PROGRESS OF PUBLIC WORKS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 53, 27 January 1872, Page 2

PROGRESS OF PUBLIC WORKS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

We take the following items from our latest Auckland files:—An influential deputation waited on the Eon. Mr Ormond on the 17th inst. to suggest the advisability of extending the Kaipara railway to Auckland city instead of fixing its eastern terminus at Harkin's Point, on the Waitemata. The result of the interview was so far satisfactory that Mr Ormond promised that a trial survey of the proposed extensions should be made without delay. But the Government will require something more than a preliminary survey to justify an expenditure for some eighteen miles of railway. Statistics of population, extent of country to be opened, and the nature and amount of traffic throughout the whole length of the line, as far as possible, are to be compiled and transmitted to the Minister of Public Works for his information.

The " Auckland Herald" understands that the Kaipara railway, under contract, has no.t been handed over to the Minister for Public Works. The Provincial Executive are still higgling after £SOOO from the Harbor Board. Now, as the terms of the law are explicit with regard to the application of the sum of-£25,000 payable to the harbor, and as the Provincial Council appropriated this amount and released the harbor from its debt, without any condition, we should like to know by what authority the Provincial Execu- : tive make this demand. The Harbor Board cannot give away any portion of the sum of £25,000, which is strictly trust money, set apart for specific purposes by ac"t of the General Assembly, and therefore, it would be a breach of trust to comply with the demand of the Provincial Executive were it possible to do so. Then, if this £25,000 be left out of account, there is no other fund whence the amount demanded, without any pretence of equity that we can see, could be advanced. It takes all the revenue to maintain the harbor establishment and keep the wharf in repair. We trust, therefore, that the Kaipara railway will be transferred to the General Government without delay. It is too large a work for our local Executive ; and delay in such cases is exceedingly dangerous. The Harbor Board will have quite enough to do with all the money they are likely to receive without contributing to the maintenance of harbor establishments elsewhere. The Government Engineer ( Mr Carruthers) having determined the line of the Kawakawa railway, has reported to the Minister for Public Works that it can be constructed within the limit fixed by law. This being the case, a survey will be made for the Government, under instructions. At present negotiations are progressing between the Company and the Provincial Government relative to certain points, which must be decided before the General Government will undertake the construction. As we understand the position, it is this: The Government are willing to construct the railway taking security over the mine and mining district, on condition that the mine shall be properly worked. This is only reasonable, for why should there be a coalfield railway built without taking care that there should be traffic for it'? The Coal Company, on their part, are prepared to provide capital and bind themselves to raise a given quantity of coal yearly, but require an increased area and some other temporary concessions which it is not material to mention. The Superintendent on his part is willing, we have been informed, to increase the original area held by the Coal Company, which he can do under the act authorising the leasing of mineral lands in the province, but requires to be satisfied with respect to the increase of capital and the effectual working of the mine. This narrows the question very considerably, aud we hope for a satisfactory solution at no distant date. When it is considered that the home demand for coal alone exceeds 70,000 tons per annum, our readers will understand the immense public interests involved in this project. During Mr Ormond's visit to the North he was not idle. Besides inspecting the Kawakawa mine and coalfield, which extends, as many of our

readers are aware, over a considerable area, he proceeded inland, and satisfied himself of the character and capabilities of the country, and the best lines for laying off roads, with a view to perma. nent settlement. We understand that at all events a trunk line will be formed, connecting the B;iy of Islands and the Hokianga districts with the head waters of the Wairoa, to a point where navigation is practicable. This would open up a very large extent of country, and lead to its immediate and beneficial occupation. When the necessary data as to mileage, &c, are before the Minister for Public "Works, the amount authorised to be spent during the year will be allocated to the respective districts; and we are greatly in error if the traffic of the North will not scon be found to flow through the western waterway of the Kaipara and its affluents. Indeed, anyone who is acquainted with the topography of the North, and who gives an unbiassed opinion, must admit that this in the natural route for the northern traffic. Should our anticipations prove correct, the paying capabilities of the Kaipara railway will not admit of a doubt.