D.—l

XVIII

(Hokianga) Wharf; and clearing snags out of the Mangamuka and Orira Bivers, Hokianga. For these works, and for the renewal of the unexpended votes last year, it is estimated that a sum of ,£23,888 will be required, on account of which a vote of £15,000 is asked for. Habboub-defences. Very little was done under this heading last year, the expenditure having amounted to £539 only. For the current year a vote of £1,000 is proposed. GEOSS TOTAL APPEOPEIATIONS. In addition to the votes already specially mentioned, the estimates make provision for the undermentioned services : — £ Departmental .... .... .... .... .... 93,500 Immigration ... .... .... .... .... 36,000 Contingent defence .... .... .... .... 50,000 Lands improvement .... .... .... .... 19,900 thus bringing the total amount of the proposed appropriations, including special accounts, up to .£3,734,758, as against £3,478,731 voted and £2,719,053 actually expended last year. It will perhaps be observed that the amount under the heading " Departmental " is a good deal in excess of last year's appropriation for the same purpose, the reason being that under the Public Service classification scheme a number of officers' salaries are now provided under the heading of " Departmental " which were previously provided for out of the votes for individual works. CONCLUSION. The programme outlined in the Statement and provided for in the estimates is a fairly extensive one and gives promise of a busy year. All the expenditure proposed is, however, absolutely necessary, and more could be spent to advantage ; but sufficient work is to be undertaken to fully occupy all the labour that is likely to be available, and to propose to undertake more than this would only lead us into difficulty. Every effort has been made to allocate the funds available fairly amongst the different districts, and I think this will readily be realized by the House, and I therefore, with every confidence, commend the proposals to the careful consideration of honourable members.