PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1922, Page 1

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

I ww * j ' (Per favor of Government.) { WELLINGTON, January 27. j The Hon. J. G. Goatee, Minister of j Public Works, delivered the Public I Works Statement to-night, in the course of which the following refeiences were made :

In submitting my second 'Public Works statement I have to announce a very different state of affairs to tlmt which existed twelve months ago. Last - yojtr the work of my Department was delayed and rendered unusually expensive through scarcity of material and ■the difficulty iof procuring suitable -labour. The latter circumstance was due to the fact that almost all employers of labour, who had pf necessity been restricted in their operations during the war, had launched out vigorously again on various necessary works. Consequently the Department had great difficulty in making tlio progress' which was desired. A higher rate of wages, improved conditions of living on the works, more and better 'mechanical appliances, and the rearrangement and encouragemnt of t)ie staff were factors which helped the Department to overcome the difficulties and maintain an improved rate of progress. Conditions now are quite different. The supply of material and labour is considerably greater than funds will permit me to utilise. ’ Still, the iipprovementg in working-conditions nijd the reorganisation that has proceeded should bear fruit. Wherever possible work is being caried out on the basis of payment by results, with appreciable benefit both to the workmen and to tire Department. Last year I announced that certain departmental reorganisatojn was considered advisable to decentralise the administration as much as possible aqd place more direct responsibly on th e District Engineers, with the objees of expediting work. This policy has been put into operation, with marked improvement in administration. A large quantity of labour-aiding machinery has now been installed y very beneficial (results. So far thp staff and workmen have not reached the maximum results, but already a very large improvement in output jg apparent, and as those directly engaged with the plant become more accustomed to the altered conditions which it brings about, still better results may be confidently anticipated. Legislation has been framed will the object of improving the construction and maintenance of the arterial roads of the Dominion. This should occupy a prominent place in future legislation, as it is a subject that demands as urgent attention here as ft is now receiving in practically all tije most progressive countries in world.

I refer later on in this Statement to n new system which is proposed in connection with appropriations fqr r'oads and bridges. Under thi s system the money available for roads and bridges'. Under this system tfie money availbae for roads and bridges will be spent to the very best advantage, and where it is most urgently needed in the development of the Dominion.

Much attention is being given ip other countries to the subject pf road improvements in relation to uiqtor traffic. With the development pf this mean’s of transport the value of good roads cannot be and future railway construction must be considered in the light of possibilities in this respect. The experience of some countries goes to show tluß satisfactory communication can sometimas be provided by motors on good roads in less time and at considerably lower cost than by railways; and this ■now factor in the development of' the country must be kept in view. During the war period the purchasp of bridge material, rails and sleeper# i was restricted as much as possible, aiqj our stocks became depleted. Heavy expenditure has therefore been neces? sarv for large quantities of material during the year; in fact the total public works: expenditure fdr the twelve months lias been greater than at any period in the history of New Zealand. On .railways it exceeded the record of the past forty years, while on hydro-electric development ,it was two-and-a-half times greater than ip an y previous year. The present financial circumstances demand that expenditure must be reduced; work can be undertaken only according to the money available Last year I announced a policy of doncentration in regard! to railwayworks. A perusal of this Statement will reveal that this principle has been followed, though not ns far as I had hoped. It will be adhered to in the future; and I again emphasise the necessity and wisdom of such a course. It was not possible or reasonable during the year to discontinue work on many lines; .the Kaihu Valley line, the Waiuku Branch line, the Tahora Section of the Stratford-Main Trunk line, and the Otago Central line, for instance ,were so nearly finished that common-sense demanded their completion. The Waipu Branch was discontinued for a time, though certain work was afterwards done there.

No work has been or will he commenced on the Waikokowai or Waipa gravel pit access lines. The Wailii Eastwards; will bel suspended when Atfienree is readier, hut possibly financial considerations will necessitate an earlier cessation. W)ork jfrom Tauranga westwards had been suspended, except in the vicinity of the wharves n.nd station. Work on the Wairoa.Giabotne Section has been stopped, and a halt will he called at an early date on thp Ngatapa Section of the Gisborne—Wairoa line, except in regard to maintenance and preliminary work on the tunnels. No further worft has been directed to finishing the first length so that work on this

line also can be stopped. Work on the Waimate Branch Railway was discontinued.. Otago Central (Railway wits completed to Cromwell and discontinued.

Thus, -in accordance with the policy of concentration work on five lines has been suspended, while on four, construction was so . far advanced ag to enable them to be completed this year. With due regard to the money likely to be" available for 1921-22, it was necessary to suspend operations on eight additional lines, though in order to make provision for possible unemployment sums will be allocated for certain works distributed over the Dominion.

The works upon which effort will be concentrated will be the Midland line, North Auckland connection and the) East Coast Main Trunk; but .financial provision will also be neeesarv for the completion of the Waikokopu Branch (the excavation work being now nearly finished) and for the Stratford —Main Trunk as far as Matiere. EXPENDITUDE. The expenditure for the financial year ended 31st. March, 1921, under all votes and accounts appearing on the public-works appropriations was 1 £3,866,027. If, however, the expenditure under the special accounts (which have their own wavs and means is deducted, the net charge against the Public Works Fund is £3,140.758. . ways and means. On the Ist. April 1920, the available ways and. means for public-works purposes were £219,502. Additional funds were received as follows; ' Under Finance Act, 1918 (No 2), section 89 (aid to public works) £200,000. Under Finance Act, 1919, seetion\s: £750,000. Under Finance Act, 1920, section 15 (public works) £1.940,000. Transfer from Consolidated Fund (section 33, Appropriation Act, 1920) £500,000. Other receipts: (a) Recoveries on account of expenditure of previous years, £19,627.. (l>) Special receipts in connection with the Ellesmere and Forsyth Reclamation and Akaroa Railway Trust Account £1,557. Thus making available for expenditure a gross total of £8,630,686. The actual net expenditure on all works and services chargeable on the. Public Works Fund for the year was—

(a) Under appropriations £3,140,574. (b) Under section 6, sub-s e ction (1), of the Ellesmere Land Draining Act, 1905 £lB4.

Making a total of £3,141,197. This left a credit balance in the Ways and Means Account at the 31st. March, 1921 of £489,489. Legislative authority exists for providing further funds as follows: In terms of (a) Finance Act 1920 (balance) £560,000; (b) Finance 'Act IR2I £2)300,000. Ji is proposed to make further provision this session for an additional £5,000,000. Making available for the current year a total of £8,549,489. The estimated expenditure on public works for the current year (exclusive of accounts which have their own ways and means) is £5,490,080 which will leave a credit balance of £3,059,409 to be carried forward to next year (1922-23). Exclusive of the before-mentioned funds, statutory authority at present exists for raising the following moneys for public undertakings which are not chargeable against the Public Workg Fund, but which have their own statutory, ways and mean#, viz.:—(a) Aid to Water-power Works Act, 1910, £31,000; (b) Finance Act, 1919 (addition for Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Account) £82,000; (if) Electric-power Works L'oan, 1919 £5,442,490; id) Finance Act, 1920, section 15 (electric-power works) £3,- 1 500,000; Total £9,055,490. i RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. The total net expenditure on construction, improvement, and maintenance for the year amounted to £1,428544. MIDLAND, NELSON END. Kawatiri Section.—Work was commenced on this section in January last with tlic tunnel at 62 miles 53 chains. Thp excavation lias been carried into the hillside for a distance of 200 ft. An air-compressing plant lias been provided for drilling purposes. The Unix* River has been diverted, the erection of the bridge at 62 miles 54 chains commenced, and concrete block's for tunnel-lining are being manufactured. OTI HA-RE ALEV. Arthur’s Pass Tunnel.- —Otim end.— Day labour principle of employment obtained jvliile some particularly bud ground v> as being eneoiird rfcd. rtiout the middle of September the ground improved and the co-operative eontract system was reverted to; 214 2-3 chains of lining w’s completed, and the top-lieadjng finished early in June.

I Jen ley End.—Willi the exception of air.pt two weeks, work has continued uninterruptedly till July, when the cooperative contract was terminated to allow the workers on the oppnsile end room to work through. Iho total advance of lining in this end was 18 chains.

The contractors for the electrification have commenced with the erection of the 6,1)00 cable racks in the tunnel. The manufacture of machinery ip Knglaml was »»ucli delayed by tlie coal strike.

It is expected that the cleaning-up of the bottom will lie completed in December, 1921, the platelaying in Febrviary, 1922, and ballasting in March, 1922'. ’ GRFVMODTH-ROINT ELIZABETH. All foiling, clearing, stumping, creekdiversions, and culverts have been completed. Df the formation only about 8,600 yards remain unfinished. Only 35 chains of fencing remain to be erected, and about 5 chains of ditches to be cut, to complete these two classes of work.

The construction of two temporary bridges is in band. Rails have been

laid to 4 miles 75 chains. In a very short time transport of coal can be undertaken.

The expenditure by the New Zealand Railways Department out of the Public Works Fund under this heading amounted to £421,315. Of this sum £112,248 was expended on providing workshop machinery, additional rolling stock, and the usual fittings therefor. The balance covered expenditure upon improvements to workshops, enginedepots ,station facilities, water-ser-vices; additional dwellings; signal, tablet, and telephone, installations; interlocking; gasworks extension; ai)d purchase of land. New Courthouse's are urgently required in several places, but in view of the present financial conditions only urgent repairs and necessary maintenance wohk of existing buildings have been carried out. POLICE STATIONS.

Owing to the high cost of erecting new buildings, expenditure in this respect was confined to such urgent works as could not he postponed. New police stations were erected at Dannevirkc and Hokitika, a residence for the Senior Sergeant at Palmerston North, a lock-up at Te Arana, and a new stable at Eketahuna. AGRICULTURE. At Ruakura Experiment:'! Kami a tniilding has been erected to house the electric light plant. Additional quarters and larger kitchen accommodation have been provided on account of the extra number of returned soldiers. A store, transformer-house, and two cottages are in course of erection. The scheme of field drainage was deferred for the time being, so also wqs the erection of a modern milking-shed, at the Central Development Farm at Weraroa. ,

The completion of the electrical installation at Ruakura (which lias already been connected with Honihora power scheme) and the extension of the water-service, as well as the erection of a store at Motuiti, are amongst the proposals for the current year. TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. The total expenditure incurred during the year was £19,041, as against £0,194 for the previous year. The greater part of this expenditure was incurred at Rotorua, mainly on the completion of the work of replacing the wooden water-mains by cast-iron ones. This work, which lias been completed so far as the town is concerned, absorbed £IO,OOO. The electrical works at Rotorua cost £2,311; and the bringing-in of a further supply of hot mineral water to augment that from Hie Rachel Spring, £2,202. This last item will provide a practically unlimited supply for many years to come. ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAIN-

TENANCE. The sum provided on the estimates last year for road and bridge construction and maintenance was greater tliap that of any previous year since tli.e inauguration of the public-works policy. Thp expenditure also constituted a cordThe efforts of the Department have been directed mainly in providing primary access to lands already in occupation, but the improvement, widening, and metalling of existing access roads, and the construction and renewal of bridges, have not been neglected. Thp greater part of the work has beep undertaken by my own staff, but subsidized works, such as metalling, renewal of bridges, etc., were in most cases entrusted to the local bodies | concerned. A certain amount ol mod- [ ern road-making plant has been purchased and used with successful results. The use of motor-lorries has cheapened the cost of haulage of metal, steam-shovels have been installed where the magnitude of the work warranted, and oil-driven road-rollers are being used in connection with metalling operations. In the prosecution of the various activities connected with roads and bridges it is desired to utilize to thp utmost all plant and machinery suitable for that purpose ,whether the property of the Department or of the local authorities, so that all efforts may be co-ordinated towards the adoption of methods that would contribute towards efficiency, economy, and expedjtian in the carrying out of works. It has been recognised that where there at at present no railway facilities, nor any likely to be in the early future, it is reasonable to provide suitable roads so as to compensate as far as possible for such disabilities. In accordance with this principle particular attention has been directed to the energetic prosecution of wort; in the formation, metalling, and bridging of such important road connections as those between Napier and Gilsborne, and between Te Kuiti and W a Lara.

It is proposed that in future the appripriations for roads and bridges be based on an automatic system whereby those districts that are backward in loading and in development shall receive a greater proportion of the amounts available thsjn \yj)l other dis-( tricts that are already well mailed and well developed. The basis for adjustment will include such factoiss as miica<ro of roads unopened, areas of Grown! and Native land undeveloped, areas ofj districts, populations, productivity, j loans and mileage of roads still require: ing improvement. Efforts have been made and will bel perfected whereby local authorities will be brought into closer touch with local public works representatives. For instance, district and resident engineers will have the advantage of discussing proposed allocations direct with local authorities. This, it is hoped, will bring about better understanding and combined purpose apd effort. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION.

During the year 46 miles of telegraph and inter-urban telephone poleline, carrying 615 miles of wire, were erected. In connection with telephone exchange Subscribers’ lines an additional 330 miles of pole-line, carrying 4.263 miles of open aerial wire, and

41 miles of cable containing 11,446 miles of wire, were made available.

The coin-in-bhe-slot telephone machines were increased by twenty-four during the year; telephone exchanges were increased by five, whilst twentyfive others are in various stages of completion. The number of new subscribers joined to telephone exchanges during the past, year was 8,785, and this increase necessitated additional switchboard accommodation at fiftyfive exchanges.

The Chief Telegraph Engineer lias returned from a visit abroad; and, as a result of his investigations into the telegraph and telephone systems, also methods and rates of operation, in other parts of the world, increased efficiency combined with economies in both telephone and telegraph services may be expect ed CONTINGENT DEFENCE.

Owing to the exercise of the strictest economy in the Defence Department, only £8,700 of the £15,000 appropriated last year was expelled pn urgent and necessary works. LANDS IMPROVEMENT.

The reading of improved-farm settlements has been completed. A small sum is, however, being provided in the estimates this year to meet special cases as they may arise, such as tht) formation of deviations of roads, eto. LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACCOUNT. Roads to open up Crown Lands.—A sum of £252,800 wire appropriated for this purpose, but labour difficulties and shortage of material retarded progress, and a comparatively small expenditure of £28,920 was incurred. A more vigorous policy of settlement is being pursued, and the construction ol loads opening up the various blocks of land for settlement is being pursued, and the construction of roads opening up the various blocks of land for settlement is being carried out as expeditiously as possible, and works involving an expenditure of £154,692 are at present in hand. DEVELOPMENT OF MINING.

Of the £2,153 expended under this head last year the major portion was in connection with the purchase of drills for prospecting purposes. HYDRO-ELECT!?IC POWER.

Tlio financial result of the operation of the Lake Coleridge system for the year ending 31st March, 1921, has again been very satisfactory, and, after paying all operating, interest, and dtpreciation funds, has allowed the deficit. on the first four years’ operation to be stilll further reduced. The revenue for the year was C 01,373, and the expenses were — Working expenses £21,341, interest, £18,639, depreciation £7,846, a total of £47,926, giving a profit of 63,447, which will lie used in the reduction of the accumulated deficit on the first four years’ operation. ELECTRIC POWER BOARDS.

A large amount of work in connection with the formation of Power Boards has been done during the year, although the total number finally constituted has only increased by four. Qujto a number of other districts have, however, taken steps to form Power Boards and have circulated petitions, so that this number will he considerably increased during the next twelve months;

Nine of the Power Boards at present constituted have already laid out reticulation systems and submitted loan proposals to the ratepayers. The loan proposals authorised amount to £2,950,000, equivalent to £21.6 per Jipad of population concerned and to 6.7 per cent of the unimproved rateable value of the districts included. Owing to the financial conditions prevailing and the consequent curtailment of some of the activities contemplated in any previous report the appointment of tfip special advisory Board mentioned therein has been held over pepding tjie more activp prosecution of hydro-electric development. llpanwhi|e the whole of the work of operation and management of the Department’s existing plants, the investigation and design of new worfis and plant, and the construction of now works is being carried on by the staff of the Public Works Department, to whom I am indebted for their loyalty and energetic support during the last year. CONCLUSION. Tn coticlqsipn, whilp regretting that the financial situation will not permit my carrying out all the work which the present favourable state o) organisation gild supply of labour and material would permit, it has been my aim in drawing up my, proposals to so allocate the available funds as te ensure prosepgtiop pf the projects which will lead to jppximum production and generally pj'pduce tfip greatest good for the greatest nqmber.