PUBLIC WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 127, 22 October 1914, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS.

STATiwffiNT BY THE MINISTER. A BUSY YEAR FORECASTED. ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF £3,402,759. A BRISK RAILWAY POLICY. The PuVie Works Statement and Estimates were submitted to the House of Representatives to-night by tlio Hon. W. Frnwr, Minister for Public Works. In the course of the Statement, ne says:—"My colleague the Minister for Finance announced in his Budget that it was proposed to provide largely >ncrcased ways and means for public works purposes this year, but that statement was penned prior to the outbreak of hostilities and wnen the money market was favorable. The events that have happened since have rendered it doubtful whether money oan now be borrowed .in advantageous terms, and on the satisfactory determination of that question must, of course, depend the carrying out of any extensive public works proposals. The Statement and estimates submitted to the. House have been prepared on the assumption that the requisite funds will be procurable when needed; but if, unfortunately, that prove to be erroneous, then, of course, the programme will necosarily have to be curtailed so as to keep our expenditure within our means. In niy last year's statement I said that the public-works expenditure of the year 1912-13 was the largest of any single year for over thirty years, and I am now ab'e to state that the expenditure of 1913-14 was even greater, having amounted to no less than £2,94!).9M—viz., £2,824,5:16 out of the Public Works Fund and allied special accounts and £125,460 of the Consolidated Fund, j

The ordinary expenditure of the year amounted to £2,4*21,807. charges and expenses in respect of raising loans £105,450, and redemption of debentures £3i>4,000, thus bringing the total disbursements up to ,£2,891,257, and leaving; a credit balance at the end of the year of £1.178,581. For the current vear it is proposed to provide additional funds as under: —

Balance of authorised loan moneys, £227,628; Transfer from Consolidated Fund. £350,000; proposed new 10an,£3,000,000.

The. above, with the balance brought forward, gives a gross total of £4,758,212. The estimated expenditure for public works for the current year (excluding separate accounts having their own ways and means) amounts to £:),• 402.758. leaving an estimated balance of £1.353.454 to be carried forward to next year (1915-18).

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. The sections of railway completed »nd I opened for traffic during the last financial year, or since its close included: I'ohokura to Whangamomona, 0 miles 13 chains; Kaiwaka toi Otamatea, 2 miles 45 chain.*. The total length was 59 miles 19 chains. In addition to the above, the following sections are approaching completion, and are expected to be. ready to open for traffic during the current financial year:—Mount Egmont \>ranch, 2 miles 56 chains; \}'h.ingamomona to Kolmrate.hi, 4 n:il<vi -!') chains. The ti t:i' !■■ *\ i! !it"r■• en rail'vav construction n'i'i i'.ircro'.YiTiei* work d'.i'Xi : last f;nane : a! yi-av amounted totl.N-!-450. as nnd.T: IV.u-lri'.'tioTi of now lin-M £1i13,4!8, addition to open lines .Ct.'S.-4-18, rai'.ways'iir.proveniev.t account £?,.),- 083.

; Whangarei-North Auckland. —A con- j 'tract lias been lot for formation work ' and the construction of bridges over the first four miles of the new branch lime : which is to connect the North Auckland trunk line with the Whangarei system, and arrangements are being made for ; tlic formation of a further four miles, i which will carry the line to Oakleigh, ffrom which point a siding will run down to Mangapai wharf. On the North Auckland Main Trunk, the terminus was advanced about two miles and a-half by the opening oa August 1 last of the section from Kaiwaka to Otamatea. East Coast Main Trunk.—The completed length of thirteen miles between Maungnnui and Te 'Puke still remains in the hands of the Public Works Depart- } ment, which runs a regular goods and 1 passenger service over it for the con- | venience of settlers and others along , the route. Earthworks on the section to Paenraroa, five miles and three-quar-ters further, are practically completed, : and rails are laid up to Pacnsaroa sta- : tion. Over the next four miles forma- j tion work is in hand under nine small contracts. Several parties hare been , employed since. April last on the forma- ' tion of the approaches to the proposed 1 bridge which i 3 to carry the lino over Tauranga harbor. A satisfactory nr- , rangement lias been arrived at between | the (lovcrnmont, the Napier Harbor { Board and the Hawke's Bay County Council regarding the terms on which an embankment and bridge to carry the railway over the TnMer Harbor will be constructed, and formal agreements relating to the matter,have been entered into. The Department is also considering wliethor it would not be desirable to survey the route of this railway north and south from Wairoa, with a view to putting the construction of a central section in hand before the line could reach Wairoa from either Risbomr or Napier. This course would doubtless considerably expedite the tonstruction of the through line. On the WaihiTauranga section construction work was recommenced in May last. At the C.isborno end work has beei in progress throughout the year over a length of seventeen miles between the present terminus at Otoko and Motu. Between (iishorne and Napier the rails have been laid to Ngatapa, over twelve miles from the junction at Maknraka (fiisborne. ondl.

On the South Island Main Trunk railway the expenditure durin; the financial year (mostly to meet liabilities previously incurred) was £7BOI at the north end and £»l*s at the south end. For the current year a vote of £20,000 is proposed for the north end. Midland Railway—The year has been one of slow progress, owing to the wet and unstable country being encountered, requiring heavy timbering, which rendered it undesirable to open out the tunnel very far ahead of the lining work. It is hoped that the worst of this class of country has now been passed, and that the current year will show a better record of progress. On the Otago Central railway no expenditure came to charge against last year's appropriations, but for thjj current year a vote of £20.000 is proposed. Light 'Railways.—Mr. Furkert, inspecting engineer in the Public Works Deparment, paid a visit during last year to Europe and America. At the. request of the Right Hon. thfj Prime Minister, he has prepared a report on the subject of Belgian-light railways. This report witl well repßy perusal.

j ROADS AND BRIDGES. The total amount provided for road I and bridge purposes on last year's apI propriations under all votes and aej counts (including the Consolidated Fund i vote for maintenance) was £7*5,000. j The amount authorised for expenditure i during the year, added to the balance of | authorities at March 31 last of £40!)',173. ! Between April 1 and September 30 a i further £301,719 was authorised for cxI penditure, and ' a further £316,713 I brought to charge, making the total exj penditure between April 1, 1913, and September 30, 1914, £810,351. Owing to the unsettled condition of the money market after the close of last session it was not considered advisable to float the loan for public works purposes until the end of January. Between the passing of the public works appropriations and the raising of the loan, therefore, only metalling and other urgent works were authorised. This did not, however, mean that any Tery jnvat restriction was placed upon expenditure, as there was a very large sum indeed in the hands of local bodies in the shape of authorities previously issued but unexpended. The prudence then exercised has resulted in our being able at the present juncture to keep public works going, and so relieye "unemployed" difficulties arising as a result of the Europran war. The Minister referred to the disabilities imposed by the present svstem of making crants for road and bridge i work?, and trusted that the Local Crants and Subsidies Bill now before Parliament would aflord machinery reducing in greater efficiency and progress ] in providing that essential factor in successful settlement of the land—good roads and bridges.

ROADS ON GOLDFIELD9 (Mines Department).

The total authorisations under this • iicad last year amounted to £66,743, on I account of which a voto of £51,000 was ; taken. The expenditure (luring the year was £24.143. The sum proposed to tie authorised for the current year is [ £f19.109, on account of which a vote of is asked for. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The total expenditure on public buildings (luring the last financial year amounted to £611,041, made up as follows:—Xew buildings (Public Works Fund), £309,600; maintenance works (Consolidated Fund), £78,877; maintenance works, schools (Consolidated Fund), £97,407; total, £545,887.

For the current year the following appropriations are proposed:—New buildings (Public Works Fund), £538,000; maintenance works (Consolidated Fund), £69,600; maintenance works, schools (Consolidated Fund), £103,156; total, £710,756.

The most important building provided for is the new Parliament Buildings, for the first and major portion of which the tender of Messrs Hansford, Mills and Hardie, for £151,639, was accepted on December 12 last. Considerable progress is now being made, and the contractors anticipate being able to finish their contract by the date stipulated therein—viz., December 12, 1815. The large new departmental buildings in Worcester street, Christchureh, have been completed and occupied, and considerable progress has been made with the Oishnrne building; while the departmental buildings at Stratford and Hokitika have been completed, also the JH>hlic Works workshops and store in Wellington.

POST AND TELEGRAPH. The expend it nrp on oui'dings for Post and Telegraph purposes lias been heavy for some years past, and b.st year was no exception to the rule. The disbursements under the Public Works Fund amounted to £78,815, and under tho Consolidated Fund to £17:260. or a total for the year of £98,075. The build-ings-responsible for the principal items of this expenditure were the new Genoral Post Offices at Auckland and Wellington and the Postal Departments new bulk store. New buildings are also proTided for at Stratford. HOSPITALS. The expenditure last year under this head was not large. On the current year's vote provision is made for the St. Helens Hospitals at Auckland and Christchureh, and ono or two other minor works.

AGRICULTURE. During the past year a considerable amount of land drainage, was carried out at the Ruakura Kami of Instruction, and as the work has proved of great value both to the farm itself and as a demonstration to the sctt'ers it will be continued durin,'.' the present year. Bcier accommodation is to be provided at the live-stock quarantine stations at Auckland, Wellington and Lyttelton, tlie present buildings being more or less out of date. Improved accommodation is specially needed in view of the probab'o. influx of live stock from Great Britain as soon as the present embargo on account of foot-and-mouth disease can be removed.

SCHOOL JiUILDINGS. The expenditure out of the Public Works Fund op school buildings during the past year amounted to £121,!)ij4. Of this " amount nearly £IOB,OOO was paid in grants to the respective governing bodies to provide for uew buildings, additions, equipment and sites for public schools and residences, trainingcolleges and university colleges. The balance was expended on works carried out directly under the control of the Government. For Hie current year, with the extension of settlement, demands for new school buildings will certainly occur, and it is necessary to meet theße as far as possible. Similarly, additions to existing school buildings will in many eases require to be made because of the increase of children in average attendance, WORKERS' DWELLINGS. | The expenditure under this head dur- , ing the past yenr amounted to £41,741, as compared with £4(i,405 expended during the preceding year. The demand for dwellings is increasing, and in order to meet the requirements an authorisation of £IOO,OOO, snd a vote on account of name of £92.000, is proposed for the acquisition of land, road formation and erection of dwellings.

DEVELOPMENT OF WATERPOWER.

The first stage of the development of the Lake Coleridge scheme has now been practically completed. The total expenditure to date amounts to £218,033, and the commitments to £34.805, and a further expenditure of about £IO,fKX) will be required to complete, making a gross total of £203,438. which, I am glad to say, is substantially in accordance with tha original estimate. Contracts have already been entered into which

will require the output of from 3000 to 4000 horse-power in from two to three years' time, which approaches the. capacity of the machinery now installed. The prospect of business is good, and steps i will be taken to extend the use of elec- ' tricity to the farming community and ; settlers generally. There is an exceldent prospect of obtaining cheap fertilisers for our farmers by combining the electro-chemical production of these commodities with trie business of the freezing works. By this means that part of the plant which is perforce idle during part of the year under present conditions could be profitably utilised for the production of manures. Last year's expenditure on the development of water-power was somewhat heavy, having amounted to £142,827. For the •nrrent year a vote of £53,000 is proposed. TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. Tlio expenditure under this heading for the year amounted -to £1 i'M), the principal part being used in the erection and furnishing of Hi© new hos-lel at tJiu Hermitage, Mount Cook. 11l is intended to re-erect theHaniner Springs sanatorium recently destroyed toy fire; replace by east-iron or steel pipes a portion of the wooden pipes originally laid down in connection wiih the water-sup-plv system at Rotoirua; make, additions to tlio Rotorua Sanatorium, rendered necessary by tJie increased' nmniber of patients; to increase the accommodation at tlhc/Waitonio Caves Hostel, which has at times b«n greatly overcrowded, and sundry minor works. The work pro-, vided for in the estimates will involve an expenditure of nearly £30,000, on account of which a vote of £20,000 is pro- i posed for the current year.

TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. [ The expenditure on 'telegraph- and telephone -extension during ihe year amounted to £39t2,«4«. Telephone-ex-flange development lias been abnormal. Twenty-five now telephone exchanges [ were opened during thu year, and the number of exchange connections lias inereaised iby 0481. Five (hundred and thirty-sin miles of wire were added to the telegraph and inter-urban telephone systems, and 537 miles of pole lino ana 32,140 miles of wire to tlhe telephone ■ exchange systems. The proposed vote for ' the current year amounts to £410,000, Made up ae under:—Automatic installation, £tili>oo; material (telephone, and telegraph), £2<iO,0(!0; new telephone-ex-change connections, f70,001); erection of new telegraph and telephone lines,) £IB,BOO. Total, £410,000. I

In addition to the votes already (specially mentioned, the estimates make provision for the .undermentioned services: Departmental, £93,500; immigration, £30,000; contingent defence, £50,000; lands imiprovcmciit, £19,900; thus bringng the total amount -of the proposed appropriations, including special accounts, up to £3,734,758, as against £3,478,731 voted and £2,719,053 actually expended last year. It will perhape be. observed that the amount under tlie heading ''Departmental" is a good deal in excess of last year's appropriation for the same Txvnposc, the reason being that under t'lie Public Service classification scheme a numlbcr of officers' salaries are now ■provided under the heading of "Departmental" which were previously provided for out of it'lle votes for individual works.

CONCLUSION. The programme on:lined in the State- j ment and provided for in Mie estimates! id a fairly extensive one and gives pro- J mifie of a busy year. All the expendi- j ture proposed is, however, absolutely j neco-sary, awl more could tie spent to j advantage; but sufficient work is to be J undertaken to fullv occupy all the labor ) that is likely to "be available, and lo propose, to uii'deft'ike more ulan .Y, would only h-.ul us iiiiu dil'livu:.:. Every eirort lias ban n:.a>l<- to alloc i: • (he funds available amongst tlie d'iferent district, and nDie ..Miniidev tlrn':this will readily be msiliml 'oy t:-:-House.