9

D.—lA

New Zealand Railways Construction.—Return showing the Average Number of Men employed from 1920 to 1928.

Hydro-electric Development. The policy that the Government should provide for the supply of electricity in bulk wherever the same is required was standardized, and estimates were made for a considerable number of years in the future as to the demands in various localities, and a programme of development was decided upon to provide for the demand. In addition to the Government's policy of developing power in bulk, its policy of having the reticulation and distribution of the power carried out by Electricpower Boards was encouraged and assisted not only by the advice of the Department's officers, but also by the passing of legislation which would make for smoother and more efficient working in connection with the policy of providing every one, within reason, with the advantages of moderately priced electric power. So far the works carried through have been very successful, and at the present lime at least two-thirds of the total population is supplied with electric power,

2—P, IA,

i 1920. | 1921. | 1922. i 1923. 1924. I 1925. ! 1926. I 1927. j 1928. North Island Railways. North Auckland Main Trunk— j . Ngapuhi Northward .. .. .. .. .. 42 4 1 8 Waiotira .. .. 560 I 580 575 310 360 135 Ranganui-Kirikopuni — Whangarei District .. .. 180 230 265 i .. .. Auckland District .. .. 145 145 185 120 | 110 60 Okaihau Northwards .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 75 175 250 300 Kawakawa-Hokianga .. .. 82 55 40 42 .. Whangarei Branch .. .. 100 95 100 105 95 95 Kaihu Valley Extension .. .. 52 42 37 13 Dargaville Branch .. .. .. .. .. .. I .. 55 200 Tauraroa Quarry .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 40 50 50 50 East Coast Main Trunk— Tauranga Eastward .. .. 350 380 435 460 j 425 400 345 265 210 Tauranga Westward .. .. 45 32 9 j Waihi Eastward .. .. 50 50 105 155 i 115 82 85 68 45 Waihi Eastward (contractor's men) .. .. .. J 155 430 475 255 130 Napier-Wairoa .. .. 170 115 110 220 1 340 495 550 505 435 Gisborne-Wairoa .. .. 80 80 55 60 45 20 12 6 13 Waikokopu Branch .. .. 120 230 335 265 330 205 80 45 40 Auckland-Westfield Deviation .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 405 405 360 Waiuku Branch .. 55 51 35 Waikokowai Branch .. .. 6 6 .. .. j .. Paeroa-Pokeno .. .. .. .... • • 6 5 5 .. ,. Himtly-Awaroa .. .. 27 60 80 45 21 Rotorua-Taupo .. .. .. .. .. 5 6 5 3 Palnierston North Deviation .. .. .. .. .. ! .. .. 30 80 200 Rimutaka Deviation .. .. .. 8 8 5 4 i Tawa Plat Deviation .. .. .. .. .. .. i .. .. 110 245 Hutt Deviation .. .. .. .. .. j .. J 80 190 175 Stratford Main Trunk Railway— West end .. .. .. 55 35 35 50 , 45 95 200 260 290 East end .. .. .. 85 70 110 140 1 155 1 150 155 170 215 Opunake Branch.. .. .. 52 40 110 150 1 192 185 120 South Island Railways. Bealey-Otira .. .. .. 190 185 215 130 83 3 1 1 Nelson-Westland .. .. 30 27 29 50 . 82 86 83 80 60 Westport-Inangahua . . . . .. .. .. .. '32 60 35 35 110 Greymouth - Point Elizabeth .. 79 48 57 21 Waihao Downs .. .. .. 31 11 Clyde-Cromwell .. .. .. 95 50 Lawrence-Roxburgh 110 185 200 210 155 163 85 21 Onepuki-Waiau .. .. .. 45 22 28 47 70 43 Totals .. .. 2,124 2,177 2,568 2,885 3,105 3,652 3,472 3,260 3,059