D.—l

XVIII

(Kawhia) Wharf, Wade River clearing, Matakana River improvements, Nugget Bay Landing and oil-engine, Kohukohu reclamation retaining-wall, and Karamea River improvements. The sum of £14,670 will be required for these works, on account of which a vote of £8,500 is proposed for the current year. Hahbour-pefences. A small amount of work was carried out last year, and a moderate expenditure will be necessary during the current year to provide for its completion. A vote of 43,000 for this purpose is provided on the estimates. WAIHOU AND OHINEMURI RIVERS IMPROVEMENT. A large amount of preliminary work has been done in pursuance of the Act passed last session to give effect to the recommendations of the Commission appointed to inquire into the silting of the Waihou and Ohinemnri rivers. The survey of the partially or totally destroyed agricultural lands is Hearing completion, and the plans are being compiled. Location-work in connection with the Ngararahi and Koutou deviations of the Waihou River has been completed, and contracts are being prepared with a view of inviting tenders for the full width of the cuts down to below high-water mark. The further excavating of the cuts to their full depth will be done by means of a suction dredge which is being specially designed for this river-improvement work. The Ngararahi Cut will be about 60 chains long and 170 ft. wide, while the ♦Koutou Cut will be about 10 chains long and 230 ft. wide. Instructions have been issued for the poisoning of the willows which encroach upon the channel of the Waihou River, and the extraction of the dead trees will be undertaken as soon as the poison has completed its work. Surveys have also been made in connection with the proposed removal of the Te Puke Wharf to a point below the Netherton Ferry. A vote of i' 20,000 for this work is included in the estimates. Gross Total Appropriations. In addition to the votes specifically referred to, the estimates include provision for the undermentioned services : — £ Departmental .... .... .... .... 48,000 Immigration .... .... .... .... 20,000 Lands-improvement .... .... .... .... 20,000 Contingent defence .... .... .... .... 20,000 thus bringing the total amount of the proposed appropriations, including special accounts, up to £3,145,674, against i' 3,248,210 voted and £2,039,508 actually expended last year. EMPLOYMENT ON PUBLIC WORKS. In accordance with the policy already outlined in the Financial Statement this year, the Government settlers who take up allotments under the proposed family land settlement system will, wherever possible, if they desire it, be employed part of their time on the public works to be promoted to give access to lands upon which they are settled. IRON INDUSTRY. In regard to the development of our iron-ores and ironsand, legislation will be introduced providing, in the alternative, for this purpose either by private enterprise or by the State. CONCLUSION. 1 have now reviewed the work of the past year, and given an epitome of the proposals regarding the current year. The votes proposed, while not excessive or extravagant, are nevertheless of an exceedingly liberal character, but are justified by the Government's policy of progressive development of the natural resources of the Dominion and of providing for the reasonable requirements of the people, and will admit of a satisfactory rate of progress being maintained with the various enterprises in hand. The works in progress and those proposed to be gone on with are all of a necessary character, and their execution will tend to still further advance the progress of the Dominion.