PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 184, 26 July 1876, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, Tuesday. The Hon Mr Richardson delivered the Public Works Statement this evening. He commenced by regretting that the delivery so soon after the close of tbe financial year compelled him to prepare the Statement more hurriedly thaD he otherwise would have done. Additional tables had, however, be9n appended, whioh, together with reports from the Engineer-in-Chief and other officers, containing information in detail, would convey full information. BAILWAYS. The railway works had not been finished so rapidly as in the two previous years, but care had been taken to avoid delaying those approaching completion, so that they might be made remunerative as early possible. The estimates had been materially interfered with by the necessity for lining several tunnels at a coat of fifty-nine thousand pounds („59,000) over the whole colony, and by the constantly increaaiog traffic, which, he was happy to say, had rendered largely increased station accommodation requisite, and also large additional provision for rolling stock. The Kawa Knwa railway would be in working order during the present year. To devolop the traffic on the Kaipara and Riverhead railway, an extension beyond Ellersville would be necessary. . The proclamation for the Riverhead and Auckland lino was withheld, owing to the heavy claims for land compensation. Should they be persevered in, it would be the duty of the Government to alter the route. The exceptionally bad winter had delayed the Mercer and Newcastle line Tenders are only now being called for the permanent way. Ifc would be twelve months before tbis line could be opened. The Napier and Manawatu line wbb opened to Te Aute. The land claims were unexpectedly large, and some damage had been done by floods. The line would shortly be open to Waipukurau. The Waitara-to-Patea line was in progress to Inglewood, and its extension southwards was intended as soon as practicable. Satisfactory progress iB being made on the Patea-to-Wangaoui, and Wan-ganui-to-Manawatu lines, but the land claims are much in excess of the estimate. The conversion of the Foxfon and Manawatu tramway will be sufficiently completed in a few months to enable it to he worked under railway regulations. The works on the Wellington and Masterton line have not progressed as fast as the contracts entered into led the Government to expect, owing in some measure to the difficulty ot getting

m<?n to remain in the hush country. ■me Rimutuaka and other tunnels on tnis line were found to require lining, although difficult to bore. The portion open to the Upper Hutt gives satisfactory r ßau| t8 • The- Nelson and' Foxhill line has Battered very little from floods. To develop traffic it requires to be extended to the new wharf. The necessity for extending the picton and Blenheim railway over the Opawa river into the town of Blenheim is more and more evident. From Amberley to Waitaki very little remains to be done, and specifications for the last plate-laying contract twufch of Waimate ara being prepared. Tbe laud claims have been excessive, »nd eighteen thousand pounds (£lB,---000) have been required for additional station accommodation. Considerable additions to the rolling stock wiil be necessary if traffic continues to increase as it has done during the past year. An extension of the Kaiapoi and Eyretou railway to join the Oxford and Rangiora i 8 necessary. The cost in working these lines owing to their not being connected has caused the province to vote a portion of the cost of extent sion which is over a country so favorable as to require little more than to lay the permanent way. All the Waitaki Bridge has been opened for traffic, and has now a water supply for protection from Are. From Oamaru to Moeraki the line will be ready for traffic in about two months. The works south to Dunedin are all under contract, except nine miles at Wnikouaiti. This length will be let aa soon as the Blueskin eection ia complected. The land compensation throughout the distriot has been very heavy, and the bricking up of the tunnel involves a further appropriation, of thirty-six thousand pounds (£36,000). The remark before made relative to station accommodation and rolling stock from Amberly to Waitaki applies also to the districts of Waitaki and southward. The Minister, after visiting Balclutha, has given instructions for the Clutha and Maiaura line to be proceeded with, as set out by the engineer-in-chief. The works south of Clinton will not be oompleted before the end of the year.

. The Westport and Mount Rochfort line is progressing. A contract for loading coal and protective works has been let in excess of appropriation, but liable to cancellation if the House directs. The Government consider this a colonial work, and if continued, votes should be taken year after year. There is now a prospect of the field being practically opened np. The Government concur ia the decision come to by tbe recent Royal Commission in the Colliery Reserve, whose inquiry was exhaustive. The Greymouth and Brunnerton line is open, and the traffic may be expected to commence in September. The Government consider that the Greymouth works should, like those at Westport, be dealt with by the colony, aod au arrangement has been made with the corporation for takiug over the wharf and its dues. Pending the sanction of the House a separate account of the wharf dues is kept. The. mileage of the railways in the North Islsnd is 392 authorised ; 145 open for traffic, and 183 in progress. In tbe South Islnnd 638 miles have been authorised, 404 are open for traffic, and 199 are in progress. Total, 1030 miles authorised; 549 open for traffic, and 382 in progress. The amount spent on railways during the paßt year was oue million six hundred and thirty nine thousand and fourteen pounds (£1,639,014), making a total expenditure on railways of five million two hundred and fifteen thousaud and eighteen pounds (5,315,018), with liabilities extending into 1878 of nine hundred and eighty three thousand two hundred and fifty three pounds (£983,253). This includes all existing contracts, and material ordered from Home afc great additional cost. Land has been referred to in detail, and it becomes a question whether the districts through which future extensions are made should not provide the land free before any expenditure is incurred towards construction. Further explorations have been made from Canterbury northwards towards Blenheim; but as it is doubtful whether tbe best route has been discovered, this exploration will be continued during the present year. The surveys from Hokitika to Greymouth ebow tbe cost of the proposed line to be two hundred aod twenty-two thousand pounds (£222,000) as against the origiual estimate of eighty-five thousand pounds (£85,000). Some deviations are under survey by which n reduction in the former amount is hoped for. The nhoto-litbographic establishment has effected a saving of two thousand pounds (£2000) "per annum on railway plans alone, ROADS. A comparatively small amount has been eppnt on new road works during the past year, and only two districts need be specially mentioned, vi_, Wairarapa and north of Auckland. Contracts have been made for metalling all the worst places in the Seventymile Bush, but the severe winter has obliged the work to be suspended. The road opens up a large tract of fine land for settlement. Up to June, 1875, forty-seven thousand two hundred and fifty pounds (£47,250) have been spent on roads north of Auckland, exclusive of Mangore Bridge. The expenditure and liabilities last ! year amounted to six thousand eight hundred and eighty - nine pounds (£6889) leaving a balance of five thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight pounds (£5858). It is proposed to expend this balance over the bridges requisite to make the main trunk road frora Auckland to the Bay of Islands passable for ordinary traffic. A revote of seventeen thousand eight hundred and seventy - two pounds (£17,872) unavailable for technical reasons last year, will be asked for to meet the liabilities on the current year, on tbe presumption that tbe money was available for roads generally in the North Island, and a considerable number of the Armed Constabulary have been employed, principally in their maintenance and repair,. No extra pay bus been given, although taking their time and ordinary pay into account the work has not been executed so cheaply as if let by contract, yet as it has been done in addition to their constabulary duties it is a clear gain to ihe country. The small balance from the Westland roads voles will ba expended south of Hokitika, and that from the South-West Goldfields vote on the road between Greymouth and Reefton. WATER-RACES. The Thames, Waimea, and Mount Ida races, and the Waipori sludge channel," are nearly completed. The Nelson Creek race will tuke some months to complete. It will not be necessary to ask for votes for expenses of management, as they will be handed over to their respective counties. Tenders have twice been called for the first section of tho Mikonui waterrace, but they were so much higher than tbe Government were led to expect that they have on each occasion been reluctantly declined. It was now proposed to hand the work over to the | county, with a further contribution of » ten thousand pounds (£10,000), to be advanced by the Government, PUBLIC BUILDINGS. As the Colonial Architect's report contains details of buildings received, nothing further is stated thereon. COAL EXPLORATIONS. The result of the topographical survey of the Buller coalfields shows an extension ot the [coal mines, a con«

siderable portion of which will be available for working as early as any tbat have yet been found. It ie not proposed to contiuuo the survey at present. Eleven leases have been granted, aggregating eight thousand five hundred and twenty (8520) acres. Several of the leasees will probably be ready to use the railway frora Ngakawau to Westport as soon as completed. At Greymouth fresh outcrops have been discovered; and at Jackson's Bay and at Abbey Rocks, far Bouth on the West Coast, the coal development has been examined, but no workable seams have as yet been discovered, Several superior samples of coal have been received from West Wanganui, and that part of the country will shortly receive attention. INSPECTION OF MACIJItfERTT. The Act is being carried out very fairly, and the fees charged have rather more thau covered expenses. RAILWAYS OPEN FOB TRAFFIC. The railways have been worked with the followiug results during the past year : — Kaipara railway — receipts, £2497 18s 9J; expenditure, £2638 16s 3d. Auckland and Mercer — receipts, £22,487 16s 10 J; expenditure, £19,416 183 Id. Napier and Waipukurau— receipts, £12,417 2s 4d ; expenditure, £7902 12s. Waitara and New Plymouth—£lß33 12s 31; expenditure, £2190 12s. Wellington and Upper Hutt— receipts, £9429 5s 3d; expenditure, £6293 103 2J. Picton and Blenheim — receipts, £3516 3s 2d; expenditure, £3083 9s 9d. Nelson and Foxhill—receipts, £2531 4s Id; expenditure, £2303 17s 9 J. Brunner and Greymouth— receipts, £1063 8s 8J; expenditure, £883 lis Qi;— making a total of receipts for the year of £55,576 lis 4d, and an expenditure of £44,713 7s Bd, leaving a balance of £11,063 3s Bd. The permanent rolling stock has been kept in thorough repair. There has been a loss of nine hundred and thirty-seven pounds (£937) on the Foxton tramway during the process of its conversion into a railway, but it is now paying its expenses. The receipts from the Canterbury rßilwßys for,. the year ending the 3 1st March, were eighty-five thousand eight hundred and six pounds (£85,806), and the expenses twelve thousand four hundred and fifty-one pounds (£12,451). Otago railways during the same year were ninety thousand seven hundred and ninety pouods (£90,790). and the expenditure sixty six thousand eight hundred and fifty-two pounds (£66,852), leaving a credit balance on the Canterbury and Otago railways of eighty-five thousand two hundred and thirty pounds (£85,230). The Auckland and Morcer traffic has not boen so large as expected. Object tions have been made to the rates, but it is impossible to lower them if tbe line is to be worked so as to leave a margin above working expenses. It is a very prevalent opinion that the public ought to have the same amount of accommodation ns on tbe railways in England and the adjoining colonies, where the cost has been so much greater, but the fact is that tbe rates I charged are generally below those charged in England, and only in Otago ! are they as high as those charged in Victoria. If tbe accommodation now asked for in various parts of the colony and which, to a great extent haß been given in Canterbury, is to be accorded, the cost of the lines will be so increased as to require the rates to be generally raised. The aim of tbe Government will be to equalise tho rates, nnd they should uot be higher than those ia tbe southern part of the Middle Island. SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURE. The total expenditure to 30th June last, under the Immigration and Public Works Act, in the North Island, has been for railways one million seven hundred and eighty thousand nine hundred and fifty-six pounds (£l ,780,---956). On roads, four hundred and ninety-one thousaud six hundred and thirty-six pounds (£491,636; and on water-races, fifty-eight thousand six hundred and thirty - six pounds (£58,636). Total— North Island— two millions three hundred and thirty-one thousand two hundred and twenty-eight pounds (£2,331,223). In the Middle Island, on railways, three millions four hundred and three thousand five hundred and thirty-eight pouods (£3,403,---538); on roade, one hundred and nmety-four thousand seven hundred and twenty-one pounds (£194,721); on water-racee, two hundred and twentytwo thousaud two hundred and eighty-

three pounds (£222,283). Total Middle Islands—three millions eight hundred and twenty thousand five hundred and forty-three pounds (£3,820,543). Sundries, thirty thousand five hundred and twenty-three (£30,523), Total expenditure, six million* ona hundred and eighty-two thousand two hundred and ninety-five pounds (£6,182,295). The proposed expenditure on railways for tha current year, an amount proposed to be asked *. or . t .°. cover iixQ contract and other liabilities during the current year, on fche following railways, viz: — Kawa Kawa railway, £20,000; Auckland to Panui, £161,000; Napier io Manawatu, £137,000; Waitara to Patea, £37,000; Patea to Manawatu, £114,000; Nelson and Foxhili, £7,700; Picton to Blenheim, £4,500; Greymouth and Brunnerton, £19,000; Westport to Ngakawau, £49,000; Amberley to Waitaki, £79,700; Waitaki Bridge, £1,300; Waitaki, InvercargiU, and Lawrence branch, £324,000; Wiofcon-KingalQD, £53,000; total, £1,054,600. The following new works, if 70ted, will not be put in hand until the Government were assured that tbe necessary means are available, Ist, the extension of the Riverhead and Kaipara railway from the present temporary station at Heleneville for about 'half a mile, and the ereotion of a wharf at which vessels can, with care, discharge the cargoes, £15,000. 2nd, a new wharf at Onehunga in conneation with the railway £14,000. 3rd, the extension of the main South line from New Plymouth towards Patea and Wanganui, £20,000. 4th, tbe extension of the main line from Napier towards Wellington, £10,000. stb, to the Nelson and Foxhill railway to the port, £8000. 6th, to meet present liabilities at Greymouth on the Brunner line, and to provide funds to continue the harbor works at a moderate speed, £25,000. 7th, for works at Westport, £30,000. Bth to complete the Pictoo and Blenheim railway into Seymour Square in the centre of Blenheim, £16,000. 9tb, for connecting the Kaipara and Eyreton railway with the Oxford and Rahgiora railway, £8,000. 10th, new surveys, £10,000. Total for new works, oue hundred and fifty six thousand pounds (£456,000). Considering how small an amount of work has been done in the north of Auckland it is proposed to ask for ten thousand pounds (£10,000) for completing the main trunk road to the Bay of Islands for dray traffic and for main cross roads from Wangarei. In the Colonial Treasurer's financial statement some of the reasons were given for taking over the responsibility of the management of all the railways, and it is now pointed out in addition that there are three systems of management, three distinct tariffs on charges, three of audit, and tbe remuneration of the same class of officers is on very different scales, leading to difficulty and expense. A considerable saving would be effected by the management, and the entire rolling stock would be available on emergencies. Any comparison between the systems of management now in force is purposely avoided, but no matter who works the lines, the publio convenience will have to be consulted} and the Government, watched as it were by the House, will insist upon their being economical.y worked. The experience of the past year confirms the opinion previously expressed that with prudent management the railways will yield, taken as a whole, a very considerable contribution towards the interest on tho cost. The estimated revenue on lines at present worked by the Government is stated at £132,000, that on the Canterbury aud Otago lines at £185,800 and £137,800 respectively, making a total of £445,000. If the estimates prove correct, the railways open to traffic ought to yield next year about three per cent on their capitalised cost. The statement concludes with the following allusion to the late AgentGeneral:— ln 1871 tbe first Minister for Public Works announced in hia statement the appointment of the late Dr. Featherston to the office of AgentGeneral under the Immigration and Public Works Act. It is with the deepest regret I mention the loss of the Public Works department, as well as tbe colony, has sustained by his recent death. This is not the time to allude further to the services of that officer. I last year bore testimony to the faithful manner in whioh bis duties connected with Ibis department were performed, and I feel that any further reference now would be (superfluous, if not out of nlace.