PUBLIC WORKS IN AUCKLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 2800, 7 February 1872, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS IN AUCKLAND.

The Hon. Mr Ormond, Minister of Public Works, and Mr Brogden, writes the Auckland correspondent of the Lyttelton Timer, arrived here [four weeks ago, and that time has sufficed tojinfuse now life into these parts. The abandoned provincial abortion known aS the Auckland and Drury railway, has been re started, it having been found that ro better line could be chosen for a railway to Waikato. Thus an immense sum is saved from what was generally looked upon as a total,wreck. Tne embankment, cuttings, and even much of the plant, contrary to expectation, tnrn out to be in good preservation. Conceive the gratification such good news has caused! Next, Bay of Islands was visited, and the proposed tramway from Kawa Kawa coal mines to deep water approved, so we may confidently look forward to a speedy supply of first-rate fuel for home consumption, and to the creation of a great export. After his return from Bay of Islands, Mr Ormand visited the Thames and examined minutely thecountry whiehit is prop >sed to irrigate by one of two schemes for supplying water to our goldfields. The scheme which finds most favor is that known as the high level. It could ho carried out for LIoOjOOO, and may be sufficiently understood by bearing in mind that the whole of the present Thames diggings are nearly surrounded by tyo rivers, which have been pqnnected so as to form a species of elliptic semicircle. Within this semicircle, and abutting on it, is a range of hills which follow the two rivers ’with tolerable fidelity. The various claims chiefly lie beneath the the range; said range being about 500 feet above sea level. We now see that the high level scheme merely proposes to raise the water from the rivers to the summit of ‘the adjoining range of hills, from which it would of coqrsp quickly fipw to the mines bepeath. It is positively certain that the high level scheme, if carried out, would pay extremely well. The alternative plan is called the low level scheme. To effect its purpose would cost at least L 30.000, and aster all it could only furnish water to very few claims. It is not likely to receive preference, and need not be discussed in this letter. Another result likely to ensue from Mr Ormond’s and Mr Brogdea’g ..visit is the. extension to Auckland of the Kaipara Bailway, which extensdon would ensure payment at least of working expenses, besides joining all the remote north with this city. In connection with this rajlway, pur Harbor Board owes a deep debt of gratitude to Mr Ormond, who has prevented the Board from being shoused by the Provincial Governincut out of L5,1)00.' The important read-link now being constructed by friendly Maoris and Armed Constabulary, when finished about three or four months hence, will complete the overland

chain of communication between Auckland and Wellington. Less than three weeks ago, ultra Hau hau Kingites called upon Tawhiao to drive away the road party.then and at present working between Cambridge and Taupo. His reply, transmitted through Jlanuhiri, his most favored Minister, was, freely translated—“ Molest not the pakeha or the road works ; they must proceed without hindrance from our side.” It were idle to speculate upon the nature of influences which have brought about this remarkable result, whore nothing positive is known even to highly influential iriendly chiefs. But this much is certain—bribery has had nothing to do with it.