PUBLIC WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1012, 19 October 1912, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS.

POINTS FROM THE STATEMENT. Roads are more important than railways. Applications for votes for roads and bridges amount to ,£1,500,000. Appropriations for roads tor current year ,£838,060. Co-operative system needs revision in direction of small contract system. Total expenditure on public works last year, £2,476,156 —a record. Proposed appropriations for current year, £3,049,500. Expenditure on railway construction and improvement works last year, £1,178,968. Works at Napier end of NapierGisborne line suspended because line will be useless until bridge over harbour is built. Vote ot £90,000 proposed for Stratford-Main Trunk railway, £xo,ooo for Ohakune - Raetihi branch line. Construction of light railways suggested —same gauge as existing system. Roads and bridges vote largely unexpended owing to labour shortage aud wet weather. There has been too much multiplicity of small votes. Concentration ot expenditure on roads ol primary importance is recommended. East year £491,921 was spent on public buildings, this year £625,842 is proposed. First section of new Parliament Buildings should be ready lor occupation in 1915. Vote of £60,000 is proposed lor workers’ dwellings. For development of water power an appropriation ut £85,000 is proposed. New lighthouse is to be erected in Cook Strait. Only one halt of necessary ways aud means are immediately available, possession of the remainder depending upon raising proposed loan of £1,750,000.