B.—l

IV

From a roading point of view probably the largest achievement was the practical completion of the bridge over the Northern Wairoa River at Dargaville, which is now carrying traffic, and which I hope to have the pleasure of officially opening immediately after the House rises. The excellent relations existing between myself and those engaged in the actual carrying-out of the work, which was referred to in my last Statement, are satisfactorily maintained. Evidently the men feel that the Government and the staff are determined to give them a " fair deal," and they reciprocate accordingly. PROGRAMME FOR THE FUTURE. I referred in the Public Works Statement of 1924 to the programme for the future, and, subject to some variations dictated by the financial situation, referred to in my opening remarks, this programme is being adhered to. Ratio of Expenditure. The ratios which the various types of activities of the Department bear to the whole are indicated graphically in the diagram below. A diagram showing the ratio which the cost of supervision and engineering bears to the total is unnecessary, as there is no measurable difference between this year and last.

RAILWAY-CONSTRUCTION. During the last financial year a total length of 26 miles 54 chains of railway was handed over to the Railway Department for incorporation with the general railway system of the country. Details are as follows : — M. ch. Huntly-Awaroa Branch Railway .. . . .. 1 55 Gisborne-Wairoa Railway (Makaraka-Ngatapa Section) .. 11 51 Stratford Main Trunk Railway (Kohuratahi-Tahora Section) 514 Midland Railway (Otira to Arthur's Pass Section) .. 8 14 26 54 In addition to the lines handed over, rails have been laid on 39 miles 8 chains, and goods traffic has been carried on over a length of 58 miles 4 chains, while traffic of all descriptions has been run by the Public Works Department over 132 miles 52 chains, the two principal sections being between Huarau and Portland, and between Tauranga, The Mount, and Taneatua. The schedule attached gives a complete statement of the work on railways now in progress, and the extent to which it is anticipated it can be completed during the next two years, assuming that sufficient financial provision will be availably.