D.—l

XIV

LIGHTHOUSES, HARBOUR-WORKS, AND HARBOUR DEFENCES. The expenditure on new lighthouse-works last year was very light. This year provision is made for the new light at Kaiourangi Point, for a commencement with a new tower and providing a new lantern at Cape Campbell, and for connecting the principal lighthouses with the telegraph system. The expenditure on harbour-works was also rather light, the principal items being Napier Spit protection, snagging the Manawatu and Little Wanganui Bivers, and a new wharf at Karamea. This year provision is made for new wharves at Maungaturoto, Manukau Sandspit, Orua Bay, Mokau, Pakawau, Bruce Bay, and Okuru; and for repairing and extending the wharf at Okarito ; also for other necessary works at Oahanga, Wairoa, Moutere, Motueka, and Collingwood; and for continuing the Spit protection-works at Napier and the Sticking Point reclamation-works at Lyttelton. The expenditure under the head of harbour defences was also less than usual last year, but this year a much larger expenditure has been provided for, the amount proposed for same being £25,000. In the case of the vote for contingent defence also the expenditure fell below the amount for the previous year, but this year a larger vote is provided for, principally to meet the payments for the field-batteries, submarine-mining vessels, and material ordered, which is expected to come to charge during the year. CONCLUSION. In allocating the amounts proposed for the several purposes, due consideration has been given to what I believe to be the washes of honourable members — namely, that the works should be proceeded with at a reasonable speed, and especially that the formation of roads to back blocks should be pushed, forward, the work being done at a time when the best results may be obtained. Every consideration has been given to the urgent requirements of the colony, and I have confidence that the result at the end of the year will give general satisfaction.