PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 25, 24 October 1919, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT

' A MILLION. FOR ROADS

THE LABOUR SHORTAGE

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEMES

VIGOROUS POLICY

PROMISED

Tho Public Works Statement was tabled in the Bouse of Representatives by Sir William Eraser last night. Following is an abridgment of the Statement :—

I regret to say that the scarcity of labour was as apparent during last financial year as it was during the previous one. It is true that as the soldiers returned to New Zealand a slight improvement in numbers of men available for my work was manifest, but that was only during February and March. Sinco April, however, a marked change has taken place, but the number in my employ is still fully fifteen hundred below tho pro-war mark. The truth is that tho manhood of the Dominion, including also the returned soldiers, has very slightly increased•in numbers sinco tho war began, as the lads who havo passed into manhood do not much outnumber those who have been killed, or maimed. It is owing, to this fact that only .6522,092 lias been expended on railways, roads, and bridges out of ,£970,055 provided on the Estimates. I am in hope, however, that the results of the operations during tho current financial year will show a marked improvement A considerable amount of machinery lias been ordered, and some has actually como to hand.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEMES,

The results from the Lake Coleridge undertaking continue to. bo increasingly remunerative. The net revenue for the year ended March 31 last exceeded the cost of working tho scheme by .£20,186. The interest on the capital sunk in the undertaking amounted , to .£15,692, leaving a balance towards depreciation account of. ,£4494. Tho result for tho six months ended September 30, 1919, is that the revenue exceeded the estimate for that

period by ,£2864, and tlie expenditure fell , short of the estimate by .£045, showing a ' net gain beyond the estimate of' ,£3, r >o9. If the returns for the second six months are on the same scale, then on March 81, 1920, there will have been received - as net revenue more . than sufficient _ to defray both interest and depreciation charges—viz., 6 per cent, on total capital cost. As soon as it. is possible to erect the plant necessary to generate the full power available at Lake Coleridge the not receints from this undertaking will largely increase. Arapuni, A shaft is being sunk, on each side of the river at the site of the proposed i dam, to be followed by a tunnel con- ,'. necling these .shafts'., with the view of 'testing the stability.of the strata which will have to support the foundations nnd , wings of the dam. As soon as the en-rgineer-in-chief is satisfied.from these in- • vestigations; that it will be safe to proceed, the main work will at once be started and carried to completion with ■ all possible dispatch. Mannahao. At Mangahao, since April 1 last, the construction of the road to' give access to the various sections of the work has been pushed on. The formation hns been completed beyond the central reservoir to the top of r' be hill overlooking the Mangahao, and a start is now being made with the metalli:..'. A complete steamgenerating power plrnt 'of SCO horsepower capacity lidij'bwn'ordercd to supply power .to the machinery >eqiiired in tho construction of. the : tunnels nnd other works. Arrangements have been made to establish a small sawmill on the sifo to cut the requisite timber. Difficulty has been found in obtaining a supply' of suitable labour. Temporary boardinghouses have been established for tho men employed, and plans are readv for the erection of huts and dining arid recreation rooms when timber is available. Horahora. The hvdro-eleclric works at Horahora have been purchased from the Waihi Gold Mining Company* on satisfactory term . Tho amount of power which can • now be developed is 801)0 horse-power. A maximum of 3325 horse-power lias to he supplied to the vendors, leaving 4075 hoise-power available for distribution throughout the . surrounding .. districts. Tho present available supply of power can be increased by erecting, two more turbines, and steps will be taken to give effect to this ns soon as practicable. Statutory provision for the lull cost of establishing these works will be made this session. Provision will also be made tor the completion of plana for tho erection of hydro-electric works at Waikaremoana, and the survey of transmission linen therefrom to Gisborne nnd Napier and thence to Wairarapa. . The ■intention is, as soon as labour and funds are' available, that the works at Waikaremoana should be commenced. An eaual sum will also be provided for elab. orating schemes for the South Island, and. similarly, it is intended when labour and funds are available that such schemes, will bo set in operation. It would not he just that all parts of. the Dominion, other than those proposed to be served by tho Mangahao, Arapuni, Lako Coleridge, and Horahora plants, should have to await the completion of those schemes before having their respective districts provided for. In view, however, of the difficulty in procuring labour, it would be manifestly improper to pretend that such large new schemes as Waikaremoana and whatever mav be decided on for the South Island could bo undertaken at present. EXPENDITURE The following table shows briefly the particulars of expenditure during the financial year ended March 31, 1919, also the total expenditure in respect to each class of work from the oate of the inauguration of tho Public Works policy to March 31 last:— EXPENDITURE. Expenditure. ■Expendituro Total for year expenended diture to M'ch.3l, -M'ch.3l, Class of Work. 1919. 1919. Railways— £ .C Now construction 293,020 * 25,703,001 Additions to open lines' 01,903 9,831,001 Roads 220,073 11,021.210 Public buildings ... 235,810 7,330,748 Immigration *12,018 2,330,110 Purchase of Native lands - 2,001,900 lighthouses, harbour work's, and harbour defences... 5,392 1,118,113 'Tourist and health resorts 1,020 201,000 Telegraph extensions 198,011 3,823,509 Development of mining ... 518 889,014 Defence works (general 8.809 J,051;578 ' departmental 115,119 1,131,254 electric-power sup- •: ply aim development 9,254 ' 9,254 ,T rngation and watersupply 13,005 100,720 Payment to Midland Railway boiulliold- ,- ers — 150,000 V'L'iuds imirbvcmcnt *t,2GB 135,310 ' ''Minor works and !'• services - 312,007 ) 'Plant, material, and "/stores 20,038 111,611 '■Cost and discount, ■' raising loans, etc. — 1,253,073 1,207,182 09,070,198 Wellington-Hutl railway and road improvement account' . ' Railway • - • 228,374 load - 101,658

Kailwajs improvement account — (141,275 Railway improve- . incut Authorisation Act, 1914, Account v ... 39,375 51C.-117 Loans to local boaies account—rouds to open up Crown lands - 637,408 Opening up Crown lands for settlement account— Heads to open up Crown lands - 206,626 Land for Settlements AccountBonds to open up Crown lands 51,353 201,030 National , Endowment Account— Roads to open up endowment lands ... — 53,401 Aid to Water-power Works and Electric Supply Account 24,701 ' 412,312 Irrigation and Water-supply 'Account — Waihou and Ohinemuri Eivers Improvement Account 27,402 92,010 Telegraph Extension count — Totals 1,350,408 72,880,743 •Credit. WATS AND MEANS. £ On April 1, 1918,.the available ways and menus for public works purposes were 205,540 Additional funds were received as follow:— Under Finance Act, 1917, section 77 725,000 Under Finance Act, 1913 (No. 2), section 29 300,000 Other receipts and recoveries .13,141 Making a uross total 0f... .£1,393,(131 The net expenditure on all works ana services chargeable against the Public Works fund for the year 1918-19 amounted to JJ],207,482 This left a credit balance in the Ways and Means Account at March 31, 1919, of 180,199 Authority exists for providing iurther I'iiiids;— In terms of the Finance Act, . 1918 (No. 2), to the extent of 2,140,000 Making a totaV of i 2,326,199 In addition it is proposed to ask ' . for authority to provide a further , 750,000 Thus njaking available for ex- ■ penditure during the current financial year ending March 31, 1920, a sum of .£3,070,199 The .estimated expenditure on public workers for the current year (exclusive of accounts which have their own ways and means) is ,£2,968,257, leaving nn estimated credit balance of ,£89,942 to be carried iorward to next year 11920-21). ' In addition to the amounts above described statutory authority exists for raising the balances under the loliowing accounts, viz.-.— Aid to Water-power Works Act, 1910 51000 Waihou and Ohinomuri Rivers Improvement Act, 1910 ....: ;.. 50,000 101,000 Statutoi-y authority is being asked for the hydro-electric development of Mangahao and Arapuni schemes, and further extensions of Lake Coleridge; also for the purchase of Horahora, the exteubion thereof, and the erection of transmission .lines, amounting in a ll to 0,830,000 '•; ' ."■■ :.;.. , ..£6,931,000 RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. Construction and maintenance have been continued on twenty-nine sections of railway with all the available man-power that could be obtained at reasonable rates. • No sections were handed over to the Working Railways Department, however, although I anticipate being* in a position to do so during the ensuing twelve months. In all cases where the lines wero in it forward state of completion goods havo been ' carried for the convenience of settlers, and in some cases passengers were also accommodated. The total expenditure on railway construction and improvements during the financial year amounted to ,£407,297, particulars of which are as follow:— £ Construction of new lines 290,019 Additions to open lines 91,901 Railways Improvement Authorisation Act, 1914, Account ... 79,375 The following is a brief summary of the works in progress during: the year just closed. (Those only are mentioned of interest to this part of New Zealand): East Coast Main Trunk. Waihi Eastwards.—Work is in hand as far as the 10-mile' peg, and fair progress has been made. Stone is being crushed for culvert building, and two platelayers' cottages have been erected. Tho permanent survey of the line beyond the 10-mile peg has been carried on well in advance of formation requirements. Tau.ranga Westwards.—Tauranga Section: The only work done on this section during the year was stone pitching along the Strand harbour front. Construction work has been resumed sinco the end of the year. Tauranga Eastwards.—To Maunga Section: Cylinders for piers C, D, E, and F of Tauranga bridge have been constructed and partly sunk. Eangitaiki Section—This line has been •permanently pegged to 96 miles 40 chains, or within half a mile of the summit on the saddle between Waioho and AVhakatn.no valleys. The survey of the drainage areas of the different drains of the Rangitaiki Swamp has been completed, also a traverse of the Rangitikei River for stop-bank purposes. Mount Mangnnui-Te Puke-Matata Section.—This opened section for passengers and goods is 40 miles in length, and has carried a, considerable amount of traffic during the year just closed—freight, fares, carnage of mails, etc. The whole lino from the Mount to Matata, although not completed, has been efficiently maintained. Mount Branch—Only ordinary maintenance has been done on this section during the year. The swamp banks havo not given as much trouble as previously, owing partly to the exceptionally dry year experienced. Some of those, however, will require widening, and will be attended, to when necessary. So far, however, a good running surface has oecn maintained. NAPIER-GISBOFINE. Uisborno-Wairoa. Ngatapa Section — Passenger and goods traffic has been working "over this section, and the neccssaiy maintenance to keep it in nn efficient state has ueen attended to. Hanks have been widened whore necessary, and additional ballast deposited where required. jNupier-Wairoa. Mdalo. Section (0 miles 0 chain* to 10 miles 60 chains).— Construction work has been pnactical.y conhned to tho Inner Harbour embankment which, undertaking is in tho hands of tlie Napier Harbour Hoard. Better piwws than in previous years has been made A quarry was opened at Pandora Point two temporary bridges constructed over 'branches of tho Tutaekuri Kiver and it servtco road constructed from tlio quarry Towards tho end of the year a commencement was made with further construction of the section. A strong wirvey party was engaged during too year, and 38J miles of trial survey beyond this'section was made. Opunako Branch. No work was undertaken on this lino until the last month of the year, when the construction of the AVaiiigongciro Bridge was resumed. It is proposed to puslr on this work, and provision is being made on the Estimates accordingly. Stratford-Main Trunk. West End. Tahora Section.—Formation work is now completed on this section to 47 miles 24 chains. Tahora sta-tion-yard and all ombankononta have

been widened to full width. BaEasting, however, had to b<; discontinued owing to the. temporary closing of the Hallway Department's metal-pit at Mount Egmoiit. Private crossings havo been mnoe by- the erection of several small bridges, t.diverts havo been constructed, permanent fenceg totalling 1 mile (37 chains'in length erected, and the service road efliclenfiy maintained. A bi-weekly passenger and poods service for the convenience of settlers has been run to connect with tlio Railway Department's service at 'J.'uhora. Heao Section.—Trial surveys have been undertaken to investigate tiio possibilities of (a) a square orosMiig at the. Tnngarakau, (b) a more direct route from there to Ma.ngalatoka, and (c) .t deviation between 5-1 and 57 miles. The location of over 4 miles of pcrvice road has' been completed, and to expedite future operations .[lie pack-track to l'ntigarakau has been improved.

East End. Matierc Section.—Formation was continued in banks and cuttings; llj chains of top-heading and full excavation in Okaliu Tunnel wero comtileted, as woll as a similar amount of nAa ami arch lining. Good progress was also made with two smaller tunnels. Tho abutments and piers of Ongarue bridge were completed, but further progress is retarded pending tlio arrival of steel girders. Otlra-Bealey. Otira Tunnel—At tlie Ottra end all work has lieen c-fcrried out by day !al>our. Tne bottom heading bus been driven (>9lft., and approximately 2GUft. of this timbered. Slow progress was made with tno enlargement ami lining, owing to the (liUioulty of obtaining nil table labour. At tho Beali-y end work for the first half of the year continued on the day-labour system, tat was changed to contract in t*eptenibe,r. The bottom heading was driven 413 ft., where it met the drive from the Otira end. The progress of enlargement ivas hampered for the same reason as at tho Otira end Culverdon-Waiau. A daily goods service has been maintained throughout the year. Four platelayers' cottages, one stationmnster's residence, and two workmen's huts were creeled. Ballasting operations over about 81 miles wero carried out. This latter work, however, v;as retarded by the flooding of the pit last winter and early spring, as well as by the heavy snow experienced. A 4-to:i crane was elected in AVaiau stnt'on yard, and a 55ft. oast-iron turrtabic partly assembled. The lino is, however, now in a forward condition, and should be finally completed hefoio Christmas. Additions to Oncn Lines. The expenditure out of the Public Works Fund under the heading "Additions to Open Lines" amounted to ,£91,904.. Of this sum .050,438 was expended ir. the provision of additional rolling stock, tarpaulins, Westinghouss bra Tics and workshops machinery. The balance covered expenditure upon improvements to workshop.?, station facilities, water services, locomotive depots, stock yards, tablet installation, telegraph and telephone facilities, and purchase of land. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Parliamentary Buildings.—The energies of thb contractor during the first half of the year were cono'jnlrated on pushing forward work i:i the chamber in the House of Representatives and lounge lobby to admit of its occupation by honourable members last session, and since that time tlio work has been chiefly in connection with the Legislative Council chamber. The Council chamber _ has been advanced sufiicieitly to admit of its' being occupied this session. -Most of the 6tono required for completion is worked and ready for setting as soon as the cornice, and column stones can be obtained. When these latter are placed in position the' llireo cranes'will be removed, tho largo hole- in the roof and Hoars finished, after which the final completion of the whole structure should be in sight. Departmental Buildings— The principal operations under this head were:— (1) The acquisition of a suitable site for a store and yard at Penrose, Aucdand; (2) the conversion of the old police station at Dunedin into offices for the accommodation'' of Govern merit Depnrtnionts; and (3) alterations to tho Government Printing Office. Wellington.

: Hospital and Charitable Institutions. A considerable increase in expenditure under this. voto will be incurred this year. The new St. Helens- Hospital m Christchurch, an item for which h*'s appeared annually in the Estimates, v.-<? be erected at an estimated cost of ,£16,00u. Additional hospital accommodation has been provided at Kotorua, and certain neeessnrv works at To A\ T aikato and Otuki Sanatoria. A heavy item of expenditure is that of providing proper accommodation at the quarantine stations, in connection with which iClt.ooo will be required at Auckland and .£22,450 at Wellington, with a further expenditure of .£6OOO at each station for equipment. Certain necessary expenditure will also bo undertaken at Lyttelton and Port Chalmers, making the 'proposed expenditure during the current year for the quarantine stations amount to .£04,150. Education Buildings. The finance for education buildings for the remainder of the present year and the four following years has been established by the Education Purposes Loans Act recent passed by both Houses, It is estimated that the. moneys already expended and the liabilities already incurred under this class amount to .£450,000, for which provision has to be made in addition to the moneys authorised under the special Act. Of tho .£450,000 thus to be provided separately from the Public AVorks Eund it is estimated that not more t.hni) .£250,000 will actually come to account during the present financial year, and a vote for that amount is proposed for appropriation accordingly. Any part of that ,£250,000 unexpended during the present financial year, together with the balance of 0:200,000, will be provided on the Public AVorks Estimates of the financial year commencing on April 1, 1920, in addition to any monevs raised under the special Act. The effect will be that, in addition to the. .£500,000 for the present year and .£750,000 for each of the four successive years (provision for which is made by the. Education Purposes Loans Act), a further sum of ,£450,D00 will be provided out of ordinary loan account to discharge past liabilities already incurred, and that, of the latter sum or .£450.000 .£250,000 is pioposed to be voted in the present year, and .£2OOOOO, together with anv unexpended ba nnee ot the ,£250,000, to be voted in the next financial vear. The moneys authorised bv tho special Act will be thus rendered available for future commitments only, without any charge thereon for past expenditure and commitments. Workers' Dwellings. There was an expenditure of .£7293 in connection with dwellings in the course of erection and other works. Dnr'nf! the current year it is anticipated that. .£150,000 will bo required. ', Lighthouses. The construction of the tower for an automatic light on Flat Rock, in Auckland Harbour, has lieen completed, and the light is now exhibited and has proved e. great benefit to navigation; It is proposed to make provision during the current fino-nciil vear for automatic, lights near Gable End Foielatid, Ohnia Island near Mcrcurv Islands, and tlie Ninepins (Chelwodc Isionib. Cook Strait;.

Tourist and Health Resorts. A r ery little expenditure has been incurred during tho past year. The total amount expended was ,£IO2O, against JI!)3J for the previous vear; but provision will be made this year for a considerable number of improvements and new wor.w at the different resorts.

ROADS CONSTR'inTIriN AND MAINTENANCE. Tho activities under this class ihavo been carried on partly by the Department itself and partly by local bodies under Departmental supervision, lhe amount placed at my disposal for this very important work under all heads was d£s3J,6:ifl. Of this, .tJS.O.iO was pro vided under the Consolidated Fund lor maintenance. In addition Micro, was a vole for "roads and other works on goldfields," which was administered by my colleague the Hon. Minister of Mines, and the Land for Settlement Account, under the control of tho Hon. Minister of Lands. Unfortunately, tho expenditure did not

reach anticipations, owing to the difficullv of obtaining labour as well as material. Steel for bridges was unprocurable, and owing to shortage of shipping space hardwood could not bo imported.

TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. Owing to the difficulties in obtaining- regular supplies of material, the completion of certain line.was delayed, and in oilier instance" works authorised could not bo commenced.

In Central Ofago, North Canterbury, and Marlborough snowstorms caused such damage that inanv miles of lines had to be rebuilt. Reliable telegraph and telephone .services have been maintained throughout the year. The felcphone exchange system 'is steadily expanding. Eight new exchanges were opened during the year, and one was closed. It was found, necessary to provide .additional switchboard accommodation at twentysix others. The work of converting earth-working systems to metallic circuit is being systematically continued. The increase in' the number of exchange connections for the year is 4100. The telegraph and inter-urban telephone system ha* been extended bv the erection of 120 miles of poles and .151 miles of wrc; 386 miles of poles and 11M miles of .wire were added to the telephone exchange plant; 3749 miles of telegraph and interurban telephone lines were overhauled and reconstructed. Fourteen new coin-in-the-slot telephones were installed. J Irs makes a total for the Dominion of ..<& machines; The nolicy of providing for telephone exchange subscribers' circuits bv means of underground cable is being continued, and during the rear cables were laid providing for 6511 miles ol wire. The partv-lme system was ifttended bv the addition of 621 lines and 2b,1-subscribers. subscribers. Provision has been made tor communicating at any hour, day or night., with all coastal and isolated telephone stations.

LANDS IMPROVEMENT. Improved Farm Settlements.-The road-in-r of the improved farm settlements lias now been completed. A small sum. However, is being provided on tita EstnvUes this year to meet special ca=es as they arise, such ns the formation of deviations, " Miscellaneous-Tile only item calling for special mention under this head is that of .£SOOO for the formation and construction of roads in Hauraki pastoral areas. This is an instalment on account of ,£20.009, which is tho estimated cost of forming tho Toads and payment of claims for condensation. A commencement has been made with the survey of road routes in tho ITauralu Pellicula, hu" owing to the absence of many of the surveyors on war service nnd to the. fact that the remainder were required.tor rte subdivision of land for settlement by returned soldiers, only slow progress has ten made. An'endeavour «M\e™t* to prosecute this work as vigorc-usl} as possible during tho coming year.

DEVELOPMENT OF WATER-POWER. North Island ScheMncs.-The mys; of the Mangahao and AVaiknto River, and Lake AVaikaremoaiia have been com pie ted to point enabling definite proposalsi to he submitted for the development ot ah of these sources of power. Aftei exhaustive investigation of the ate native methods of general distribufon a complete scheme has'been drawn up foi the North Island, consisting of a network of high-tension transmission-lines covering practically the whole Island, w'th 50,000, 33,000, and 11,000 volt return■lations to all the main centres, and eupplving the country districts en route Thi* svstem will ultimately be supplied with power from the three main powerhouses at Mangahao (24,000 horse-power), Arapuni (96,000 horse-power), and Via.karemoana (40,000 horse-power), with con.nections to the existing powcr-sb.tions-Hoiahora Rapids (8400 horse-power) and AVairua Falls (3300 horsepower). During the year the surveys have been carried on of the transmission lines from Mangahao to Wellington, AVanganiu, Danne : virke, and AValrnrapa, and from Arapuni to Auckland. The work at Mangahao was commenced with the construe ion, of the roads,'and at Arnpum by driving trallevols and shafts to thoroughly explore tho foundations of the .proposed * South Island externsion of the reticulation of Lake Colendgo to the districts surrounding Christ-church has been pushed on to the limited extent permitted by the restricted amount oi power available, but plans are in hand for further extensions as soon as the war restrictions permit, particularly to t.ne Aknroa Peninsula a.nd to- South Canterbury As-hbnrton, and Timarn. An exhaustive scheme for the simply of the South Island on thr- same lines as that lini out for the North If!and is in rand, but nwine to pressure of work ami the limited staff available it liw'not yet been completed. A preliminary iiivestigaHon has been made indieatng the main lines on which it will bo laid out.

REGULATIONS FOR ELECTRIC LINES.

Revised regulations for the control of electric lines havo been drawn up alter very exhaustive -investigation, which has extended over the whole year. Owing to the rapid evolution which is taking place in the derctopment of electric supply, this matter has been given very careful attention.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACCOUNT. Opening up Beads for Seltlemciit.-In order to provide additional funds for the roading and development of Crown lands for the settlement of returned soltliera, the borrowing'authority provided for under section 62 of the Land Laws \mcndnient Act. 1913, was increased last vea,r from ,£IOO,OOO to .£250,000 by section 42 of the Approprinfon Act. When labour conditions improve the who.e ot this authority will bo' available.

THE STAFF WAR RECORD. Tho total permanent staff at March 31 was 624. The nnm'bor (apart from temporary workmen) who joined the Expeditionary Forces was 202, .throe of whom gained the Distinguished Service Order, six tho Military Cross, two tie Distinguished Conduct Medal, one the Military Medal, and six gamed other distinciioiif. The casualties were: Killed in action, 9; died of wounds, 10; died ot sickness, 2; missing, 1; accidentally ku.led. 1; wounded, 64; gassed 1; making a total of killed and wounded, 88.

A MILLION FOR ROADS. Let me say, in conclusion, that realisiii" the very natural anxiety on the part of cach'seclion of settlers now tha« the war is over to have its re.-peetive roads of access and main roads completed and metalled I have plae?d nn my estimates sums exceeding .£1,000.000 for roads nnd bridges alone. To havo attempted to corapfy with all requests would have necessitated prov.din.g over .£2,000.000, which would have been absurd for one year's operations. T have been careful to inquire as to the -roads lending to and through returned soldiers settlements, and luvo endeavoured in every case to make provision for same.