D.—l.

It is intended, however, to take greater advantage of local authorities .in the carrying-out of minor road works in the future than has been the case in the past, as it is clear that small votes for local roads can be much more economically expended under the supervision of persons resident in the locality than would be the case if the work was controlled by officers of the Government located in the principal centres. CONCLUSION. I have now briefly detailed the work of the past year and given an equally brief forecast of the operations in hand and proposed for the current year. The gross total expenditure proposed during the current year is not quite equal to last year's appropriations, but still amounts to a very considerable sum, and the carrying-out of the various works provided for will, I am sure, result in very great good to our settlers by greatly improving their means of transit and communication, besides increasing their conveniences. With the large amount of settlement that is going on throughout the Dominion, especially in the North Island, and more particularly in the districts opened up by the North Island Main Trunk Railway, and with the developments which are taking place in the districts that will be affected by the North Auckland and East Coast Main Trunk Railways, a vigorous public-works policy is called for, and I trust that the proposals which I have outlined will be considered by the House and by the country to be of a sufficient and satisfactory character.

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