Public Works Estimates.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 November 1913, Page 2

Public Works Estimates.

The Public Works Estimates were delivered in the House of Peprescntativea last night. It showed that the expenditure on the different sections of the Midland Hail way (luring last financial year was as follows: — Nelson end ... ... 2-1,'.560 Kecfton end ... 10,07 a Otira-Bealey' ... (il,So£) Bealey-Cass ... 0(i,78G For the current year appropriations are proposed as follows: £ Nelson end 5,000 Uoefton end ... 10,000 Olira-Bealev ... 70,000 Uouloy-Cass ... 50,000 AaiUCIJLTIJKK Further expenditure is contem- , plated this year to provide up-to-date buildings and equipment for the experimental farms, to make | these institutions object lessons j in all that makes • for effective working and economy. When the farms were started there was an almost entire absence of modern equipment, and improvement are being effected generally, the expenditure being spread over a number of years. An experimental farm is being established at Mamaku, on which investigations into the cause of bush sickness in cattle may be continued. At Kuakura drainage operations which have materia fly increased 'he fertility of the land are to be continued. A noteworthy increase in the numbers of purebred live stock imported involves extensions of the accommodation at some of the quarantine stations. At one or two places where resident officers find it practically impossible to rent suitable houses the Department is providing residences at moderate cost. SCHOOL BUILDINGS. The expenditure during the past year was £105,000, of which nearly ±\S:|,OOO was paid to the respective governing bodies for 'he erection of schools, additions io c is'ing buildings, equipment and sites for public schools, teachers' residences, technical and secondary schools, and University colleges. The purchase of the Stoke Industrial School property was completed and two residences provided. An addition was made to (he day school at Weraroa Training Farm, and a gymnasium and cottage provided at Burnluun Industrial School. The .Sumner School for the Deal: was enlarged and a workshop built. Xew Native schools were established at' Taeniaro (Bay of Islands), Waiorougomai, and Hor- " ooru (East Coast).

The vote proposed for the current year includes a substantial, grant for a new site and building for (he Auckland I:Diversity College, as well as the usual grants for buildings and sites to the several Education Boards, Technical and Secondary Schools and University Colleges, and also provision for further buildings required in connection with the School for the Deaf, the Oickaike Home, and the different Native and Industrial Scliools. WORKERS' DAVELLINOS. The expenditure under this head during the past year amount, ed [a £'1(1,455 an appreciable increase; over that of the preceding year. The demand for workers' dwellings under the conditions provided in the Act is increasing, and for the .'current year an authorization of £75,000 is proposed for Ihe acquisition of land, road-formation on sites and erection of buildings. On account of this sum a vote of .£'(15,000 is asked for for the requirements of the current year. HARBOUR DEFENCES. A. (!in. Mark VII battery at Auckland has been constructed, principally by prison labour, and othei minor works have been carried out in other parts of the dominion. The expenditure last year was very small, but a vote of £:5,00() is asked for the current year. CROSS TOTAL Ai'i'ROPRIATIONS. in addition to the votes already specially mentioned the estimates make provision for the undermentioned services:— £ Departmental 04,000

Immigration ... ? ... -id,(100 Contingent defence '■.. 50,000 Lands improvement ... : .51,00(1 thus bringing the total amount of the proposed appropriations, including special accounts, up to t'-5,42T,025, as against £'j,141i,UL voted, aud £2,520,799 actually expended last year. The rapid increase of settlement necessitates year by year a corresponding increase of road and bridge construction, and the end thereof is not yet in sight. There are still far too. many settlers who have had. for years past cither no access or quite inadequate access to their properties, but the number of these I am pleased to say is diminishing. Once these arrears have been overtaken it will be a much easier task to provide only for Hie needs of new settlers.