Enclosure No. 4 to Despatch No. 134 of the 3rd April, 1902.
17560 Statement by the Director of Public Works.
Maintenance of Buildings. Increase $5,000. This is to cover the enhanced cost of labour and materials and make provision for the additional buildings, temporary and permanent, which have recently been erected or are in course of erection.
Maintenance of Buildings in New Territory. Increase $1,500. The sum of $1,500 provided in this year's Estimates has been found inadequate and the number of buildings is steadily increasing.
Maintenance of Telegraphs. Increase $3,000. The expenditure under this heading in 1900 was $34,251 and it has been found necessary to apply for a Supplementary Estimate this year. Constant extensions of the service are being made.
Maintenance of Telegraphs in New Territory. Increase $500. This is to provide for the extensions of the service which are being made from time to time.
Miscellaneous Works. Increase $5,000. The number of works coming under this heading increases with the expansion of the Colony and this year's Vote is proving to be inadequate.
Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in City. Increase $5,000. An enormous addition has been made to the road surfaces in the City by the advance of the Praya Reclamation. About 2 miles of roads, 30 feet in width clear of the footpath and coping of Praya wall, have been added without taking into account the numerous short cross streets or the widening of the old Praya roadway from 50 to 75 feet. More than half-a-mile of Queen's Road is being widened from 50 to 75 feet and the work is nearing completion. There are also to be taken into account the enhanced cost of labour, the extra cost of the blue-stone metalling now used and the expense of the steam roller.
Maintenance of Roads and Bridges outside City. Increase $3,000. The road surfaces outside the City are also being increased and the enhanced cost of labour, etc., equally affects this item.
Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in New Territory. Increase $3,500. This is to cover the extension of the road to Tai Po.
Gas Lighting, City of Victoria. Increase $3,000. Owing to the extension of lighting on the Praya Reclamation and in the new districts of the City, the Vote has become inadequate.
Maintenance of Recreation Ground. Increase $330. This is a trifling increase to cover the cost of turfing and repairs required.