PUBLIC WORKS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 232, 15 August 1873, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS.

We extract from the telegraphic summary of the Public Work's statement the .following items of Provincial interest:— Mr Richardson said—Of goldfields -water supply works four" were in progress of construction —namely, the Thames race, estimated to eosfc t £48,594 ; "the Waimea race, £61,235 j the "Nelson Creek race;" £30;446 f'ah'd' the Mount Ida race and sluicing channel, £42,315. The following subsidies had been granted to companies : —Hohonu, Westland, -£1,533 ; Hibernian, Westland, £2,000; New/-River, Westland; £3,333; Arrow River, Otago, £612. Seven applications for subsidies had not been finally dealt with. ' : .' r

The additional railway'works proposed : were —Malaura to (Jlufcha, 50 miles; Dunedin to Moeraki, 55 miles; Timaru to Waiiaki, 41 miles—these were in the" South Island. The survey of the- first has been completed; that of tbe second will be completed this month; ar:d an old preliminary survey of the third was enough to enable an estimate to be made.

The ' G-uardian' commenting upon the statement says : —Our spice does not admit of comment upon the lucid statement made, by the Minister for Public Works last night. We have seldom read a more comprehensive, and, on the whole, more satisfactory statement. There is not a single point omitted. It will be seen that provision has been made, as promised in the financial statement, for filling up the gaps in tae railway system in this province and Canterbury; also that the Waikato line is to be pushed on? with vigor. A total expenditure of £3,830,454 has been incurred, including; actual expenditure and works under contract. The G-oyernmenfc hopes to be able to complete "all the authors ised lines in the schedule within contract time, and at the estimated cost, except the short line between Ashburton and Rangiort.. We congratulate Mr. Richardson npon th» production of. such a business-like and satisfactory statement.