D.— l

III

BAILWAYS UNDEB CONSTRUCTION. The railways under construction were the same as during the previous year, but with two additions —namely, the Stratford-Kawakawa and the Heriot Extension lines. The expenditure amounted to considerably more than in the previous year—namely, £392,691, against £199,580; the increase being £193,111. The improved progress on all the more important lines has been maintained, especially in the case of the North Island Main Trunk Eailway, so that for several of the principal lines substantial votes must be asked for. I will now briefly describe what has been done on each of the railway-works in hand during the late year, and also our proposals for the current year. Kawakawa-Grahamtown . The svork on the southern extension of the northern portion of this railway has been continued, the operations now extending over the whole eight miles authorised in 1899., Bail-laying has not yet been started, but rails have been procured, so that the work can be put in hand as soon as a sufficient length of formation is available. No suitable ballast has been discovered immediately adjacent to the work in hand, but a deposit of scoria-ash exists at a distance of a mile and three-quarters from the line. It will be necessary to construct a branch line to enable this to be utilised. It is expected that the first section of the line will be finished and available for traffic by this time next year. A further link in the northwards extension of the southern portion of the line was completed during the year —namely, the short section of 1 mile 26 chains between Waiotu and Hukerenui—which was opened for traffic on the Ist March last. The survey of the intervening length between the northern and southern portions of this railway has been proceeded with as opportunity offered,, the line having been definitely located for six miles, and a trial line run for three miles further. The completion of this survey will be intrusted to an officer whose attention will be solely devoted to it, so as to insure its being finished at an early date. Preparations' have been made to start work on the extension from Opau to Grahamtown. It was found that the original survey could be improved upon, and a new survey has accordingly been made, and plans of the bridge over the Whangarei Biver have been prepared. The total expenditure on this railway last year amounted to £13,101, and for the current year an authorisation of £15,000 is asked for.

Expei idituro. Class of Work., Total to 31st March, 1901. Total to 31st December, 1890. 1st January, 1891, to 31st March, 1901. Year ended 31st March, 1901. i Eailways—Construction ..... ) „ —Additions to open lines J 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 £ (2,025,391 ) 11,075,535j 1,988,145 733,647 3,333 •773,833 85,518 • £ 17,168,026 5,563,949 2,509,650 2,147,719 1,964,970 965,613 -. ■■£ (392,691 1325,032 315,791 121,364 214 28,688 6,517 600,849 , 561,101 429,720 349,789 300,689 1,021,472 305,309 125,252 120,240 109,528 7,472 36,299 906,158 686,353 549,960 459,317 308,161 1,057,771 50,101 15,907 37,650 12,933 673 1,460 Totals ... 26,898,145 7,389,502 34,287,647 1,309,021