THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 404, 28 October 1884, Page 2

THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

The new Minister of Public "Works lias fleshed his maiden sword, and lias submitted Ms long-expected Statement. There is a peculiarity about the delivery of this j'car's Staterneut, that it has been anticipated by the Financial Statement and by various bills which arc now iv course. B"f passage through Parliament. We cannot but agree with the y— csenl method of disclosing the policy o^ flic Ministry, without committing oiu^y veto an unreserved approbation of the Statement. A Public Works {Statement shoixld be as this one is, a mere statement of ways and means. It has been t<>o much the custom to inuko the Public Works Statement a crucial expression of the policy of the Government. It should not be so, and the Government have shown that they do not shirk thoh 1 responsibility because they have made I lie most important of their bills, policy bills. The determined statement made by ihc Hon. Mr 'Stout at the conclusion of the address shows that the Ministry fuliy recognise this. "We propose now vi glance briefly at the- local provision the statement proposes, leaving its general principles for a more convenient opportunity. We observe that tfoulhlniul has received a moderately fair share of attention. For the Waipahi-Hcriotbum line a sum of L 3050 is asked iiui', but it will be remembered that this sum is simply a liability, as the line has boon already completed. The Edendalc-Toi Tois line receives a further sum of Lo'J2s. This is intended to complete it to the point to which the formation is made. This sum is either too much or too little. At present the line does go somewhere, but when the proposed addition is made it will end in the mouth of an unfinished tunnel. Perhaps the amount may be increased on discussion, and arrangements made whereby the open country boj'ond may be opened for settlement and traffic. The Otago Central is allocated LlGS,B3o,and it .vould thus seem that this huge job is being persevered with. The same remark applies to the Lumsdon-Mararoa line, which has devoted to it L 8064 We were under the impression that this project had been effectually shelved, for the present at all events. The Gore-Kel.so line has recei ved its quietus for a little lime, only enough monej r being now asked for to pay for the surveys. For the Waimea-Switzers line a sum of Llß,(3'Mis sought, L 12.000 being for the formation and the balance for permanent way, etc. Pursuant to his expressed determination the Minis ter divides his railway vof.es into two distinct classes, those for construction and those for permanent way and rolling stock. The wisdom of such a course cannot be doubted. The Seaward Bush line gets L15,90<1, so that those in Invercargiil who have made such a persistent clamor will have their mouths closed for a little time. The time appears to be rapidly approaching when every owner of a quarter acre section will have a railway to his land and a station at his door. Among general works we notice that L 913 has been asked for as a grant in aid for the bridge over the Mataura, presumably at Otama. This sum will probably go to the County funds. Another meritorious work which is proposed is a road from Mimihau towards Otaria, which is to open up lands for sale, and for which a thousand pounds is asked. It will also be noticed that twice that sum is asked for the Forest Hill tramway. We are also glad to note that provision is sought to be made for a Court, at Waikaia, a sum | of L4OO Having been set apart for it on I the Estimates. Upon the whole Southland's share of the loaves and fishes is tolerable, and while we cannot altogether agree with its method of allocation we rejoice that we are at length receiving some return for our large contribution to the revenue.