure last year amounted to £993,223, therefore at the end of the year the balance of ways and means amounted to £839,749. Against this, however, there were liabilities amounting to £494,895. It is now proposed to provide additional funds, as under : — « , £ aewloan • 1,000,000 To be transferred from revenue ... ... ... ... 500 000 making altogether (after deducting the liabilities) a total of available ways and means of £1,844,854. J The estimates of expenditure for the current year total to £1,938,369 (in addition to £49,000 under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Account), thus leaving an unallocated balance of ways and means for public-works purposes of £401,380. ■ •■" F- - TOTAL PUBLIC-WORKS EXPENDITURE. The following table shows the total expenditure out of the Public Works Fund on all works and services throughout the colony up to the 31st December 1890, and also up to the 31st March last:—

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Expenditure. Class of Works. Total to 1st January, 31st December, . 1891, to 1890. I 31st March, 1900. Total to 31st March, 1900. Railways (including A.O.L.) ... Roads 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 £ 2,383,203 1,672,354 612,283 3,119 745,145 79,001 255,208 109,345 82,590 96,595 6,799 34,839 £ 16,450,303 5,248,158 2,388,286 2,147,505 1,936,282 959,096 856,057 670,446 512,310 446,384 307,488 1,056,311 Totals... 26,898,145 6,080,481 32,978,626