Public Works Statement

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1922, Page 4

Public Works Statement

(Per Favour of the Government). WELLINGTON*, Oct 17. The Hon Mr .J. G. Coates, (Minister of Public Works), delivering the Public Works Statement ii» the House tolnight, stated:— The various reports and accounts appended to thi s Statement "ill show that the total expenditure on railway, hydro-electric, road, bridge, and irrigation construction* works during the past financial year has passed all previous records in the history of tiie Dominion.

The Public Works Statement of last year indicated a policy of concentration on particular works, rather than the diffusion of money and energy on many works. Concentration on works of particular importance means the application of a.l the financial, mechnni cal, and human resources of a constrncion Department to the completion of these works so that they may soon become revenue-producing and self-support inf. Diffusion of these resources over a greater number of works inevitably means a lessened reproductive result, and, since interest and sulking fund on unproductive works must be found by the taxpayer, an increased capital cost of such

works. it is of primary importance to the country ns a whole that there should be no considerable measure of unemployment. .Fortunately, there are already indications of a return to more normal conditions, and a.s quickly as circumstances permit concentration on works of first importance (will be eoni tinned. Such a policy is undoubtedly in the best interest not only of those works selected for the completion, but those which will he temprnrily deferred, for T have no doubt it will mean that they also will he completed at an earlier date, and at less cost, than would otherwise he the ease. Two works of considerable importance which Inst year 1 indicated would be concentrated upon with a view to early completion wore the Midland Railway and the Waikokopu line. Unfortunately, essential material for both, of these works was lost in the wreck of the “Wiltshire” some months ago, and the delay in obtaining duplicate supplies has to some i«lent affected the time of completion. Every effort Ls being made, liowover, to minimise this unavoidable delay. An immense amount of roadwork has been carried out. Over 5.100 miles of road have been formed, and over 2,500 miles metalled. On these roads-—not including small bridges and culverts-—a. langtli of 111 .887 ft., o.t over twenty-one miles, .of bridges have been ore-cted. Some of the bridges are of very icunslid,visible magnitude; three are between 05Off. and 1,03011. long, two are 1,200 ft. whilti twenty-four are over 300 ft. Irrigation works involving over one hundred miles of water-races, some of very largo capacity, have been constructed. A number of concrete dams wtere built. One of these is over lSkift. high and holds 1,800.000.000 cubic feet of water, enabling the irrigation of 20.030 acres of land to be

effected. Other schemes, providing for the irrigation of many thousands of acres, have bccoi iiivfi tigatod, and Tor sue llie survey is completed. During the whole of the war period, and since, the erection of public buildings has been deferred to as great an extern, as possible, but nevertheless 283 Government buildings of various classes bate I,ecu erected, including Iff I post offices. KX I’EX HIT FI? E. The total net expenditure under all votes and accounts apptnring on the public-works estimates for the finani ial year ended (list March. 1922, was £0.922.039. Of this .sum £5.280.087 was expended out of the Public Works Fund, and the I Kiln nee £1 .fi30.352, out of accounts which have their own ways and means and are quite separate from l! e Public Works Fund. This left a credit balance in the wavs and menus for public-works purposes of £5,891,039. The actual net expenditure on all works and services chargeable on the Public Works Fund for the year was £3.101.107. WAVS AND MEANS. On the Ist April. 19*21, the available Wavs and Means Account at the 31st March. 1022 of £129.082. Legislative authority exists for providing further funds as follows: In terms of Aid to Public M oiks and Land Settlement Act, 1921, .£2,811,710. It is proposed to make further provision this session lor an additional £-1,000.000. Transfer from accumulated surpluses (part of £l.250.000 K £1,00:1.009; total £7,844.710.

Milkin'' available for the current year a total' of £8,274,302. The estimated expenditure on public works for the current year (exclusive of accounts which have ithoir own ways and mentis) is £4,907.223, which will leave a credit balance of .C 3.307 10!) to lie carried forward to next year (1023-2.1). 11A11 .WAV CONSTRUCTION. Only one section of completed railway (Clyde to Cromwell, 12 miles 34 chains in length) was handed over to ,tho New Zealand Railways Department during the year, although other sections were in a sufficiently advanced state to permit of n. goods and passenger service being maintained liv my Department. The Mount-M.ntn.ta Section, -10 miles in length, lias been completed for several years, but owing to ils isolation lias not been taken over by the New Zealand Railways Department. A regular service under Working Railways conditions, however, is in operation. The net cxpenditurci on construction, maintenance, and supervision for the

financial year wns £3.205,4-10, as folio/,vs : Construction, improvement., and maintenance. of now linos. £1,276,820. Additions to open now linos (rollingstock, locomotives etc.), £1,856.380. Kaihvavs Improvement Authorisation Act 1914 Aeon lit 6132,240. Total: £3.205.110. , MIDI.AXD. Oh KNIIOPK-MCKCIITSOX. Kav.itiri Section. —Tunnel at 02 miles, 43 chains. A commencement was made in November with one shift, and 246 ft of bottom heading has been driven. Thc> material encountered is hard granite, broken with scams of quarts, which has made both drilling and shooting difficult. The piers for Hope- Bridge have been completed, and the four girders have been erected for field riveting.

.The temporary bridge was seriously damaged hv Hood in March last, hut it lias been restored to the level of eoneretto piers and is ready for the launching of girders. OTT R A-BEAT/BY.

This section extends from Arthur’s Pass Station, the present railway terminus on the Canterbury side of the pass, to Oltira Station, the present railway terminus on the West bind side. Tli? ko: Lion is only 8 miles 51 chains in length, and nearly the whole length of the section is on a. grade of lin 33, the. summit of the line being 1,117 ft. above the Otira Station and 2.430 ft above sea-level. The lining of the tunnel was completed in October, and tlio floor lias now been cleaned up and the permanent lOOHj track laid from 51 miles 54

chain’s to 58 miles 40 chains, with the exception of about 10 chains across the Rolloston Bridge. Tho dismantling of buildings and plant required in the tunnelling operations has commenced, and portions of the plant transferred for use on other works.

A crushing plant, with two crushers and a steam-navvy, was installed at Arthur’s Pass, and with this tend the aid of a small crusher at Otira the line, hits been ballasted and lilted with the first lift from 51 miles 54 chains to 58 miles 12 chains. Arthur’s Pass Station-yard.—Tho formation was completed, and a start made with the concrete kerbing for the platform and excavation for the subway, A permanent water-supply for railway and village requirements has booh located.

Healey Bridge.—This bridge is immediately at the Canterbury portal of the tunnel, l’t is a. skewed structure and includes vertical and horizontal curves in the track. The permanent super-structure, comprising about 230 tons of structural steel, lias been delivered at site, and six of tho girders riveted up rcudv to he placed on the piers.

Electrical Equipment.—The steampower station located at Otira 'lias been enacted in reinforced concrete, and the assoc&ited workshops, .e*loc-trie-locomotive sheds, and coal-bunkers arc nearing completion. Overhead electric cranes are being installed in the main engine-room, workshop and over tho coal-biiiikcirs. The hoi tier equipment 'comp,rises three Babeok Wilcox marine-type boilers, specially arranged to meet the (Kind ilions of load that will exist. A large quantity of the material lias arrived and is in course' of erection. Of the engine-room equipment two steam electric generating sets of 100 kilowatts capacity have been erected, wi.tli condenser, also the condensers for the main traction turbo-generating sets. A quantity of switcli-gcor and piping is on the site. Tim main turbo-generators will supply electrical energy to the locomotives at 1,5(10 volts, and the first of the two sets was shipped from England early in June, the second set being then, in an advanced state of erection at the makers’ works. The five main-line electric locomotives are in various stages of toiiiplotioii at the Dick-Kerr works of the English Electric Company. The motors a,ml control-gear have undergone satisfactory fusts, and the final as-

sembly of tiie first two locomotives is nearing completion. Innnguhua Junction.—The condition of the Inangahua Junction Tra flicbridge is such that rebuilding is essential. ft is proposed, therefore, to make provision enabling the combined road and railway bridge to be put in band immediately. In connection with the over-head equipment of the line, the contractors have installed feeder cables throughout the tunnel, involving the erection of 6.000 cast-iron racks, and arrangements for erecting tho poles outside tiie funnel are ill hand. The wiling of the tunnel for electric lighting has been poniplet.t'.l. Home 1,500 railjoints have been bonded. The shipment of boilers and eleetri<a! machinery ba.s boon seriously delayed by the widespread lock-out in the engineering industry in Great Britain.

Water-supply.—The development ol Goat Creek for the supply of condensing water rlt Ourn lias been undertaken a,ml pipes erdured. To provide sufliiieiit water for condensing purpose and for operating air-pnmpe, two storage reservoirs have boon pros ided in the designs, and excavation for alvt.e is neni'ing complotfion. The pipa lines has been cleared and a road formed to .the intake. The intake dam acros Goat Creek lias been concreted. Village.—A site for sonic forty-three cottages has been prepared at Otira, and fourteen are in course of erection. At Arthur’s Pass the sites for eighteen cottage; have been cleared, and oxenv;itiion carried out for sixteen. It is hoped to have trial runs by the ond of the year, and if thine prove satisfactory general traffic svill he carried. GKEVMOITH-I’T. ELIZABETH. IMato-laying has been oomph tod to 5 miles (i!) chains, and about threequarters of a mile of sidings linked up. First and second lifts of ballast have hgi.n placed from 3 miles 40 chains to 5 miles 68 chains. Necessary side drains have been cut and culverts built. A. temporary bridge over tho Sevi li-milc Crock has been erected. Excavation for a 25.000 gallon reservoir is complete. Water-race has been graded and suspension rope swung across Rocky Greek to carry tho water-pipes. PLANT. In the last Statement I said something about the installation of a large quantity of machinery on the works and about the beneficial results obtained. I am pleased to he able to ann,min e that the results of last veal’s work with the plant have been highly satisfnctnry, and have mere than justified the outlay involved.

The class of machinery most beneficial on our public work i< that in connection with the excavation and transport of earthwork, and in this direction our plant has not only speeded ii]i the. rate of work, which was to l,c exp-teed, hut it lias also considerably reduced the. east, a result not always so easily attained. The excavating machinery consists chiefly of pti am- shovels and dragline excavators for heavy earthwork, and scoops bail-led by enter-pillar tractors, for the lighter work. Thirtyfour steam-shovels a,lid drag-lines are notv at work, n.nd an indication of their economy is provided in the fact that the average cost of excavation by thesS shovels during the last year has been 2s 3d per cubic yard, whereas the cost by hand would undoubtedly have been 30 per cent, higher. This rate, of course, includes haulage, which has chiefly been done by small construction locomotives, which attend i,almost every ,steam-shovel. The equipment necessary for excavation by a steam-shovel, consisting as it does of a locomotive, a laige number of trucks to copo with the increased output.' The appliances for flipping , trucks and srare'ading material, is iji many eases more- expensive than rn importing material from steam-shovels by means of eater-pillar tractors hauling rakes of trailers.” The cxeavation-eosts of drag-line machines have ho.-n so satislaetory that I have cousiderd myself justified in purchasing from I'higland this year two machines of a. much larger type than any yet i-.sed in this country, and 1 am hoping to have these in operation early next year. The metalling of i-oads presets one of our most difficult, problems, and one in which there is considerable economy to bo obtained by using modern aplianees. The actual crushing ol the road-metal is the part of the problem most easily solved, and a large number of modern stone-crushing and screening plants installed now for some years have economically reV-Vd this point. The haulage of road-metal is however, a, more serious matter, and olio whereby a great deal of money can lie wasted. The solution so far seems to have been the use of a motor lorry, and therefore the Department has invested in a considerable number of these for the purpose. This

service has resulted in a considerable saving over the old methods of haulage, and has enabled lengths of road to he metalled on which the cost would have been almost prohibitive by any other means, chiefly on account of the distances over which the haulage was necessary.

the Depart men l is now constantly on the lookout for machines that "ill accelerate and consequently cheapen th rate of work, and in addition to th above examples, much advance has been made in regard to tunnelling n.ud concreting machinery used. It i.s now recognized that machinery sets the peace and speeds up-construction, especially when concentrated.

Tt must be remembered that any, reduction in the time of the compile- 1 itioji of a work by the use of better appliances results ill a shorter pieriod in which capital lies idle, and therefore in a reduction of interest and overhead charges. Very often 1 know it can he shown that machinery has not actually reduced, and has even .sometimes increasd, tho construction costs of a work, but investigation would show that the saving, in interest and overhead charges on idle capital j has compensated many times over for , the use of the plant. • I am pdeased to say that none of the . larger works in this country have ns yet shown on inoren-se in construction costs by the use of larger plants, huteven had it been so I would consider , myself quite justified in its use il I ; were satisfied I could save eventually . by a reduction of interest and over- j head charges. Railway Improvement Authorisation j Act, 1914.—The expenditure under I this Act amounted to £132.241, for grade casi?ijieuts, .-formation ol new line signalling inter-locking and safety applianes, new .station and stationyards, goods sheds and terminal facili- ; ties at Auckland, Wellington, and Ad- I dington. i ADDITIONS TO OPEN FIXES. j The expenditure out of the Public j Works Fund under the head ‘‘Addi J tions to open lines” amounted to -1 •- ! 856,380. Of this sum £1,121.132 was j exponed in the provision of additional j rolling-stock, tarpaulins. Westinghouse lidakts, workshops machinery. and steam-heating. Tho balance covered expienditure upon improvements to engine-depots, workshops, station facilities. water-services, additional dwelling for the staff, signal, tablet, telegraph and telephone installation.

bridge-work, subways and purchase of land.

Extensive additions to provide for kitchen, bakehouse, workshop, store, staff dining-room, billiard room- and intrsn’ quarters are being carried out by day labour at Hokitika Aleutsi Hospital, v.hih the usual maintenance work has been attended to. ROAD Cn.WSTKFGTION AND MAINTENANCE.

The sum provided on the estimates for the year ending 31st March. 1922 for road and bridge, construction and maintenance was less than for the previous year, but the expenditure lias been grentor—-indeed, the heaviest on recoil for this class of work.

With a view to increasing the general productivity of the Dominion, the expenditure lias been confined principally t > those roads that are at present the only means of communication to and throughout settled districts where railway facilities do not exist and in the development of new districts. Tliesc activities have b > .i mainly in the direction of formation of new roads, construction of bridges and culverts, metalling existing roads, and general'maintenance. The works of greatest magnitude have been carried out by my Department, hut local bodies have been entrusted with the execution of such undertakings ns came within the scope of their capabilities.

It is estimated there are at the present time approximately 50,000 miles of lormed roads and bridle-tracks in the Dominion,’ o& which 27,000 miles are metalled. It is further estimated tint an additional 20,000 miles require to ho formed before the loading of the Dominion can he considered < omple-te, even to an elementary standard. Tin desirability, and indeed the necessity, of roads of a sufficiently high standard to carry all classes of traffic become more apparent each year, and it is now generally ncognised that this standard can only he attained by proper organisation and modern equipment.

The seven tests applied to road-sur-faces by swiftly-moving and often heavy motor traffic have induced some foal bodies to adopt a more modern and permanent method of .surfacing than mere metalling. The result of their experiences ! am informed, has demonstrated. that it is more economical to adopt this system than to incur the expense of costly repairs

ineichnitiil to the previously existing -\\stenis ol t oiistnirtion and maintenr.nec.

Ait:c!i ;■! ion ) ;•■ been collcct- ■ i by my Deoai't.iivut I'Cgai'ding modern ni;f;li;j<!i of main-highway conumcli :n. rod o.iu r matters relatin'' to the* roadiu r problem generally, all of u 1 1 ir-li v, ill l;e a vallalie tor immctl:.. 1. < use v.:n-ii fiie tSbfb-.vays ]>i!l lois I m plated on tlie statute-book of be Dominion.

Trie estimates for loads thi- year 1 l ave bean prepared as far as pos- . sibla oil a system of lac tors repro- | s •tiling a leas .populations, puxlueli,iiy. ionic. raised by local bodies,, milage's of formed roads, amounts required lor roads still to be lormed and metalled, and values of Crown and Native lands still available for settlement. the last two of which are of the greatest importance when eoiisid- .■ ra-tion L being given to the claims o! tlio severral districts. 'the ceil, traction and improvement ; f mads was jointly discussed by the District Engineers and the rqm s.-nta-..ives of ;he various local bodies, an<l •is far as praetieable the allocation of : .he moneys available was mutually agreed to, and 1 desire to record my appreciation of the reasonable spirit shown by local bodies in recognising tbe monetary limitations existing at tlio present time.

During the past year the Department has continued, to as great an extent as possible, to avail itself of loeal-hodv organisation for the expenli 1 lire of Coveriunent grants and subsidies.

There has been a tremendous demand throughout the country for the putting in hand of road and bridge works, but financial considerations have dictated the necessity of the selection of works of special merit for authorisation, rather than a general authorisation for all works, and al--1 hough this lias meant deferring many undertakings of considerable local import Mice f lic great mnjorijty of local 1 odies have adopted a helpful attitude and have materially assisted the Department through a difficult period. Telegraph Extension.—During the year 10(i miles of new telegraph and inter-urban telephone pole line, carry-

mil « of wire, were erected. The telephone-exchange plant (subscribers’ lines) was also considerably extended by the erection of 555 miles of polo line, carrying 5,271 miles of

open aerial wire, and 03 miles of leadcovered cable, containing 15,1-10 miles of wire. The substantial increase over the figures of the previous year is due to supplies of material which had been unci' r order for a considerable time 1: - m ling available.

The Dl.'phuiie exchanges were increased by six during the year, while t.voiii.vxix others are in various stages of completion. The number of new subscribers (onnected with telephone exchanges was 9,259, and this increase necessitated additional switchboard capacity a i forty exchanges. There are applicants awaiting telephone connections.

The opening up of the various blocks of land set apart for selection under the provisions of section 03 of the J.ami haws Amendment Act, 1913, was pushed on vigorously during the year. 1 he principal works consisted of roadI ridges, drains, and other works necessarv to give access to land already selected.

Development of Mining.—The vote i f fast vear under this head was

slightly ovorexpended on the purchase of drill equipment, and even now with the extra supply it is anticipated that during the current year all the Department's drills will he in use, owing to 11 io ever-increasing popularity of this form of assistance to the mining iiuhistrv. HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER. - Of the hydro-electric programme of the Government two schemes are now in operation—Lake Coleridge (12,000 h.p.) and llorahora (8,403 h.p.) These have both shown satisfactory results for the year, both having paid operating expenses, interest, and depreciation, and shown a margin towards reduction of the accumulated 'deficiency.

With regard to future developments, a programme was set out in niv last annual Statement covering a total expenditure of 012,902,000 spread over a period of ten years, providing 200,000 h.p. and reaching a ma'xintum rate of expenditure of ,£2,023,000 in 1925. The financial position has rendered it necessary to revise this programme in

order to keep the annual expenditure per year, in the meanwhile, down to about £1,000,000. To do this it has

keen necessary to postpone for a couple of years the commencement of the main works at Lake Waikaremoana and to hold over a number of the

smaller developments in the South Island until the Power Hoards (are constituted to deal with the reticulation. At the same time the transmissionlines from the schemes to be proceeded with will be pushed on, in order to make the supply as general as pos. sible within the capacity of the headworks at each site. With this object the mains from Lake Coleridge will be extended into Otago and North Canterbury, and from Mangah.no to Wanganui and Napier, in addition to the lines already under construction. The revised programme herewith provides for a slightly less total expenditure (£11,355,000) spread over a longer period, and keeps for the first few years within the limit, of £1,000,000 per annum. ELECTRIC POWER ORGANISATIONS. The work involved ill the development of the electric-power resources of the Dominion is outgrowing the present organisation as a branch of the Public Works Department, and a Special Board or Commissioner will be necessary in the early future to deal with the commercial, financial, and electrical and engineering problems involved. Owing to the financial stringency the appointment of this special Hoard lias been postponed as long as possible, but will be necessary in the early future, and a careful note is be. mg kept of the development of the corresponding organisations in Great Britain, Canada, and Victoria, where the work is undertaken by Electricity Commissioners; in Tasmania, where a separate hydro-electric Department has been set up ; and in New South Wales, whore the organisation is carried out by a brnncli of the Public Works Department : and the local proposals will bo based on those which are proving most efficient elsewhere. CONCLUSION. Til conclusion, I feel confident that the judgment of the country will ho

that substantial results have been achieved. The money at- my disposal lias Ireen expended in accordance with niv ideas of what is in the best interests of Now Zealand as a whole. Unci -i- the direction of a thoroughly qualified staff, and with a due regard to the necessity of obtaining, in increased production due to bettor communications, an adequate return for the exnenditnre.

WESTLAND VOTES. £ Otirn-Bealey 350,000 Hokitika Vfentnl Hospital ... 13,000 Bruce Bay (landing and road 700 ■Arahura River Protective Works (£1 for £]> 70 Arawhata Ferry Track 57 Arthur’s Pass to Kumara Road bridges 300 Brlioe Bay Inland Road 200 Copland Track 200 Evans Road 150 TTnast Pass Rond 450 Hokitika to Ross (bridges) ... 1,000 Tvokatahi River Bridge (£1 for £1) 348 Kuniffra Junction to Kapitea 400 La Fontaine Road 350 Lake Kanieri Road (widening) 300 Little Wanganui Bridge (South Westland) balance 5,500 I T.ittle Wanganui protective I works (£1 for £1) 138 Maintain to Bruce Bay 300 Main South Road. Renewal of bridges (3) 2,500 Waitangi Bridge and approaches 5,600 Woiho to Karangarua 310 Wailio River Bridge (on acc.) 1,000 Waikukupa Bridge (on acc.) 500 Karangarua to Paringa (Mahitahi to Paringa) 100 Slippery Face deviation 500 Haast Ferry Road 50 Haast to Okurn , 145 Okuru—Waiatoto Inland Track 100 Peterson Road (oil account) 250 Richardson Road 400 Turiibnll River Road 150 Wall Road .• 450