PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4221, 12 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIVES Wellington, Last night.

ABSTEACT OP THE

Public Works Statement

The Minister for Public Works said : —In 1881 the Railway Commissioners strouglyrecomnaended that the administration of constructed railways should be transferred to a Board of Management, haying the same powers and functions as a board of directors of an English railway company. I incline to the belief that it might be advantageous to hare some such Board. It would be removed from political pressure, but the Government does not in* tend to deal with the matter during this session. Appropriation was taken kst year for a very large sum—-£1,892,554, or rather more than the unexpended balance of the Public Works Fund in hand on the 31st March, 1881,—yet owing to the inability of the colony to enter the London money market for a further loan before next December, and t!ie consequent necessity for husbandin^ our means, we only spent during the year, as the Treasurer has told us, the sum of £935,504, thus, leaving in hand, on the 31st March last, a balance of £924,865. The Pablic Works liabilities outstanding have also slightly decreased as compared with the previous year, being, at the close of the last financial year, £540,528, while there were, oa the 31st March, 1881, £588.723. Last year we disbursed nearly a million, and incurred liabilities to more thau half a million. We began the current financial year with £924,000 in hand available for the year's disbursements, and we propose not to incur liabilities in excess of this amount until after the loan has been floated. We shall probably therefore reach the termination of the financial year with only such outstanding liabilities as we may incur after the floating of the loan; consequently when hou. members meet next session it is probable they will find the three million loan but little encroached upon.

BAIITWAYS.

Although the amount voted last session for surrey and construction of railways, including additions to opened lines, was £1,026,631, yet the amount spent was only £154,333, and the liabilities outstanding on March 31 were £320,154. Of this expenditure, £112,086 was for additions and improvements to lines previously open for traffic; and of the liabilities, about £122,520 was on the same account. From one point of view, this insufficiency of accommodation upon our open lines is a matter for congratulation, since it arises from the very large and rapidly-increasing traffic, but the fact that a large further expenditure is necessary must be borne in mind when considering the question of the feasibility of reducing fares and rates of freight. The length of railways in various stages of progress during the year was 234 miles, and of this length 46 miles were opened for "traffic within the year—23 in each island. The total length of ml-

ways opened for. traffic on the 31st of March : last waa 1.333 miles, there being open in the North Island 458 miles, and in the Middle Island 875- miles. Kawakawa: The length of railway undertaken in this case is about 8 miles, and of this distance about 3 miles were completed and opened in 1877. The remainder of the distance, including a wharf to deep water, will probably be completed about September next. Whangarei - Kamo : The last mile of the seven comprising this line, together with a wharf 714 feet in length, is upon the point of completion. Kaipara-Waikato : The last eleven miles af this railway, 140 miles iv length, were completed and opened last July, but the line as a whole will still require a large expenditure upon it. In addition to the liabilities existing on the 31st March of £17,035, it is estimated that £100,000 more is required for the reclamation, and the station at Auckland, workshops at Newmarket, minor additions along the line, and further rolling stock. —Waikato«Thames from Hamilton towards Te Aroha : The formation is nearly completed for a distance of 18 miles, with the exception of the bridge over the Waikato .River, near Hamilton, with which the contractor is not making proper progress; while at the Grahamstown end of the line formation is completed from Grahamstown to Kopuwith the exception of about three-quarters of a mile at Eauaeranga, the working surrey of which will be ready in about three weeks, when tenders will be called for thfc completion of the formation and p!atelayin£.~The branch line from Hamilton'"to Cambridge is in progress, a contract haying been accepted for the formation of the first five miles.—The expenditure, including iiabilities or improvements to portions of the main lines and branches previously opened for traffic, amounted to £208,020; the chief items being sums on account of new stations at Timaru, Duntroon, Port Chalmers, and Dunedin; for considerable additions to stations at Ashburton, Oamaru, Palmerston, Mosgiel, Invercargill, and for the lengthening of the Eakaia bridge about 1500 feet. It is estimated that over £280,000 additional, besides outstanding liabilities amonnting to £98,000, will be required for further additions and inprovements to the opened length. Of this sum, however, probably some £45,000 or £50,000 will not come into course of payment during the next three years. Otago Central: Upon this line the expenditure last year was £21,268 and the outstanding liabilities were £11080. Towards the carrying out of this work the total expenditure including liabilities, was on the 31st March, £136,312 ; and to line the tunnels will cost £17,000 more. To sum up, in the North Island no extension has been made of the trunk line from Te Awamutu southwards, but that the coal lines and the branch lines in the Waikato and at the Thames are being proceeded with as rapidly as possible; that the line from New Plymouth to Foxton is approaching completion ; and that but little further progress has been made towards connecting Wellington and Napier. That in the Middle Island the trunk line will shortly be completed as far ncrth as the Hurunui, and that fair progress has been made with the different branches under construction ; while both in North and South Islands large additional expenditure is required to complete and properly equip the opened lines. It is a mPiter of regret to the Government that so far only one company has con* tracted to construct a railway under the railways Construction Act of lagt year, but there is reason to believe that some slight amendment of the Act, to effect which a bill has already passed its second reading in the other branch of the Legislature, will enable other companies to assist in the work of railway construe* tion.

WOBKING BAILWAYS.

The work of opened lines during the past year shows good results, the increase in revenue being £55,572 against an increase of expenditure of only £1142; whilst the tonnage carried shows an increase of 59,931 tons, and the number of passengers is 61,936 more than in the "preceding year.. Whilst during the three years the increase of revenue is about 17 per cent., the decrease in expenditure is about 10 per cent., and this latter, notwithstanding that there has been an extra length of 147 miles to work. I maintain the true measure of the improvement is, however, found in the statement of the work done, which shows that although the increase of revenue is only 17 per cent, the tonnage moved has increased by about 30 per cent., and parcels and live stock by about 80 per cent. These facts are a substantial indication that the Department has been dealing liberally with the rates, and as a matter of fact the reductions made in the rates in all parts of the colony have been large ; the concessions made in the grain rate atone being estimated to benefit the producers to the extent of about £15,000 during the current yean While the goods traffic, however, shows a large increased commercial activity, the passenger traffic has not as yet entirely recovered from the heavy fall which took place during 1881----82; that having been the period of greatest depression of railway traffic, the passenger receipts for the year having been £361,705. It will readily be seen i that a reduction in the fares, if not followed by a corresponding increase in passengers, would considerably diminish the profit of railways; the more so be^ cause it would be necessary to make a very substantial reduction in order to give the experiment any reasonable chance of success. The total expenditure to the 1 31st March last upon railways, including I the cost of the provincial railways taken over, is £10,974,000. Of this sum it is estimated that £1,531,000 was not in a position to contribute to the revenue during the past year. The cost of the lines open for traffic was, therefore, £9,443,000, and the surplus of receipts over expenditure £268,000 gave a return of £3 18s 2d per cent. The lines in the North Island cost £3,194,000, and yielded a net revenue of. £68,000 or £2 2s 8d per cent; those in the Middle Island cost £6,249,000 and gave a return of' £301,C00 —£4 14s 3d per cent. The increases over the year being for the North Island £18,000, and £37,000 for the Middle Is« land; which upon the total cost gives an average increase of ten shillings per cent. This great difference between the traffic carried on the lines in- each island points immediately to the advisability of completing the connection between the separate portions of the railway system of the North Island. It must be borne in mind that the total expenditure of £10,974,000 covers not only the expenditure upon all works in progress to date, and for plant on hand, but also upon all- extensive explorationsl and trial surveys, together with that on the South Island harbor works and wharrea in connection with the rail*

ways, the revenues derived from which are retained by local bodies. Fresh orders for carriage and waggon stock are under execution for both Islands. Notwith* standing that the railways commenced in 1871 have been more substantially carried out than was at that time proposed, we have still but a light system of railway "" and stock designed for moderate speed*. In consequence of the growth of the traffic, it became necessary to relay the lines in many places with rails of a heavier and more expensive character than those originally provided. That line of action is being continuously followed.

BOADS

Exclusive of the rote taken for " roads to open up lands before sale," amounting to £50,000 for the year both in islands, tad for "roads through lands recently parchased," amounting to £7883, which was placed under the control of the Minister of Lands, there were rotes taken last session for construction of roads and road bridges iv the North Island, amounting to £116,815; and in the Middle Island to £38,539. Of these sums the expenditure in the North Island was £69,871, and the liabilities on the 31st March last to £32,103; total, £101,974 In the Middle Island the expenditure was £28,896, and the liabilities £28,794; total, £57,694, for the North Island. In the district north of Auckland considerable progress has been made in continuation, of works undertaken last year towards improving^ communication through that part ofv" the colony, which has hitherto been much iv want of such facilities; and. that in the Waibto, the Waipa has- been bridged in two places, and a third bridge is in course of construction at Alexandra leading to _ the King country. In the district lying between Waikato and Rotorua, work has been done on the improvement of the Cambridge to Taupo road, and particular attention has been given to the Cambridge-Rotorua road,, which will be the future highway from Waikato into the Botorua conntry. Various contracts have been let, and 200 Armed Constabulary were transferred to the Rotorua road after their services were no longer required at Farihaka, and they are now actively engaged on that work. For the improvement of the road from Cambridge to Tauranga, a subsidy has been given to the local body. From Tauranga to Opotiki, and thence to the East Cape and Grisborne, the roads are being busily pushed on out of the funds provided by Parliament. The first important work on this line is the Haerini bridge, over the Waimampu, which has been finished and opened by the County Council. The road from that point through the Te Puke settlement to Maketu has been carried on mainly by the County Council, under the supervision of the Lands Department; partly by the Armed Constabulary, and partly by native labor. The line of road from Opotiki to Ormond, by way of Motu bridge, will shortly be open for stockdriving purposes. The line of road from Gisborne to Wairoa is being similarly improved, and the whole chain of communication from Tauranga to the Wairoa will be thus opened for this class of treffic.

HABBOE WOBKB.

For harbor works, last session a sum of £23,314 was voted, the largest item being £15,000 for the continuation of the training-wall at Greymouth. On harbor works altogether, the expenditure out of public works loans within the year has been £18,810, and the liabilities on March 31 last were £4,755 ; total, £23,565.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

For public buildings generally, the amount voted last session was £194,106. Of this sum, £128,356 was expended during the year, and the liabilities at the end of March last amounted to £83,435; total, £212,813. The portion of this expenditure, including liabilities, devoted to the North Island was £71,624, and to the Middle Island £141,179, and of these sums £26,272 in the North Island, land £48,453 in the Middle Island were devoted to school buildings. In all, about thirly buildings in the North Island and forty in the Middle Island have been either in course of erection or alteration, or under considerable repair, within xtfie year.

COAL FIELDS

The coal now used on the New Zealand railways is entirely raised in the colony. The only New Zealand coal in the market of a description suitable for marine puoposes is that of the Kawakawa Coalfield, the Kamo mine, and the coal of the West Coast of the South Island.

The former is very largely used by the Union Steamship Company. The quan* tity of coal raised in the colony during the years 1878 to 1881 has steadily increased, while the quantity imported has as steadily decreased. During 1881, however, there is a slight increase in the imports as compared with 1880, but the increase in the quantity raised in the colony during 1881 is relatively as great as in the previous years, and far exceeds the increase in coal exports during the same year.

PBOPOSALS FOB THE FUfUBE,

The Treasurer has told the House-that the amount of the Public Works Fund which, on the 31st March last, remained in the bands of the Government free of all liabilities, was £384,000, of which £100,000 was required by the Native Minister to conclude the purchase of some native lands. We have, therefore, a clear balance, after providing for all money liabilities actually incurred, of £284,000. But I hare already indicated to the House that to complete and properly equip our lines will require a large sum, which is estimated at £176,000^ during the next three years, exclusive ofH fencing and other contingencies, and this expenditure is not only necessary, as I bar* shown, on account of the unprecedentadly large increase of traffic, but also materially facilitates the working of the lines; and it is expected will consequently add to the net revenue, so that even without making provision for any purchase of land, without commencing any further construction of roads, the required additions and improvements to open lines will practically exhaust the whole sum stated of £884,000 in hand on the 31st March. The greater part of this expenditure is for works at Auckland, Timaru, and Dunedin, and the remainder being required for additions to the workshops at Hillside and Addington; for such share of cost of heavier rails as is usually debited (o loan; for minor works upon over 1200 miles of railway, and for the additional rolling stock there is a neces> sary expenditure, for a considerable portion of which the House will be asked to

make provision this session. It will, I think, be convenient if we assume for the

purpose of simplifying the statement, • that tho £100,000 needed during the current year by the Natire Minister trill be found out of the sew loan, thai enabling the balance in hand to proride for the proposed expenditure upon open lines, and tearing the coniideration of the

question how best to apply the three million loan to further construction uncomplicated by the necessity for an allocation for improvements, or for further rolling stock. In considering what shall be the works to be recommended for prosecution, let us look in the first place at the probable cost of completing the connection between Auckland aDd Wellington, and between Picton and Invereargill, and of other trunk lines. The cost is estimated as follows: From Te Awamutu southwards, £1,000,000} to complete Napier to Wellington and connect with New Plymouth and Foxton, £670,000; to complete New Plymouth. Foxton line £75,000; to connect Picton and ChristchuTch, £1,200.000 ; to connect Nelson and Grey mouth. £1,200,000; to connect Helensville and ICawakawa, £88.000; to construct the f "(ago Central, £1,000,000: £6,125,000. Whenitisfur. tber considered that to complete the various branches now in course of construction will cost over £70,000, and that, in addition , there is a large annual expenditure on public works, buildings, immigration, harbors' and lighthouses, goldfields, and telegraph extension, besides some £200,000 'required to complete our transactions in native lands, it will be seen that a loan of ten millions to provide for all these objects would not hare been excessive; but it is believed that to increase our public debt by £1,000,000 pfr annum was as much as prudence would permit, and also that it %_,was inadvisable to take authority'to raise '' this annual, million for a period beyond '".'the' time for which this present House is elected. With the exception that it is prepared to recommend the House to name special provision for the construction of the line from Te Awamutu southwards, ..these considerations determined the Government to limit the amount of the .loan for immigration and general- public works to three millions only, as announced in the Financial Statement. Despite the fact that this sum can only accomplish a part of what it desires to be accomplished, it lias determined to recommend the following apportionment of the loan :—Eailways : Eawabawa, to complete, £17.500; Wbangarei-Eamo, to complete, £70,500; Hamilton Cambridge, to complete, £50,000; Hamilton«.Te Awamutu, to complete, £92,000; ThamesTe Aroha,' Grahamstown to Kopu, .. £23,000; Main trunk line from Te Awsmutu southward, £10 000; NapierWoodville, to completp, £160,000; Wellington-Woodville, extension from Masterton, £200.000; New PlymouthFoxton, to complete line of 195 miles, £75,000; Nelson-Boundell, extension from , Belgrove, £40,000; Greymouth- Beef ton, extension towards Beefton, £100,000; trunk line through South Island, extension southward from Blenheim, £90,000; completion of Weka Pass arid Horsely Downs section, including . bridge over the Hurunui, £75,100; main trunk Hne.extension northwards, £180,000; Upper Ashbnrton. brancb extension. £15,000; Lincoln Little Eiver, to complete, £30,000; Albury Creek branch, extension to Biirke's Pass, £35,000; southward to Sheffield, to complete, £12,000; Livingstone branch to complete .first section, £22,000; PalmerstonWaitemo. to complete, £18,000 ; Catlin's Biyer branch, to complete section front main line to Port Molyneaux Boad, £22,000 ; Waipahi-Heriot burn, to complete, section to Swift's creek, £12,000; Edendale to Itois, to complete Section -' to Makoreka, £13,000; Qtago Central extensioh, £300,000; Lumsden-Maroa branch,, to complete to Centre Hill, £35,000; Biverton-Orepubi, to complete, £16,000; total, £] ,650,000. For purchase of native lands, £200,000; public buildings, £300,000; immigration, £200,000; roads to open Crown lands, £20,000; roads and .bridges, £100,000; roads, wharves, and bridges north of Auckland, £100,000; goldfields, £.100,000 ; harbors, £100,000; telegraph extension, £50,000; total, £1,350,000. Grand total, £3,000,000. Hon members will observe that towards the construction of the line between Waikato and the railways in the southern part of the North Island only £10,000 has been allocated, whilst the estimated cost of the work is £1,100,000. This is in consequence of the decision arrived at by Government . that, as I have already said, for the con* struetion of this line they would make separate provision, and for this purpose they have come to the conclusion, after carefully considering, to introduce a Special Loan Bill for one million, to be solely applied to this purpose, as soon as circumstances will permit. In the meantime the £10,000 allocated will enable surveys to be made to determine the best routes, With regard to the works proposed generally, it is plain that the expenditure named is determined to a large extent by the present position of the lines in course of construction, and necessity of either completing the branch lines or of carrying them at all events to convenient termini. If the proposals of the Government are adopted by the House, the main lines will be able to render their completion by next Parliament a certainty. With regard to works on the goldfields, the proposals of Government hare already been placed on the Estimates. In addition to the sum from the Consolidated Fund, it is proposed to set aside £100,000 out of new loan, partly for the construction of water«races.' A very promising portion of the goldfields, the 'reefs at Te Aroha, give a considerable promise for the future, and the estimates contain a provision for assisting a tramway for the carriage of quartz from the mines in that district. It was an essential part of the policy of the Government to com|^e the lines of railway as rapidly as possible. If this is carried *ut with prudence, there is no reason to doubt that the prosperity will be enduring.

Wellington, This dayv On the House resuming last night, Major Atkinson's motion about taking Wednesday for Government business after the 19th inst., was agreed to, Sir 6. Grey's amendment being negatired. Major Atkinson announced the Govern^ men t could not accept from a member holding the position of Mr Sheehan such an amendment as the one he had proposed in th c National Insurance resolution. As Mr Sheehatf had disclaimed any intention of making it a party question, he would probably consent to withdraw the amendment.

Mr Sheehan did 30, and the debate was then adjonrned till Monday. After Mr Johnston had finished his Statement, Mr Montgomery moTed the adjournment of the House. Major Atkinson, concurred, and the House rose at 8.30.