PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1267, 21 August 1872, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

STATEMENT OF THE MINISTER ' OF PUBLIC WORKS. Wellington, Aug. 20. Mr Ormond delivered his Public Works Statement to-day. After reminding the House that the Ministry had really only had seven months to carry out their policy, he reviewed in detail all the works which had been executed. With regard to Brogden's contracts, he stated that the Parliamentary estimate had, in all cases, been exceeded,' owing to the rise in | the price of materials, but all contracts had been entered into after careful consideration, and on the best professional advice. Complete, with rolling stock, &c, the average cost would only be L 48.65 per mile. The total amount which hai been placed to the credit of the Public Works account since the initiation of the policy was L 801,023, of which only L 750,000 was from the loan, the balance being chiefly from stamp duty. Thig sum had been reduced by charges and discount L 30,272, interest and sinking fund L 33,750, buildings and English agency L 8042, leaving only L 719,957 available for public works. Of this L 121,868 had been spent on making roads in the North Island, for which 550 miles of road had been opened, besides upwards of 2OO.miles in progress. L 32,380 of the Middle Island Railway Fund had been •pent in opening 27 miles of road, with 42 miles in progress on the West Coast Gold Fields. On railways L 213 ,287 had been expended, for which they had toshow 12 miles of railway open, at a cost of about L 49,200; 386 miles surveyed and prepared for contract, at a cost of L 19,212, of which 254 miles were contracted for, and upwardsof 50 in course of construction, on which, about L 103,338 was already paid, and L 40,537 paid for railway plant ; and the Waitaki bridge, making a total of L 212,287. In the North Island, L 69,664 had been spent in purchasing 403,815 acres of Native land, besides providing advances on blocks still under negotiation. 801 miles of telegraph had been opened, at a cost of L 58,097. Of the Road Board grant, L 45,400 had, under the resolution of last session, been given to Provinces, and L 54,600 direct to Road Boards, the whole of which had no doubt been spent on objects identified with "the policy of public works. L 46,650 had been spent on immigration, L 21,000 of which was a

refund to Provinces. The Gieymouth protective works, Gold Fields water supply, the development of coal miues, refund of stamp duties absorbed L 6511, and departmental expenses, including L 7184 for salaries and expenses of engineers employed on various lines of rail and roads through the Colony amounted to LIGjGIOj making a total expenditure in carrying out the policy of L 644,273, leaving a balance in hand on 30th June last, of L 73,684. The Government did not intend to propose any new works of magnitude during the present year. Those already sanctioned were as large as could be prudently undertaken under the circumstances, and the Government desired to devote their. attention to carrying them out effectually and economically.