THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2056, 6 August 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1875.

Owing to a pressure on our space we Were precluded from noticing the statement of the Minister for Public Works in the issues of the Star in which that statement appeared. "We do not purpose going into any critical analysis of the statement. It deals so largely in figures of magnitude that it would tax the patience of our readers overmuch if we were to invite them to follow us through even a cursory glance at the statement in detail, especially those who take interest in the matter sufficient, to induce them to read the statement itself. Unfortunately for us this statement possesses very little interest in a direct way. We hear of millions being expended on great public works, railways and such like; but the advantages to be derived froni the expenditure of these millions are to us only a source of grievance that this district lias been completely cut off from participation therein, except in the matter of the Water Supply; which, from various causes, has been so long in completion that many people have not been able "to rpalise its importance or.ultimate value. There was a time, when it was thought that the Thames Valley Bailway would ultimately be " scheduled " amongst the great public works of the Colony. That time has gone by, and with it the last hope that this rery desirable work will be' undertaken by the Government,

since they have resolved upon not engaging in new works until those already in hand are completed. While declining to enter upon any lengthened criticism, we propose to notice a few points in the statement in view of the fact that the public works policy of the Government is a matter in which all are to a considerable extent interested.

The Hon. Mr Kichardson informs us that although in previous years the estimates for railways have been only approximate, the surveys recently completed have enabled the Government to place reliable estimates before the House. The result of these surveys seems -to be that in some cases the appropriations have been more than sufficient; in others, they have been under the mark; bufc on the whole additional votes are required to • complete lines of railway authorised in previous sessions. This is not by any means generally. Satisfactory,.as'it cuts oif the last hope of people residing in districts like the Thames who have been hoping that the ample means at the disposal of the .Government would enable them to undertake what are called branch h'nes^of railway. The result of the railway worts so far as they have gone i 3 pronounced to be satisfactory, and it is due to the Minister of Public Works to say that his statement is borne out by his figures ; but how far those figures will stand the -test of criticism in the House remains yet to be seen. This session the Government propose to appropriate an additional sum of £407,400 (with a balance in excess of 'prettoaa .'totes trfs £93,319, leaving^f^l^l^tdi!^^ required) for the>colnpletion of railways in 'course of construction. When this has been obtained we are informed that there Wilt.be 1010 miles of railway fully equipped, at a cost .62 -£6,091,881. The average per mile is sa:d to be—with three exceptions, where the difficulties to' be overcome were of a~i exceptional character —£5600 per mile.; And it is said that the excess of cost; over estimate is ■ due to a rise in the pric3 of material and an enhanced value c 2 labor. Regarding the results of traffic on completed lines, it is gratifying to learn Ifcr.t it is in excess of the estimate -La such an extent that soon after last session orders to the amount of £96,000 had to be sent home for additional rolling stock to meet the requirement of the traffic. A great deal has been said about bad material sent out, and short quantities, but Mr Eichardson states that where complaints have been made and substantiated, the contractors have immediately made ample amends. A strong evidence that the railways are appreciated,is apparent in the urgent demands upon the Government to press on the completion of works. The statement then goes on to particularise the amounts required to complete works already in progress, and: amongst the items we find £20,000 for the Auckland and Mercer line, which we take to mean the- extentiou- of the Waikato line from Mercer to Ngaruawahia, the line being already completed and open for traffic as far as Mercer. The hon. Mr Eichardson pays a tribute of praise to Mr Pcssmore the Superintending Engineer of constructed railways, and says that he has given satisfaction to the Government in performance of his rather unenviable task. As Mr Passmore has been for some months past the best abused man in New Zealand, especially in Auckland, this testimonial from his chief will no doubt afford him some measure of gratification, and compensate him for the ! strictures of the Auckland press. Coming to results from railways open for traffic in the North Island we are told that the profit from tile Napier and j Pakipaki, Auckland and Onehunga, and j Penrose to Mercer lines is a fraction over 2 per cent. The time these lines have been opened is scarcely sufficient to afford data on which to form a correct estimate. If the profit means the surplus over and above working expenses it is very small, as the expense of repair to the lines and rolling stock would, we should think, absorb this amount, or very nearly; so that the success of the lines is at present a doubtful problem which the future alone can solve. Considerable stress is laid on the progress made in the construction of roads in the North Island, but as we have nothing but the" statement to go upon we can offer no cmnibnl The progress of the . Government schemes for water-supply bn^fgolclfields is dwelt upon. The estimates appear to have been much under the actual cost and additional appropriations are required, but it dees not appear that the Thames water race has necessitated any extra vote. The coal measures of the colony have been carefully gauged, and if the calculations can be relied upon as accurate a mine of wealth exists, which only needs development to recoup any expenditure incurred in this direction. The Inspection of Machinery is represented as having proved satisfactory, and no additional vote is required, as the fees have more than covered the liability incurred. 'The-Bailway appropriations for the financial year are to be confined to amounts necessary for completing works in progress. The Statement concludes with 'some generalisations as to the future, in which it is stated that the appropriations are to extend over two years, during which it is hoped and expected that tangible results will accrue to demonstrate the success of the scheme of public works, and enable succeeding Governments to undertake new works to .complete the network of railways contemplated by the promoters of the policy which has so largely increased the liabilities of the colony during the last four years. .