PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 701, 21 December 1909, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

DELIVERED LAST NIGHT.

Wellington, Last Night,

The Minister for Public Works, Hon. R. McKenzie, delivered his Public Works Statement to the House last evening. The Statement set out that the period since the last Statement was delivered has been an imnortant one in the history of the Department. After filling the position of Minister of Public Works with conspicuous ability tor over twelve years, nearly twice as long as any other Minister has filled it, the Hon. Mr Hall-Jones has finally relinquished the office and accepted the position of High Commissioner. The Department of' Roads had been ’■ amalgamated with the parent De- - partmeut, so that the Public Works Department now controls practically the whole of the public woiks expenditure of the Dominion. The length of new railways opened for traffic was greater than daring any similar period lor thirty years past, and the gross total of'expenditure on public works was also greater than for over a quarter of century. The amount spent on road construction also constituted a record. THE YEAR’S EXPENDITURE. The total expenditure on all works and services borne upon the public works estimates amounted to no less than $3,445,834, or excluding special accounts having their own ways and means and taking into consideration only actual the charges against the public works fund, the total k amounted to £2,169,278, the largest expenditure for many years. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. The length of new railway opened for traffic during the past year exceeded that of any similar period for thirty years past. This was principally due to the completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway. The expenditure on railway works last year amounted to £1,349,110-£69,801 in excess of the previous year. On the KawakawaGrahamstown railway the north and south ends should meet before next winter. Some farther work has also been done on the extension from Wbangarei to Giahamstown, and for the current year a vote of £40,000 is proposed. Kawakawa-Kaikohe short branch line has already been constructed from Kawakawa to Grabamstowu railway at Scoria Fiat. The line from Helensville North which is to traverse the whole North of Auckland Peninsula has been somewhat delayed by the agitation as to rival rentes and after personal inspection I decided on. the Western route, therefore better progress will be made in future. As far as McGarroUs and a Royal Commission will decide the farther route. ; £BO,OOO wil) be voted for this year. The survey of the East Coast railway has been completed between Waihi and Watata and the Government is strongly impressed with the necessity for this Trunk railway the important Bay of Plenty that will eventually connect v Auckland with Gisborne and the whole of the East Coast settlement. A commencement will be made with the work on the section between Tanrauga and Te Puke. A very large amount of formation work has been done beyond WaiLgXkahu wiiich is the heaviest section line between Gisborne and - \Motn and includes Waihnkn tunnel. WLast year £60,601 was expended (the in any one year) and this T : year £BO,OOO will be voted including the Tanranga-Te Popeke section, | STRATFORD-MAIN TRUNK. For the current year it is proposed / to provide additional funds as underbalanoe of loan £50,000, now loan 1909 £3,200,000, this with the credit balance of £383,700 brought forward gives a total of £3,683,700. The estimated expenditure lor public works for the current year (excluding separate accounts having their own ways and means) amounts to £2,190,624, thus leaving a balance I. of £493,085 to be carried forward to next year. Work has been vigorously proceeded with at the Stratford end. The, section between Hniroa and Tewera is now approaching completion. Oopstruotion of Pohokura section will probably be completed in eight months. Work on the Whangamomona section has been commenced; £43,071 was spent last year (the largest in any year), and " \ £60,000 is proposed for this year. The North Island Main Trank vote of £225,000 takeil last year proved in excess of requirements, only £140,883 became chargeable daring the year, bat a number of liabilities remained on 81st March and a vote of £20,000 is provided. Blenheim-Waipara—The northern end section between Seddon and Blind river is completed for traffic. A further section to Ward, which is as far as the railway is authorised at present, is approaching completion. A farther length of three miles will be authorised. At the south end the formation has been completed to Mina station, near Mackenzie township, which is as far as the line is authorised at present and rail laying has been started. A contract has been let for the combined road and railway bridge over the Waiau nver, 2312 ft long to be completed by 19th November next for £20,467. For this line £36,761 was expended last year, and £45,000 is provided this. At the Nelson end of the Midland ■j. railways the section between Kiwi f and Toi is approaching completion, r and that to Hope Junction is in band and should be ready for traffic at the end of the 1911 summer, when the Reefton-luangahna railway will be completed, also enabling the Nel-son-Greymouth journey to be taken in one day. On the CauterburyWestland section the Arthur’s Pass tunnel is to be finished according to the contract, on August Ist, 1913, which will need faster progress than hitherto. The section to Cass will be shortly handed over, shortening the connecting coach journey to 25 miles and making the through journey easv in a day. The expenditure on the whole railway last year amounted to £124,402 and for the current year .. £710,000 is asked for. Westport-Inaugahua section between Westport and Kehe, 6 miles 60 j • chains, is nearly finished. Last year ggf £8567 was expended. This year ' £20,000 is set down. Ngahere-Blackball is nearly completed, £83,804 expended last year, £30,000 is asked now to’complete. Greymouth-Point Elizabeth railway, three miles, for State coal mineis heavy work, £50,000 is asked, £35,804 was expended last year. The Lawrence-Roxbnrgh railway Will be completed to Big Hill, but not further without an adequate guarantee. - The amount proposed to be voted for the current year for “Additions to open lines” is £360,000, of which U £250,000 is for new rolling stock and additional workshops aud-maohinery. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The total expenditure on Public Buildings during the last finam ial year was £350,615. For the c .vreut year votes for £60,145 under the Consolidated fund and £306,930 under the Public Works fund are proposed. Among the works provided for are the new Government i--,- v..

I House and the new Legislative Connoil Chamber, and a commencement with the new Dominion Museum. Courthouse expenditure last year included that at Feilding and Palmerston. The current year’s vote provides for new police stations at Shannon and Pongaroa among other places. | Post and Telegraph buildings during the past year included those at Apiti, Weraroa, Taihape, Kimbolton and additions included Mauakau. New Post Offices provided for the current year include Bulls, and additions at Ashhurst and Levin. The new Auckland Post Office is to cost £95.551, and Wellington £96.933 (exclusive of £BOOO coat of excavations). The construction is to be of granite with steel framing. Expenditure on Agricultural Department buildings included additions for Palmerston North. ROADS AND BRIDGES. Roads and Bridges expenditure for the past financial year was £494,657. A very large amount of work was represented by this expenditure and included:— New dray roads constructed, 656 miles. Dray roads metalled. 352 miles. Bridle roads converted into dray roads, 335 miles. New bridle roads constructed, 445 miles. Bridle tracks constructed, 188 miles. Total 1533 mites. Engineering surveys made 989 miles. Dray roads maintained, 3352 miles. Bridle tracks maintained, 2017 miles. The work of opening up new country and the location settlers thereon is proceeding energetically ; we must, of course, be prepared for considerable expenditure on road construction works and in the compilation of the current year liberal provision has been made in this direction. The Government maintained during Jaat year 3353 miles of dray roads and 3017 miles bridle tracks—a total of 5369 miles. The total votes for road works in the Estimates now submitted are £ Roads, etc. Back block roads, etc. . • 210,000 Roads under Loans to Local Bodies 500,000 Road under National Endowment Account . - 17,151 Roads on goldfields ... 50,000 Maintenance of roads on Consolidated Fund ... 25,000 Total ... £525,151 TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. Daring the year £163,038 was expended in telegraph and telephone extensions. New lines erected and in coarse of construction represent 749 miles of poles, and 3311 miles of wires. One hundred and fifty-three telegraph and telephone offices were opened and 3553 new subscribers were added to the telephone exchange. Among the principal laud telephone lines erected were_NapierDannevirke metallic circuit, Welmetallic circuit, Wei-liugton-Pahiatua metallic circuit. He asked this year £120,000. ECONOMIES AND FRESH ARRANGEMENTS. Ra-arrangemeut of the Department aud travelling allowances which were made have effected a saving _ of £30,000 per annum. While affecting this large economy in expenditure, every care has been taken to see that efficiency in administration and oversight of works are in no wise impaired. It is intended, however, to take greater advantage of local authorities in carrying out minor road works in future. Small votes for local roads can he much more economically expended the supervision of parsons present in the locality than would be the case if works were controlled by officers of the Government located in principal centres. IN CONCLUSION. The gross total of expenditure proposed during the current year is not quite equal to Last year’s appropriations, but still amount to a very considerabhle sum, and the carrying out of the various works provisioned for will result in great good to oar settlers by improving their means of transit aud communication, besides increasing their conveniences. With the large amount- of settlement going on throughout the Dominion, especially in the North Island, and particularly in districts opened by the North Island Trunk railway, and the developments which are taking place in districts that will be effected by the North Island and East Coast Main Trunk railways, a vigorous public works policy is called for, aud he trusted that outlined will be considered sufficient and satisfactory. Wellington, Last Night. A considerable number of votes proposed in the Public Wm-ks Estimates concern expenditure in the Manawatu and adjacent districts. To begin with, there is £BOO set down for additions to Palmerston Court House, against which, however, there is liability of £602. Under the Postal and Telegraph heading appear the following votes: Kimbolton £l4O (liability of £114). Bulls restoration £I6OO. Ashhurst (addition) £45. Palmerston £lB5. Foxton £1325 (liability £1099). Shannon £7OO. Levin additions £SOO. Wereroa £265 (liability £345). Roads and Bridges votes include: Kawhatau River Bridge £ for £, Rangitikei County £1250. Makino Gorge Bridge, Rangitikei £l5O. Mangawharariki Bridge, Kiwitea County £I3OO (already expended). Rangitikei Bridge (Omatane) £3350 (liability £710). Rangitikei River Bridge (Taoroa) £ for £ on account of £1350 (present vote £250). Apiti, Main South road, £ for £ Kiwitea County £IOO (liability £80) Cliff Road, Kiwitea County (£ for £) £350. •Fmnis Road, Pohaugina County £3OO. Kiwitea-Tapuae road (Kiwitea County) £l5O. Mangainako (Sandon Block) £3OO (liability £300). Mauagapapa £ for £, £SO. Mangoira Gorge road £IOO. Mangoira and Hare’s road (£ *for £) £IOO (expended already). Orona Bridge road (£ for £) £425 (liability £412). Oroua River Bridge at Loudon’s Ford (£ for £) £950. Ditto at Menaie’s Ford (£ for £), £4OO on account of £IOOO. Pakikikara road (£ for £) £4OO (liability £500). Pohaugina Bridge (£ for £) £750 (liability £734.) Gorge road (Kairanga County) £6OO. Manawatu River Bridge, Lower Gorge (Oroua—Eairanga Counties) £476. Palmerston to Foxton road, Manawatu County, £l6O (liability £150). BACK BLOCKS ROADS VOTE. Auputa (Kiwitea) £l5O. Inland road (Rangitikei) £350 Kew (?) (Kiwitea) £175. Makapua (Rangitikei) £3OO, Maugatohu (Kiwitea) £BSO. Ponraugakl (Kiwitea) £SO. Titiraugi (Kiwiteaj £350, Conspicuous road (Kiwitea) £450. Umutoi (Kiwitea and Pohaugina)

£4OO. Manakau North (Horowhenua) £250. Manakau South (Horowhenua) £2OO. tt , ' Otaki Gorge road (Horowhenua) £IOO (£ for £).