The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-12-02
Public Improvement in New Zealand.

We have recently received the New Zealand Public
Works statement, made by the Hon. Edward Rich
ardson, Minister for Public Works. about the end Of
July last, to the House Of Assembly At Wellington.
This deliveranoe Is published In connection with
lengthy reports. tabulated statistics. aud large maps,
showing the progress made In roads. railways. water
races. and other works at the close Of the year ending
Both June last, but we shall at present oonfne our
attention principally to the railways. The length Of
the railways authorised. open for traffic. and In
course Of construction pre as follows s-In the North
Island. 391 ,48 miles authorised. 1862 open for
traffic, and 1880 In progress. Ia the Middle, or, 40
il IL sometimes called the South leland. 03840 au-
thorised. 40471 open for trafEc, and 190 80 In pro-
gress. These lines are exclusive OF those construct
cd out Of provincial expenditure. The amount voted
last year to the General Government for railways was
E2, 842, 398 10s. Cd Of which there was expended,
Ct 1899, OLA rs. 90 besides liabilities 10 the extent OF
nearly q million for works and advances for material.
The total expenditure was up 10 Both June. 1875,
6,215,0 lS o.. I'D and the outstanding liabilities
will bring this over G6,O00.000. As we know. this
sum il very far short Of what the Indebtedness OF
New Zealand will be, when all the lines authorised
are completed. The total length Of three lines open
for traffic is 64973 In progress 86246 authorised
1890 e in all not far short Of / 900 miles. II 10
supposed that by the time these railways are all
ready for traffic, and other great necessary works
are finished, New Zealand will have a debt Of sowe-
where near E20, 600, 900. This burden 10 looked
upon by many persons with alarm. and there will be-
plenty Of croaking when the first financial crisis or
unfavorAble season comes but Il must be remem-
bered that young countries with vast natural re-
sources rapidly grow mp 10 their national debts. 20
that what seems an enormous liability now will
appear comparatively q tribe fifteen or twenty years
hence.
Some Of the lines In New Zealand are worked nj a
loss, others at q profit. but the total result 10 NOT
very satisfactory, the receipts for the year being
e55, 77e lis. I'D and the expenditure G44 ,7I3 7G
Sd leaving q balance Of Eli ,063 81. 81. Il has
been said some Of these lines were essentially poll
teal railways. undertaken TO please the represeD-
tatives Of certain districts. but how far this statement
"a true we are unable 10 say. II is certain. however,
that some Of the railways are in advance Of the
traffic, and intended 10 create II. This IL q safe
principle to 20 upon.where the natural resources Of
the country to be tapped or trayersed by the iron
road justify the expenditure. n there Ia o really
valuable region, rich In minerals or in lie agricui-
tural capabilities, but which cannot be probably
turned TO account because Of the want OF the means
Of Communication with the seAbOard at a reasonable
CS1tg y ~ ~ - WV fDDs ""S -
that territory. The Government should be satisfied
as TO the character Of the land, and the quality aud
probable productions that can be obtained from Il.
and II assured on these matters sbou ID then proceed
boldly with their undertakings necessary to develop
that country. The lines will not return . profit
directly they are opened, but the receipts will rapi-
diy increase till there IL o fair revenue. iDdepen-
IDENTIFY Of the indirect advantages Of railways 10 the
general community.
These lines are yet in their infancy, and Il may
fairly be expectedIthAt they will immensely hasten and
facilitate the %settlemen Of the country and In pro-
portion as they effect this object must they increase
their own prohtableness. New Zealand statesmen.
led by Sir Julius vogel, have sbo' : Great pluck In
their public works policy and though their bold '
ness has seemed to some men not usually credited
with over-cautiousness, to SAVIOR Of recklessness, II
has yet to be seen whether they have not taken the
best means to promote the growth Of New Zealand In
wealth and prosperity. 10 stimulate enterprise
ADELAIDE Chronicle.
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