PUBLIC WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1922, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS.

LAST YEAR’S DEVELOPMENT. NEARLY FOUR MILLION SPENT. RAILWAY WORKS POLICY. POSITION IN TARANAKI. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Public Works statement was submitted this afternoon by the Minister (the Hon. J. G. Coates). Much attention is being given in other countries to the subject of road improvements /ifa relation to motor traffic. With the development of this means of transport the value of good roads cannot be overestimated, and future railway construction must be considered in the light of possibilities in this respect. The experience of some countries goes to show that satisfactory communication can sometimes be provided by motors on good roads in less time and at considerably lower cost than by railways; and this new factor in the development of the,- ■Country must be kept in view. During the war period the purchase of bridge material, rails and sleepers was re'stricted as much as possible, and our stocks became depleted. Heavy expenditure had therefore been necessary for large quantities of material during the year; in fact the total public works expenditure for the twelve months has been greater than at any period in the history of New Zealand. On railways it exceeded the record of the past forty years, while on hydro-electric development it was two and a half times greater than in any previous year. The present financial circumstances demand that expenditure must be reduced; work can be undertaken only according to the money available. Last year I announced a policy of concentration in regard to railway works. A perusal of this statement will reveal that this principle has been followed, though not as far as I had hoped. It will be adhered to in future; and I again emphasise the necessity and wisdom of such a course. Work on five lines has been suspended, while on four construction was so far advanced as to enable them to be completed this year.

The works upon which effort will be concentrated will be the Midland line, North Auckland connection, and the East Coast Main Trunk; but financial provision will also be necessary for the completion of the Waikokopu branch (the excavation work being now nearly finished) and for the Stratford—Main Trunk as far as Matiere. EXPENDITURE. The expenditure for the financial year ended March 31, 1921, under a” votes and accounts appearing on the public-works approprir ’ions was £3,866,027. If, however, the expenditure under the special accounts (which have their own ways and means) is deducted, the net charge against the Public Works Fund is £3,140,758. The expenditure was made up as follows:

Railways: New construction, £944,150; additions to open lines, £421,316. Roads: £538,904. Public buildings: £502,211. Immigration: Cr. £7806. Lighthouses, harbor works and harbor defences: £4838. Tourist and health resorts: £19,041. Telegraph extension: £336,468. Development of mining: £2153. Defence works (general): £B7Ol. Departmental: £143,279. Irrigation and water supply: £55,346. Lands improvement: £2063. Plant, material and stores: £169,911. Cost and discount, raising loans, etc : £lB4.

Railways Improvement Authorisation Act 1914 account : £63,078.

Land for settlements account—roads to open up Crown lands: £28,920. Aid to water-power works and electric supply account: £356,451. Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers improvement account: £62,249. Education loans account: £214,571. Total: £3,866,027. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. Three sections of completely constructed lines were handed over to the New Zealand Railways Department for ordinary traffic during the year, viz.: Huarau to Maungaturoto: 2 miles 5 chains. Maungaturoto to Ranganui: 4 miles 25 chains. Kioreroa to Portland: 5 miles 23 chains. Xotal: 11 miles 53 chains. ' Several other sections were sufficiently advanced to admit of goods and passengers being carried, a convenience that has been greatly appreciated, not only by settlers but by the travelling public. STRATFORD—MAIN TRUNK. Following is a summary of the progress made on the Taranaki lines:

Matiere section.—The enlarging, con-crete-lining. and construction of both portals of the Okahu Tunnel were completed about December last. Two other tunnels, situated at 6 miles 12 chains and 7 miles 55 chains respectively, were also similarly completed.

A commencement was made with the erection of superstructure of the Ongarue River Bridge at 7 chains, the steelwork being fabricated in the contractor’s workshop, Auckland. Good progress was made with the construction of two other bridges over the Ohura River. Two overbridges have been built, and two subways are in hand. The approach filling at the Ongarue Bridge is in hand. The approach cuttings to the tunnels at 2 miles 20 chains (Okahu) and 8 miles 40 chains have been, completed. Five miles of fencing were erected, and 20 chains of sidfeg laid, and it will be possble to start platelaying and ballasting very shortly.

Ohura section.—Formation to Matiere station yard is practically complete. Four of the five tunnels on this section are now complete; the lining only of the fifth remains to be done. Beyond Tuhua station yard four bridges are required before platelaying can be completed to Matiere. Of these the concrete piers of one are finished, the foundations are being prepared for the second, and material is being assembled. The foundation piles only for the remaining two have been delivered on the sites. I hope to have the ballastengine in the Ohura Valley before my next statement is due.

Tahora section.—Platelaying has been completed. Wing walls were erected at No. 2 tunnel, and the west end of No. 1 was faced, thus completing all tunnels on this section. Private crossings were erected and drains completed. The station buildings at Tahora Station are almost finished. A bi-weekly passenger-and-goods service connecting with New Zealand Railways service at Kohuratahi is in operation.

Raekohua section.—Very little work has been done on this section. The permanent survey is now completed; permanent platelaying extends to 47 miles 59 chairs. Borings ' for all proposed bridges (railway and road)

to the Tangarakau Gorge have been completed, and all earthwork on the Raekohua Settlers’ Road has been finished. Heao section. —The permanent survey was completed to 54 miles, also for deviation (52 miles 70 chains to 53 miles 52 chains), and plans have been prepared. No forward movement is proposed at present. The impossibility of obtaining the necessary ballast from the Railway Department as originally intended has necessitated the opening-up of a large quarry, with road-crushing plant, near Te Wera. As soon as this is done the completion of the ballasting will be an easy matter. OPUNAKE BRANCH.

Kapuni section. —Although the shortage of material considerably impeded progress for some months, the Waingongoro concrete bridge has been completed and the west bank of the river protected from erosion by a stone-gabion revetment. The reinforced piles for the Kapuni Bridge have been made. Pier B has been concreted up to the top of footing, and the excavation of pier E is in progress. Continued erosion of the western bank of the stream has necessitated stone-gabion facing to protect the west approach embankment. Good progress has been made with the Skeet Road overbridge. Auroa section.—Work on this section has been confined principally to culvertbuilding and formation. Mangawhero Road station yard, also Auroa station yard, have been completed. Pihama section. —Preparatory work for future operations has been commenced, workmen’s huts have been erected, and a few culverts built.

Manaia section. —Earthwork in the Manaia station yard has been completed by the contractor. The only unfinished cutting and embankment on this section has been steadily worked, and is very nearly completed. As soon as rails and sleepers now on order arrive it will be possible to proceed uninterruptedly with platelaying and ballasting from Te Roti to Manaia. Sufficient formation work towards Opunake to absorb the unemployed will be opened up. EDUCATION. During the year 1920-21 the total expenditure on education buildings was £459,292—£244,721 from the Public Works fund and £214,571 from the Education Purposes Loan. Of this total £279,659 was for new primary school buildings, £67,216 for technical schools, £43,910 for secondary schools, and £37,243 for the university colleges. The total new authorities issued during the year amounted to no less a sum than £724,902. Though much has thus been done ; to meet the pressing needs for more and | more school accommodation, unfortunately, owing to the very high cost of building and to large arrears, the provision made falls far short of the essential re- , quirements. The present financial stringency has again necessitated a restriction, of the expenditure, but the Government is fully aware of the needs of the country, and is only awaiting more favorable financial conditions to revert to its progressive building policy.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE.

The sum provded on the estimates last year for road and bridge construction and maintenance was greater than that of any previous year since the inauguration of the public works policy. The expenditure also constituted a record.

The efforts of the department have been directed mainly in providing primary access to lands already in occupation, but the improvement, widening and metalling of existing access roads, and the construction and renewal of bridges, have not been neglected. The greater part of the work has been undertaken by my own staff, but subsidised works, such as metalling, renewal of bridges, etc., were in most cases entrusted to the local bodies concerned. A certain amount of modern road-making plant has been purchased and used with successful results. The use of motor lorries has cheapened the cost of haulage of metal, steam-shovels have been installed where the magnitude of the work warranted, and oil-driven road rollers are being used in cohnection with metalling operations.

In the prosecution of the various activities connected with roads and bridges it is desired to utilise to the utmost all plant and machinery suitable for that purpose, whether the property of the department or of the local authorities, r > that all efforts may be co-ordinated towards the adoption of methods that would contribute towards efficiency, economy and expedition in the carrying-out of works. It has been recognised that where there are at 'present no railway facilities, nor any likely to be in the early future, it is reasonable to provide suitable roads so as to compensate as far as possible for such disabilities. In accordance with this principle particular attention has been directed to the energetic prosecution of work in the formation, metalling and bridging of such important road connections as those between Napier and Gisborne, and between Te Kuiti and Waitara.

It is proposed that iii future the appropriations for roads and bridges be based on an automatic system whereby those districts that are backward in roading and in development shall receive a greater proportion of the amounts available than will other districts that are already well roaded and well developed. The basis for adjustment will include such factors as mileage of roads unopened, areas of Crown and native lands undeveloped, areas of districts, populations, productivity, loans, and mileage of roads still requiring improvement. Efforts have been made and will be perfected whereby local authorities will be brought into closer touch with local public works representatives. For instance, district and resident engineers will have the advantage of discussing proposed allocations direct with local authorities. This, it is hoped, will bring about better understanding and combined purpose and effort. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. Durng the year 4G miles of telegraph and inter-urban telephone pole-line, carrying 615 miles of wire, were erected. In connection with telephone exchange subscribers’ lines an additional 330 miles of pole-line, carrying 4,263 miles of open aerial wire*, and 41 miles of cable, containing 11,446 miles of wire, were made available.

The number of new subscribers joined to telephone exchanges during the past year was 8785.