?>.-4.

The following table shows for the last two years the amount expended out of the Public Works Fund on new buildings, additions, sites, and teachers' residences: — 1932-33. 1931-32. '■ £ £ ■ Public schools .. .. .. ... ..33,631 126.778 Secondary schools .. .. .. .. .. 21.754 65,030 Technical schools .. .. .. .. ..3,584 44,507 Training colleges .. .. v. .. .. .. 1,228 Native schools ... .-. ■ .'.• 704 14,433 Schools for mentally backward .. . . . . . . ... 199 Child-welfare Institutions . . . . . . . . .. 714 Kindergartens .. . . . . . . .. ... 54 Massey Agricultural College . . . . . . .. .. 9,622 Gross total .. .. .. .. .. 59,673 262,565 Less credits-in-aid .. .. .. .. 7,050 3,417 £52,623 £259,148 Tourist and Health Resorts. The net expenditure for the year amounted to £14,455, as against £87,609 for the previous year. This latter amount included payment for the Chateau, Tongariro. The principal works undertaken during the year were the reconstruction of the Blue Bath House and further extensions to the electrical systems at Rotorua ; improvements to tourist tracks in South Westland ; hot drying-rooms on Milford Track ; and preliminary work in connection with the hydro-electric scheme at the Tongariro National Park. During next financial year it is proposed to complete the work on the Blue Bath and the hydro-electric scheme at the Chateau, Tongariro. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. The expenditure for telegraph extension by the Post and. Telegraph Department for the financial year in extending and improving the telephone, telegraph, and wireless facilities throughout the Dominion amounted to £99,999, as against £249,946 for the year ended the 31st March, 1932. In view of the small amount of capital available, every effort was made to keep expenditure on new assets down to a minimum, but at the same time to effect essential or desirable improvements in the telegraph and toll services by concentrating on improving existing facilities wherever practicable. This was accomplished in some cases by rearranging lines and in others by undertaking general reconstruction work. In a few cases requirements could not be met except by the erection of new lines, and in these cases the necessary work was proceeded with. Owing to the depressing effects of the economic situation, the development of the local telephone-exchange systems throughout the Dominion, which was such a feature of prosperous years, has, in common with other businesses of a like nature, received a temporary setback. It is anticipated, however, that with the return to better conditions the plant now available will be fully utilized for the purpose of connecting subscribers, and that further additions will be necessary. No extensions of any importance were made to departmental radio-telegraph and radio-telephone stations, which continued to function efficiently and to meet all the demands made upon them. SETTLEMENT OF UNEMPLOYED WORKERS. A new vote was taken last year under the above heading, and the following is a summary of the operations :— Number of share milkers' cottages and sheds erected .. .. .. 238 Number of tenants established or being established .. . . .. 435 Expenditure on share milkers' cottages and sheds .. . . .. £45,690 Expenditure in establishing small farms .. .. .. . , £73,032 £118,722

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