Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1880 Session I | PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC...

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1880. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. RICHARD OLIVER, FRIDAY, 6th AUGUST, 1880.

Sir, — Following the usual course, I propose to begin by briefly reporting the operations of the Public Works Department for th'e seven months which have elapsed since I had a like honor last December. I shall condense this part of my.statement as much as possible, as I do not wish to weary the House with a multiplicity of details, and because it will, when printed, be accompanied by full reports from various heads of departments, by copious tables, and by maps, which I hope honorable members will find useful, as exhibiting the progress we have made in the construction of the railways already authorized. NOETH ISLAND EAILWAYS. Kawakawa Railway .—Beginning with railway construction in the north of this Island, the work on the Kawakawa coal line has been continued. A bridge —which is the most important work, except the terminal wharf —is in course of construction. Whangarei-Kamo Railway. —The works let on the Kamo Contract of the Whangarei Eailway have been much delayed by the contractor, and are not yet finished, although the contract time has expired. The delay has seriously interfered with the development of the coal trade of the district; and, with a view of assisting this industry, I have sanctioned the laying of a branch to connect the main line with a shipping place in the Borough of Whangarei, the local authorities having permitted the use of the streets for that purpose. An exploratory survey between Helensville and Whangarei has been made for the purpose of ascertaining the practicability of constructing a railway through that country. Another survey of a similar character has been made of the district between Whangarei and Kawakawa. Eeports on these routes, with explanatory maps, will be placed in the hands of honorable members. Kaipara-Waikato Railway. —The wharf at Helensville, on the KaiparaWaikato Eailway, has been finished satisfactorily, and the station buildings are nearly completed. The line between Newmarket Junction and Waikomiti has been finished and opened for traffic. The gap, however, between Helensville and Auckland, caused by the non-completion of the Waitakerei Contract, still remains, and the condition of the work at the summit tunnel gives no promise that it will be finished in the contract time, which ends in September next. The workshop-site contract at Newmarket is being pushed on energetically. The contractor for the reclamation in Auckland having failed to carry out his contract, it was taken out of his hands, and a portion of it has been relet to another contractor.

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The Ohaupo Contract has been finished, and the Waikato Eailway is open as far south as Te Awamutu, about two and a half miles from the confiscated boundary. Waikato-Thames Railway.—The Grahamstown Contract of the WaikatoThames Eailway is completed, and the Shortland Contract nearly so. The Waikato Contract, extending twelve and three-quarter miles east from Hamilton, is progressing favourably. A survey of this line has been completed from Hamilton to Te Aroha, and up the Thames Valley for thirteen miles from Grahamstown, leaving about nineteen miles still unsurveyed. Foxton-New Plymouth Railway.- —The railway from New Plymouth was opened as far south as Stratford on the 19th December, and a further section to Ngaire will, it is expected, be open in a few weeks. Some other portions of this line between Stratford and Carlyle are under contract, some are being done by day labour; and between Carlyle and Wanganui the Waitotara Contract is approaching completion. The Waverley Section is in hand, and the Carlyle Wharf Contract has been let, while some portions of the works in the neighbourhood of Carlyle are now being prepared for absorbing unemployed labour. Commodious workshops have been built at Wanganui, and a contract has been made for a new railway station and wharf at Poxton. Wellington- Woodville Railway. —On the Wellington-Woodville Eailway, the works of the Carterton Section, over twenty miles, have been vigorously prosecuted by the department, the average number of men employed being 275. It is expected that by September next the whole distance between Wellington and Masterton will be open for traffic. The Greytown Branch was opened on the 26th May. With the view of finding work for the unemployed in this district, some men have been engaged in earthwork and bush-clearing on the Opaki Section beyond the Carterton Contract; and on the Crofton Section of the Wellington-Poxton Eailway sometimes as many as 350 of the unemployed have been set at work. The number has now fallen below 100. Napier- Woodville Railway. —The Napier-Woodville Eailway is nearly completed to Makatoko, about seventy miles from Napier, and the last contract of five and three-quarter miles will shortly be ready for public traffic. Works are being pushed on towards Tahoraite, about twelve miles farther, and surveys of the country to the south have been completed for about fifteen miles more. Napier-Walling ford. —An examination of the country from Napier to Wallingford, through the district between the Tukituki Eiver and the sea-coast, has been made, but the country appears to be very unsuitable for railway construction. MIDDLE ISLAND EAILWAYS. Nelson-Greymouth. —The works on the Nelson to Greymouth line at the northern end have been confined to the completion of the railway connecting the City of Nelson with the Port, and an extension three miles beyond Poxhill by the Bellgrove Contract, now almost completed. At the Greymouth end, the Stillwater Contract, an extension of the original Brunner Eailway for three-quarters of a mile, has been found to be a work of considerable difficulty and expense, the contract price for sixty-three chains being £12,234 for formation only. The harbour works at Greymouth, which have been carried on as a part of the improvements designed to develop the coal industry in that district, were almost suspended for some little time, while awaiting Sir John Coode's report. It arrived in March last, and it is satisfactory to find that the work already executed has been approved and adopted by him as part of his design. Hokitika-Greymouth Railway. —Some small contracts on the GreymouthHokitika Eailway have either been finished or are near completion, and no new works were begun this year.

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Ficton-Hurunui Railway. —The last one and a quarter miles of the railway from Picton to Blenheim have been completed, and the station buildings at Blenheim are in hand. Hurunui-Waitaki Railway, with Branches. —The new works on the main line from Hurunui to Waitaki are the Waipara Contract, of seven miles, extending from Amberley to the Waipara Eiver, and the Weka Pass Section, nine miles long, a continuation of the line through the Pass to the Waikari and Hurunui Plains. The latter section was reserved from contract in order to provide work for the unemployed of Christchurch. Springfield Branch. —The extension of the Malvern Branch to the Springfield Colliery was completed in February last. Little River and Akaroa Branch. —The Ellesmere Formation Contract on the Little Eiver and Akaroa Branch was finished in March. A contract has just been made for a portion of the plate-laying. Ashburton Branch. —The first ten and three-quarter miles of the Ashburton Branch were opened for traffic on the 7th of April. Opawa Branch. —On the Opawa Branch the bridge over the Opawa Eiver has been built by contract, and the remainder of the work, with the exception of another bridge, has been reserved, in order to give work to the unemployed in the neighbourhood. Canterbury Interior Main Line. —The only works on the Canterbury Interior Main Line which have been carried on during the year are two bridges, those over the Eyre and Temuka Eivers, which are now finished. Lines South of the Waitaki. —Work on the main line south of the Waitaki has been almost entirely confined to the improvement of stations, the increase of wharfage and other necessary accommodation. Branch Lines. —Further railway extension has been made ou the following branch lines, viz. : The Livingston Branch, the Catlin's Eiver, Tapanui, Edendale, Lumsden, Otautau, and Orepuki branches, and on the Otago Central Eailway. On this latter, the Wingatui Section is under contract, and at the Hindon Section work has been afforded to a large number of the unemployed. # THE UNEMPLOYED. The great depression from which nearly all our industries have suffered lately has thrown many workmen out of employment, and the Government have been called on to alleviate the consequent distress by finding work for them on the railways and roads which are in course of construction. We have thought it our duty to comply with these requests, and I am sorry to say that no less a number than 1,674 of these men are now being employed at low wages in various parts of the colony. Although it is to bo deplored that in a new country of such great natural resources as New Zealand this state of things should exist, yet it is by no means a new experience in the history of the colony. At various times during the last twenty years the authorities have found it necessary to afford similar temporary employment, but, fortunately, the need for the interference of the Government has in every ease soon passed away, and has been succeeded by a large demand for labour in the ordinary industries of the country, and at the highest rates of wages known in any part of the world. I believe, Sir, that honorable members will agree with me in thinking that this season of depression will also pass away, and give place to another period of prosperity not inferior to that which we have until lately enjoyed. The disorganization of the labour market is already beginning to work its own remedy by bringing into existence new industries in the chief centres of population, and developing the self-reliant spirit of our working classes. There are also the most encouraging indications of a revival of the gold fields industry, which may be of the greatest value to the colony at large. Meantime it is satisfactory to find that although many of the men thus employed by us are engaged in work to which they are unaccustomed, yet from their labour the colony has obtained a fair equivalent for the outlay.

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GENEEAL PEOGBESS IN EAILWAY CONSTEUCTION. The sums voted by Parliament for additional railway works in the last session, exclusive of preliminary surveys for lines not yet authorized, amounted to £2,308,700; on the 31st March £856,550 of this sum had been expended, and liabilities incurred amounting to £910,506, making a total of £1,767,056, and leaving an unexpended balance on last year's votes of £541,644. Eecognizing the necessity for spreading the expenditure of the remaining Public Works Fund over a period of at least the next three years, and believing that as some of the railway works had been adopted in times of great prosperity, Parliament would not disapprove, in our changed circumstances, of having an opportunity afforded of reconsidering them, I have not been in haste to press on the construction of new works. In fact, in the Middle Island only one new section of railway has been commenced since the end of our last session. Many new sections were got ready for contract, and in some instances tenders were invited and received ; but the grave considerations connected with a falling revenue, and increased deficit from our finished railways, could not be evaded, and obliged us to defer the acceptance of some of these tenders, so that time might be given for re-examining our future railway policy. EOADS. The expenditure of the votes for roads in this Island has, for the most part, been intrusted to the various local governing bodies. The main roads under the charge of the Government have been maintained as usual during the year. These include the Great South Eoad, Auckland, the Tauranga-Taupo, and the Taupo-Napier Eoads. On several other local roads a considerable amount of work has been done. The road works instituted on the West Coast between the Waingongoro and Stony Eivers, crossing the Waimate Plains, have been carried on very satisfactorily, and the two sections of the road will probably meet in a few days. The character of the country is very favourable, no natural obstacles having been met. The cross road from Stratford to Opunaki through the bush is also being pushed on, and good progress is being made. The amount expended on roads and bridges in the South Island during the past year is very small, and no new works of importance have been undertaken. SNAGGING THE THAMES EIVEE. Although not such a public work as is usually referred to in a Statement of this kind, I cannot refrain from mentioning the self-reliant and public-spirited efforts made by Mr. Firth, of Matamata, to remove the snags from the river Thames at his own cost. In these days, when colonists are too much in the habit of looking to the Government for almost everything, it is refreshing to see a public work so useful to the community begun, carried on, and finished by a private person, without even an application having been made to the Government for aid from the funds of the colony. WATEE-EACES. As will be seen from the reports and statements attached, the expenditure upon wafer-races does not appear to bave produced the large benefits which might naturally have been expected from it. None of the companies subsidized by Government have been a success, and in most cases the undertakings have been abandoned. The total expenditure and liabilities upon water-races upon gold fields up to the 31st of March amounted to £441,633; of this amount £42,329 gives no return whatever. Works which have cost £86,485 have been handed over to local bodies; while from those races which are comparatively successful, viz., the Charleston, Nelson Creek, Waimea, and Mount Ida Eaces, costing £312,819, the yearly return represents only about 1 per cent. The number of men, however, to whom these races afford the means of remunerative employment is 771, and their earnings per man average £140 a year.

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THE COAL INDUSTEY. Almost every month brings new discoveries of coal in some part of the colony, and it has become apparent that New Zealand is exceptionally rich m this mineral. - ~ , „ Our most important lines of steamers are now almost wholly supplied trom the coal mines of the colony; and the more extended use of Native coals will effect a saving of £8,500 on our railways in the Middle Island for the current year, in addition to an almost equal amount heretofore saved on those m the North Island. WOEKING EAILWAYS. During the recess, the management of the working railways has been the subject of inquiry by the Eoyal Commissioners appointed by His Excellency the Governor to reuort on the Civil Service of the colony, and also to some extent by the Eoyal Commissioners on Eailways. The reports of these gentlemen are calculated to be of great service, and point out many defects m organization and practice, some of which have been already removed or are m course ot removal; and the whole question of the management of the railways is under consideration in connection with the reports of the Commissioners. The Working Eailways Department began the last financial period under circumstances exceptionally unfavourable; heavy floods in the South having interrupted traffic over more than a hundred miles of line, causing loss ot revenue, as well as a large expenditure for repairs. _ Amongst the first effects of the commercial depression from which we have been suffering has been a diminution of our railway traffic. This result was to be expected, and the efforts of the department were directed to attaining greater economy in our system of railway management. ,■.'_.. Bv working with a smaller staff of officers and men, and by reducing the number of trains and the speed at which they were run, a considerable saving has been accomplished, while the convenience of the public has not been very materially curtailed. The train-service has already been reduced by 370 000 miles a year, the staff has been reduced by 266 men, and it is estimated that these and other economies which have up to this time been effected will save on the vear upwards of £44,000. Serious and constant attention is still being given to economise charges, and I am satisfied that the working expenses will be much 'fnyf'ilifyp rod/ucGCL As these alterations to which I have referred can hardly be said to have commenced until after the prorogation of Parliament, they had but a small portion of the last financial period wherein to operate; and 1 am sorry to sav that, for the nine months ending the 31st March, the railways only gave us a return equal to slightly under 2£ per cent, per annum while the rate of interest which we have to pay is over 5 per cent. Ihe loss, therefore, on the cost of the lines, which stands at £8,629,402, was at the rate of £237,730 per annum, and had to be furnished from taxation. In the prosperous years through which we have just passed we did not seriously regard the railway deficit, but thought only of the immense advantages of railways in settling and developing the resources of the country. We pointed to these advantages as justifying the expenditure, and spoke of our railways as remunerative undertakings, whether they contributed interest on their cost or not. Now, if the colonists were a large joint-stock company, with equal shares, and an entire community of interests, this view might be_ correct; but the benefits of railways are very unequally distributed, many districts being quite unprovided with them, while all have to contribute to the taxation from which the loss is made up. . . This charge on the colonial revenue is so great, that it is a serious element in the expenditure of the colony; and it becomes questionable whether a desirable outlay in some of the departments of Government can be continued it our railways be not made more nearly self-supporting. The failure to obtain a greater direct return from our railways such as is looked for in ordinary commercial enterprises, is no doubt mainly attributable to

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the smallness of our population. We are still a small community in point of numbers, and are thinly scattered over a wide extent of country. Our people are so few that they fail to furnish traffic enough, either of passengers or goods, to make our lines pay at the ordinary rates hitherto current. We have already many more miles of railway in proportion to our population than either England, France, the United States, Canada, or any of the Australian Colonies. In Great Britain there is one mile of railway to about 2,000 inhabitants, while in New Zealand there is one mile to 406. For every mile of railway in. Victoria there are 108 per cent, more customers than we have. In the United States of America they have 43 per cent., in Canada 53 per cent., in New South Wales 148 per cent., in Great Britain 383 per cent., and in France 614 per cent, more people per mile of railway than in New Zealand. If this contrast with other countries were confined to the South Island, which contains by far the largest portion of our railways, it would show the disproportion still more forcibly, for, instead of having 406 people per mile of railway, which, as I have said, is the average for the colony, the South Island has only 330 peple per mile. In New Zealand our average receipts per mile of railway last year were £648, while in England they amount to £3,485; yet, even with these comparatively large receipts, the railway dividends declared in England only average 4^ per cent, per annum. Next in importance, in my opinion, among the reasons for Avant of commercial success in railway working is the needlessly low tariff adopted in many districts. Between two places to which my attention has been called, where, before the railway was made, the freight charged was £3 per ton, our railway rate is 16s. lOd.; in another instance, the former rate was £6, and is now 17s. 2d.; in another, it has been reduced from £5 to 225, 2d. No doubt at the commencement of a railway 'system in a new country it is easy to make mistakes, and by no means easy to make railways pay with only 406 people to every mile. The result, however, has proved that the reduction was too great; for, although our chief end and aim in railway construction is, by facilitating travelling and cheapening the transit of goods, to open the country and develop its resources, we now discover that we have gone too far, and find ourselves face to face with a state of things as unpleasant as it was unexpected. I hope, Sir, that I shall not be misunderstood as advocating any illiberality in the management of our railways. The best policy is to reach the multitude. I fully adopt the opinion expressed by Mr. Gladstone, when discussing the best means of making the Metropolitan District Eailway pay. He said that, "as a rule, the State or individual or company thrives the best which dives deepest down into the mass of the community, and adapts its arrangements to the wants of the greatest number." But, Sir, our population is, as I have already said, so small, and the country so sparsely settled, that rules of the kind just quoted have amongst us only a limited application. The large use made of the railways, however, proves that if our people were as numerous as the resources of the country warrant us in expecting they will become, our railways would pay far more than mere interest on cost, even with our present tariff. The tonnage carried on our railways compares very favourably with the neighbouring colonies : Victoria carrying 1,062 tons, New South Wales 2,299 tons, and New Zealand 2,247 tons per 1,000 of population. The number of passengers on New Zealand railways last year was 2,932,279, being 578 per cent, of our population. The number in Victoria was 3,829,256, being 437 per cent, of the population. Now our freight traffic is not capable of indefinite increase, however low the rate may be. Nor can we raise our tariff beyond a fair payment for the service rendered, however much we might be inclined to do so. Our principal railways skirt the sea-coast, and we are restricted in our tariffs by the competition of water carriage. On the inland railways, too, the tariffs are at present more strictly limited than they would usually be because of the cheapness of horse food, and the competition of ordinary road vehicles.

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Even if this were not so, I should not in any case advocate excessively high rates : it will take time to develop a true system of tariffs adapted to our circumstances. Our efforts must necessarily be tentative, must be carefully made, and constantly watched; but railway rates that are only designed to bring in 5 per cent, on cost surely cannot be considered high if competing modes of conveyance permit their adoption. We need not despair, I believe, Sir, of ultimately attaining a good result. We have covered the country with these stimulating and civilizing agencies : in their neighbourhood settlement will extend, population and industries will increase, and then our railways will become, if we desire it, aids to our revenue, instead of sources of temporary embarrassment. At present, however, there is a feeling of great disappointment at the result exhibited by their yearly balance-sheet, and amongst other remedies it has been proposed to sell the railways. No doubt, Sir, if we could find a purchaser for them at cost price, such a course might seem to present an easy solution of the difficulty. It is a suggestion that might have been expected, and has at least one merit —that of exceeding simplicity. Given a system of railways worked at a loss :to end the loss—sell the railways. Nevertheless, I fear, Sir, the proffered solution will not help us much. For it is clear that no company would buy our lines, except at a price calculated to yield at least the current rate of interest, which at present may he stated at from 7to 10 per cent. These are the rates given for money advanced on freehold security, subject to little risk, and requiring from the owner scarcely any personal attention; while railway investments are exposed to dangers of various kinds, such as floods, heavy payments for accidental injuries, depression of trade, and so on. If, therefore, we seek to sell our railways, which are now paying only 2-^ per cent, interest, we shall have to accept for them a sum representing only a portion of their cost. Probably we should have to face a loss of millions of money, and certainly we should still be liable for the payment of the whole of the interest as at present; while we should abandon all chance of retrieving our position by improved management, and forfeit for the railway system the advantages of increased population and growing industries. If the colony were to sell the railways to a private firm, what would that firm do to insure a profit ? It may be answered in general terms "It would manage better." Well, Sir, I admit that the management is capable of improvement. I concede that the Government will probably never be able to manage so well as a private firm might; but no private firm is likely to engage in such a gigantic undertaking, and gross mismanagement by large public companies is a state of things with which we are not entirely unacquainted. Of course a railway company would try to charge higher rates for carriage, but why cannot we ourselves do that ? Why should we submit to a heavy loss of capital to begin with, and then to the payment of extreme rates as well ? Another and not the least objection to the proposal is, that a company occupying such a position would be a great power in the State, whose influence would probably not always be wielded in the interests of the people. I feel quite sure, Sir, that it will never be necessary to accept this alternative, for I believe that careful and intelligent management, and the natural growth of traffic, will yet make our railways commercially successful. Sir, the House will remember that, at the end of last session, the Government expressed their opinion that the character of the various lines of railway in course of construction had not been sufficiently examined before their adoption; that, in the prospect of an insufficiency of funds to complete them, they ought to be reconsidered; that we announced our intention of advising the appointment of a Royal Commission "to make a fuller and more complete investigation of the cost and economical value of the works commenced and proposed than it would be possible for the Government to complete before the next session of Parliament." His Excellency the Governor accordingly commissioned five gentlemen from different parts of the colony to make the inquiry. The Commissioners promptly entered on their duties, and, after taking evidence in nearly every district in which

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railways are being constructed or are proposed to be made, they have presented a very valuable report as the result of their labors. Copies of this report have, by command, been laid before Parliament; and although the conclusions at which the Commissioners have arrived may not be universally approved, yet we feel sure that the colony will recognize the impartial spirit in which their inquiries have been conducted, and we believe that these gentlemen have well earned the thanks of the community. In saying this the Government would not be understood as adopting implicitly the whole of their recommendations. It is, perhaps, hardly within the bounds of possibility that a report dealing with so many works and proposals in all parts of the colony should be accepted in every particular. For the present, however, even the restricted programme recommended by the Commissioners is far beyond our means. The estimated cost, beyond the present liabilities, of completing the lines of railway authorized by Parliament is £6,666,200. That being the case, it becomes sufficiently apparent that we must greatly modify our scheme of railway construction, postponing some important parts of it until population and settlement have largely increased, and until the railways already constructed have become more nearly self-supporting. We have not the funds necessary to complete it at present, nor will our ordinary revenue bear the increased demand which every additional mile of railway makes on it for yearly loss in working. We have no alternative, therefore, but to confine our operations to the extension of some of the incomplete lines to such nearest points as will bring them into use, and, as far as possible, make the expenditure already incurred to some extent reproductive. Of the amount voted last year for public works, no less a sum than £2,356,729 was for actual liabilities which we found in existence, and further expenditure to a considerable amount was made necessary by these liabilities. Eealizing the position of the Public Works Fund, we have endeavoured, Sir, to minimise expenditure, and to spread it over as large a space of time as possible. We have stopped many new works, even after contracts had been prepared by the department and tenders received. Nevertheless the country has learnt from my honorable friend the Colonial Treasurer that the state of the Public Works Fund is most unsatisfactory. In his Financial Statement, the Colonial Treasurer showed that the total Ways and Means on 31st March last was £3,262,410, and that the liabilities of the Public Works Fund on the same date amounted to £2,455,313, reducible, however, by £315,763, advances in the hands of officers of the Government; thus leaving a balance of £1,122,860 on 31st March, 1880, clear of liabilities. Since 31st March the Ways and Means have been augmented by miscellaneous receipts and recoveries, £29,934; and during the four months ending 31st July the liabilities of the fund have been unavoidably increased to the extent of £330,871. Adding, then, £29,934 to the balance of £1,122,860 on 31st March, and deducting £330,871, we arrive at £821,923 as the available balance on 31st July. The position of the account may perhaps be stated more clearly thus: the Ways and Means on 31st July amounted to £2,677,910 17s. Id., consisting of: — £ s. d. . Cash in hand ... ... ... 593,910 17 1 Treasury and Deficiency Bills ... ... 1,217,000 0 0 Investments ... ... ... 67,000 0 0 Guaranteed Debentures ... ... 800,000 0 0 £2,677,910 17 1 The liabilities on the same date amounted to £2,202,474. There were, however, imprests outstanding on 31st July £346,486, making £1,855,988, the net amount of liabilities to be provided for, and leaving a balance of £821,923, as already stated, for new works and services. The Estimates which I am about to submit make a further demand on this balance of £674,238, leaving £147,685 only for future appropriations from the Public Works Fund.

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Bearing in mind the importance of spreading the expenditure of the balance of loan over the next two years, we should have preferred, Sir, to ask for the appropriation of a much smaller sum, but we have not found it possible to do so. The votes for the various works which we now propose are designed to provide for the expenditure up to 30th June, 1881. After that date, and until we are again in a position to become borrowers, the only sources whence we can draw supplies for these purposes will be a portion of the proceeds of land sales, and the saving from the estimates for the purchase of Native land, a saving which we have reason to believe may be considerable, but which at present it is impossible to estimate. I will proceed, Sir, to briefly summarise the works proposed. EAILWAYS. The present contract at Kawakawa will be completed, and the remaining part of the line, including a small wharf, will be begun. The Kamo line will be finished to Limeburners Creek. The line from Kaipara to Te Awamutu will be completed fit for traffic. The question of the propriety of constructing the Waikato-Thames Eailway has been raised by the Eailway Commissioners, who have recommended that it should at present be completed only to the junction with the projected Cambridge line, and that the Cambridge Section of eleven miles should be substituted. The Government intend to have the subject very carefully investigated with a view to determine which proposal will be most beneficial to the country, and will act accordingly. The vote will therefore be proposed in the alternative. The line between Napier and Makatoko will be completed. The Wellington and Opaki line will be completed as far as Masterton, and provision made for the unemployed on the extension to Opaki. The station works at Wellington will also be constructed. The Foxton station and wharf, on the Wellington and Foxton line, will be completed. Sundry necessary works on the opened lines between Foxton and Kai-Iwi • will be executed; and the extension to Waverley, which is in hand, will be finished. The works in the neighbourhood of Carlyle will be proceeded with, giving work to the unemployed. The contracts between Stratford and Hawera will be pushed on, and the formation to Normanby will probably be completed within the present year. The extension of the line from Foxhill to Bellgrove, on the Nelson to Greymouth line, will be completed. The Stillwater Section now in. progress will be finished, and the Greymouth Harbour Works carried on. The Picton and Blenheim line will be completed at the Blenheim end, where there are still some station works unfinished. The section of the Main Line from Amberley to the Waikari Plains is to be finished; the nine miles through the Weka Pass being reserved for the unemployed. A few urgent station works on the open lines are provided for. The Waimakariri Gorge portion of the Oxford-Sheffield line, which was reserved for the unemployed about a year ago, will be carried on as the demand for work may require. The extension of the Opawa Branch towards Fairlie Creek will also be carried out by the same means. The Ellesmere Section of the Little Eiver and Akaroa Branch is to be completed. The only expenditure proposed on the Otago main line is for the completion of the stations and other works now in progress. The Duntroon Branch is to be finished across the Maerewhenua Eiver, the bridge over which is already built. The formation on the first section of the Livingston Branch, recently resumed to give work to the unemployed, will be finished by them. The sections of the Western Eailways now in progress will be completed. The Hindon Section of the Otago Central Eailway, which was opened to the unemployed about a year ago, will be reserved exclusively for them, as it is now ii.—E. 1.

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the only suitable work in Otago on which a large number can be employed. At present there are about 700 men at work there; and, although this number will in all probability decrease during the summer months, I fear there is little prospect of a complete cessation in the demand which will be made on us for this kind of employment, and we have therefore made provision for supplying it on this section. WATEE-EACES, MIDDLE ISLAND. The work of improving and extending the various water-races now in progress will be carried on. EOADS. In the North Island the proposed appropriations will admit of the road works in the Waimate Plains and other Native districts being continued, as well as for the maintenance in a serviceable state of certain main roads which it is necessary to keep open for traffic. In addition to the completion of the various works in hand, the road from Nelson to Greymouth and Westport is to be improved throughout, so as to render it fit for coach traffic and make it an arterial line of communication between the north end of the Island and the West Coast. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, Sir, I would say that, although the Government have found it to be their imperative duty to abate the speed at which public works have until lately been carried on, yet we believe that the time is not far distant when the works now temporarily suspended may be resumed, and those now proposed to be curtailed completed. The resources of New Zealand are so great, that, for her, there can be neither retrogression nor standing still; but, Sir, it is incumbent on us to recognize that for a State, as for an individual, a steady progress and an assured prosperity can only be maintained by obedience to the dictates of prudence. I have now, Sir, to express my gratitude for the patient attention with which the House has honored me.

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INDEX TO TABLES.

IMMIGRATION AND PUBLIC WOEKS LOAN. Page Table 1.-Summaby showing Total Expenditueb and Liabilities on Public Woeks out op Immigration and Public Woeks Loan to 31st Maech, 1880 ... 2.—Statement showing Total Expenditueb and Liabilities on Railways to 31st Maech, 1880 4 3.—Satement showing Expenditure and Liabilities on Eoads to 31st Maech, 1880 ... 7 " 4.—Statement showing Expenditueb on EAtLWAYS to 31st March, 1880.—Classified s—Statement showing Liabilities on Eailways on 31st March, 1880.—Classified 10 6-Statement showing the Apportionment oe Vote 92, Item 7 (1879-80), eoe Eoads Noeth op " 11 Auckland 7.—Statement showing Expenditueb and Liabilities on Watee-eaces to 31st Maech, 1880 ... 12 B^—Statement showing Expenditueb and Liabilities on Miscellaneous Public Woeks to 31st Maech, 1880 ... ■•■ ••• •■• ••■ "' ■" •'" "" 13 9.—Statement showing Expenditueb and Liabilities on Telegraphs to 31st March, 1880 ... 15 ', 10.—Statement showing Expenditueb and Liabilities on Public Buildings to 31st Maech, 1880 15 | 11.'—Statement showing Expenditueb and Liabilities on Lighthouses to 31st March, 1880 ... 16 CONSOLIDATED FUND. public woeks depabtment. 12.—Statement showing Expenditure and Liabilities pob Repaibs and Maintenance op Roads, Ist July, 1875, to 31st Maech, 1880 ... ... ... ■•• ••• ••■ ••• 16 eailway depabtment. 13.—Statement op Accounts por the Nine Months ended 31st Maech, 1880 17 ' 1' 14.—Statement showing Receipts and Expenditueb por Yeaes 1877-78 to 1879-80 18 15.—Statement showing Receipts and Expenditure Classipied, and Peopoetion op each Ci#.vss op Expenditueb to Mileage, and Eeceipts and Inteeest on Consteuction pee Mile, pob the Nine Months ended 31st Maech, 1880 ... ... ... ••• ••• ••• *9 16 —Statement oe Eeceipts and Expenditueb peom 1874-75 to 1879-80 on Railways open poe " ... ... ... 19 Teapeic

INDEX TO APPENDICES.

Paqi. Aipesdix A.-Audited Statement op Expbndituee on Public Wobks out op the Immigbation and Public Wobks Loan, pob the Yeae 1879-80 ... ••• ••• ••■ ••• 23 B -Statement of all Liabilities in bespect op the Seevices op the Public Woeks DepabtMENT OUTSTANDING AT THE CLOSE OP THE FINANCIAL PEEIOD ENDED 31ST MaECH, 1880, PEEPAEED IN TEBMS OP "THE PUBLIC REVENUES ACT, 1879," AND POBWAEDED AS THEEEIN PEOTIDED TO THE AUDIT OPPICE, ON 30TH APBIL, 1880 ... ... ... ... 31 C —Annual Repoet on Railways in the Noeth Island, by the Engineeb in CHAEaE, Nobth " T ... ... ... ... 35 Island ... D.—Annual Repoet on Eoaes in the Noeth Island, including othee Miscellaneous Woeks, BY THE ENGINEEE IN ChAEGE, NOETH ISLAND E.—Annual Eepoet on the Public Woeks op the Middle Island, by the Engineee in Chaege, Middle Island ... •■• •■• ••• •■• ■•■ ■•• 47 P.—Schedule op Railway Oonteacts cueeent on 1st July, 1879, and Conteacts enteeed INTO DUEING THE FINANCIAL YEAE ENDED 31ST MABCH, 1880 ... ... ... 71 G.-Schedule op Sleepee Conteacts cuebent on 1st July, 1879, and Conteacts enteeed INTO DUEING THB FINANCIAL YEAE ENDED 31ST MAECH, 1880 ... ... ... 76 II -Schedule op Conteacts pob Eoads and Miscellaneous Woeks cueeent on 1st July, 1879, and Conteacts enteeed into dueing Financial Yeae ended 31st Maech, 1880 80 1,-Ahuai Repoet on Lighthouse Woeks ... ... ■■■ •■• ••• ••• 82 J—Annual Repoet, by Chiep Inspectoe oi? Machineey 82 K.-Annual Repoet on Wobking Railways, by the Commissions op Railways, Noeth " T ... ... ••• ... 85 Island ... L.-Anbual Repoet on Wobking Railways, by the Commissionee op Railways, Middic Island ... M.-Repobt on the Cleaking oe the Thames Eiveb peom Snags and Rapids 128 2—E. 1,

e.—i

TABLE No. 1. SUMMARY showing the Total Expenditure on Public Works, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date.

* This amount does not include the expenditure on railways of the late Provinces of Canterbury and Otago, which were valued at £731,759 and £372,522 respectively, and were not paid for out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, but were taken in reduction of the provincial debts. Eor particulars see foot-note on Table No. 2. t If the amount J £11,444 15s. 9d. (Departmental) be deducted from this sum it will leave £1,440,319 9s. 4d., which will be found to agree with the audited statement of Expenditure on Public Works A). W. A. THOMAS, Accountant, Public Works.

Number of Table containing details. Works. Expenditure to 30th June, 1879. {See last year's Table So. 1.) Deduct Amounts recovered Total Sin" 1879 JU" e' Expenditure butwhich^arefor 3oth Ju^ l8 „. prior to that date. Expenditure during 9 Months ended 31st March, 1880. Total Expenditure to 31st March, 1880. Liabilities, Authorities, Contracts, &c, 31st March, 1880. Total Expenditure and Liabilities. Works. 2 3 11 of 1877 10 of 1878 Railways Roads Payments to Road Roards Coal exploration and mine development Water supply on gold fields Miscellaneous public works Aiding works on Thames G-old Fields Telegraphs ... Public buildings Lighthouses Departmental £ s. d. *7> 638,i34 5 9 75 I>°5 2 4 9 225,000 o o 10,835 8 ° £ s. d. 6>733 15 IO 1,187 ' 1 7,631,400 9 11 749> 86 5 3 8 225,000 o o 10,835 8 o £ 5. d. 863,673 16 3 54,032 5 6 £ s. d. 8,495,074 6 2 803,897 9 2 225,000 o o 10,835 8 o £ s. d. 9 12,006 7 2 186,622 14 3 £ s. d. 9,407,080 13 4 990,520 3 5 225,000 o o 10,835 8 o Railways. Roads. Payments to Eoad Boards. Coal exploration and mine development. Water supply on gold fields. Miscellaneous public works. Aiding works on Thames Gold Fields. Telegraphs. Public buildings. Lighthouses. Departmental. ... ... 7 8 11 of 1877 415,626 8 6 215,394 13 11 50,000 o o 300 o o 316 16 9 415,326 8 6 215,077 17 2 50,000 o o 15,603 8 6 259,850 8 5 430,929 17 o 474,928 5 7 50,000 o o 10,703 11 5 73,309 6 5 441,633 8 5 548,237 12 o 50,000 o o 9 10 11 328,219 17 3 449,676 7 3 81,240 3 2 132,946 18 3 234 5 3 75 7 o 327,985 12 O 449,601 0 3 81,240 3 2 132,649 17 o 40,777 19 9 202,418 10 4 3,96.3 o 7 Ji 1,444 15 9 368,763 11 9 652,019 10 7 85,203 3 9 144,094 12 9 40,250 o o 205,121 15 11 119 16 9 643 13 1 409,013 11 9| 857,141 6 6 85,323 o 6 H4,738 5 IO 297 1 3 Total 10,298,126 6 10 9,144 7 2 10,288,981 19 8 Total. ftiASt'l 6* S I 11,740,746 4 9; 1,428,777 5 o 13,169,523 9 9!

E.—l

TABLE No. 2. STATEMENT showing the Total Expenditure on Railways, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date.

Lines of Railway. Total Net Expenditure Expenditure to Expenditure to during 9 Months 3 , st ' M arch, 1880, 30th .June, 1879, as ended 1 J T ' b , per Table No. 4. 31st March, 1880. as P N ", 4 Liabilities on Authorities, Contracts, &c, 31st March, 1880, as per Table No. 5. Total Expenditure and Liabilities. Nokth Island (as per particulars below) Middle Island (as per particulars below) Miscellaneous Sueveys Unappop.tionap.le £ s. d. 2,815,807 19 o £ s. d. 368,968 5 11 £ s. d. 3,184,776 4 11 £ 8. d. 424,160 O 2 £ s. d. 3,608,936 5 1 4,814,756 17 7 494,705 I0 4 5,309,462 7 11 487,846 7 o 5,797,3o8 14 " 470 17 11 364 IS 5 470 17 11 364 15 5 470 17 11 364 15 5 Total 7,631,400 9 11 863,673 16 3 8,495,074' 6 2, 912,006 7 2 9,407,080 13 4 NORTH ISLAND. Kawakawa Whangarei to Kamo ... Kaipara to Waikato Waikato to Thames — Hamilton to Te Aroha Te Aroha to Thames Branch to Hamilton Waikalo to Taranaki ... Wellington to Napier— Napier to Woodville Wellington to Woodville Grey town Branch ... Wellington to Foxton— Wellington to Johnsonville Johnsonville to Foxton Foxton to New Plymouth— Foxton to Carlyle Greatford to Bull's ... Taionui Branch Carlyle to Waitara ... 27,126 14 o 954,3i8 11 9 183 6 3 2,832 15 6 822 13 5 401,748 4 10 [ 628,489 12 11 1,287 5 » 3,434 19 7 77,152 7 9 5,875 i7 6 14,438 10 8 3,177 10 1 33,954 15 4 85,563 12 8 i,973 '4 6 28,413 19 « 3,434 19 7 1,031,470 19 6 6,059 3 9 17,271 6 2 4,000 3 6 435,703 o 2 J 716,027 o 1 10,106 2 5 28,015 6 9 126,711 8 10 31,489 2 8 27,782 3 3 186 15 9 22,818 11 7 64,818 2 5 3,332 9 1 38,520 1 6 3',450 6 4 1,158,182 8 4 37,548 6 5 45>°53 9 5 4,186 19 3 458,521 11 9 } 784,177 " 7 j 1,527 o 1 26,475 4 11 1,096 8 10 j 29,098 13 10 10,416 14 10 718 19 1 j 40,234 7 9 t 618,503 14 3 71,942 7 o 67 12 3 1,146 8 6 39,206 13 6 ► 691,660 2 o 73,302 12 10 ( 765,058 15 3 172,474 8 3 211,681 1 9 96 o 5 24,099 J7 5 235,78o 19 2 Pbeliminaey Surveys : — Thames to Waikato ... Mercer to Cambridge Cambridge to Tanpo Masterlon to Woodville Hutt to Waikanae ... Tokano to Napier ... Waipukurau to Gorge Waitara to Waitotara Mountain Road to Opunake ... Wellington to Foxton Normanby to Hawera Whangarei to Raw akawa Napier to Wallingford Auckland to Whangarei Foxton to Carlyle ... 1,532 15 7 528 17 3 346 4 1 205 14 3 1,717 16 5 20 16 o 3,179 11 o 87 10 0 161 13 2 44 13 4 70 16 8 1,577 8 11 528 17 3 346 4 1 276 10 11 1,717 16 5 20 16 o 3,179 11 o 87 10 o 1,220 6 2 69 1 7 29 3 4 46 16 o 367 18 10 431 10 o 56 5 o 1,577 8 11 528 17 3 346 4 1 276 10 11 1,717 16 5 20 16 o 3,179 II o 87 IO o 1,220 6 2 69 1 7 29 3 4 99 '7 6 385 17 8 626 2 6 56 5 o 1,058 13 o 69 1 7 29 3 4 46 16 o 367 18 10 431 10 o 56 5 o 53 1 6 17 18 10 194 12 6 Total, North Island ... 2,815,807 19 o 368,968 5 11 3,184,776 4 11 424,160 o 2 3,608,936 5 I MIDDLE ISLAND. Nelson to Greymouth — Nelson to Eoundell... Greymouth to Nelson Creek, Construction Greymouth Harbour Works ... Greymouth to Hokitika Westport to Ngakawau Picton to Durunui — Picton to Blenheim ... Blenheim to Awatere Hurunui to Waitaki — Main Line ... Oxford Branch Byreton Branch Lyttelton Branch Southbridge Branch... Springfield Branch ... Wliitecliffs Branch ... Opawa Branch Waimate Branch 127,519 8 5 > 190,662 18 6 552 8 8 205,907 12 10 163,262 19 8 ",543 17 4 5,331 1 s 11,403 18 6 14,043 14 7 3,502 17 7 9,580 16 3 139,063 5 9 f 207,397 18 5 '4,596 3 3 209,410 10 5 172,843 !5 >> 6,082 1 7 15,721 6 1 6,997 4 10 4,675 4 1 4,9" 3 5 5,507 8 3 H5.I45 7 4 t 230,116 9 4 19,271 7 4 214,321 13 10 ■78.3SI 4 2 h,543,935 ° 5 134,826 11 o 3,087 3 2 > [-1,692,749 3 11 75,' 6 5 16 5 50 o o 2,302 17 2 390 o o 2,912 16 6 1-1,774,617 11 6 7,740 4 2 3,160 5 2 996 17 6 50 o o Carried forward 2,231,840 8 6 204,220 9 2 2,436,060 17 8 125,762 15 10! 2,561,823 13 6

E.—l

TABLE NO. 2 — continued. STATEMENT showing the Total Expenditure and Liabilities on Railways— continued.

Lines of Railway. Total Net Expenditure Expenditure to i during 9 Months 30th June, 1879, as ended per "Table No. 4. 31st March, 1880. Total Net Expenditure to 31st March, 1880, as per Table No. 4. Liabilities on Authorities, Contracts, &c, 31st March, 1880, as per Table No. j. Total Expenditure and Liabilities. Brought forward £ s. d. 2,231,840 8 6 £ s. d. 204,220 9 2 £ s. d. 2,436,060 17 8 £ s. d. 125,762 15 10 £ s. d. 2,561,823 13 6 MIDDLE ISLAND— continued. Hurunui to Waitaki — continued. Main Line to tipper Ashburton Little River to Akaroa Washdyke to Opawa Canterbury Interior Main Line — Oxford to Malvern ... Whitecliffs to Eakaia Temuka to Rangitata JVaitaki to BluffMain Line ... Duntroon Branch Ngapara Branch Port Chalmers Branch Brighton Road Branch Outram Branch Lawrence ... Ngapara Branch to Livingstone Palmerston to Waihemo Main Line to Catlin's River ... Waipahi to Heriot Burn Edendale to Toitois ... 'Jtago Central— Chain Hills to Taieri Lake [nvercargill to Kingston— Main Line Lumsden to Mararoa Western Railways — Makarewa to Riverton Riverton Branch to Otautau ... Riverton to Orepuki Otautau to Nightcaps 166 13 4 8,984 13 5 12,182 1 11 9,316 8 o 8,984 13 5 12,348 15 3 9,316 8 o 1,919 3 8 3,649 3 9 2,805 16 o 10,903 17 1 15,997 19 o 12,122 4 o 2,245 13 7 217 8 6 3,601 12 8 2,245 13 7 217 8 6 3,601 12 8 4,751 11 11 27 8 4 1,045 9 5 6,997 5 6 244 16 10 4,647 2 1 \ 2,247,939 10 3 107 16 o 1,490 14 3 333 11 2 109,956 1 1 1,250 6 10 4,630 6 7 8,988 13 o 75' 14 9 718 8 5 43 10 6 16,784 2 9 3,983 8 1 4,155 18 3 518 6 10 7,747 7 2 1 / (-2,374,278 I' 5 J 158,204 o 7 788 2 1 4,93t o 5 21,795 11 10 219 15 3 3'6 1 3 528 1 10 1,628 3 o 2,182 10 10 62,502 4 o 2,657 12 7 r-2,560,533 2 10 16,891 18 9 5,474 2 4 4,489 9 5 518 6 10 7,880 17 6 17,420 o 7 7,102 5 4 6,672 o 3 63,020 10 10 10,538 10 1 133 10 4 1,296 2 6 50,388 6 5 51,684 8 11 36,353 o 9 88,037 9 8 238,733 13 4 42 3 10 526 18 7 2,206 6 6 239,260 11 11 2,248 10 4 752 6 5 6,405 5 2 240,012 18 4 8,653 15 6 I 56,487 6 4 7,034 3 10 15,739 19 9 9,959 4 3 3,605 12 2 > 89,220 14 2 12,828 19 1 18,242 4 3 13,126 12 9 3,188 12 10 > 133,418 10 3 ) 45 11 3 3,651 3 5 6,839 !6 3 Total 4,778,617 1 1 489,757 3 o 5,268,374 4 1 486,611 13 10 5,754,985 17 11 Pbeliminaey Sueveys :— Foxhill to Brunner ... Foxbill Southwards ... Greymouth to Christchurch ... Greymouth to Hokitika Hokitika to Christchurch Hokitika to Malvern Hokitika Office Greymouth to Amberley Amberley to Hurunui Hurunui to Blenheim Ashburton to Alford Forest ... Waimate to Hakateramea Duntroon to Hakateramea Orari to Hilton via Geraldine,.. Whitecliffs to Rakala Gorge ... Albury to Fairlie Creek Oamaru to Waiareka Waiareka to Livingstone Dunedin to Moeraki... Clutha to Mataura ... Taieri via Strath-Taieri to Clyde Taieri River via Brighton Green Island Extension Clulha River Survey Waipahi to Cromwell Waipahi to Tapanui Riverton to Orepuki Gorge to Elbow Otautau to Waiau and Nightcaps Lyttelton Station-ground Lumsden to Mararoa Edendale to Fortrose Edendale to Toitois ... Glen Tunnel to Bakaia Gorge... Malvern Branch Oxford to Malvern ... 2,872 19 1 454 11 8 798 o 9 2,753 17 1 34 16 8 468 o 3 1,200 o o 10,783 2 O 576 7 1 726 12 11 229 2 7 207 2 10 1,300 o o 302 I I 2 2l8 12 10 297 16 8 493 6 9 826 2,175 2 4 "5 9 6 5,352 12 3 300 93 2 o o 18 6 404 4 11 9 12 7 135 o ° 72 9 7 3,277 4 o 454 11 8 798 o 9 2,763 9 8 34 16 8 468 o 3 1,200 o o 10,783 2 o 576 7 > 726 12 11 229 2 7 207 2 IO 1,435 ° ° 302 11 2 218 12 10 37° 6 3 493 6 9 826 2,175 2 4 115 9 6 5,352 12 3 300 93 2 o o 18 6 I 10 2 3,277 4 o 454 11 8 798 o 9 2,764 19 10 34 16 8 468 o 3 1,200 o o 10,783 2 O 57 6 7 1 726 12 11 229 2 7 207 2 10 i,435 o o 302 11 2 218 12 10 370 6 3 493 6 9 826 2,175 2 4 115 9 6 5,352 12 3 300 93 2 o o 18 6 100 o o 442 16 1 666 8 9 1,177 18 2 615 o 9 40 0 o in 6 o 48 13 6 156 9 o 32 9 8 6 12 8 22 16 o 212 4 6 141 o 4 185 10 o 321 10 6 IOO o o 655 o 7 807 9 1 1,177 18 2 800 10 9 40 o o 432 16 6 48 13 6 436 12 7 32 9 8 6 12 8 22 16 o 36 5 2 70 o o 100 o o 691 5 9 807 9 1 1,177 18 2 870 10 9 40 o o 478 8 o 48 13 6 553 13 o 32 9 8 6 12 8 22 16 o 45 11 6 280 3 7 117 o 5 Carried forward 4,8l3>S02 19 I 491,518 19 o 5,305,021 18 486,882 1 1 5,791,903 19 2

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TABLE NO. 2— continued. STATEMENT showing the Total Expenditure and Liabilities on Railways, &c—continued.

Lines of Railway. Total Net Expenditure to 30th June, 1879, as per Table No. 4. Expenditure during 9 Months ended 31st March, 1880. Total Net Expenditure to 31st March, 1880, as per Table No. 4. Liabilities on Authorities, Contracts, &c, 31st March, 1880, as per Table No. 5. Total Expenditure and Liabilities. £ s. d. 4,813,502 19 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. 5,305,021 18 I £ s. d. 486,882 1 1 £ s. d. 5,79I>9°3 19 2 Brought forward MIDDLE ISLAND—continued. 491,518 19 o Preliminary Stjeveys— contd. Aorere Tramway Lyttelton River to Akaroa Malvern Ferry Bridge Opawa Branch Oxford to Temuka ... Christchurch to Sumner Oamaru to Livingstone Winchester to Hilton Amberley to Cook Strait Amberley to Brunner Sheffield to ICowai Pass Otago Central Orepuki Branch Fairlie Creek to Mackenzie Country Westport to Inangahua Waiau Valley Route (Western Railways) Nelson to Roundell ... Dashwood Pass Outram to Clarendon and Wangaloa Incidental, General, &c. 5 15 o 137 15 4 19 16 o 54 18 2 i47 13 7 36 19 o 33 15 o 490 58 8 4 125 00 36 o o 202 10 0 5 15 o 262 15 4 19 16 o 90 18 2 i47 13 7 36 19 o 236 5 o 490 132 9 o 771 19 10 94 15 9 1,413 13 1 108 6 8 251 1 9 64 o o 5 15 o 262 15 4 19 16 o 154 18 2 147 13 7 36 19 o 236 5 o 490 132 9 o 772 14 8 94 15 9 1,763 7 2 108 6 8 335 o o 74 o 8 771 19 10 o 14 IO 94 15 9 652 1 10 761 11 3 108 6 8 251 1 9 349 14 1 8318 3 636 1 2 180 o o 636 1 2 180 o o 27 0 2 663 1 4 180 o o 40 o o 40 o o 113 10 3 200 o o 153 10 3 200 o o 1040 10 4 o 7 11 6 4,814,756 17 7 7 11 6 115 4 4 122 15 IO Total, Middle Island ... *5> 309,462 7 11 487,846 7 o 5,797,3o8 14 11 494,7' '5 10 4 * Note. —This amount does not include the expenditure which were valued as follows, viz. : — in the railways of the late Provinces of Canterbury and Otago, Canterbury £ s. d. £ s. d. Ota&o. Lyttelton and Christchurch — Fencing and ditching ... 4,024 o o Culverts and diversions ... 6,215 ° ° Level crossings ... ... 1,732 o o Earthwork ... ... 10,000 o o Heathcote Tunnel ... ...186,462 o o Bridges ... ... 2,214 o o Lyttelton Station Reclamation 25,296 o o Permanent way ... ... 48,088 o o Station and other buildings ... 65,178 o o Double narrow-guage line, with earthwork and buildings ... 3,213 o 0 Metalling, &c., in station yards 1,486 o 0 Points, crossings, traverses, and turntable ... ... 14,473 o o Plant, tools, and machinery ... 13,966 o o 382,347 o ° Bluff and Winton— £ 3. d. £ s. d. Grading and permanent way ... 116,388 o o Rolling-stock and machinery ... 15,410 o o Station buildings ... ... 9,830 o o Stock, plant, tools, and furniture ... ... 2,106 o o Stores at Invercargill ... 338 o o Level crossings and gates ... 325 o o Points and crossings ... 1,920 o o Bluff Wharf ... ... 9,223 o o '55,540 ° ° Western Railways— Works up to formation ... 32,721 o o Permanent-way material ... 23,226 o o 55,947 o o Awamoko Branch, complete ... ... ... 29,295 o o Waiareka Branch, complete ... ... ... 51,146 o o Green Island Branch, complete ... ... 9,693 o o Outram Branch, as completed up to 30th April, 1877 ... ' ... 27,313 o o General— Rolling-stock and machinery ... 11,252 o o Plants and tools ... ... 306 o o Buildings, Port Chalmers and Clutha ... ... 1,360 0 o Permanent - way material in stock ... ... 1,065 o o Stores at Dunedin ... ... 5,416 o o Land ... ... 11,820 2 5 Station plant and furniture ... 604 0 o 31,823 2 5 Engineering and management, 5 per cent, on work in New Zealand, £235,315 ... ... 11,765 o o £372,522 2 5 Christchurch and Selwyn— Grading, with bridges and culverts ... ... 20,480 o o Permanent way, with points and crossings ... ... 39,470 o o 59,95° o o General — Stations and other buildings ... 9,148 o o Stores at Christchurch ... 11,139 ° ° Platelayers' tools ... ... 785 o o Telegraph and stores ... 4,758 o o Furniture and station plant ... 2,907 o o Land ... ... 91,357 o o Water-services ... ... 852 o o Rolling-stock ... ... 76,063 o o 197,009 o o Opawa Branch complete ... ... ... 71,547 o o Duplicates of engines and carriages ... 2,656 o o Engineering and management, 5 per cent on £365,000 ... ... ... ,.. 18,250 o o £731,759 o o

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TABLE No. 3. STATEMENT showing the Expenditure on Roads, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date.

Expenditure to 30th June, 1879. Expenditure during 9 Months ended 31st March, 1880. Total Expenditure. Liabilities. Total Expenditure and Liabilities. Ioads, Bridges, and Wharves—North Island : Bay of Islands ... Mangere Bridge Thames Waikato (less recovery, £1,100) ... Bay of Plenty ... Poverty Bay Taupo Napier Seventy-Mile Bush Wairoa New Plymouth —Inland ... Hawera to Waitara Wai-iti to Patea Patea to Wanganui Wanganui to Taupo Manawatu Opaki to Manawatu Gorge Hutt to Lowry Bay £ s. d. 33,i.5i 6 9 15,486 7 8 75 2 9 16,993 4 o 72,408 8 o 16,317 8 2 9,273 4 5 23,894 14 5 45,750 18 2 1,21.2 7 8 3>76o 17 3 13,907 6 6 58,566 6 9 36,246 5 4 5,156 2 2 44,522 19 o 58,063 7 5 290 o o £ s. d. £ s. d. 33,i5i 6 9 15,486 7 8 75 2 9 17,889 12 7 75,476 1 o 16,403 16 8 9,273 4 5 24,139 1 1 45,75° 18 2 1,212 7 8 3,760 17 3 13,907 6 6 58,566 6 9 36,246 5 4 5,156 2 2 44,630 10 8 58,063 7 5 290 o o £ s. d. i,372 7 8 £ s. d. 34,523 14 5 15,486 7 8 1,075 2 9 22,673 9 1 91,326 8 4 22,043 5 o 9,273 4 5 27,226 18 IO 49,750 18 2 1,212 7 8 3,760 17 3 14,469 3 6 58,566 6 9 36,246 s 4 5,156 2 2 45,130 10 8 66,983 7 5 290 o o 896 8 7 3,067 13 o 86 8 6 1,000 o o 4,783 16 6 15,85° 7 4 5,6.39 8 4 244 6 8 3,087 17 9 4,000 o 0 561 17 o 107 11 8 500 o o 8,920 o o !oads, Bridges, and Whaeves—North or Auckland : — Auckland District (less recovery, £50) (For the Apportionment of the Vote of 1879 see Table 6) toADS and Bridges in Unsettled Districts :— Patea and Taranaki Hnapportionable —Tools, &c. (less recovery, £12 is. id.) 455,o76 6 38,749 13 4 5 4,402 8 2,491 3 8 5' 459,478 14 10 41,240 17 ° 4S,7iS 14 7 62,508 16 4 505,194 9 5 103,749 13 4 1,183 1 . 3 1,183 1,722 1 3 2 4 13,926 8 3 15,109 9 6 1,722 2 4 16,831 11 10 1,722 2 4 Ioads —Nelson South-West Gold Fields :— Buller to Arnould Main Road to Boatman's Westport to Lyell Ahaura to Amuri Nile Bridge Takaka Valley ... Collingwood to Quartz Range 1,722 2 4 1,183 > 3 2,905 3 7 13,926 8 3 667 1 1 70,199 8 8 844 10 o 7,273 13 10 6,210 13 10 1,115 16 4 2,000 o o 507 I I 2,297 12 2 72,497 o 10 844 10 0 7,273 13 10 6,210 13 10 1,115 l6 4 2,000 o o 507 1 1 73,164 1 11 844 10 o 7,273 13 10 6,210 13 10 1,115 16 4 2,000 o 0 507 1 1 90,448 15 11 667 1 1 9i,"5 17 o 'oads —Westland :— Greymouth to Arnould ... Greymouth to Okarito ... South Creek to Main Line Junction Line ... Greenstono to Lake Brunner Marsden to Maori Creek... Marsden to Paroa Stillwater to Maori Gully Kanieri Forks to Kanieri Lakes Hokitika to Blue Spur ... Kanieri Bridge ... Waimea Bridge Westland, general 88,151 5,058 1 5 95,071 o 4 281 17 6 3,923 9 5 2,756 5 6 2,538 3 o 798 8 o 1,869 2 o 1,578 1 o 2,520 3 5 489 15 o 207 12 6 2,613 13 3 3 9 2,297 12 2 910 17 5 5,058 1 5 95,981 17 9 281 17 6 3,923 9 5 2,756 5 6 2,538 3 o 798 8 o 1,869 2 o 1,578 1 o 2,520 3 5 489 15 o 207 12 6 2,613 13 3 5,957 11 o 5,058 1 5 101,939 8 9 281 17 6 3,923 9 5 2,756 5 6 2,538 3 o 798 8 o 1,869 2 o 1,578 1 o 2,520 3 5 489 15 o 207 12 6 2,613 13 3 119,705 12 4! 910 17 6 120,616 9 9 5,957 11 o 126,574 o 9 ioAD —Hokitika to Cheistchubch 41,661 2 2 3,290 16 2 44,95i 18 4 591 19 11 45,543 18 3 bOads to Open up Lands eefobe Sale : — North Island. Takahue to Hera Point Purua and Mangakahia Districts ... Block II., Tangihau Lake Whangapc to Block VII., Awaroa District, Waikato River to Block XVI., Awafoa District Gisborne and Wairoa, road through Patutahi Block to Hangaroa Village site Wairoa and Waikaremoana, bridle track through the Waiau District, Poverty Bay Takahue to Manganuiowai Maunganui Bluff Opotiki Pakiri TePuke Te Aroha Block Mountain Road to blocks under survey 359 12 5 37 18 o 55 5 o 192 4 6 3 3 o 500 1,067 5 5 662 3 9 568 4 o 45 7 9 11 14 6 383 10 o 299 18 6 1,426 17 10 700 1 9 623 9 o 237 12 3 11 14 6 386 13 o 304 18 6 973 2 2 139 i8 3 16 ii o 562 7 9 1,108 5 6 070 495 1 6 2,400 o o 840 o o 640 o o 800 o o 1,120 O O 387 o o 800 o o 2,160 o o 1,800 o o 480 o o 480 o oj 3,200 o o 3,342 9 9 2,160 0 o 1,800 o o 480 o o 480 o o 3,200 o o 3,500 o o 157 10 3 i57 10 3 Carried forward 653 2 II 3,848 I? I 14,758 2 II 18,607 O O 3,195 -"4 21

E.—l

TABLE NO. 3— continued. STATEMENT showing the Expenditure on Roads, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date — continued.

Note. —JTor the expenditure on Eoads out of the Consolidated Fund, tee Table No. 12.

Expenditure to 30th June, 1879. Expenditure during 9 Months ended 31st March, 1880. Total Expenditure. Liabilities. Total Expenditure and Liabilities. Roads to Open up Lands before Sale— contd. North Island —continued. Brought forward ... Opening up Huiroa Block Huiroa Block, bridge over Manganui River ... Opening lands between Manganui and Patea Rivers To complete bush-falling, Stratford Cross roads at Siratford Through parts of Blocks I., II,, V, VI., X., Ngaire District Through parts of Blocks III., V., X., Ngaire District Block X., Huiroa Egmont District Tahoraiti District, Puketoi Blocks Norsewood District, Ngamoko Block Tukitnki to Waipawa, through Makaretu Reserve Waitara Block Woodville District, Ahuaturanga Block Puhui District Wairoa to Gisborne Blocks V., VI., IX., and XIII., Kairanga Survey District, Palmerslon North Blo.ks II., HI., VI., VII., X., and XL, Mongaone District, and Blocks XIV. and XV., Mangabo District, Forty-Mile Bush Sandon Township, Manawatu District, Kiwitea Block Blocks IV., X., and XIII., Wellington Country District Pahiatua and Puketoi Blocks ... ... Tokomaru Block Otamakapua Block ... ... ... Heao Block £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 653 2 11 147 6 o 3,195 14 2 433 19 o 672 1 3 644 2 o 3,848 17 1 581 5 o 672 1 3 711 20 14,758 2 11 134 2 6 34 o o 5 11 o 18,607 o o 7i5 7 6 706 1 3 716 13 o 67 o o 400 400 248 5 7 252 5 7 36 11 5 113 o 4 i,45i 14 1 475 10 3 12 4 3 1,451 14 1 512 1 8 125 4 7 1,108 5 11 251 11 11 449 15 5 2,560 o o 763 13 7 575 o o 91 5 o 33 9 7 689 15 6 430 17 6 781 o 6 464 7 1 18 19 6 397 3 4 800 o o 861 10 5 1,505 4 6 i,505 4 6 2,000 o o 1,353 18 6 2,000 o o 2,859 3 o 545 o 0 4,000 o o 4,545 o o 1,055 o ° 5,600 o o 1,400 o o 1,400 o o 46 16 9 534 5 8 581 2 s 1,418 17 7 2,000 0 O 86 6 8 86 6 8 6,000 o o 1,913 13 4 6,000 o o 2,000 o c Middle Island. Road through Crown lands, Rai Valley Aorere Valley, Collingwood Ahanra to Kopara Flat ... Reef ton to Maruia, Matakitaki, and Buller ... Road to Upper Ashley ... Drainage of Lake Ellesmere Kokatahi River to Hokitika River Mount Bonar to Poerua River Mapourika Lake to Waihou River Maintain River to Haast River Wataroa and Waitangi-taona ... .., In the County of Westland Otara to Waikawa and Bridge over Tokanui Creek Benger District, from Minyion Burn Bridge up graded road-line to laud under survey Arrowtown to Crown Terrace Waitahuna to Run 52c Run No. 75 (Boyd's) Opening up country between Seaward Forest and coast-line Orepuki to Waiau Opening up country, Forest Hill 378 16 8 218 18 2 25 o o 329 7 o 100 o o 1,871 4 5 1,741 o 6 679 15 o 640 13 o 900 o 0 1,250 o o 1,000 o o 2,250 1 1 1,959 18 8 704 15 o 970 I o o 900 o o 1,350 o o 2,449 18 11 40 1 4 3,500 o o 4,33i 15 o 580 o o 60 o o 1,500 o o 4,700 o o 2,000 o o 3,500 o o 5,036 10 o 970 o o 1,480 o o 1,410 o o 1,500 o o 1,000 o o 1,000 o o 500 o c 500 o o 1,500 o o 600 o o 1,500 o o 600 o o 600 o o 3,000 o 0 2,219 11 ° 1,500 o o 1,200 o o 3,000 o o 4,000 o o 38" 9 6 1,741 19 6 1,780 9 o Deduct recovery ... 4,324 3 4 25 o o 24,560 7 3 28,884 10 7 25 o o 51,328 13 9 80,213 4 4 25 o o 80,188 4 4 21,322 8 6 JOADS THOUGH LANDS RECENTLY PURCHASED:— Opening up roads and constructing bridges through lands recently purchased 24,560 7 3 28,859 10 7 51,328 13 9 4,299 3 4 500 o o 14,895 !9 2 15,395 19 2 5,926 9 4 SUMMARY. Sorts of Auckland Soeth Island Unsettled Districts, Patea and Taranaki... Selson South-West Gold Fields ... Westland [Iokitika-Cheistchuech ... ro Open up Lands before Sale trmouGH Lands recently Purchased 38,749 13 4 455,076 6 5 1,722 2 4 88,151 3 9 119,705 12 4 41,661 2 2 4,299 3 4 500 o o 2,491 3 8 4,402 8 5 1,183 1 3 2,297 12 2 910 17 5 3,290 16 2 24,560 7 3 14,895 19 2 41,240 17 o 459,478 14 10 2,9°5 3 7 90,448 15 11 120,616 9 9 44,951 18 4 28,859 i° 7 15,395 19 2 62.508 16 4 45,715 14 7 13,926 8 3 667 1 1 5,957 11 o 591 19 11 51,328 13 9 5,926 9 4 103,749 13 4 505,194 9 5 16,831 11 10 91,11517 o 126,574 o 9 45,543 18 3 80,188 4 4 21,322 8 6 749,865 3 8 54,032 5 6 803,897 9 2 186,622 14 3 990,520 3

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TABLE No. 4. STATEMENT showing the Total Expenditure on Railways, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880.-Classified.

Classification of Total Net Expendituee to 31st March, 18S0. Lines of Railway. Expenditure to 30th June, 1879. ( Vide paee 7 of P. W. Statement, 1879.) Deduct Credits on account op Expenditure made prior to 30th June, 1879, but only received during 1879-80. Total Net Expenditure to 30th June, 1879. Net Expenditure during Nine Months ended 31st March, 1880. Total Net Expenditure to 31st March, 1880. Land. Surveys: Preliminary — and Working. Grading. Bridges and Culverts. Construction. Rollini -stock. Workshops, Stations, AND Total Net Expenditure to 31st March, 18S0. Lines of Railway. Engineering and Office. Incidental. Perm anen t Way, New Zealand. Permanent Way, England. New Zealand. England. Wharves. Fencing. NORTH ISLAND. Kawakawa Whangarei to Kamo Kaipara lo Waikato Waikato to Thames Waikato to Taranaki Wellington to Napier Wellington to Foxton Foxton to New Plymouth £ s. d. 27,130 9 3 £ s. d. 3 15 3 8i"i7 3 £ s. d. 27,126 14 o 954,318 n 9 3,838 15 2 £ s. d. 1,287 5 J 3,434 19 7 77,152 7 9 23,491 18 3 £ ■• d. 28,413 19 1 3,434 19 7 1,031,470 19 6 27,330 13 5 £ S. d. 607 18 4 48,550 7 6 476 9 10 £ s. d. 993 13 7 11,604 11 6 704 11 2 £ s. d. 3,022 12 o 1,602 5 5 237,607 5 1 12,961 13 4 £ s. d. 2,281 10 n 105 o o 105,798 19 9 737 2 3 £ s. d. 700 497 o o 14,559 3 8 464 o o £ •• d. 3,184 18 o 67 5 7 136,678 8 11 2,969 18 8 £ s. <i10,640 2 2 169,526 11 3 6,272 14 8 £ s. d. 903 13 11 36,572 12 n £ s. d. 3,672 13 1 £ s. d. 1,237 ° 9 3 9 9 129,736 6 6 1,216 o o £ s. d. 2,396 1 1 5°i 15 8 48,320 11 o 1,461 11 3 £ s. d. 74 13 7 50 4 10 5,870 10 o 66 12 3 £ ■• d. 28,413 19 i 3,434 19 7 1,031,470 19 6 27,330 13 5 NORTH ISLAND. Kawakawa. Whangarei to Kamo. Kaipara to Waikato. Waikato to Thames. Waikato to Taranaki. Wellington to Napier. Wellington to Foxton. Foxton to New Plymouth. 954,400 9 o 3,838 '5 2 86,645 11 5 1,031,705 o 6 i,534 10 1 791,203 8 o 1,467 2 9 7100 225 5 6 1,030,237 i? 9 1,527 o 1 790,978 2 6 121,492 2 6 27,57t 13 9 112,363 1 3 1,151,730 o 3 29,098 13 10 903,341 3 9 34,460 11 8 36,923 0 5 22,379 12 6 3,390 2 11 22,618 13 8 307,550 13 1 17,408 14 10 179,128 1 7 161,083 io > 6,380 10 10 126,122 4 7 25,766 12 5 33 12 o 29,018 17 3 125,429 9 n 149 15 6 129,011 1 6 197,929 15 9 174,657 11 o 2S>4'7 10 3 25,988 3 8 94,839 o 4 59,92; 6 3 112,129 7 4 81,563 13 4 43,48.9 17 1 1,280 7 3 36,784 15 2 1,253 19 10 455 i° 6 i,597 '5 4 1,151,730 o 3 29,098 13 10 903,341 3 9 Preliminary Surveys :— North Island (for details see Table No. 2) 7,78o 17 9 7,780 17 9 2,i74 17 9 9,955 IS 6 •*J 9,955 15 6 9,955 15 6 Peelimtnaey Surveys :— North Island (for details see Tablo No. 2). Total, Noeth Island ... 2,817,593 9 9 1,785 10 9 2,815,807 19 o 368,968 5 11 3,184,776 4 11 121,018 7 9 71,647 o 10 759,281 5 4 402,508 18 S 70,346 5 4 397,490 18 1 559,026 14 10 88,882 o 9 245,084 n I 325,885 17 8 134,234 18 6 9,369 6 4 3,184,776 4 11 Total, North Island. MIDDLE ISLAND. Nelson to Greymouth Greymouth to Hokitika Westport to Ngakawau Picton to Hunmui Hurunui to Waitaki Canterbury Interior Main Line ... Waitaki to Bluff Otago Central Invercargill to Kingston Western Railways 318,458 9 8 553 1 2 205,909 8 10 163,308 15 11 1,546,065 4 7 276 2 9 0 12 6 1 16 o 45 l6 3 1,963 10 10 318,182 6 II 552 8 8 205,907 12 10 163,262 19 8 1,544,101 13 9 28,278 17 3 14,043 14 7 3,502 17 7 9,580 16 3 179,297 6 10 6,064 14 9 i59,5 28 4 3 50,388 6 5 '2,733 5 i 36,339 o o 346,461 4 2 H,596 3 3 209,410 10 5 172,843 15 11 1,723,399 o 7 6,064 14 9 2,4 09,533 6 3 51,684 8 ii 241,509 2 3 92,871 17 7 26,764 18 11 332 19 2 8,280 o 5 11,373 6 o 50,923 8 5 1 19 4 79,845 2 4 25 4 6 2,606 13 5 3,357 15 5 5,47i 2 3 348 3 7 6,548 17 2 2,162 19 11 13,614 6 10 "5 4 7 23,922 3 10 1,914 6 10 2,962 18 9 34i 3 9 110,447 o 5 6,940 6 1 55,127 17 2 54,763 1 7 147,158 12 9 660 47,746 10 6 3,584 14 10 13,567 7 9 33,886 6 9 349,260 13 8 5,478 19 11 242,808 1 5 6,875 i° 10 9,95i 19 3 9,4i4 9 2 7,860 15 o 7226 117 00 1,342 5 8 44,572 1 6 29,215 7 9 519 1 6 22,155 2 7 18,020 11 6 257,129 4 6 33,040 17 8 27,446 12 6 22,165 5 3 331,765 19 2 5,611 16 1 62 17 9 3,464 6 9 2,885 '° 4 46,278 5 7 21,987 17 3 19,228 5 10 8,806 7 10 204,074 1 10 39,790 3 8 30 6 o 44,357 2 1 11,922 o 10 230,405 4 7 17,709 18 11 2,492 16 9 8,688 13 1 5,322 19 6 43,876 7 10 454 7 2 80,353 19 1 1,812 7 n 10,358 14 10 4,233 10 11 814 15 9 21215 1 429 5 1 193 o 9 4,340 13 11 7 17 9 6,804 o 7 346,461 4 2 14,596 3 3 209,410 10 5 172,843 15 " 1,723,399 o 7 6,064 J4 9 2,409,533 6 3 51,684 8 11 241,509 2 3 92,871 17 7 MIDDLE ISLAND. Nelson to Greymouth. Greymouth to Hokitika. Westport to Ngakawau. Picton to Hurunui. Hurunui to Waitaki. Canterbury Interior Main Line. Waitaki to Bluff. Otago Central. Invercargill to Kingston. Western Railways. 2,25 l>7°9 i? 7 1,939 l8 3 238,959 3 2 56,661 7 o 1,704 is 7 643 15 9 183 6 o 128 9 5 2,250,005 2 o 1,296 2 6 238,775 17 2 56,532 17 7 73i,73o 14 9 40,091 5 9 42,463 11 8 20,2II 19 2 72,258 3 1 238 12 8 3,4i7 7 o 3,403 1 1 285,090 7 2 244 on 54,823 8 1 22,519 9 8 316,339 16 10 73,911 16 6 n,934 1 1 36,676 8 3 3,183 n 1 1,924 n 1 238,789 16 11 24,744 2 4 8,733 16 3 294,914 12 o 482 19 6 12,463 16 6 6,628 7 7 621 2 10 169 12 5 Preliminary Surveys :— Middle Island (for details see Table No. 2) 36,139 16 6 36,139 16 6 4,948 7 4 41,088 3 10 41,088 3 10 41,088 3 10 Preliminary Surveys t — Middle Island (for details see Table No. 2). Total, Middle Island ... 14,819,705 2 8 4,948 5 1 4,8i4,756 17 7 494,705 10 4 15,309,462 7 11 183,511 7 11 98,489 11 4 1,208,940 15 4 722,574 14 1 133,281 8 6 689,716 13 8 816,604 9 o 100,087 6 11 526,364 8 3 640,994 12 9 i75>303 16 o i.?,593 4 2 5,309,462 7 11 Total, Middle Island. SUMMARY. Sorth Island : —■ Railways 325,885 17 8 SUMMARY. North Island :— Railways. 2,817,593 9 9 1,785 10 9 2,815,807 19 o 368,968 5 11 3,184,776 4 11 121,018 7 9 71,647 0 10 759,28i 5 4 402,508 18 5 70,346 5 4 397,490 18 1 559,026 14 10 88,882 0 9 245,084 11 1 134,234 18 6 9,369 6 4 3,184,776 4 11 Middle Island : — Railways 4,819.705 2 8 4,948 5 1 4,814,756 17 7 494,705 10 4 5,309,462 7 11 183,511 7 11 98,489 11 4 1,208,940 15 4 722,574 14 1 133,281 8 6 689,716 13 8 816,604 9 o 100,087 6 11 526,364 8 3 640,994 12 9 i75>303 16 0 13,593 4 2 5,309,462 7 11 Middle Island : — Railways. Miscellaneous Surveys Jnafpoetionable 470 17 II 364 15 5 4/0 17 11 364 15 5 47o 17 11 364 15 5 470 17 11 364 15 5 470 17 11 364 15 5 Miscellaneous Suryeys. Unappoetionaele. Geand Total ;7,638,i34 5 9 6,733 15 10 7,631,400 9 11 863,673 16 3 8,495,o/4 6 2*| 304,529 15 8 170,607 10 1 1,968,222 o 8 1,125,083 12 6 203,627 13 10 1,087,207 M 9 i,375,6.3i 3 10 188,969 7 8 771,448 19 4 967,245 5 10 309,538 14 6 22,962 10 6 8,495,074 6 2 Grand Total.

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TABLE No. 5. STATEMENT showing the Liabilities on Railways, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, on 31st March, 1880.—Classified.

Lines. Railways under Construction. Rollin* 5-ST0CK. Miscellaneous Plant. Permanent Way on English On English Contracts. Contracts. I Total Liabilities. On Contracts. Total. Likes. On Authorities. On Authorities. On Colonial Contracts. On English Contracts. Total. NORTH ISLAND. Kawakawa Whangarei to Kamo Kaipara to Waikato Waikato to Thames Waikato to Taranaki Wellington to Napier Wellington to Foxton Foxton to New Plymouth ... £ s. d. 334 19 3 2,400 15 10 30,419 3 8 2,969 18 2 £ s. d. 9,771 3 2 >3,659 3 8 77,690 15 5 25,288 3 6 £ S. d. 10,106 2 5 16,059 19 6 108,109 19 1 28,258 1 8 £ s. <i- £ s. d. £ s. d. 10,000 o o 4,68o 9 5 27,000 o o £ s. d. 10,000 o o 8,632 16 I 27,000 o o £ ■• d. 249 1.3 4 4,200 o 0 £ »• A. i,955 7 3 9,7i9 o 4 £ s. d. 10,106 2 5 28,015 6 9 126,711 8 10 59,458 1 8 NORTH ISLAND. Kawakawa. Whangarei to Kamo. Kaipara to Waikato. Waikato to Thames. Waikato to Taranaki. Wellington to Napier. Wellington to Foxton. Foxton to New Plymouth. 3,952 6 8 22,361 7 10 1,999 2 2 25,009 o 4 30,455 3 3 52,816 n 1 1,999 2 2 74,970 8 10 2,774 13 8 19,270 5 11 9,000 o o 17,945 17 2 22,044 19 7 9,000 o o 21,660 8 10 477 1 4 136 n 9 382 13 4 15,630 11 1 90,969 3 1 :i,i3S 13 11 97,498 10 8 49,961 8 6 2,358 10 10 1,356 o 10 484 19 8 'reliminary Surveys :— North Island 265 12 10 265 12 10 265 12 10 Preliminaey Surveys :— North Island. Total, North Island 85,760 0 1 206,825 17 6 292,585 17 7 9,085 11 2 1,356 o 10 87,896 12 6 98,338 4 6 5,445 19 9 27,789 18 4 424,160 o 2 Total, North Island. MIDDLE ISLAND. Nelson to Greymouth Greymouth to Hokitika Westport to Ngakawau Picton to Hurunui Hurunui to Waitaki Canterbury Interior Main Line Waikato to Bluff ... Olago Central Invercargill to Kingston Western Railways... 10,877 3 'I 990 16 2 4,226 18 7 466 14 3 40,606 14 1 3,090 13 7 75,73i 17 8 4,093 5 11 685 5 2 6,472 15 6 17,923 8 7 3,684 7 11 5,040 14 o 14,253 1 3 2,733 16 1 137,896 3 5 32,259 14 10 6,397 6 5 27,547 11 3 28,800 12 6 4,675 4 1 4,226 18 7 5,507 8 3 54,859 15 4 5,824 9 8 213,628 1 1 36,353 o 9 7,082 n 7 34,020 6 9 684 4 10 8,695 18 0 1,566 19 10 13,147 14 11 684 4 10 23,410 12 9 2,202 10 1 9,769 12 10 28,800 12 6 4,675 4 1 4,9H 3 5 5,507 8 3 90,242 11 o 5,824 9 8 255,753 3 8 36,353 o 9 7>!57 11 7 47,386 8 11 MIDDLE ISLAND. Nelson to Greymouth. Greymoulh to Hokitika. Wesl port to Ngakawau. Picton to Hurunui. Hurunui to Waitaki. Canterbury Interior Main Line Waitaki to Bluff. Otago Central. Invercargill to Kingston. Western Railways. 3,363 15 3 2,786 16 6 13,166 11 7 19,317 3 4 2,569 9 2 20,238 10 1 75 o o 13,366 2 2 'RELIMINARY SURVEYS :— Middle Island 1,234 13 2 i,234 13 2 i,234 13 2 Preliminary Surveys:— Middle Island. Total, Middle Island 148,476 18 o 247,736 3 9 396,213 1 9 12,743 18 1 4,353 16 4 26,314 6 6 43,4" o 11 4,846 19 3 43,374 S I 487,846 7 0 Total, Middle Island. SUMMARY. North Island Middle Island ... SUMMARY. North Island. Middle Island. 85,760 O I 148,476 18 O 206,825 17 6 247,736 3 9 292,085 17 7 396,213 1 9 9,085 II 12,743 18 2 I 1,356 o 10 4,353 16 4 87,896 12 6 26,314 6 6 98,338 4 6 43,412 on 5,445 19 9 4,846 19 3 27,789 18 4 43,374 5 1 424,160 6 2 487,846 7 O Grand Total 234,236 18 1 454,562 1 3 688,798 19 4 21,829 9 3 5,709 17 2 71,164 3 5 912,006 7 2 Grand Total. 114,210 19 o i4i,7So 5 5 10,292 19 o

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stated The SHm aTailable °ut ° f the £65 >000 appropriated by the Assembly was £60,000, the remaining £5,000 having been included in £29,749 9s. lid. expenditure incurred prior to 30th January, 1880, as above

TABLE No. 6. STATEMENT showing the Apportionment of Vote 92, Item 7 (1879-80), for Roads, Bridges, and Wharves, North of Auckland.

4—E. 1.

Names of Counties. Areas. Population. Miles of Main Expenditure by General Government since Abolition of the Provinces, from 1st January, 1877, to 30th January, 1880. Estimated Amount Required for Main North Road. Amounts Allocated to Counties. Total. in each County. European. Native. Total. Acres. 17 £ a. d. 1,094 10 o I £ 2,500 £ 4,000 £ 6,500 i. Waitemata 322,000 3,424 236 3,660 2. Rodney... 483,000 3,122 403 3,525 35 10,450 o o 6,000 3,000 9,000 3. Hobson... 526,000 2,171 394 2,565 ni 6,500 10,000 4. Whangarei 586,000 2,906 358 3,264 47 2,470 4 8 10,522 15 3 3>5°o 6,000 3,000 9,000 5. Bay of Islands 529,000 1,489 2,159 3,648 38 2,000 o o 6,000 4,000 10,000 6. Hokianga 639,000 419 2,776 3,i95 i 1,150 o o 6,500 6,500 7. Mongonui 690,000 1,204 2,016 3,220 52 2,062 o o 6,000 3,000 9,000 Totals 8,342 3,775,ooo !4,73S !■! 23,077 2005 *29,749 9 11 '29,749 9 11 30,000 30,000 60,000

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TABLE No. 7. STATEMENT showing the Expenditure for Water-races on Gold Fields, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date

EXPENDITUEE. Liabilities. Total Locality and Name of Company. Survey and Construction, 1879-80. Contracts. Subsidies. Locality and Name 01 Company. Survey and Construction, 1870-79. Subsidies, I870-79-Subsidies, 1879-80. Totals. Authorities. Totals. AND Liabilities. NORTH ISLAND. Auckland Provincial District :— Thames ...£70,626 5 3 Less recovery ... 300 o o 70,326 5 3 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ S. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. NORTH ISLAND. Auckland Provincial District :— 70,326 5 3 6,882 14 O 77,208 19 3 27 6 6 27 6 6 77,236 5 9 Thames. MIDDLE ISLAND. Westland Provincial District :— Hohonu Hibernian ... ... ... New River ... Waimea Mikonui ... £1,729 5 5 Less recovery ... 47 16 o Kanieri 3 7° 12 5 8 21 5 o 141,618 15 3 1,681 9 5 1 5 6 i,955 12 1 1,992 14 8 3,496 o 3 ... ... 1,958 19 1 2,005 ° 4 3,517 5 3 144,590 9 4 1 ... ... 1,958 19 1 2,005 ° 4 3,894 I? 3 150,721 16 1 MIDDLE ISLAND. Westland Peovincial Disteict :— Hohonu. Hibernian. New River. Waimea. 2,971 14 I 1,439 6 9 4,692 o o 377 12 o 377 12 o 6,131 6 9 10,310 18 4 3>i67 i4 5 % 4,849 3 10 10,312 3 10 112 12 7 706 4 o 818 16 7 5,668 o 5 10,312 3 10 Mikonui. Kanieri. Nelson Pbnvincial Disteict :— Nelson Creek Napoleon Hill Charleston Four-Mile ... Otago Peovincial District :— Mount Ida ... Arrow ... ... .... Beaumont and Tuapeka Carrick Range Waipori Mount Pisgah Departmental :— Salaries, Travelling, Advertising, &e. 88,712 13 8 257 16 7 S,3o8 15 9 62,166 3 8 11,263 ' P 5,495 J6 4 612 IO o 640 o o 9,249 13 I 55i 5 9 1,524 14 3 500 o 0 89,263 19 5 257 16 7 6,833 10 o 62,666 3 8 612 10 o 640 o o 9,249 13 1 11,263 1 o 200 o o 1,108 12 9 2,225 2 10 ... 1,108 12 9 ... 2,225 2 10 90,372 12 2 257 16 7 9,058 12 10 62,666 3 8 612 10 o 640 o o 9,249 13 I 11,263 1 o 200 O O Nelson Provincial District :— Nelson Creek. Napoleon Hill. Charleston Four-Mile. Otago Provincial District :— Mount Ida. Arrow. Beaumont and Tuapeka. Carrick Range. Waipori. Mount Pisgah. Departmental :■— Salaries, Travelling, Advertising, &c. I 200 O O 560 5,501 2 4 14 14 o 14 14 o' 5,515 16 4 : 1 28,457 8 5 8,720 14 6 4,900 8 11 Total. Total ... ... j j 316,542 14 10 ... 3S3,72o 17 9 5,398 4 o 377 12 o 10,676 4 11 364,397 2 8 SUMMARY. North Island ... Middle Island ... ... ... 70,326 5 3 316,542 14 10 70,326 5 3 316,542 14 10 386,869 o 1 6,882 14 o 8,720 14 6 77,208 19 3 353,720 17 9 430,929 17 o 27 6 6 4,900 8 11 27 6 6 10,676 4 11 77,236 5 9 364,397 2 8 SUMMARY. North Island. Middle Island. 28,457 8 5 5,398 4 o 5,398 4 o 377 12 o TOTAI 386,869 o 1 15,603 8 6 4,927 'S 5 441,633 8 5 Total. 28,457 8 5 377 12 o 10,703 11 5

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TABLE No. 8. STATEMENT showing the Expenditure on Miscellaneous Public Works out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date.

Expenditure to 30th June, 1879. Expenditure during the j 9 Months ended 31st March, 1880. Total Expenditure to 31st March, 1880. Liabilities. Total Expenditure and Liabilities. Service. £ s. d. 792 o o 3,000 o o 4,472 19 ° 119 18 0 38 12 O 257 12 O 500 o o 4,130 I0 2 507 19 " 1,787 3 8 235 2 4 £ s. d. 2,208 o o £ s. d.| 3,000 o o 2,000 o O 5,000 o o' 119 18 o' 238 12 o 1,037 8 o 1,000 o p 4,180 10 2 1,265 18 5 2,748 19 11 980 14 8 250 o o £ s. d. £ s. d 3,000 o o 2,000 o o 5,000 o o 619 18 o 1,500 o o 1,080 o o 1,000 o o 4,180 IO 2 1,265 18 5 2,954 9 o 1,000 o o 250 o o 150 o 0 150 o o 1,032 17 10 North Island. Road, Whangarei to Port Albert... Road, Raglan to Waikato Road, Thames to Ohinemuri Road, Tauranga to Opotiki Road, Taupo to Tauranga Road, Gisborne to East Cape Road, Gisborne to Wairoa Waipoa River Bridge Draining Patutahi Block Road, Pukekohe to Waiuku Road, Pukekohe to Bombay Road, Hape to Karaka Creek ... ... Bridge and Road, Karaka to Pukekohe East Wharf at Pollock, Manukau Harbour Road, Papakura to Wairoa Coromandel Public Works, — Road, Thames to Hastings Road to Tokatea Range Road, Coromandel to Hastings... Road, Mackaytown to Waikato ... Portage Road, Riverhead to Kaipara Clearing Snags, Waikato Pukekaroro Bridge, destroyed by flood ... Contribution towards Bridge over Waikato, at the Narrows Road, Mangaturoto to Waikiekie... Opening Road at Ruatangata Wharf at Whangarei Heads Road at Maungakaramea Tramway at Kamo Matakana Wharf ■•• , Main Road, Mahurangi to Whangarei Bridge over Waikato, at Hamilton Drainage Lagoon, Mount Eden ... Clearing Snags, Wairoa River Mangore Bridge, Repairs Tamaki Bridge, Repairs Straightening Waiuku Channel ... Bridge over Ahuriri Harbour Road, Napier to Taupo Road, Wairoa to Waikaremoana ... Mountain Road to Taranaki Opening Mountain Road to Patea Main Road, Stony River to Waitotara Loan to Waitara Harbour Board Clearing Snags, Waitara River ... Road, Wainui to Waipukurau ... Road, Wainui to Inland Settlement Road, Seventy-Mile Bush, Opaki to Kopua, including Manawatu Gorge Road Ruamahunga Bridge, Opaki Road Road, Rangituman ••• Road and Bridge, Mungaroa to Waikanae .. Road, Rangitikei to Murimoto, or Inland Patea Road, Taueru Road in Manchester Block Road, Foxton to Otaki (inland) ... Road, Masterton to Castlepomt ... Road, Karere, Manawatu Manawatu Bridge Approaches ... ... Refund Expenditure, Manawatu Gorge Road Combined Bridge over Waiohine... Bridge over Ruamahunga, at Hurmuioranga Continuation of Kimbolton Road through Sandon Block (Kiwitea) Trunk Roads, County Wanganui... Wanganui to Taupo Road 150 o o 929 12 4 1,000 o o 800 o o 1,000 o o 250 o o 150 o o 60 o o 300 o o 500 o o 150 o o 600 o o 500 o o 1,127 6 11 260 11 3 400 o o 348 12 o 76 6 11 527 I o 200 O Oi 779 16 o 500 o o 50 o o 757 18 6 961 16 3 745 12 4 250 o o 100 o o 500 o o 200 O O 865" 3 1 295 19 0 638 o o 3,000 o o 150 o o 1,029 12 4 500 o o 1,000 o o 1,000 o o 1,000 o o 250 o o 150 o o 60 o o 300 o o 500 o o 150 o o 600 o o 500 o o 1,992 10 o 556 10 3 1,038 o o 3,000 o o 348 12 O 109 15 O 197 11 3 1,656 8 9 357 11 6 5,723 13 2 85 19 2 1,500 O O 12,212 l6 II 4,000 o o 2,585 17 o 500 o o 63 13 2 2,000 o o 500 o o 4,926 10 7 500 o o 1,261 8 o 42 12 o 205 9 1 19 S 4 150 o o 3 5 6 100 o o 7 10 o 962 o o 250 o o 500 o o 1,000 o o 1,000 o o 1,000 o o 250 o o 250 o o 60 o o 300 o o 500 o o 150 o o 600 o o 500 o o 2,000 o o 556 10 3 2,000 o o 3,250 o ° 348 12 O 109 15 0 1,598 1 9 1,656 8 9 357 11 6 H,376 1.3 2 1,500 O O 1,500 o o I3,i75 1 8 4,000 o o 3,000 o o 2,000 o o 63 13 2 2,000 o o 500 0 o 5,000 o o 827 19 o 325 11 6 13 10 o 33 8 1 197 11 3 828 9 9 3200 5,7io 3 2 85 19 2 733 8 8 4,283 18 11 1,400 10 6 5,653 o o 1,414 o 10 766 11 4 7,928 18 o 4,000 o o 370 o o 962 4 9 2,215 17 o 500 o o 6.3 13 2 4H 3 o 1,500 o o 2,000 O 0 500 o o 4,926 10 7 73 9 5 4 5 9 715 4 6 3,500 o o 500 o o 1,000 o o 884 o o 367 2 4 2,185 o o 2,821 l6 4 2,826 2 I 715 4 6 3,500 o o 1,000 o o 1,000 o o 884 o o 1,274 14 10 2,706 1 7 100 o o 184 6 7 437 i7 9 3,127 13 4 284 15 6 4,500 o o 5,953 15 5 1,000 o o 8,000 o o 1,000 o o 1,000 o o 900 o o 3,000 o o 3,000 o o 300 o o 200 o o 437 17 9 1,200 o o 3,000 o o 1,000 o o 500 o o 907 12 6 521 1 7 100 o o 1600 1,725 5 2 293 18 5 200 o o iS i3 5 184" 6 7 437 17 9 55 3 4 1,000 o o 2,374 o o 2,429 3 4 1,000 o o 1,200 o o 570 16 8 1,500 o o 500 o o 1,500 o o 500 o o 1,500 o o 500 o o Middle Island. Road, Oronoko to Stanley Brook ... ... Road, Takaka to Motueka, and Approaches to Wharf, Waitapu Takaka Tramway ■", . ••• Bridge over Wairoa and Waimea District ... Wakamarina Road, County Marlborough ... Road, Takaka to Motueka Track, Motueka to Karamea Road, Nelson to Havelock Rai Road, County Marlborough ... Rai Road, County Waimea Kaikoura Jetty 327 o o 1,178 14 o 327 o o 1,178 14 o 673 o o 21 60 1,000 o o 1,200 o o 1,510 8 1 i,94i 3 4 306 1 6 3,4Si 11 5 306 1 6 2,000 o o 65 2 4 300 o o 700 o o 1,000 o o 2,000 O O 3,516 13 9 606 1 6 700 O O 1,000 O o 300 o o 400 o o 1 500 o o 30 9 2 300 o o 400 o o 250 o o] 300 o o 400 o o J 250 o 0! I 250 o o 30 9 2 Carried forward S9» T3S IJ 6 39,502 2 4 78,637 19 10 31,892 18 5 130,530 18

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TABLE NO. 8—continued. STATEMENT showing the Expenditure on Miscellaneous Public Works, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date— continued.

Service. Expenditure to 30th June, 1879. Expenditure during 9 Months ended 31st March, 1880. Total Expenditure to 31st March, 1880. Liabilities. Total Expenditun and Liabilities. Middle Island— continued. Brought forward 3ridge over Clarence River Bridge over Arnold River ioad, Nelson to Tophouse and Tarndale — £594 3 3 Less Recoveries 116 16 9 £ S. d. 59,135 17 6 20 o o £ s. d. 39,502 2 4 £ s. d. 98,637 19 IO 20 o o £ s. d. 31,892 18 s 5,000 o o £ s. d. 130,530 18 3 5,020 o c 1,500 o a 1,500 o o 1,500 o o 477 6 6 906 O II 1,383 7 5 693 19 1 2,077 6 6 Bridge over Inangahua ... 3ridge over Ahaura River 3ridgc over Nelson Creek ioad, Westport to Lyell, including Bridge over Ohika River ioad, Nelson to Westport and Greymouth ioad, Motupiko to the Lyell by the Hope... Iokitika Harbour Improvement ... 3ridge over Teromakau, Kumara... Bridge over Hokitika at Kanieri ... ioad by Coast from Hokitika to Haast Pass tlain Road near Longford Buller Valley, Completion to Orawaiti Bridge over Buller River on Nelson to Reefton Road Removal of Rock, &c, Martin's Bay, &o. ... )ompensation to A. Stitt, Buller Road Contract retty at Port Levy ioad, Port Levy to Pigeon Bay ... ioad, Purau to Port Levy Hain Road through Pelorus District Ashley Bridge Approaches Jpper Waitaki Bridge lawarau Bridge at Junction, Arrow River... ?rankton Jetty 3ortobello Road Anderson's Bay Road lurunui to Greta Bridge Purchase of Beaumont Bridge Purchase of Bridge over Clutha at Clyde ... Subsidy to complete Clutha Bridge Purchase of Victoria Bridge over Kawarau retty at Toitois ioad, Toitois (inland) ioad, Wyndham to Toitois Road, Gore to Switzers ioad, Lawrence to Roxburgh Road, Roxburgh to Clyde Road, Waipori to Lawrence via Bungtown Road, Fitzgerald to Dalhousie Duthie's to Tuapeka Mouth via Tuapeka River ilain Road, Otago, Palmerston to Houndburn Jetty at Balclutha Hauuherikia Bridge, it. Bathans Vlaerewhenua Railway Bridge Main Road, Glenomaru to Catlin's River ... Removal of Rocks, Catlin's River Srcction of Jetty and Shed, Catlin's River Road, Maori Kaika to Taiaroa Head Lighthouse Bridge over Oreti at Elbow Protective Works, Dipton ... ... Jompletion of Road, Waikari to Waitati ... iore Bridge (liability) Beacon at Queenstown LSannockburn Bridge Sundry compensations, &c. Allowance to Widow of G. M. Wink Harbour Defences Roads in Deferred-payment Blocks disposed of prior to 1st January, 1878 Loans to Local Bodies to repair damages caused by floods _ £48,135 ° ° Less Recoveries 200 o o 3,446 5 4 253 14 o 2,383 14 o 7,186 15 10 10,938 18 9 4,762 5 4 3,97i 7 3 1,203 3 6 1,500 o o 910 18 3 2,500 o o 500 620 o o 250 o o 62 9 o 282 10 6 2,898 4 7 3,000 o o 5,000 o o 4,000 o o 1,000 o o 986 16 o 1,415 12 6 3,493 9 o 5,000 o o 2,500 o o 400 o o 500 o o 500 o o 6,802 I II 3,824 14 o 2,172 3 10 2,628 7 o 6,061 1 3 3,565 8 5 3,935 4 3 1,781 19 o 500 o o 1,089 I 9 1,500 o o 500 o o 500 o o 208 13 6 2,500 o o 6,093 o o 150 o o 10,248 7 3 4,078 8 o 4,555 17 10 9,815 2 10 17,000 o o 8,327 13 9 7,906 11 6 2,985 2 6 2,000 o o 2,000 o o 4,000 o o 500 620 o o 250 o o 500 o o 500 o o 208 13 6 2,500 o o 6,i55 9 o 432 10 6 2,898 4 7 3,000 o o 5,000 o o 4,000 o o 1,000 o o 1,000 o o 1,500 o o 4,000 o o 5,000 o o 2,500 o o 400 o o 500 o o 500 o o 20 o o 921 12 O 1,027 T ° 3,000 0 0 94 19 o 93 8 6 861 10 10 1,500 o o 2,000 O O 1,691 6 6 500 o o 2,500 o o 1,844 11 o 400 o o 11 IS 6 2,000 o o 2,500 o o 10,268 7 3 5,000 o c 5,582 18 IC 9,815 2 IC 20,000 O C 8,422 12 C 8,000 O C 3,846 13 4 3,500 o c 2,000 o c 6,000 o c 5 o c 620 o c 250 o c 500 o c 500 o c 1,900 o c 500 o c 5,000 o c 8,000 o c 400 o c 444 6 c 2,898 4 7 5,000 o c 5,000 o c 2,500 o c 4,000 o c 1,000 o c 1,000 o c 1,500 o c 4,000 o c 5,000 o c 2,500 o c 400 o c 500 o c 500 o c 13 4 o 84 7 6 504 11 o 2,500 o o 250 o o 500 o o 1,628 17 6 1,000 o o 80 o o 251 1 6 2,216 6 2 500 o o 509 7 11 1.53 10 5 385 7 6 231 3 8 3,617 15 4 1 1 6 2,500 o o 250 o o 500 o o 2,138 5 s 1,000 o o 153 10 5 465 7 6 482 5 2 5,834 1 6 500 o o 1 1 6 1,254 16 7 35 o o 2,500 o o 1,336 10 10 400 o o 34>5 r3 13 9 9,970 o o 29 o 6 52 12 1 312 6 116 2 10 165 18 6 148 18 6 2,500 o c 250 o c 500 o c 2,167 5 11 1,000 o c 206 2 t 469 o c 598 8 c 6,000 o c 500 o c 150 o c 1,254 16 7 35 o c 2,500 o c 1,336 10 ic 400 o c 34,917 2 II 9,970 o c 1,254 16 7 35 o o 2,500 o o 1,336 10 10 6,410 9 5 9,610 o o 400 o o 28,103 4 4 360 o o 403 9 2 47,935 ° ° 4,963 7 4 300 o o 11 14 3 48,235 o o 4,975 1 7 48,235 ° c 4,975 1 5 Railway Material, Gisborne to Ormond ... .mounts payable to Counties in respect of Stoppages of Land RevenueCanterbury Otago 91,591 1 10 49,364 1 o 259,85° 8 5 91,591 I 10 49,364 I o 8,408 18 2 5,427 12 4 73,309 6 5 100,000 o c 54,791 13 4 Total ... £ 215,077 17 2 474,928 5 7 548,237 12 c

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TABLE No. 9. STATEMENT showing the Expenditure on Telegraphs, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date.

TABLE No. 10. Statement showing the Expenditure on Public Buildings, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date.

Miles of Expenditure to 30th June, 1879, as per Table 15 of last Year. Deduct Amounts Recovered since 30th June, 1879, but for Services prior to that Date. Net Expenditure and Liabilities. Poles. Wire. £ s. d. 328,219 17 3 £ s. d. 234 S 3 £ s. d. 327,985 12 o Expenditure, &e., to 30th June, 1879 2,228 5,773 Expenditure from 1st July, 1879, to 31st March, 1880, as under, viz.:— Dunedin to Mosgiel, additional line ... Rolleston to Darfield Junction, deviation Blenheim to Christchurch, reconstruction, additional expenditure Reefton to Ahaura, reconstruction, additional expenditure Lowther to Kingston Line, additional expenditure Catlin's River Line, additional expenditure Havelock to Nelson, reconstruction ... Wairoa Line and two-wire, Auckland to Waipu Wellington to Auckland, extra wires Palmerston to Woodville Line Fourth wire, Wellington to Wanganui Foxton to Palmerston, reconstruction New Stations ; expenditure on lines in course of construction not yet brought to charge; also sundry material lying in stock "16 40 62 11 16 80 "9 540 i7 140 28 53 2 8 843 i7 5 599 o o 188 1 8 782 8 4 614 19 8 749 3 10 7,243 14 9 8,818 13 11 i,932 17 .7 2,415 2 1 223 7 10 16,313 IO o 17 "28 Total Expenditure to 31 st March, 1880 368,763 11 9 iiabilities on 31st March, 1880 ... 40,250 o o Total Expenditure and Liabilities to 31st March, 1880 £409,013 11 9

Expenditure to 30th June, 1879. Less Amounts Recovered since 1st July, 1879," for Services prior to that Date. Net Expenditure to 30th June, 1879. Expenditure during the 9 Months ended 31st March, 1880. Total Expenditure to 31st March, 1880. Liabilities on 31st March, 1880. Total Expenditure and Liabilities to 31st March, 1880. "udicial 'ostal and Telegraphic Customs )ffices for Public Departments -oinatic Asylums... Ichool Buildings... lospitals /liscellaneous £ s. d. 4i,937 IS 2 67,584 5 7 £ s. d. 25 11 o £ s. d. 41,932 4 2 67,584 5 7 £ s. d. 36,566 7 3 11,360 2 9 £ s. d. 78,498 11 5 78,944 8 4 £ s. d. 41,200 o o 5,992 19 o £ s. d. 119,698 11 5 84,937 7 4 1,932 o 3 144,728 6 8 i,932 o 3 144,728 6 8 36 13 6 200 o o 1,968 13 9 144,928 6 8 1,968 13 g 144,928 6 8 17,6.33 o 9 156,950 o o 9,o55 16 6 9,835 2 4 19 16 o 17,613 4 9 156,950 o o 9,055 16 6 9,805 2 4 27,438 15 4 121,568 13 8 5,247 17 10 45,052 o 1 278,518 13 8 14,303 14 4 9,805 2 4 103,189 2 6 54,431 17 IO 307 16 7 148,241 2 7 332,950 11 6 14,611 K0 11 9,805 2 4 30 o o Total 449,676 7 3 75 7 o 449,601 " o 3 202,418 10 4 652,019 10 7 205,121 15 11 857,141 6

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TABLE No. 11. STATEMENT showing the Expenditure on Lighthouses, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on that date.

TABLE No. 12. STATEMENT showing the Expenditure for Repairs and Maintenance of Roads, out of Consolidated Fund, 1st July, 1875, to 31st March, 1880, and the Liabilities on latter date.

Expenditure to 30th" June, 1879. Expenditure during 9 Months ended 31st March, 1880. Liabilities. Total Expenditure and Liabilities on 31st March, 1880. £ s. d. 81,240 3 2 £ s. d. £ b. d. £ s. d. 81,240 3 2 Expenditure on sundry works prior to 30th June, 1879 Expenditure on following works during 1879-80, viz. : — Akaroa Lighthouse ... Cape Saunders Lighthouse Hokitika Lighthouse... Stephens Island Lighthouse ... Timaru Lighthouse ... Marine Store i,53° 9 9 1,834 9 n 171 o S 1 S 6 17 18 6 226 i,53o 9 9 1,852 8 s 173 2 11 1 S 6 25 o o 500 10 9 425 15 o 25 o o 74 15 9 Total 81,240 3 2 3,963 o 7 119 16 9 85,323 o 6

Districts. Expenditure to 30th June, 1879, out of Votes for 1875-79. Expenditure, during the 9 Months ended 31st March, 1880. Total Liabilities on Authorities and Contracts, 31st Mareh, 1880. Total Expenditure and Liabilities to 31st March. 1880. Expenditure, 1st July, 1875, to 31st March, 1880,— Bay of Islands Thames Waikato Bay of Plenty Poverty Bay ... ... £1,988 8 0 Less Recovery ... 12 1 1 £ 8. d. 1,160 4 0 12,753" 12 11 9,822 0 7 £ s. d. 296 9 6 2,161 16 3 1,912 6 2 1,412 11 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,976 6 11 2,372 1 5 249 12 2 2,358 6 0 1,184 14 5 3,604 18 1 1,438 7 2 63 0 9 58 11 9 780 3 0 62 10 0 389 15 4 Napier Taupo Manawatu Opaki Patea-Wai-iti Wanganui Mangere Bridge Wairoa Seventy-Mile Bush, Hawke's Bay Stewart Island 83" 4 2 200 0 0 100 0 0 Great South Road 37,821 19 2 2,583 12 7 0,018 12 6 2,254 5 0 44,440 11 8 4,887 17 7 labilities on 31st March, 18S0,— Bay of Islands Thames Bay of Plenty Waikato Poverty Bay ... Wanganui Hawke's Bay ... Taranaki 2,589 17 0 194 3 9 6,698 5 0 2,031 6 2 40 0 0 4,000 0 0 1,302 14 8 3,500 0 0 Great South Road 20,356" 6 7 546 15 1 Total ... 70,181 10 11

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TABLE No. 13. New Zealand Railways. STATEMENT of Accounts for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

R. Whitaker, Chief Accountant, Railway Repartment.

Db. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Cash in hand and outstanding, North Island, ist July, 1879 ... 2,444 > 6 „ „ Middle Island, „ ... 18,204 9 1 ■ • 20,648 10 7 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c, North Island, 31st March, 1880 ...125,471 9 10 „ „ Middle Island, „ ... 448,936 9 9 574,407 19 7 Ce. By Payments into Public Account, North Island, 31st March, 1880 „ „ Middle Island, „ Less Refunds of Revenue, North Island ... „ „ Middle Island Cash in hand and outstanding, North Island, 31st March, 1880 „ „ Middle Island, „ £ a. d. £ ». d. ... 126,152 16 8 ... 472,749 12 2 598,902 8 10 ... i,5 24 6 4 ... 40,171 11 2 41,695 17 6 557,206 11 4 ... 3,287 1 o ... 34,562 17 10 37,849 18 10 £595, 056 10 2 fe595.05 6 1° 2 To Amount paid into Public Account, North Island, 31st March, 1880 ... 124,628 10 4 „ „ Middle Island, „ ...432,578 1 o 557,20611 4 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, North Island, ist July, 1879 ... 2,444 I 6 „ „ Middle Island, „ ... 18,204 9 1 20,648 10 7 536,558 o 9 „ ,, North Island, 31st March, 1880 3,287 1 o „ „ Middle Island, „ ... 34,562 17 10 3*7.8.10 t8 10 Expenditure, North Island, 31st March, 1880 „ Middle Island, „ ... 91,439 16 3 • •• 338,844 6 3 37,849 ia 10 Recoveries to Vote, North Island ... ... ... ... 14 18 10 „ Middle Island ... ... ... ... 1,165 *4 9 1,180 13 7 430,284 2 6 Balance towards payment of Interest, North Island „ ,, Middle Island ... 34,046 12 5 ... 111,257 18 3 145,304 10 8 £575,588 13 2 £575,5»8 '3 2

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TABLE No. 14. STATEMENT showing the Receipts and Expenditure of the New Zealand Railways for the Tears 1877-78, 1878-79, and 1879-80.

* Return tickets counted as one passenger. t Return and Saturday tickets counted as two passengers. R. "Whitakeb, Chief Accountant, Railway Department.

Particulars. 1877-78. Twelve Months. 1878-79. Twelve Months. 1879-80. Nine Months. Receipts. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Parcels, Passengers, &c. ... Goods and Live Stock Miscellaneous 255,0s 1 18 1 281,238 19 1 33,607 11 1 355,6i8 5 4 381,044 5 o 2i,433 17 10 273,658 12 2 285,972 5 4 15,957 15 8 Total 569,898 8 3 758,096 8 2 575,588 13 2 Expenditure. Maintenance Locomotive Repairs of Carriages and Wagons ... Traffic General Charges ... ... ... Sundries 130,913 5 4 99,948 10 4 20,348 17 1 134,256 5 10 18,757 16 11 1,670 18 7 I93>295 3 5 137,774 1 2 32,547 12 9 157,960 10 1 22,503 10 1 i,397 r7 6 J 54,S°3 10 8 111,990 12 4 25,423 7 3 116,258 15 7 20,520 12 8 1,587 4 o Total 405,895 14 1 545,478 !5 o 430,284 2 6 Peokt 164,002 14 2 212,617 '3 2 H5,304 10 8 Miles open for Traffic, average Number of Passengers Tonnage of Goods Train-miles Run Receipts per Mile of Railway open ... Receipts per Train-mile ... "Expenses per Train-mile ... Expenses per cent, of Receipts Average Capital invested on Lines open, inclusive of interest thereon from approximate date of commencing works to the opening of the lines for traffic ... Percentage on Capital furnished by the working of Lines Percentage of Deficit furnished out of Consolidated Revenue, assuming that the interest paid on the loan is 5 per cent. ... 955 m*i,542,695 864,947 1,904,374 £596 17s. 5d. 5s. nfd. 4s. 3d. £71 6s. sd. 1,095 m- 65 ch. t2,722,740 959,756 2,488,073 £691 18s. 3d. 6s. id. 4s. 4id. £71 18s. sd. 1,153 m. 18 ch. t2,3i3,i68 805,686 2,000,485 £648 16s. iod. 5s. 9 d. 4s. 3id. £74 15s. 2d. £7,284,106 2-25 £8,362,332 2'54 £8,629,402 i'69=2'25peran. 2'75 2'46 2-o6=2'75peran.

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TABLE No. 15. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.—Classified Statement showing Receipts and Expenditure, and Proportion of each Class of Expenditure to Mileage, and Receipts and Interest on Construction per Mile of Railway and per Train Mile, for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880. ALL SECTIONS.

* Per Train Mile upon actual Mileage for Nine Months.

TABLE No. 16. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.—Statement of Receipts and Expenditure from 1874-75 to 1879-80 on Railways Open for Traffic.

SUMMARY.

E. Whitaker, 5 —E. 1. Chief Accountant, Railway Department.

Mileage. Receipts. .assipied Expendituee. Peopoetion or Each Class oe Expendituee to illXEAGE AND RECEIPTS. Inteeest Sections. Total for Nine Months. Maintenance. Locomofive. Carriage and Wagon Repairs. Traffic Expenses. General Charges. Sundries. ON Construct [oncost. Open for Traffic. Train Mileage. Total. Per Mile of Railway per Annum. (Average.) Per Train Mile. Maintenance of Way. Locomotive Power. Repairs of Carriages and Wagons. Traffic Expenses. General Charges. Sundries. Total. PerCcnt. Pj'Meof p „ of B«l*»y. Train „ . . per Annum. ,,., Receipts. -, , N Mile. 1 I Average.) Per Mile of p " Per Mile of p Railway, T . Railway, «[ pet-Annum, per Annum. (Average.) (Average.) Per Mile of p Railway, „, F per Annum. |™ m (Average.) MllePer Mile of „ Railway, -f eF per Annum. i'' a, ln (Average.) M,le' Per Mile of ,, Railwav, „F CT per Annum. ra'n (Average.) MalL Per Mile of „ -. „., . # Railway, J e}' I^ of per Annum. T™m Ea.--■■'•■?, Tran (Average.) M,le' P« Annum. n 361 519,260 £ s. d. 125,486 8 8 £ s. d. 472 16 2 8. d. 4 10 £ s. d. 32,323 16 9 £ s. d. 29,568 0 6 £ 8. d. 4,478 13 7 £ 8. d. 19,339 3 8 £ s. d. S,6s7 13 2 14,862 19 6 £ s. d. 72 8 7 1,514 15 5 £ s, d. j £ 9',439 16 3 j 7 2'8/ 338,844 6 3 j 75-28 344'53 d. 42-26 £ 121-79 d. £ 111-41 d. 13-67 ■£ 1687 d. £ 2-07 72-87 d. 8'94 £ <*■ £ d. £ 2-61 0-2 ? 0-03 355 2-41 \ 2-44 0-25 374 2-46 i 1-79 0-19 368 s. d. 3 8, 3 o 3 2: ■forth Island Sections 14-94 21*32 i 196-53 19 80 Hiddle Island Sections 811 1,481,225 450,102 4 6 723 19 11 6 1 122,179 13 11 82,422 11 10 20,944 13 8 96,919 11 11 545°4 I 54'9° 132-58 i3'35 33C9 3.39 15589 i5'7o 23-91 Total 116,258 15 7 20,520 12 8 1,587 4 o 430,284 2 6 7476 51-62 18-53 126-24 2866 305 131-06 i3'9S 2.1'i3 2,000,485 575,S88 13 2 648 16 10 5 9 134,503 10 8 111,990 12 4 25,423 7 3 48i'05 I74-17 13-44 1,172 3 2l

Receipts. Expendituee. Peofit. dEOIION. '874-75-1875-76. 1S76-77. 1877-78. I 1875-76. I 1876-77. 1S77-78. 1878-79. 1879-80 (9Months). 1878-79. 1879-80 (gMonlhs). Total. I874-7S. Total. Profit, I Net Profit. Loss. I Kaipara ... ... ••■ ! Auckland ... ■•■ ••• j Napier Wellington Wanganui New Plymouth Erreymouth Westport Nelson Picton Christchurch £ s. d. 12,544 S 1 5,587 9 3 6,924 o 9 £ s. d. 2,497 '8 9 22,487 16 10 12,417 2 4 9,429 5 3 9,940 12 10 1,833 12 3 1,063 8 8 2,531 4 1 3,516 3 2 £ s. d. 3,778 4 5 21,868 3 9 2i,374 13 10 11,518 18 3 8,540 1 8 2,641 19 1 7,920 11 7 858 12 6 6,209 '3 3 5731 4 5 220,745 5 2 £ s. d. 3,925 3 10 37,321 10 6 25,263 13 11 16,100 3 9 15,040 19 1 4.930 7 3 8,763 1 1 1,382 16 11 6,189 5 6 4,991 6 11 445,989 19 6 £ s. d. 4,992 17 4 52,477 18 2 27,503 15 8 30,401 6 5 35,171 16 1 '6,267 8 5 8,852 7 5 2,686 13 0 7,111 6 o 5,270 10 6 S/'7,36o 9 2 £ s. d. 4,166 8 3 4S736 2 2 20,337 o 10 22,708 2 11 27,104 17 5 5,433 17 1 7,683 2 6 2,377 16 2 5,872 0 it 3>545 9 8 430,623 15 3 £ s. A. 19,360 12 7 '■92,43S 16 6 112,483 15 10 97,081 17 4 95,798 7 1 21,107 4 1 34,282 1 1 3 7,305 18 7 27,913 9 9 23,054 14 8 1,674,719 9 1 £ s. d. 10,538 17 9 3,559 o 3 5, 032 7 8 £ s. d. 2,638 16 3 19,416 18 1 7,902 12 o 6,293 1° 2 10.878 5 5 2,190 12 o 883 11 8 £ s. d. 4,296 11 6 17,663 8 10 13,239 19 2 9,893 19 2 7,791 7 6 3,271 2 2 4,346 19 6 833 6 6 5,490 9 5 5,165 12 1 152,808 1 11 £ s. d. 4,76s 4 1 29,'33 IS 4 18,216 10 2 11,718 15 4 15,015 14 6 5,075 3 2 5,738 4 1 1,749 6 11 5,90.1 14 4 5,o74 o 3 3°3,5°S S i1 £ s. d. 4,955 18 10 41,521 16 1 19,255 19 10 22,919 11 7 22,614 2 7 5,612 7 o 4,724 2 5 3,427 16 9 6,029 3 11 4,841 2 5 409,576 14 '7 £ s. d. 3,871 o 10 30,2 77 3 3 13,402 0 6 19,690 o 7 19,304 13 o 4,894 18 1 3,6 >949 2,879 ° ii 4,592 17 2 3,369 8 2 324,383 15 3 £ s. d. 20,527 11 6 148,551 19 4 75,576 1 11 75,548 4 6 75,604 3 o 21,044 2 5 19,312 2 5 8,889 10 1 24,320 2 7 2i,533 12 8 1,190,273 17 8 £ s. ' d. 43,883 17 2 36,907 13 11 21,533 12 10 20,194 4 1 63 1 8 14,970 8 10 £ s. d. 1,166 18 ii £ s. d. 2,303 17 9 3,083 9 9 3,593 7 2 1,521 2 o 484,445 11 S 1,583 it 6 Total 25,055 IS 1 65717 4 2 ! j 311,187 7 11 569,898 8 3 758,096 8 2 575,588 13 2 2,30S,543 16 9 19,130 5 8 53,59! 13 1 224,800 17 9 405,895 14 1 545,4/8 15 o 430,284 2 6 1,681,181 8 1 627,112 19 1 £624,362 8 8 2,75° 10 5

Receipts. Expendituee. Peoeit. Year. North Island. Middle Island. Total. North Island. Middle Island. Total. North Island. Middle Island. Total. £ s. d. 25,055 15 1 58,606 8 3 69,722 1 o 102,581 18 4 156,815 2 1 125,486 8 8 £ s, d. £ s. d. 25>°5S 15 1 65,717 4 2 311,187 7 11 I 569,898 8 3 758,096 8 2 575,588 13 2 £ s. d. 19,130 5 8 49,320 13 11 56,156 8 4 83,925 2 7 116,879 15 11 9i,439 16 3 £ s. d. £ s. d. 19,130 5 8 55,591 13 1 224,800 17 9 405,895 14 1 545,478 15 o 430,284 2 6 £ s. d. 5,925 9 5 9,285 14 4 13,565 12 8 18,656 15 9 39,935 6 2 34,046 12 5 £ s. d. £ s. d. 5,925 9 5 10,125 11 1 86,386 10 2 164,002 14 2 212,617 13 2 145,304 10 8 1874-75 ••• i875-?6 1876-77 1877-78 18/8-79 •■• 1879-80 (nine months) 1 7,110 15 11 241,465 6 11 46 7,316 9 11 601,281 6 1 450,102 4 6 6,270 19 2 168,644 9 5 321,970 11 6 428,598 19 1 338,844 6 3 839 16 9 72,820 17 6 145,345 18 5 172,682 7 o 111,257 18 3 Total ... 538,267 13 5 1,767,276 3 4 2,305,543 16 9 416,852 2 8 1,264,329 5 5 1,681,181 8 1 121,415 10 9 502,946 17 11 624,362 8 8

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INDEX TO APPENDICES.

Page. Appendix A. —Audited Statement or Expenditure on Public Woeks out oe the Immigration and Public Works Loan, fob the Yeae 1879-80 ... ... ... ... ... 23 „ B. —Statement op all Liabilities in respect op the Seevices op the Public Woeks Depabtment outstanding at the close op the Financial Peeiod ended 31st Maech, 1880, PEEPAEED IN TEEMS OP " The PUBLIC REVENUES ACT, 1879," AND POEWABDED AS THEBEIN PROVIDED TO THE AUDIT OPPICE, ON 30TH APEIL, 1880 ... ... ... ... 31 „ C. —Annual Repoet on Railways in the Noeth Island, bt the Engineeb in Chaege, Noeth Island ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 35 „ D. —Annual Repoet on Roads in the Noeth Island, including otheb Miscellaneous Woeks, by the Engineeb in Chaege, Noeth Island ... ... ... ... ... 43 „ E. —Annual Repoet on the Public Works op the Middle Island, by the Engineeb in Chaege, Middle Island ... ... ... ... ... ... .., 47 „ F.—Schedule op Railway Conteacts cueeent on Ist July, 1879, and Conteacts enteeed INTO DUBING THE FINANCIAL YeAB ENDED 31ST MAECH, 1880 ... ... ... 71 „ O.—Schedule op Sleeper Conteacts cueeent on Ist July, 1879, and Conteacts enteeed INTO DUBING THE FINANCIAL YEAB ENDED 31ST MaBCH, 1880 ... ... ... 76 „ H. —Schedule of Conteacts for Roads and Miscellaneous Woeks cueeent on Ist July, 1879, and Conteacts enteeed into during Financial Yeae ended 31st Maech, 1880 80 „ 1.-—Annual Report on Lighthouse Works ... ... ... ... ... ... 82 „ J, —Annual Repoet, bt Chief Inspector of Machineby ... ... ... ... ... 82 „ K.—Annual Repoet on Woeking Railways, by the Commissioneb of Railways, Noeth Island ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 85 „ L. —Annual Repoet on Woeking Railways, by the Commissioneb op Railways, Middle Island ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 104 , M.—Repoet on the Clearing of the Thames Riveb feom Snags and Rapids ... ... 128

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APPENDICES TO THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, 1880.

JL_P_P_B_l_NriDlX _£__.

AUDITED STATEMENT OE EXPENDITURE ON PEBLIO WORKS OUT OE THE IMMIGRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS LOAN EOR THE YEAR 1879-80. Prepared in compliance with Section 9 of " The Public Works Act, 1876." The Hon. E. Oliver to the Commissioners of Audit. Gentlemen,— Public Works Office, 25th May, 1880. In compliance with the 9th section of " The Public Works Act, 1876," I enclose a statement of the expenditure during the preceding financial year upon all Government wrorks authorized by Parliament under " The Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Act, 1879." I have, &c, E. Oliver, The Commissioners of Audit, Wellington. Minister for Public Works. *

STATEMENT of Net Expenditure for the Year 1879-80, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, to be forwarded to the Audit in compliance with Section 9 of "The Public Works Act, 1876."

W. A. TnoMAS, Examined and found correct. Accountant, Public Works. James Edward EitzGerald, 25th May, 1880, Controller and Auditor-General. 6—E. 1.

Class. Summary. Net Expenditure. III. IV. V. VI, VII. VIII. IX. EX. XL Raiewats SUEVEYS Roads ... '... Land Purchases Waterworks on Goed Fields Telegraph Extension Public Buildings ... Lighthouses Miscellaneous Public Works £ s. d. 856,550 11 2 7,123 5 1 39,136 6 4 14,895 J9 2 15,603 8 6 40,777 19 9 202,418 10 4 3,96.3 o 7 259,85° 8 s Total Net Expenditure on Works out oe Immigration and Public Works Loan. £1,440,319 9 4

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Enclosure in Appendix A. Public Works Net Expenditure, 1879-80.

Vote. Item. Particulars. Items of Appropriation. Appropriation. Items of Expenditure. Expended out of Appropriation. Expended in Excess of Appropriation. Total Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Class III. —Railways. 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 84 86 87 88 89 Kawakawa Whangarei to Kamo Kaipara to Waikato Waikato to Thames Waikato to Taranaki Wellington to Napier Wellington to Eoxton Eoxton to New Plymouth ... Nelson to Greymouth Greymouth to Hokitika Westport to Ngakawau Picton to Hurunui Hurunui to Waitaki Canterbury Interior Main Line Waitaki to Bluff Otago Central ... Invercargill to Kingston ... ... Western Railways ... ... 10,500 o o 40,000 o o 202,000 o o 115,600 o o 5,000 o o 228,000 o o 55,000 o o 233,000 o o 147,000 o o 46,500 o o 14,000 o o 37,500 o o 361,000 o o 42,600 o o 498,000 o o 120,800 o o 18,800 o o i33,4 0o o o 1,287 5 1 3,434 19 7 77,iS2 7 9 23,491 18 3 1,287 5 • 3,434 19 7 77,i52 7 9 23,491 18 3 121,492 2 6 27,57i 13 9 112,363 1 3 28,278 17 3 14,043 14 7 3,502 17 7 9,580 16 3 179,297 6 10 6,064 14 9 159,528 4 3 50,388 6 5 2,733 5 1 36,339 o o 856,550 11 2 121,492 2 6 27,571 !3 9 112,363 1 3 28,278 17 3 14,043 14 7 3,50217 7 9,580 16 3 179,297 6 10 6,064 J4 9 159,528 4 3 50,388 6 5 2,733 5 ' 33,339 ° o 856,550 11 2 Total Appropriation and Expenditure, Class III.,.. 2,308,700 o o Class IV. —Surveys oe New Lines of Railway. Surveys, North Island' Surveys, Middle Island 6,000 o o 14,908 16 o 20,908 16 o 90 91 2,174 17 9 4,948 7 4 2,174 17 9 4,948 7 4 Total Appropriation and Expenditure, Class IV. ... 7,123 5 1 7,123 5 1 Class V.—Roads. 92 93 94 95 North Island ... ... ... ... Nelson South-West Gold Fields Westland ... ... ,,, ... Hokitika to^Christchurch ... 165,904 12 o 12,264 7 3 9,000 o o 12,000 o o 199,168 19" 3 8,076 13 4 2,297 12 2 910 17 5 3,290 16 2 8,076 13 4 2,297 I2 2 910 17 5 3,290 16 2 Carried forward 14,575 19 1 14,575 19 1 V 1 i \

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Public Works Net Expenditure, 1879-80— continued.

Vote. Item. Particulars. Items of Appropriation. Appropriation. Items of Expenditure. Expended out of Appropriation. Expended in Excess of Appropriation. Total Expendit re. £ s. d. £ s. d. 199,168 19 3 £ s. d. £ s. d. 14,575 19 1 £ s. d. £ b. d. Brought forward 96 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 16 17 18 Class V.—Roads— continued. Roads to open up Lands before Sale: — Auckland, — Takahue to Hera Point Purua and Mangakahia Districts Block II., Tangihau Lake Whangape to Block VII., Awaroa District Waikato River to Block XVI., Awaroa District Gisborne and Wairoa Road to Hangarda Wairoa and Waikaremoana, through Waiau District, &e. ... Takahue to Mangamiiowai Manganui Bluff Opoliki Pakiri TePuke Te Aroha Block Taranaki, — Mountain Road to Blocks under Survey Opening up Huiroa Block Huiroa Block to Bridge over Manganui Opening Lands, Manganui and Patea Rivers ... To complete Bush-falling, Stratford Cross Roads at Stratford Through parts of Blocks I., II., V., VI., X., Ngaire District Through parts of Blocks III., V., X., Ngaire District Block X., Huiroa District Egmont District Hawke's Bay, — Tahoraiti District, Puketoi Blocks ... Norsewood District, Ngamoko Block Tukituki to Waipawa, through Makaretu Waitara Block Woodville District, Ahuaturanga Block Puhui District Wairoa to Gisborne Wellington, — Blocks V., VI., IX., X., and XIII., Kairanga Survey District Mangaone and Mangaho District ... 2,040 7 7 802 2 o 584 15 o 607 15 6 1,120 o o 533 17 o 835 o o 2,160 o o 1,800 o o 480 o o 480 o o 3,200 o o 3,500 o o 2,860 o o 680 14 o 800 o o 715 o o 380 o o 1,246 o o 1,880 o o 1,184 ° ° 640 o o 160 o o 1,067 5 5 662 3 9 568 4 o 45 7 9 11 14 6 383 10 o 299 18 6 157 10 3 433 19 ° 672 1 3 644 2 o 19 2d 400 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 2,560 o o 763 8 7 461 19 8 8d8 15 o 861 10 5 520 o o 2,000 o o 1,451 14 1 475 10 3 12 4 3 689 15 6 430 17 6 31 3» 5,000 o o 5,o55 o o i,5°S 4 6 4,000 o o Carried forward 46,720 4 9 199,168 19 3 13,515 2 6 14,575 *9 ' 14,575 19 1

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Public Works Net Expenditure, 1879-80— continued.

Vote. Item. Particulars. Items of Appropriation. Appropriation. Items of Expenditure. Expended out of Appropriation. Expended in Excess of Appropriation. Total Expenditure. £ s. d. 46,720 4 9 £ s. d. £ s. d. 13,515 2 6 £ s. d. 14,575 19 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. 14,575 19 ! Brought forward 199,168 19 3 96 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 Class V.—Roads — continued. Roads to open up Lands before Sale —continued. Wellington — continued. Sandon Township, Manawatu District, &c. Blocks IV., X., and XIII., Wellington Country District ... Pahiatua and Puketoi ... Tokomaru Block Otamakapua Block Heao Block Marlborough, — Road through Crown Lands, Rai Valley Nelson, — Aorere Valley, Collin gwood Ahaura to Kopara Flat Eeefton to Maruia, Matakitaki, and Buller Canterbury, — Road to Upper Ashley Drainage of Lake Ellesmere Westland,— Kokatahi River to Hokitika River ... Mount Bonar to Poerua River Mapourika Lake to Waihou River ... Mahitahi River to Haast River Wataroa and AVaitangi-taona In the County of Westland Otago, — Otara to Waikawa and Bridge over Tokanui Benger District, from Minyion Burn Bridge Waitahuna to Run 52c Run No. 75 (Boyd's) Southland, — Opening up Country between Seaward Forest and Coast Line Orepuki to Waiau Opening up Country, Forest Hill ... 1,400 o o 1,953 3 3 6,000 o o 2,000 O O 2,000 o o 1,000 o o 1,000 o o 4,32i 3 4 1,781 1 10 4,000 o o 4,975 o o 400 o o 534 5 8 86 6 8 1,871 4 5 1,741 o 6 679 15 o 45 46 47 48 49 So 640 13 o 1,480 o o 1,310 o o 4,000 o o 1,500 o o 1,000 o o I 640 13 o 900 o o 1,250 o o ... ... I S 1 52 S3 54 2,000 o o J 500 o o \ 1,200 o o j 3,000 o o ! 1,000 o o 600 o o ... ... 55 56 57 3,961 10 6 500 o o 5,000 o o i,74i 19 6 103,642 16 8 24,560 7 3 Total Appropriation and Expenditure, Class V. ... 1 1 302,811 15 11 39,136 6 4 39,136 6 4

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Public Works Net Expenditure, 1879-80— continued.

Vote. Item. Particulars. Items of Appropriation. Appropriation. Items of Expenditure. Expended out of Appropriation. Expended in Excess of Appropriation. Total Expenditure. 98 Class VI. —Land Puechases, North Island. Opening up Roads and constructing Bridges through lands recently purchased. (This is the only vote in this class that is for Works.) £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 14,895 19 2 £ s. d. £ s. d. 14,895 19 2 25,000 o o 99 100 Class VII. —Waterworks on Gold Fields. Water-races, North Island Water-races, Middle Island 10,383 5 6 29,500 o o 39,883 S 6 6,882 14 o 8,720 14 6 15,603 8 6^ 6,882 14 o 8,720 14 6 15,603 8 6 Total Appropriation and Expenditure, Class VII. Class VIII. —Telegraph Extension. Telegraph Extension 101 70,250 O o 4o,777 *9 9 4o,777 19 9 102 Class IX. —Public Buildings. 103 104 105 106 107 108 Judicial Postal and Telegraph Customs Offices for Public Departments Lunatic Asylums Hospitals School Buildings 90,257 IO o 26,665 o ° 2,240 O o 200 o o 36,566 7 3 11,360 2 9 36 13 6 200 o o 27,438 15 4 5,247 17 10 121,568 13 8 202,418 10 4 36,566 7 3 11,360 2 9 36 13 6 200 o o 27,438 15 4 5,247 17 10 121,568 13 8 100,000 o o 8,000 o o 181,000 o o Total Appropriation and Expenditure, Class IX. ... 408,362 IO o 202,418 10 4 Class X. —Lighthouses. 109 Lighthouses 6,150 o o 3,963 o 7 3,963 o 7 no 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 8 Class XI. —Miscellaneous Public Works. Road, Whangarei to Port Albert Bridge over Waipa on Raglan Main Road Road, Thames to Ohinemuri Road, Tauranga to Opotiki... Road, Taupo to Tauranga ... Road, Gisborne to East Cape Road, Ormond to Opotiki ... Road, Gisborne to Wairoa ... Waipoa River Bridge Draining Patutahi Block Road, Pukekohe to Waiuku Road, Pukekohe to Bombay Road, Hape to Karaka Creek Bridge on Road, Karaka to Pukekohe East 2,208 o o 4,000 o o 527 I o 1,45° o o 1,461 8 o 822 8 o 1,000 o o 500 o o 92 17 6 757 18 6 1,167 5 4 764 17 8 250 o o 150 o o 2,208 O O 527 1 o 200 o o 779 16 o 500 o o 50 o o 757 18 6 961 16 3 745 12 4 250 o o 9 10 ... ... 11 12 13 14 Carried forward 15,151 16 0 6,980 4 1 ...

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Public Works Net Expenditure, 1879-80— continued.

Vote. Item. Particulars. Items of Appropriation. Appropriation. Items of Expenditure. Expended out of Appropriation. Expended in Excess of Appropriation. Total Expenditure. £ s. d. 15,151 16 o £ s. d. £ s. d. 6,980 4 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. Brought forward no 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 5i Class XI. —Miscellaneous Public Woeks — continued. Road, Papakura to Wairoa,.. Road, Thames to Hastings ... Road, Coromandel to Hastings Clearing Snags, Waikato Tramway at Kamo ... ... ... ... Matakana Wharf Main Road, Mahurangi to Whangarei ... Bridge over Waikato at Hamilton Mangere Bridge Repairs Tamaki Bridge Repairs Straightening Waiuku Channel Road, Wairoa to Waikaremoana Clearing Snags, Wairoa River ... ... ... Road, Napier to Taupo Bridge over Ahuriri Harbour Mountain Road, Taranaki ... Main Road to Stony River, Waitotara ... Loan to Waitara Harbour Board Clearing Snags, Waitara River Road, Seventy-Mile Bush, Opaki to Kopua Ruamahunga Bridge, Opaki Road Road, Rangitumau Road and Bridge, Mungaroa and W Taikanae Road, Rangitikei to Murimoto, or Inland Patea Road in Manchester Block ... Road, Foxton to Otaki, inland Road, Masterton to Castlepoint ... .... Road, Karere to Manawatu Manawatu Bridge Approaches Refund of Expenditure, Manawatu Gorge Road ... Combined Bridge over Waiohine Bridge over Ruamahunga at Hurenuioranga Wanganui to Taupo Road ... Road, Oronoko to Stanley Brook Road, Takaka to Motueka, and Approach to Wharf, Waitapu... Takaka Tramway ... ... ... ,,, Road, Takaka to Motueka ... ... ... ... 103 5 6 500 o o 200 o o 100 o o 872 13 I 295 19 o 1,600 o o 3,500 o o 1,800 o o 828 9 9 32 o o 733 8 8 33 8 1 1,500 o o 11,986 IO o 5,246 3 8 2,630 O O 2,000 O O 69 7 9 73 9 5 5,995 i4 3 284 15 6 4,500 o o 500 o o 1600 2,632 17 8 815 o o 300 o o IS 13 5 450 o o 1,200 o o 2,944 16 8 500 o o 673 o o 1,200 o o 2,000 o o 700 o o 100 o o 500 o o 200 o o 865 3 1 295 19 o 638 o o 3,000 o o 197 11 3 828 9 9 32 o o 733 8 8 33 8 1 85 19 2 S,7 10 3 2 4,283 18 n 2,215 17 ° 500 o o 63 13 2 2,821 16 4 500 o o 907 12 6 521 1 7 100 o o 437 17 9 2,374 o o 500 o o 1,178 14 o — ,. — Carried forward 73,984 8 5 36,604 17 6

E.—l.

Public Works Net Expenditure, 1879-80— continued.

Vote. Item. Particulars. Items of Appropriation. Appropriation. Items of Expenditure. Expended out of Appropriation. Expended in Excess of Appropriation. Total Expenditure. £ s. d. 73,984 8 5 £ s. d. £ s. d. 36,604 17 6 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 6. Brought forward no 5« 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 7i 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 Class XL —Miscellaneous Public Wobks — continued. Track, Motueka to Karamea Bridge over Wairoa in Waimea District ... ... Rai Road, County Waimea Road, Nelson, Tophouse, and Tarndale... Bridge over Inangahua Bridge over Ahaura River ... Bridge over Nelson Creek ... Road, Westport to Lyell, including Ohika Bridge ... Road, Nelson to Westport and Greymouth Road, Motupiko to the Lyell by the Hope Main Road near Longford ... Buller Valley, completion to Orawaiti ... Bridge over Buller River ... Wakamarina Road, County Marlborough Rai Road, County Marlborough Kaikoura Jetty Main Road through Pelorus District Bridge over Clarence River ,.. ... ... Ashley Bridge Approaches ... Upper Waitaki Bridge Road, Purau to Port Levy ... Road, Port Levy to Pigeon Bay Hokitika Harbour Improvement Bridge over Teremakau, Kumara Bridge over Hokitika at Kanieri Road by Coast, Hokitika to Haast Pass Removal of Rock, &c, Martin's Bay Harbour Jackson's Bay Jetty — Purchase Beaumont Bridge Kawarau Bridge at Junction, Arrow River Frankton Jetty Portobello Road Anderson's Bay Road Subsidy to complete Clutha Bridge Road from Toitois, Inland ... Road from Wyndham to Toitois Road from Gore to Switzers Removal of Rocks from Catlin's River ... 1,000 o o 3,489 11 11 500 o o 1,600 o o 4,500 o o 7,053 14 8 4,746 6 o 6,200 o o 2,813 4 2 1,400 o o 2,000 o o 1,089 1 9 3,500 o o 606 1 6 400 o o 2,500 o o 13,433 16 o 5,080 o o 500 o o 5,000 o o 500 o o 500 o o 14,061 1 3 4,743 11 8 4,052 9 11 3,300 o o 195 o o 2,500 o o 2,000 o o 9,937 11 o 400 o o 217 9 6 250 o o 2,500 o o 13 4 o 84 7 6 504 11 o 1,000 o o ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... i,94i 3 4 250 o o 906 Oil 6,802 I II 3,824 14 o 2,172 3 10 2,628 7 o 500 o o 1,089 1 9 1,500 o o 306 1 6 400 o o 208 13 6 2,500 o o 500 o o 500 o o 6,061 1 3 3,565 8 5 3,935 4 3 1,781 19 o ... ... ... 6,093 o o 150 o o ... ... 1.3 4 o 84 7 6 504 11 o 153 10 5 84,975 11 1 ... Carried forward I 188,155 10 3 ...

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Public Works Net Expenditure, 1879-80— continued.

Vote. Item. Particulars. Items of Appropriation. Appropriation. Items of Expenditure. Expended out of Appropriation. Expended in Excess of Appropriation. Total Expenditure. £ s. d. 188,155 10 3 £ s. d. £ s. d. 84,975 11 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Brought forward ... ... ... no 90 9i 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 Class XL —Miscellaneous Public Works — continued. Maerewhenua Railway Bridge Erection of Jetty and Shed at Catlin's River Road from Maori Kaika to Taiaroa Heads Lighthouse Bridge over Oreti at Elbow ... , Completion of Road from Waikari to Waitaki Allowance to Widow of D. Marchbanks G. M. Wink ... Harbour Defences Roads in Deferred-payment Blocks disposed of prior to ist January, 1878 Loans to Local Bodies to repair Flood Damages Railway Material, Gisborne to Ormond Contingencies to Local Bodies Amounts payable to Counties in respect of Stoppages from the Surplus Land Revenue of the under-mentioned Districts :— Canterbury Otago Total Appropriation and Expenditure, Class XL... 3,37i 2 6 420 o o 748 18 6 3,783 13 10 3,000 o o 164 7 9 400 o o 37,589 10 7 390 o o 1,865 o o 12 3 6 500 o o 509 711 385 7 6 231 3 8 3,617 15 4 1 1 6 400 o o 28,103 4 4 360 o o 300 o o 11 14 3 ... ... 101 102 103 100,000 o o 54,791 13 4 91,591 1 10 49,364 1 o 1 395,192 o 3 259,85° 8 5 . 259,850 8 5

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STATEMENT of all Liabilities in respect of the Services of the Public Works Department outstanding at the close of the Financial Period ended 31st March, 1880, prepared in terms of Section 2 of "The Public Revenues Act, 1879," and forwarded, as therein provided, to the Audit Office, on 30th April, 1880. SUMMARY.

Elass. Votes. Particulars of Service. Amount. Total. ii. in. IV. V. VI. VII. XL 68-71 72-89 90-91 92-96 98 99-100 110 Immigration and Public "Wohks Loan. Departmental Railways Surveys of new lines Roads Land purchases Waterworks Miscellaneous public works £ s. d. 643 13 1 910,506 1 2 1,500 6 0 180,696 4 11 5,926 9 4 10,703 11 5 73,309 6 5 £ s. d. Liabilities of the Public Works Department on Immigration and Public Works Loan Consolidated Pund. Liabilities Vote I., item 42, and Miscellaneous Services, Class X., Vote 63 Class X., Vote 63, Inspector of Machinery 1,183,285 12 4 29,976 18 5 50 0 0 30,026 13 5 W. A. Thomas, Accountant, Public Works. £1,213,312 5 9 30th April, 1880. -= II. 68 Departmental Public Woeks. Departmental Head Office, — (Nil) Head Office, North Island, — Contingencies 69 95 6 2 70 Head Office, Middle Island, — Contingencies 95 6 2 548 6 11 548 6 11 71 Photo.-Litho. for Office of Engineer, Middle Island, — (Nil) Total Class II. £643 13 1 Railways. II. 72 Kawakawa, — Salaries ... • Contingencies Contracts ... 13 19 10 320 19 5 9,771 3 2 73 Whangarei-Kauw, — Salaries ... ... Contingencies Contracts Land compensation .... Material ordered from England 10,106 2 5 04 1,840 13,659 490 11,955 8 0 2 10 3 8 5 0 7 3 28,015 6 9 Carried forward 38,121 9 2 7.—: 5. 1.

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Statement of all Liabilities, Public Works Department— continued.

Jlass. Votes. Particulars of Service. i Amount. Total. £ S. d. £ 38,121 s. d. 9 2 Brought forward 11. Railways— continued. 74 Kaipara- Waikato, — Salaries Contingencies Contracts Land compensation Material ordered from England ... 41 10 33,897 10 77,690 15 432 10 14,649 3 0 0 5 4 1 75 Waikato—Th a vies, — Salaries Contingencies Contracts Land compensation Material ordered from England ... 126,711 8 10 119 2 2,832 10 25,288 3 18 5 31,200 0 6 8 6 0 0 59,458 1 8 76 Waikato-Ttiranaki, — (Nil) 77 Wellinr/ton-Napier, —• Salaries Contingencies Contracts Land compensation Material ordered from England ... 173 13 4 24,909 5 10 30,455 3 3 53 2 4 35,377 18 4 78 Wellington-Foxton, — Salaries Contingencies Material ordered from England ... 90,969 3 1 110 0 1,889 2 9,136 11 0 2 9 11,135 13 11 79 Foxton-New Plymouth, — Salaries Contingencies Contracts Land compensation Material ordered from England ... 338 16 8 26,738 16 10 51,317 9 4 289 17 8 18,813 10 2 97,498 10 8 80 Nelson- Greymouth, — Contingencies Contracts 10,877 17,923 3 11 8 7 28,800 12 6 81 Greymouth-Hokitika, — Contingencies Contracts 990 16 2 3,684 7 11 4,675 4 1 82 Westport-Ngalcawau, — Contingencies 4,911 3 5 4,911 3 5 83 Picton-Hurunui, — Contingencies Contracts 466 14 5,040 14 3 0 5,507 8 3 84 Hurunui—Waitaki, — Salaries Contingencies Contracts Land compensation Material ordered from England ... 20 16 0 49,020 19 5 15,820 1 1 260 16 8 25,119 17 10 90,242 11 0 85 Canterbury Interior Main Line, — Contingencies Contracts 3,090 13 2,733 16 7 1 5,824 9 8 Carried forward 563.855 16 3

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Statement of all Liabilities, Public Works Department — continued.

llass. Votes, j I Particulars of Service. Amount. Total. £ s. d. £ s. d. 563,855 16 3 Brought forward III. Railways— continued. 86 Waitaki-Bluf— Salaries Contingencies Compensation to Otago Harbour Board Contracts Land compensation Material ordered from England ... 32 1 8 53,278 16 6 25,500 0 0 140,682 19 11 284 14 9 35,974 10 10 255,753 3 8 87 Otago Central, — Contingencies Contracts 4,093 5 11 32,259 14 10 36,353 0 9 88 In vercargill—Kingston, — Contingencies Contracts Land compensation Material ordered from England ... 674 16 6,397 6 10 8 75 0 6 5 8 0 7,157 11 7 89 Western Railways, — Contingencies Contracts Land compensation Material ordered from England ... 6,465 5 27,547 11 7 10 13,366 2 6 3 0 2 47,386 8 11 Total Class III.—Railways £910,506 1 2 IV. Sueyeys of New Lines of Railway. Surveys, North Island, — Contingencies 265 12 10 90 91 Surveys, Middle Island, — Contingencies 265 12 10 1,234 13 2 1,234 13 2 Total Class IV.—Surveys £1,500 6 0 Roads. 70 5 6 57,379 18 1 2,822 15 10 61,877 19 9 V. 92 North Island,— Salaries Contingencies Contracts Grants to local bodies 93 Nelson South-West Gold Fields, — Contingencies Grants to local bodies 122,153 19 2 67 600 1 0 1 0 667 1 1 94 Westland, — Contingencies Grants to local bodies 3,957 11 2,000 0 0 0 5,957 11 0 Carried forward .,, 128,775 11 3

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Statement of all Liabilities, Public Works Department— continued.

Elass. Votes. Particulars of Service. Amount. Total. £ s. d. £ s. d. 128,775 11 S Brought forward V. Road s— contin ued. 95 Hokitika-Christchv.rch, — Contingencies 591 19 11 591 19 11 96 Boads to open Lands before Sale, — Contingencies Contracts Grants to local bodies 22,944 9 4 2,263 11 10 26,120 12 7 51,328 13 9 Total Class V.—Roads £180,696 4 11 VI. 97 Land Purchases. Land Purchases, North Island, — Not under Public Works Department 98 Opening up Roads through Lands recently purchased, — Contingencies Grants to local bodies 4,016 1,910 9 0 4 0 Total Class VI. (only so far as it relates to Public Works Department) 5,926 9 4 £5,926 9 4 II. 99 Wateewoeks on Gold Pields. Water-races, North Island, — Contingencies 27 6 6 100 Water-races, Middle Island, — Contingencies Contracts 27 6 6 4,900 8 11 5,775 16 0 10,676 4 11 Total Class VII. —Waterworks on Gold Pields £10,703 11 5 XL 110 Miscellaneous Public Woeks. Salaries ... Contingencies Contracts Land Grants to local bodies, balance of amount Voted in respect of surplus land revenue, Canterbury Voted in respect of surplus land revenue, Otago 21 6 8 7,765 19 1 12,026 12 2 3 6 8 39,655 11 4 8,408 IS 2 5,427 12 4 £73,309 6 5 Total Class XI.—Miscellaneous Public Works X. Consolidated Pund. Liabilities of 1878-79, Vote I., Item 42, and Class X., Miscellaneous Services Salaries Contingencies ... , Contracts Land Grants to local bodies ... 15 0 0 11,320 3 4 1,678 17 0 2,007 5 9 14,955 7 4 Total Class X. —Miscellaneous Services £29,976 13 5 Inspector of Machineey. Travelling expenses, &c, £50 0 0 •

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ANNUAL REPORT ON RAILWAYS IN THE NORTH ISLAND BY THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE. The Engineer in Charge, North Island, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 31st March, 1880. I have the honor to forward annual report on railway works executed during the period extending from 30th June, 1879, to 31st March, 1880. The expenditure on railways in the North Island up to the 31st March, £ s. d. 1880, was, exclusive of preliminary surveys ... ... ... 3,174,820 9 5 The amount of contracts let and other liabilities ... ... ... 423,894 7 4 Total expenditure and liabilities ... ... ..." ... £3,598,714 16 9

The table below shows the lengths of the lines and the number of miles opened for traffic in the North Island, with expenditure and liabilities; and the second table, at end of this report, gives a list of railways and all contracts completed or in progress, with the times of completion, &c. The number of miles opened for traffic during the last nine months is 24 miles 22 chains.

AUCKLAND DISTEICT. Kawakawa Eajlway, The Taumarere Contract has been let. It comprises one mile of formation, and includes the Kawakawa Bridge, which, next to the terminal wharf, is the most important work on the line1. Delay took place in properly testing the ground for this bridge, the result of the borings being to show the existence of a very deep and soft stratum of mud underlying the surface crust, which involved the adoption of foundations of an exceptional character, and a general rearrangement of the first designs for the bridge, which had been prepared. Tlie contractor has begun work on this contract. It is hoped that the remainder of the line —about 4J miles—may be got ready for contract soon. The survey of the lower end of the line involves great consideration, and offers many difficulties, particularly in the proper location of the proposed deep-water wharf, the design for which structure, and coal-loading arrangements generally, will demand careful study. Whangaeei-Kamo Eailway. The Kamo Contract (2 miles 55 chains) is still unfinished, and is five months behind time. The contractor has displayed a singular want of energy in carrying on the work, and, in spite of all urging on the part of the Engineer, it wid probably be the end of May before he has quite completed it. The summit cutting proved to be a difficult piece of work, the lower 5 feet of it being a soft clay containing much water; but proper drains have been introduced, and the work now promises to stand well. The Whangarei Contract (includes 2 miles 50 chains formation and 5 miles 25 chains permanent w ray) has been lately let, and the contractor is making good progress. The works of the Kamo Contract, over which a portion of his contract extends, are ready for him so far as he can use them. The survey plans for the remainder of the line to a shipping-place have been received, but the contract plans are not yet prepared. The exact point and depth of water to which the line shall be extended is yet to be determined, and instructions are required on this head before the work is prepared for tender. Kaipara-AVaikato Eailway. Helensville Contract. —The second contract for the wharf and permanent way has been satisfactorily completed, and the wharf is now a substantial, sound structure. The station-buildings at this terminus are now being built, and are expected to be completed by 19th July next, the end of the time allowed under the contract,

EName of Railway. Expended to 31st March, 1880. Liabilities on 31st March, 1880. Length. Open for Traffic. North Island. £ s. d. 28,413 19 1 3,434 19 7 1,031,470 19 6 27,330 13 5 £ s. d. 10,106 2 5 28,015 6 9 126,711 8 10 59,458 1 8 M. Ch. 8 28 8 0 146 45 62 1 125 0 220 60 67 40 217 40 M. Ch. 2 68 Kawakawa tVhangarei-Kamo Kaipara- Waikato ... ... . Waikato-Thames .... Waikato-Taranaki tVellington--Napier Vellington-Foxton Foxton-New Plymouth 121 78 I 1 1,151,730 0 3 29,098 13 10 903,341 3 9 90,969 3 1 11,135 13 11 97,498 10 8 109 3 128 41 Total 3,174,820 9 5 423,894 7 4 855 54 363 3:

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Auckland Contract (9 miles 61 chains). —This work, after long delay, has at last been completed. The works are in good order, and trains are now running between Newmarket Junction Station and Waikomiti Station. Waitakerei Contract (12 miles 64 chains). —With the exception of the work connected with the summit tunnel, this contract has been pushed on vigorously, but cannot now be completed within contract time—llth September, 1880. The grading is about half finished; bridges and culverts about seven-eighths. Station-buildings at Kumeu are finished. Newmarket Junction Station Contract. —This work has been carried on satisfactorily, and is well advanced. It involves a diversion of the main line, which it is expected will be made about the middle of April; after which the erection of the Eemuera Eoad over-bridge will bo begun. Newmarket Workshops Site. —This includes the formation and drainage of a piece of ground on which it is intended to build workshops. The work has been carried on with energy, and it is expected will be finished within contract time. Beclamation Contract, Auckland Harbour. —The contractor for this failed to carry out the work properly, and it was found necessary, under the powers given by the General Conditions, to serve the usual notices, and to absolutely determine the contract. The work will be re-advertised for tender. Ohaupo Contract (6 miles 20 chains). —The contractor for this work has prosecuted it with energy, and in a satisfactory manner ; it is, however, behind time, due, in some measure, to extra works ordered. It is expected that the ballasting will be complete about the end of April, shortly after which it may be opened for traffic. Newcastle Bailway Wharf Contract. —This work has been finished, and handed over to Working Eailways Department. WAIKATO-TnAMES EAILWAY. Waikato Contract (12-f miles), being part of the Waikato-Thames Eailway, commencing at Hamilton East and extending eastward. It includes station-formation and buildings at Hamilton East; the remainder of the work being swamp-drains and formation. The work is progressing well, and it is expected wall be finished in contract time. Grahamstown Contract. —Eeclamations for railway purposes. This has been satisfactorily completed. Shortland Contract. —This work, although much behind time, is now nearly completed, and is a good piece of work. Kauaeranga Contract. —This consists of a railway bridge over the Kauaeranga Eiver. The work is now complete, and has been finished in a satisfactory manner. Native Labour. —The formation of about 2 miles of railway was set aside for the employment of resident Natives. They worked at piecework for some time, but afterwards left for the kauri-gum fields, and decline to return unless at increased rates or at day-work wages. The latter, however, will not be allowed. Miscellaneous Works. Manqere Bridge Bepairs. —Tho work on this contract was delayed for some time for the want of proper piles, and it was feared that the contractor would fail to carry out the work ; on being served with a proper notice, however, more satisfactory arrangements were made, and the work progressed better. About three-fourths of the piles are now driven. The work consists of the restoration of the piers of the bridge, the jarrah piles, &c, of which had become, in many cases, entirely eaten through by the teredo, and the rest were being rapidly destroyed. The new piles are of heart of totara, which is found to resist the attacks of the teredo. Bridge-painting Contract. —This is for painting the bridges on the Auckland Contract, and is now being carried out. Surveys. Waikato-Thames. —In Waikato a preliminary survey from 14 miles to 30 miles at Te Aroha has been made, and in the Thames Valley contract survey has been made up to 13 miles 63 chains, leaving about 19 miles unexplored in the Thames Valley. Kawakawa. —Eemainder of contract surveys have been made. Whangarei-Kamo. —Eemainder of line surveyed to deep water. From Auckland Northwards. —-An exploratory survey is now in progress for the purpose of ascertaining the practicability of making a railway between Helensville and Whangarei, and of ascertaining the character of the country through which it would pass. About 59 miles of this survey have been accomplished, but the progress has necessarily been slow, as the country is very rough, mostly covered with dense forest, and intersected by numerous streams, with ranges of varying heights; the main (north and south) range varies from 300 to 800 feet high, throwing off lateral spurs to the east and west coasts, some of them very difficult to cross or grade a line over in any way. Attached to this is a brief report on the progress already made, by Mr. C. B. Knorpp, with explanatory map. Another survey of similar character has been made between Whangarei and Kawakawa. The distance is about 28f miles as surveyed; the country would appear to be not unfavourable for a line of railway, and none of the grades would exceed 1 in 50. Attached is a brief report on this from the District Engineer, with explanatory map. HAWKE'S BAY DISTBICT. Napier-Woodville Eailway. Papatu Section (64 miles 48 chains to 69 miles 70 chains). —As described in last year's report, the formation over this length was let out in small contracts, and the lighter portions were finished. The heavier cuttings and banks have since been completed, but owing to the very wet weather experienced they have given much trouble. The slips have been very heavy and continuous, necessitating much

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extra work and many drains to lay the ground dry. The slips will require very careful watching and attention, as the ground is so treacherous and uncertain, and may yet lead to much further expense. Papain Bridge Contract. —The third bridge—that over the Mangarangiora —was finished 21st February, thus completing the contract, which has been most satisfactorily and creditably executed. Makatoko Permanent-way Contract (65 miles 57 chains to 69 miles 70 chains). —Contractors are making very good progress, having laid the line up to 69 miles, including the Ormondville Station. The late heavy storm delayed the work several weeks. Tahoraite Section (11 miles 76| chains, extending from 69 miles 70 chains to 81 miles 66| chains, where the line emerges on to the Tahoraite Clearing). —Over this length the bush has all been felled three chains wide, and the centre chain cleared of all loose timber. Napier Station and Workshops Site. —Additional land has been acquired adjoining the Eaihvay Station, for the purpose of erecting workshops and store, and the whole has since been reclaimed —the material being procured from the bluff at about one mile. A contract was let last year for the erection of workshops and store, which has since been satisfactorily completed. The lines and sidings to the workshops have also been laid. The engine and machinery are now in course of erection, and it is hoped will soon be ready for work. Surveys,. Erom 69 miles 70 chains to 82 miles the line has been pegged out ready for contract, and plans prepared, so that tenders may be called for a portion. It has been suggested -that an alternative and shorter line might be found over a portion of this length, and the country is being further examined with the view of ascertaining if this is correct. From 82 miles to 85 miles the line has been pegged out ready for contract, but plans are not yet completed. Beyond the latter point the survey and pegging-out are being continued towards Woodville, about 96 miles. Bast Coast. —Instructions were given, in August, 1879, to make a flying survey of the country from Napier to Wallingford, through the district situate between the Tukituki Eiver and the sea-coast, with the viewr of determining its suitability for —(1) a main line of railway running through it; (2) in default of this being found practicable, then branch lines of railway, say three in number, from the main line of railway; (3) in case this also was found to be impracticable, whether good branch roads instead of railways might not be carried out. A survey has accordingly been made and reported on, showing conclusively that the country is eminent]}7" unsuited for proposals No. 1 and No. 2, and that the district is already provided with five roads crossing it from east to west. One or two extracts from the report may suffice to show the character of the country through which it has been proposed to construct a railway, estimated by the proposers to cost £4,000 per mile ; thus : " The country . . . consists of a mass of hills varying from 50 to 1,500 feet in height through its entire length, with minor ranges protruding in almost every direction from the main range No route could be discovered through it without being compelled to have recourse to curves far exceeding the usual limits of railway practice ; and this fact, coupled with that of being compelled to resort to* grades of exceptional steepness, .... and where the alternative of tunnelling is out of the question, the case becomes a hopeless one The full length of the line surveved is 57 miles 5'70 chains.—T. M. Foy, OE." Note.—The report and plans are now recorded in the Public Works Office, and attached is a brief explanatory map. MANAWATU DISTBICT. Foxton-Carlyle Eailway. Wanganui Wharf and Beclamation Contract. —The contract time for this w rork will expire 16th April, 1880, but the work will most probably not be finished for two months later. The whole of the timber wharf, with stone-pitching, 900 feet, has been completed; also about onehalf of the pitching below the wharf. Earthwork generally about four-fifths completed, and more than one-half of the surface metalling. The new wffiarf has been used for shipping, and as soon as possible the railway line and sidings will be laid, and tenders will be called for the erection of the station-buildings. Waitotara Contract (13 miles 5 chains). —This should have been completed on sth December, 1879, but the work has been much delayed through bad weather and various other causes. It is hoped, however, that this section may be ready for traffic about the end of June, and contractors are being urged to make every exertion. About 8| miles are now linked in, Waverley Contract (6 miles 70 chains). —This work —formation and permanent-way—has been let by contract, to be finished 31st January, 1881. Contractor is making fair progress. Carlyle Branch. —The preliminary steps have been taken for beginning the work of formation and bridges, which will be in hand in few days. Waitotara and Waverley Station-Buildings Contracts have been let, and are progressing satisfactorily. Wanganui Workshops Contract No. I.—This was completed in January, 1880, and the engine and machinery are being erected. Wanganui Workshops Contract No. 2, including smith and boiler-shop, &c, is expected to be finished in a few days. The workshops are at East-town, on the east bank of the river, where the ground for these shops has been formed and drained, and rails, sidings, and turntables laid down complete. Footway on the Bailway Bridge, Wanganui. —This was completed Ist March, 1880. Works on constructed Lines. —Numerous works have been executed in the way of extra sidings, crossings, additions to stations, water supply, cattle pens, platelayers' cottages, &c, as have been found requisite from time to time. Surveys. Wellington-Boxton. —Last year the proposed line, Foxton to Horowhenua, 11 miles 20 chains, was surveyed and plotted; and since then the survey from Horowhenua Junction to Longburn Flag-

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station, which is 4 miles from Palmerston (on the Eoxton-Palmerston section) has been in progress• 15j miles have been surveyed, but not plotted, and 9^ miles explored but not yet surveyed; making 25 miles in all. Many trial lines have been cut over this ground, to insure the best line being obtained, much of the ground being liable to heavy floods. For the same reason, it is proposed to have an alternative survey of a portion of the Eoxton-Horowhenua section. Bunnythorpe-Woodville. —The survey of this section was discontinued for some time, but has been resumed ; and a trial line is now being pushed through the Manawratu Gorge, on the right, or north, bank of the river. Land Plans. —These have been prepared for a distance of 16 miles on the Foxton line ; and on the Waitotara-Waverley section the ficldwork is complete, and plans are now being plotted. Survey plans and sections have-been made for the proposed new railway station and wharf at Foxton, including a necessary deviation of the railway line, and the w rork is being prepared for contract under public tender. Carlyle-New Plymouth Eailway. Ngaloro Section (8 miles 60 chains to 13 miles 40 chains). —This was opened for traffic on 19th December, 1879. Waipuku Section (13 miles 40 chains to 17,miles 52 chains).—This also was opened for traffic on the same date as above. Stratford Contract. —(17 miles 52 chains to 22 miles 20 chains). —This contract included formation, permanent-way, and stations; and was so far completed as to be opened for traffic on the same day as the preceding sections, as far as Stratford—22 miles. Manqawhero Contract (22 miles 20 chains to 29 miles). —This includes formation and permanentwray. The date for completion is the sth November, 1880; but the contractor has been offered a bonus to complete the line ready for traffic up to 25 miles 45 chains by June, and he is making every effort to accomplish this: adding about 34 miles to the working railway, and so diminishing the distance to be travelled over the road by coach in winter by the same amount. The line is already linked in for 1 mile 20 chains. Waingongoro Contract (4 miles 34 chains).- —This is being prepared for public tender, and will be advertised shortly as a formation and permajient-way contract. It has occupied a considerable time in survey and explorations to obtain the best line in a difficult piece of country. Normanby Section (4 miles 0 chains). —This joins the above, and extends southwards to and through the Township of Normanby. Over this length bush-clearing to 4 miles from Normanby has been executed by petty contracts and day-labour, and the remaining portion. 4 miles to 8 miles 33'86 chains, extending over the Waingongoro section, is being cleared by petty contracts. Formation over the first portion is completed to 3 miles, and another mile will be finished in a few weeks. The remainder will be executed by petty contracts as soon as bush clearing is completed. Workshops, Sentry Hill. —These buildings have been erected by contract, and were finished in January, since wdien the erection of the machinery has been progressing; and a contract has been let for the formation of the workshops yard, and the laying of rails and sidings in connection, with the shops. It is expected that these will be finished, and the machinery erected, by the middle of May. Surveys. —The surveys completed were those for the Waingongoro and Normanby sections, as well as for a water supply for the Sentry Hill workshops. Surveys have also been in progress during the year between Normanby and Carlyle, including the Carlyle branch. The latter line, after many trials to secure the best, may now be considered as definitely fixed. The main line has been the subject of much exploration and many trial lines, especially in the neighbourhood of the Eivers Tangahoe and Manawapou, which presented many difficult features. A suitable line has, however, been found a little more to the seaward than the original one, and the surveys are nearly complete for this particular section. WELLINGTON DISTBICT. Wellington Bailway Wharf and Beclamation Contract. —This includes the erection of a timber railway wharf, 650 feet long and 35 feet wide, springing from a triangular base filled in solid, and surrounded next the sea with a timber and concrete retaining-wall 530 feet long. On the wharf is laid three lines of rails, with the necessary points and crossings. It is expected to be fully complete by about the middle of April, and the work has been most energetically and faithfully carried out iu every respect. Petoni Workshops Contract. —This included the building of three shops each 50 feet by 40 feet, and one 63 feet by 47 feet; the whole was completed in a satisfactory manner by 31st January. The steam engines and various machines have been erected in their places; the shafting for driving these has also been fixed, and in a short time these workshops will be in working order. The roads intended to connect the whole of the shops with the sidings in the yard are being laid, and the engine traverser and turntables are being fixed. An office for the manager has also been erected within the workshops yard. A main drain, intended to lay dry the workshops ground, has been laid throughout its length, and a set of water tanks, capable of holding 6,400 gallons, has been erected; a well has also been dug and a pump fixed for filling the tanks, from which pipes will be carried to the various shops. Carterton Contract (20 miles 4L chains long). —This work, since it was taken over by the Public Works Department for completion, has been pushed on as vigorously as possible, the average number of men employed being about 275 ; latterly, however, this number has been reduced about one-half, as much of the work has been finished. All the heavy works, including bridges and culverts, large cuttings and embankments, are nearly completed, the work yet remaining to be done consisting of laying of permanent-way and ballasting, &c. It is expected that the whole of the works will be completed and ready for traffic to Masterton by the Ist September. Greytown Branch Bailway. —The formation of this was let by. contract, and finished on 10th January. Since then the permanent-way has been laid by the Public Works Department, and con-

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tracts are in progress for the station-buildings and fencing. It is expected that the portion of main line from Eeatherston to Woodside, and this branch, will be ready to open for traffic by the 14th May next, adding thereby about 9 miles to length of working railways. Opaki Section of Main Line. —With the view of affording work for the unemployed in and around Wellington, arrangements were made, on 17th March, for beginning the formation of the above, immediately beyond the Carterton contract. Thirty men were accordingly sent from Wellington, and have been employed in bush-clearing and earthwork. Working Bailways. —Several additions to station-buildings have been made, and seven platelayers' cottages built; 2 new single Fairlie locomotive engines have been erected, also 30 timber trucks, 20 cattle wagons, and 25 low-side wagons. Four six-wheel composite carriages have arrived, fitted with Cleminson's patent radial axles; two of these have been erected, and, so far, give great satisfaction. Wellington-Eoxton Eailway. Crofton Section. —The work on this was begun on Ist September, 1879, in order to give employment to men who were out of work. One hundred men were taken on at once, and by the end of a month this number had increased to 320. The average number employed from October to February was 330, since which the force has been reduced to about 120, and further reductions will be made in April, as many portions of the work are being finished. Very good progress has been made throughout, and it may be considered that fair value has been obtained in the quantity of work done ; it extends over a length of 4 miles 55 chains —namely, from 1 mile 10 chains to Johnsonville Station, 5 miles 65 chains. Surveys. Wellington lo Johnsonville (7 miles). —This has been completed, and the line finally located. Johnsonville to Paramatta Point (Porirua Harbour). —This line has been selected and pegged out. Careful examination has been made of the country between Johnsonville and the West Coast, and trial lines have been surveyed on both sides of the valley leading to Tawa Flat and around the shore Porirua Harbour to the narrowest part at Paramatta Point, proposed as a crossing-place. Paramatta Point to Waikanae Biver. —Trial lines are now being surveyed to secure the best line between these two places. Masterton to Woodville, by way of Alfredtown. —An exploratory survey of this line has been made, the report on which tends to show that the proposed line will be no improvement on that originally surveyed by way of the Forty-Mile Bush. A few extracts will give an idea of the character of the country, and of any line that might be taken through it—viz.: " For the first 6 miles the line passess over ground favourable enough for a line of railway ; but from this point to the 20th mile, at the Township of Alfredtown, a distance of 14 miles, it would be subjected to many sharp curves, with side-hill cutting the whole way. This is no doubt the worst part of the whole line, and is, in my opinion, sufficient in itself to condemn the route, as there is no avoiding the valley of the Wangaehu Eiver The worst or most difficult part of the line has been levelled over, showing the ruling gradient of this line to be lin 25 . . . . and the constructive works to carry this grade would be found to be as costly as tunnelling Nothing of this kind occurs upon the Forty-Mile-Bush line .... the ruling gradient upon which is shown to be lin 52 . . . . and at most will not exceed 1 in 50 The distances of the respective routes are as follows: Forty-Mile Bush line, 47 miles ; Alfredtown, 58 miles I consider the route via Alfredtown to be altogether an impracticable one From every point of view in which the subject may at present be considered, the Forty-Mile Bush line is infinitely the more preferable of the two.—T. M. Eoy, OE." A sketch-map attached to this report shows the relative positions of the Alfredtown and FortyMile Bush routes. Maps. One plain outline map of the North Island and four diagram maps on enlarged scale, showing railway lines and railway stations, &c, are attached to this report. I have, <fcc, John Blackett, The Hon, the Minister for Public Works. Engineer in Charge, North Island.

B—E. 1.

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Enclosure 1 in Appendix C. TABLE of Lengths of Government Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed, up to 31st March, 1880. NORTH ISLAND.

State of Line. Appropriation. Subdivision. Mileage. Subdivision. Main Line. Sidings. Total. Opened. Surveyed. Under Formation. Under laying. Date. 1873-74. 1874-75. 1875-76. 1876-77. 1877-78. 1878-79. ! 1879-80. Total. Kawakawa Kawakawa M.chs.lks. 8 28 0 Kawakawa Taumarere Deep-Water Kamo Whangarei Deep-Water Kaukapakapa-Helens-ville Helensville Terminus Kaipara-Riverhead ... Waitakerei Auckland Onehunga Branch ... Wharf ... Auckland Wharf Auckland- Mercer ... Mercer-Newcastle ... Newcastle- Hamilton Hamilton-Ohaupo ... Ohaupo-Te Awamutu Te Awamutu South Hamilton Branch ... Waikato M. chs. Iks. 2 68 0 10 0 4 40 0 2 55 0 2 50 0 2 55 0 2 40 0 M. chs. Iks. 0 30 0 M. chs. Iks. 3 18 0 10 0 4 70 0 2 55 0 4 10 0 2 55 0 2 40 0 M.chs.lks. EM. chs. Iks. M. chs. Iks. 22 Feb., 1877 [M.chs.lks. M. chs. Iks. 51. chs. Us. M.chs.lks. 2 68 0 M.chs.lks. M.chs.lks. M. chs. Iks. M.chs.lks. 2 68 0 4 40 0 1 0 0 ... Whan garei-Kam o Whangarei-Kamo ... 8 0 0 0 30 0 2 55 0 2 50 0 1 40 0 2 55*' 0 Estimated ... ... j ... 1 i Kaipara-Waikato Kaipara-Auckland ... 41 36 0 Onehunga Branch ... 2 73 0 0 43 0 15 68 0 12 64 0 9 61 0 2 53 0 0 20 0 0 70 0 0 65 12 1 45 0 1 28 0 1 32 26 0 20 0 0 55 0 5 51 54 3 50 0 0 60 0 1 33 0 16 53 12 14 29 0 11 9 0 4 5 26 0 40 0 0 55 0 48 25 54 34 52 0 11 13 0 9 27 0 7 0 0 2 40 0 1 66 0 12 60 0 1 20 0 16 0 0 17 17 0 10 40 0 1 47 0 0 43 0 0 73 0 0 20 0 0 43 0 12 64" 0 29 Oct.',' 1875 29 Mar., 1880 24 Dec, 1873 28 Nov., 1878 2 53 0 15 68 0 0 20' 0 9 6l" 0 15 68 O 9 61 0 2 53 O 0 20 0 Auckland- Waikato... 102 16 0 "' 42 54 0 31 2 0 10 33 0 9 27 0 6 20 0 2 40 0 110 12 60 0 1 20 0 16 0 0 17 17 0 10 40 0 1 47 O 0 43 0 0 73 0 0 20 0 2 0 0 12 0 0 4 13 0 10 10 0 3 26 0 8 70 0 4 63 0 12 79 0 5 63 0 5 66 0 13 50 0 12 40 0 47 60 0 7 61 0 20 41 0 3 7 0 20 May, 1875 13 Aug., 1877 19 Dec, 1877 4 June, 1878 42 54" 0 31 2 0 10 33 0 9 27 0 ... ... ... 42 54 0 31 2 0 10 33 O 9 27 0 ... I Waikato-Thames ... 0 60 0 6 26" 0 ... J I 2 40" 0 Prelim. 1 ... Waikato-Thames 62 1 0 65 0 20 Oet'.^ 1879 1 1 0 1 1 0 12 60' 0 Thames 1 20" 0 16 0 0 Estimated 10 40 0 Prelim. ... I ... ... ... i ... ... ... ... ... Napier-Wood ville ... Under Native Contract Kauaeranga Bridge... Shortland Grahamstown Spit Napier-Pakipaki (pt.) I ... 1 47 0 0 43 0 0 73 0 0 20 0 : - ; ... I - ... ... ... ... ... I ... 1 ... . - 25 Nov., 1874 12 Oct., 1874 1 Jan., 1875 17 Feb., 1876 28 Aug., 1876 28 Aug., 1876 1 Sept., 1876 12 Mar., 1877 25 Jan., 1878.' 2 0 0 12 0 0 4 13 0 2 0 0 12 0 0 4 13 0 10 10 O 3 26 O 8 70 0 4 63 O 12 79 0 5 63 O Wellington-Napier 96 0 0 »4 0 0 ... 62 21 0 ... 1 Pakipaki (part) 10 10" 0 ... Waipawa Waipukurau Takapau Kopua Papatu Tahoraite Woodville Woodrille-Opaki ... Opaki-Masterton ,,, Carterton ,., Orey town Branch ,,, 3 26 0 8 70 0 4 63 0 12 79 0 0 35 0 0 45 0 6 18 0 6 31 0 13 50 0 12 40 0 47 60 0 7 61 0 22 1 0 3 7 0; 5 6f>" 0 ... ... 5 63 0 ... ... 13 50 0 12 40 0 47 60 0 Prelim. Prelim. 7 61 0 ... ... ... ... Woodville-Wellington 124 60 0 ... ... 1 40 0 ... ... ... 20 41* 0 3 7 0 ... ... ... ... ... I [ ... I ... I I I ... I ... I ... ... 1

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Featherston Station,., Incline Summit ... Pakuratahi Mungaroa (part) ... 1 12 0 8 78 0 1 12 0 6 50 0 7 43 0 0 35 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 5 75 0 8 9 0 0 52 0 1 50 0 4 55 0 11 15 0 0 20 0] 0 40 0 0 20 0 1 32 0 9 38 0 1 32 0 6 50 0 ... . .... 12 Oct., 1878 12 Oct., 1878 12 Oct., 1878 12 Oct., 1878 1 Jan., 1878 1 Feb., 1876 1 Feb., 1876 15 Dec, 1875 15 Dec. 1875 14 April, 1874 ... ... i ... 1 12 0 8 78 0 1 12 0 6 50 0 1 12 O 8 78 O 1 12 O 6 50 O 7 43 O 0 35 O 3 0 0 2 5 0 5 75 0 8 9 0 J 0 20 0 ( 1 51 75 8 18 0 0 35 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 5 75 0 ... 7 43 0 River (part) ... Hutt Wellington Thorndon Eeelamat'n Kaiwara Crof ton Johnsonville - Paramatta Point Paramatta Point - Waikanae Waikanae - Horowhenua Horowhenua-Foxton Foxton Palmerston Bunny thorpe-Wood-ville (part) Bunny thorpe-Wood-ville (part) Taonui Branch Junction ... Oroua Halcombe (part) 20 60 75 ... 0 52 0 1 50 0 4 55 0 11 15 0 0 52 0 8 9 0 I ... Wcrington-Fox-Wellington-Foxton... 67 40 0 1 50 0 ... ton 11 15 0 4 55 0 ... ... ... ... 18 0 0 18 0 0 18 0 0 Prelim. Foxton-New Plymouth Foxton-Carlyle 20 60 0 20 60 0 20 60 0 Prelim. 1150 43 0 11 20 0 24 58 0 4 72 0 7 50 0 1 54 0 0 28 0 11 20 0 26 32 0 5 20 0 7 50 0 11 20 0 27 April, 1876 20 Oct., 1876 24 58 O 4 72 O 24 58 O 4 72 O 7 50 0 7 20 0 7 20 0 7 20 0 Prelim. Bull's Branch Marton (part) Wangaehu Wanganui Wanganui Bridge ... Wanganui Brauch ... 3 17 0 4 0 0 5 10 3 52 0 6 27 0 3 79 0 4 53 0 9 10 0 10 18 0 10 0 0 0 14 50 2 71 50 0 30 0 8 31 0 10 0 13 5 0 6 70 o 10 10 0 jl 44 0 | 1 22 0 I ]o 40 0 0 61 0 2 3 0 3 17 0 10 45 0 11 21 0 I 3 79 0 14 23 0 11 2 0 12 3 0 0 14 50 3 30 50 1 70 0 9 16 0 10 0 14 2 0 7 40 0 10 10 0 3 17 o' I 3 79 0 Prelim. Prelim. 20 Oct., 1876 20 Oct., 1876 22 April, 1878 20 May, 1878 20 May, 1878 4 Feb., 1878 17 May, 1877 17 May, 1877 17 May, 1877 21 Jan., 1878 ... I ... I ... 4 0 0 5 10 ... I ... 10 18 0 10 0 0 0 14 50 3 52 0 6 27 0 4 53 0 9 10 0 4 0 0 5 10 3 52 O 6 27 O 4 53 0 9 10 0 10 18 0 10 0 0 0 14 50 2 71 50 Brunswick Kai Iwi Waitotara Waverley Waverley - Carlyle Junction Carlyle Branch Carlyle Junction - Manutahi Manutahi-Hawera ... Hawera — Normanby Normanby Waiugongoro Manga whero Stratford Waipuku Ngatoro Waiongona Waitara -New Plymouth Te Awamutu - New Plymouth 0 39 0 1 40 0 0 65 0 0 30" 0 2 71 5o! 28 June, 1879 28 June, 1879 I 8 31 0 10 0 8 31 0 10 0 0 77 0 0 50 0 13 5 0 6 70 0 ... ... io io o Prelim. Carlyle-Waitara 66 77 0 2 74 0 6 0 0 2 74 0 6 0 0 2 74 0 6 0 0 9 50 0 2 60 0 4 0 0 4 34 0 6 60 0 4 48 0 4 12 0 4 60 0 8 60 0 11 13 0 0 10 0 0 65 0 0 20 0 0 30 0 0 24 0 9 50 0 2 60 0 4 0 0 4 34 0 6 70 0 5 33 0 4 32 0 5 10 0 9 4 0 11 13 0 9 50 0 2 60 0 4 34 0 ... Prelim. 4 0 0 6 60" 0 ... | j 4 48 0 4 12 0 4 60 0 4 48 0 4 12 0 4 60 0 8 60 0 11 13 0 ... ... 17 Dec, 1879 17 Dec, 1879 17 Dec, 1879 30 Nov., 1877 14 Oct., 1875 I I 8 60 0 ... | 11 is' 0 Waikato-Taranaki Te Awamutu - New Plymouth 125 0 0 125 0 0 125 0 0 Estimated Totals ... SEio 54 0 -55 54 0 41 48 67 900 22 07, 232 4 0 3 69 0 81 53 0 10 62 0 60 67 0 73 24 0 17 11 50 |24 22 0 99 41 50. 27 43 0 363 31 0

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Enclosure 2 in Appendix C. REPORT ON EXPLORATION EOR A RAILWAY LINE EROM HELENSVILLE TO WHANGAREI. Mr. C. B. Knorpp, C.E., to Engineer in Charge, North Island. From the Helensville wharf* it is proposed to carry the railway along the right bank of the Kaipara Eiver to its junction with the Kaukapakapa; thence it will follow the Kaukapakapa a short distance, cross that river and run up the Tukuro Creek, and, by a tunnel 12 chains long, through the range between the Kaukapakapa and Makarau, about 1 mile west of the Flat-topped Mountain; thence across four branches to the head-waters of the Makarau, where, by a tunnel 19 chains long, it will enter the Areparera drainage, and follow that stream for 5 miles. It will then, by a tunnel 13 chains long, enter the Onehunga Valley, follow that stream to the junction with the Kaitoto ; follow the left bank of it and then cross it about |- a mile above its junction with the Oteo, the left bank of which it will follow for 3 miles, then cross that river and pass to the east of Wellsford. It will head all the tidal creeks of the Oruawharo, and pass through the watershed of the latter and the Otamatea by a tunnel 9 chains long; thence across the Waitapu and Kaiwaka to the west of the Pukekaroro, and south and east of Pukekuhatu, across the Wairau Creek and the Waitepoko, then, through a tunnel 6| chains long, into the Valley of the Mongonui. This is as far as the exploration has extended ; but no more serious difficulty appears to bar the way to Whangarei. The grades on this line will bo generally 1 in 50, except on the south side of the 2nd, 4th, and sth tunnels, and from the Wairau Creek to the summit on the Tutainui, where 1 in 40 grade will have to be used. Near the several tunnels and on the banks of the Oteo some rather sharp curves will be required, and one at least of 6 chains radius at the Wairau Creek. The whole country is very broken and rugged, and the greater part covered with dense bush containing in patches fine kauri timber; and the railway will be expensive in construction and maintenance. There is first-class timber for viaducts, bridges, and sleepers, wherever required ; but there is no good ballast along the line, nor building-stone, except some soft sandstone from the Makarau to the Onehunga Stream, and soft limestone similar to that at Napier, north of Kaiwaka. Camp Mangatoroto, C. B. Knorpp.

Enclosure 3 in Appendix C. REPOET ON EXPLORATION EOR A RAILWAY-LINE EROM WHANGAREI TO KAWAKAWA. Memorandum for the Engineer in Charge, North Island. I enclose herewith .... general map of country. I examined the country in September last, and directed the trial of a line to avoid the heavy works, including a tunnel, at Kamo end. This deviation .... gives a good surface line, but with a summit 61 feet higher and length li mile more than by the tunnel route.f The distance from 4-j? miles to at least 13 miles is subject to floods after every rain, and, if ever tho line is undertaken, it should be in connection with the drainage of the Papakuri Swamp, by cutting a new channel through the rocks, as previously reported on. That would lower the waters in the Wairau Valley and its tributaries about 15 feet. All the land affected by this drainage would be good land. Much of the land beyond 14 miles is poor gum land, but the chalky-looking flint found over the coal at Kawakawa is to be seen on nearly all the hills from Hikurangi to Kawakawa, indicating coal. The instructions being to make for Kawakawa, the low range at 21 miles 30 chains was crossed, the route leading down a very narrow valley, the head of the Pokapoka Stream, which joins the Waiomio at the Waiomio Native settlement. If, however, this line comes to be considered as part of the Northern system of railways, I would advocate a different route from 21 miles. It is there in the Eamarama Valley, which, after a long detour to the west, runs northward, and joins the Kawakawa Valley, some miles west of the coal mines. The line could thus be taken, through easy country and good land, to join a line from Kawakawa deepwater to Hokianga, and the traffic could be accommodated to great advantage, whether for Kawakawa and the Bay of Islands on the one hand, or for Kaitoke and Hokianga on the other. lam strongly of opinion that this Kawakawa and Hokianga line should be the first to be undertaken of all the northern lines projected. It would be an easy line and bring a very large extent of splendid land within reach of a first-class shipping-place. I have only further to remark that Mr. Vickerman has carried out his instructions in a manner reflecting much credit on himself as an explorer. As an aneroid survey I think it could not be better performed, and it must be remembered it was done iu two months, from 10th July last, a not very favourable period of the year. James Stewart, D.E.

* The end of the present railway, t About 2 miles from Kamo, the summits being respectively 529 feet and 468 feet above datum.

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.A.IPIPEIN'IDIZX; D.

ANNEAL REPORT ON ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND, INCLUDING OTHER MISCELLANEOUS WORKS, BY THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

The Engineer in Charge, North Island, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 31st March, 1880. I have the honor to forward annual report on roads and other miscellaneous works for the nine months ending 31st March, 1880.

AUCKLAND. Great South Boad. —The work on this road has been the usual repairs to the surface, and to culverts and bridges. The Slippery Creek Bridge at Drury has been replaced by a larger structure, and the wings of the Hingaia Bridge, also at Drury, have been replaced with small spans as an improvement. The road generally is in very good order, but a few places require a coat of metal. Panmure Bridge.- —At date of last report the contract for repairs of this bridge was in progress. A. large amount of extra work was found necessary on stripping off the old work. Pukekohe and Waiuku Boad. —The expenditure on this road was made in piecework about twothirds, and in wages one-third. About three-quarters of a mile have been metalled, and 2,548 cubic yards of earth have been moved in improving the hill at Waitangi Stream and other places. Pukekohe and Bombay Boad. —About half the expenditure has been for land compensation, including cost of fencing through such land ; the earthworks have been mostly in side-cutting, and the approaches to the bridge at Bombay Mill. No metalling has been done, but material for metalling exists in the shape of basaltic boulders, at the ends and middle of the road. Hunua Boad. —The only work done on this road was a cutting at the summit, the completion of which has enabled the settlers to use wheeled vehicles instead of pack-horses, which for twenty years have been used for carrying goods on this road. Cambridge-Taupo Boad. —On this the work has been done by the Armed Constabulary Force, commencing in January, and consists of 7 chains of heavy side-cutting, widened at about 3 miles (reckoning from the junction with Taotaoroa Highway Eoad), bank drained, slopes turfed, earthwork about 3,000 cubic yards; at 3 miles 40 chains, 11 chains of stream cleared, snagged, and deepened to prevent it flooding the road; at 5 miles, one bridge, 20 feet span, built; at 11 miles, a 2-feet culvert and 400 cubic yards of bank, and 3 miles 40 chains of road widened and formed. Cambridge and Botorua Boad.— This road leaves the Cambridge-Taupo Eoad at about 12 miles, sloping to the left and reaching the level of the Waitoa Plain by grades, of which the steepest is 1 in 13. The work done consists of —survey, 2 miles ; clearing in fern and manuka, 1 mile ; forming, 50 chains ; metalled with clay slate rock, 4 chains. Exploration as far as Tapapa has been made, and a very good line of road can be obtained ; only three rivers occur on the route —namely, the Oraka, the Waikou, and the Waimakariri. These have been measured, and plans have been prepared for the bridges, which will shortly be advertised for public tender. Hamilton and Baglan Boads. —These have been examined and several parts prepared for contract. Te Awamutu Bailway Station Boad (66 chains long).—The formation of this has been let by contract for £171 14s. 6d., and metalling wili be done as far as the remainder of the funds available will allow. Camhridge-Tauranga Boad. —A survey of this has been made from the Wairoa Eiver, at the Omanawa Creek Bridge, to the Wailiou Eiver, about 26 miles. A very direct line has been obtained, considering the nature of the country to be traversed. It crosses the main dividing range at a height of 1,710 feet above sea level; over this the gradients are good, the descent into the Waihou Valley being about lin 16|. It is proposed that the survey should be continued to join the Eotorua Eoad near to where it leaves the Taupo Eoad; this part is flat throughout, and about 8 miles would effect the junction. The survey plans of the portions surveyed are now in hand, and will shortly be completed. BAY OF PLENTY. Otara Cart-bridge. —This work has been completed during the year—length, 360 feet; it crosses the Eiver Otara. Whakatane-Ohope Boad. —This road has been put in good repair over a distance of 3J miles. Seven new culverts have been constructed. Whakatane-Te Teko Boad. —Twelve small bridges and culverts have been built on this road, with about 2,300 cubic yards of earthwork in the approaches. A ditch about 1| miles long has also been dug by Native labour through a swamp to drain the road. Bast Cape Boad. —Twelve miles of this road have been maintained by Native contractors during the year. Te Teko and Galatea Boad. —This is in a bad state of repair, particularly the bridges. Instructions have been given to have them repaired.

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Tauranga-Taupo Boad. —This has generally been maintained in fair order for traffic, but the heavy rains experienced from July, 1879, to end of January, 1880, coupled with heavy traffic, placed the road in bad condition. The weather improved in February, and allowed the necessary repairs to be made, including a considerable amount of drainage, and the worst parts in the Mangarewa Gorge have been metalled and put in a serviceable condition. Most of the work of maintenance used to be done by Natives, but they have ceased to care about employment, and the work lately has been done by Europeans. About twelve men are constantly employed between Oropi and Atiamuri —-60 miles. Those bridges and culverts which were built of rimu when the road was first made, no other timber being available, are gradually being rebuilt of more durable timber, the rimu being now in a state of decay. Botorua and Tarawera Boad. —-The heavy rains of last winter cut this road up very much, but the needful repairs have been effected, and it is now in fair order. Taupo-Atiamuri.—Napier-Taupo. Kaiwaka-Stony Creek (31 miles). —-This has been kept in good order by day-labour, and sundry improvements have been made at various points. The road is now in fair order for traffic. Stony Creek-Atiamuri (69 miles). —This has been kept in repair mostly by Native Armed Constabulary men, and is now in fair condition for traffic throughout. The Bangitaikai Bridge, trussed, 40-feet span, and the Waipuwerawera Bridge, 25-feet span, plain, have been reconstructed of good and durable materials ; also, several smaller bridges and culverts have been substantially repaired. EAST COAST. There has been no road work done on Government roads during the year, with the exception of a short road deviation, 12 chains long, from the Norsewood-Ormondville Eoad through the Eailway Beserve into the Ormondville Eailway Station ground, crossing the line about 67 miles 75 chains. This piece of road will require to be metalled. Tenders have been invited for metalling the branch road from the Makotoko Eailway Station to the main road, a distance of 3 miles 384 chains ; and, after tenders have been accepted, it is expected that the work will be done by the middle of June. A proposal has been submitted to make a branch road from the railway line at about 74 miles to the main road, about 40 chains. This is the only easily-accessible place from the railway line to the main road between Makatoko Station —69 miles 60 chains —and Tahoraite Station, at 82 miles 25 chains. It would appear advisable to make this branch, as it is desirable to establish communication between the railway and road at as many points as possible, to develop future traffic for the railway. Patutahi Drainage Works, Poverty Bay. —The first contract for these was in hand in June last, and has since been completed —41 miles 70 chains. A second contract, 1 mile, has since been let and completed. Both have been well executed, and the drain answers well. Port Ahuriri Bridge, Napier. —This contract was let on 13th August last, and the contract time will expire on 13th August, 1880. The contractor is making excellent progress, and doing his work well. Nearly all the piles in the ordinary piers are now driven, and the superstructure is nearly half finished. MANAWATU DISTBICT. The Manawatu Gorge Boad has been maintained in good order during the year. The traffic was interrupted and the road damaged by heavy rain-storm, 20th March. The Manawatu Gorge Bridge was also damaged to a small extent by heavy drift timber. This and the road are now being repaired. Kairanqa Survey Block. —Bush-felling and road-clearing have been completed for a length of 14 miles 3 chains. A contract has been let for 4 miles T2\ chains of drain in connection with 2 miles 55 chains of road formation, and the work is now in progress. Boad Bridge over Manawatu, near Palmerston. —This has been screwed up and painted, and some repairs have been executed to the north approach. TAEANAKI DISTBICT. Manganui Cart-bridge. —This is situated on the Tariki Eoad, near Waipuku, and the work has been completed. It consists of one span of 60 feet and three spans of 30 feet. Gravelling the Mountain Boad. —Several contracts were advertised for public tender, but only one was accepted, the tenders for the others being too high. The one under contract is 105-71 chains long, and is situated between Waipuku and Midhirst Townships. Date for completion, 6th May. WELLINGTON DISTBICT. Opaki Bridge Contract. —This contract is for erecting a road bridge of three 80-feet spans over the Buamahunga Eiver, on the main road to Opaki and Seventy-Mile Bush, and the formation and metalling of 22 chains of road on the southern side of the river, and of 29 chains on the northern side. The contractor has not made rapid progress, owing, partly, to numerous floods. The north and south abutments and No. 1 pier (of concrete) are completed, and the work is good. No. 2 pier is not yet commenced. A large quantity of timber is delivered, and the road-work is well advanced ; but the work wili not be completed within the time allowed. Footpaths Contracts, Thorndon Beclamation. —This was for forming, kerbing, and gravelling about 81 chains of footpaths in Whitmore, Ballance, Stout, Eeatherston, and Maginnity Streets, and Customhouse Quay. The work was satisfactorily completed, 20th October, 1879.

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Aechitect's Branch. ■ Annual Report of the Architect is attached hereto. I have, &c, John Blackett, The Hon. the Minister for Public "Works. Engineer in Charge, North Island. [Postscript to Annual Report on Roads up to 10th May, 1880.] EOADS ON "WAIMATE PLAINS AND ADJOINING DISTRICTS. Waimate Plains. —Proceeding from the River Waingongoro westwards, about 15 miles of the road formed some years since have been repaired and widened by the Armed Constabulary Force and Public Works Volunteers. Other works, such as lowering grades and substantially repairing bridges and culverts, have been done and are now being done by another party of workmen, following the first. The gravelling of about 2f miles of this road, starting at the Waingongoro River, has been executed, and about 7 miles more are now in hand under contract. Stratford-Opunalee.- —This is intended to be a line of communication between these places as direct as possible. It lies mostly through bush, and the country has been found to be not unfavourable for road-making. The bush has been underscrubbed 2 chains wide, with a track cleared in the centre 16 feet wide, for a distance of 3^ miles from Stratford ; beyond this only the 16 feet will be cleared at present, so as to secure a through communication as early as possible. The survey line is cut for 8 miles from the Stratford end, and it is intended to begin with the survey and work at the Opunake end almost immediately. Stony River-Opunalee. —That portion of the old road from Stony River to where the new road leaves it—about 2 miles—has been put in a thoroughly good state of repair, including 54 chains of gravelling. The new road has been formed about 2 miles, and another mile will shortly be ready for dray traffic. The country is generally suitable for road-making, with abundance of good gravel, as well as stone. At the Opunake end about 2 miles of 20-feet track has been formed north of Umuroa, the point to which the road was formerly made from Opunake. The gap between this and the Stony River end is about 12 miles, which, with ordinarily good weather, may be opened in about two months' time.

Enclosure in Appendix D. ANNUAL REPORT ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND WORKS, NORTH ISLAND, FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDINQ- 31st MARCH, 1880.

Sir,— I have the honor to report, for your information, upon the various buildings designed, added to, or altered; together with contracts let, in progress, or completed from Ist July, 1879, to 31st March, 1880, in connection wdth the Architect's Branch of the Public Works Service. Designs have been prepared for the following works —namely, police buildings at Wellington (brick, including Police Court), Wanganui, Carlyle, Stratford, Inglewood, Waitotara, Waitara, Manutahi, Normanby, Halcombe, Turakina, Hawera, Otaki, New Plymouth, Tolago Bay, Awanui, Ohinemutu, Opotiki, Whakatane, Maketu, Hamilton East, Tauranga, Katikati, and Warkworth. For post offices at Dargaville and Te Koporu; whilst plans have been prepared for additions to offices at Kawakawa, Lower Hutt, and Wanganui. For two drillsheds at Wellington—one 50 ft. by 100 ft., for the Armed Constabulary, at Mount Cook, and the other 100 ft. by 100 ft., for Volunteers, on the Eeclaimed Land. For extensive alterations and additions to the lunatic asylum and H.M. gaol, Wellington. The former consisting of a new west wing for females, and alterations to old building for both sexes. The latter consisting of brick additions providing cells, stores, infirmary, offices, &c. The above list comprises the principal buildings for which drawings and specifications have been made. Contracts have been completed either for new buildings or additions to accommodate various departments at the following places, viz.: New Courthouses at Eeilding, Papakura, Alexandra, Te Awamutu, and Ohinemutu ; also alterations at Turakina and New Plymouth. New post offices and telegraph stations have been completed at Newton (Auckland), Ohaupo, Ealeigh, Carlyle, Port Albert, Woodville, and Pahi; and additions at Foxton, Hawera, Masterton, Waipukurau, and Waipawa. Contracts for new police buildings have been completed at Port Albert, Marton, Palmerston, Hastings, Greytown, Napier, Port Ahuriri, Woodville, and Wanganui; and at Featherston immigration cottages have been converted into police station. Miscellaneous. —A new drillshed and a new barrack-room for Armed Constabulary, Wellington, have been completed ; a store shed at Wellington, and cable-house at Wanganui for Telegraph department j residence for railway manager at Petone; sheep-dip and quarantine stations at Auckland and Wellington ; painting departmental offices, ministerial residences, Museum, Government House, Provincial Buildings, and Government Printing Office, Wellington. Contracts in Progress. —The most important contract in hand is that for the new Supreme Court, Wellington. The contractor is making good progress with the work, and he bids fair to complete the building in contract time. When finished, it will, I believe, not only be an ornament to the city, but will also provide ample accommodation for many years to come. The work is being carried out in the most substantial manner, whilst every care has been taken in its design and construction to provide a

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pleasing exterior combined with the best internal arrangements for securing light, ventilation, good acoustics, and convenience. A contract has been let at Auckland for the conversion of the old Wesleyan Chapel, High Street, into a Eesident Magistrate's Court and offices. This work has been intrusted to a private architect. Sixteen contracts are in progress for the erection of police buildings —namely, at Carlyle, Inglewood, Waitotara, Waitara, Manutahi, Normanby, Tolago Bay, Awanui, Hamilton, Ohinemutu, Opotiki, Whakatane, Maketu, Tauranga, Katikati, and Warkworth. A contract has been let for additions to Her Majesty's Gaol, Wellington. The work is being pushed on, and the time for completion is fixed on the 25th August, 1880. Two contracts have been taken for works at the Lunatic Asylum, Wellington; both are in a forward state, and when completed greatly increased accommodation will be provided. The new west wing to the Whau Lunatic Asylum, Auckland, is being done under the supervision of a private architect, and is progressing satisfactorily. Two contracts are in progress for additions to post and telegraph offices ; one at the Lower Hutt and the other at Wanganui; both are nearly completed. A new drill-shed for Volunteer purposes is in course of erection on the reclaimed land, Wellington, and is to be completed in May, 1880. Besides the above, many small works have been undertaken, such as repairs, minor alterations, additions, &c. The total expenditure in the Architect's Branch, North Island, during the nine months has been: — £ s. d. Judicial ... ... ... ... ... 12,818 8 7 Postal and Telegraph ... ... ... ... 4,317 19 4 Offices for Public Departments ... ... ... 2,655 10 4 Lunatic Asylums... ... ... ... ... 13,021 11 5 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... 22,773 711 £55,586 17 7 I have, &c, P. F. M. Burrows, The Engineer in Charge, North Island, Wellington. Architect.

Sketch Map OF THE KAIPARA-WAIKATO WHANGAREI-KAMO and KAWAKAWA RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE NORTH ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE NAPIER-WOODVILLE RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE NORTH ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE FOXTON-NEW PLYMOUTH RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE NORTH ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE WELLINGTON-WOODVILLE AND WELLINGTON-FOXTON. RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE NORTH ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE EXPLORATION FOR A RAILWAY LINE FROM HELENSYILLE to WHANGAREI TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE NORTH ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE EXPLORATION FOR A RAILWAY LINE FROM WHANGAREI TO KAWAKAWA TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE NORTH ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE EXPLORATION FOR A RAILWAY LINE FROM NAPIER TO WALLINGFORD TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE NORTH ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE EXPLORATION FOR A RAILWAY LINE FROM MASTERTON to WOODVILLE TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE NORTH ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Map of the NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND Public Works Department 1880. John Blackett. M. Inst. C. E. Engineer in Charge

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APPEIsTDIX lE.

ANNUAL REPOET ON THE PUBLIC WOEKS OE THE MIDDLE ISLAND. The Enoineee in Chaege, Middle Island, to the Hon. the Minister for Public "Woeks. Sie,— Public Works Office, Dunedin, 31st March, 1880. I have the honor to submit the following report on the various works completed and in progress in the Middle Island during the past financial year -.— In order to facilitate reference I will adhere generally to the arrangement of the subject and mode of giving information adopted in former reports; the headings being as follow : Ist. Bailways ; 2nd. Eoads and Bridges; 3rd. Water-races ; 4th. Miscellaneous Works; sth. Buildings ; 6th. Surveys of Unauthorized Lines ; 7th. General Bemarks. BAILWAYS. Geneeal. In my last annual report I referred to the desirability of having a general report prepared, giving a full description of the railways in the Island, and my intention to have it done. In consequence of the shortness of the recess, and a press of other work, the report has not yet been prepared; but the information required for it is being collected as opportunity offers. A general report of this kind, giving particulars of cost and other statistics up to a certain date, and accompanied by explanatory maps and drawings, would, I have no doubt, be of considerable service to the department and the Government, as a ready means of reference when information is required. The following statement shows the expenditure and liabilities on railways in the Middle Island up to the 31st March, 1880, including surveys and the valuation of the provincial lines : — £ s. d. Total expenditure out of loan ... ... ... ... ... 5,309,462 7 11 Valuation of Provincial lines ... ... ... ... ... 1,104,281 2 5 Total expenditure up to 31st March, 1880 ... 6,413,743 10 4 Liabilities on 30th March, 1880 ... ... ... ... 487,846 7 0 Total expenditure and liabilities... ... £6,901,589_ 17 4 The details of the above, together with the lengths of railways authorized and open, are given in the following table, the lines taken over from the Provincial Governments of Canterbury and Otago, and the expenditure on preliminary surveys, being included: —

The following statement shows the rate at which the several railways in the Middle Island have been completed during each financial year, further details being given in the table hereto appended (Enclosure No. 1): — Lengths of Eailway Opened in Middle Island during Financial Year-.

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Name of Railway. Total Length on which Expenditure Authorized. Open lor Traffic. Expenditure Liabilities to on SISt March, 1880. 31st March, 1880. Authorized by " The Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Act, 1879 :" — Nelson to Greymouth Greymouth to Hokitika ... Westport to Ngakawau ... Picton to Hurunui Hurunui to Waitaki ... '.,. Canterbury Interior Main Line Waitaki to Bluff Otago Central Invercargill to Kingston ... Western Railways ... ... ... ... Preliminary Surveys M. chs. M. chs. £ s. d. £ s. d. 70 0 24 0 19 19 31 32 406 0 41 0 398 53 65 0 107 16 64 0 26 60 19 19 17 10 316 45 346,461 4 2 14,596 3 3 209,410 10 5 172,843 15 11 1,723,399 0 7 6,064 14 9 2,409,533 6 3 51,684 8 11 241,509 2 3 92,871 17 7 41,088 3 10 28,800 12 6 4,675 4 1 4,911 3 5 5,507 8 3 90,242 11 0 5,824 9 8 255,753 3 8 36,353 0 9 7,157 11 7 47,386 8 11 1,234 13 2 321 31 87 26 29 0 Total 1,226 40 817 31 5,309,462 7 11 487,846 7 0 Provincial Government Lines : — Canterbury (lengths included above) Otago „ „ 731,759 0 0 372,522 2 5 General Totals 1,226 40 817 3] 6,413,743 10 4 4S7.846 7 0

tp to 30th June, 1873-74. I8J4-JS- i8}j-J<5. 1876-77. 1877-78. 1878-79, 1879-80. Total. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. 76 30 27 77 11 30 127 60 247 71 153 69 94 66 58 57 18 51 817 31

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The schedule of contracts entered into during the financial year shows that only one new section of railway has been commenced since the last session of Parliament, viz., the Waicola section of the Otautau to Nightcaps line. Surveys and contracts have, however, been prepared for nearly all the sections contemplated under the Appropriation Act. Nelson to Geeymouth Bailway. Section, Port of Nelson to Boundell. —The length of this section, as authorized, is 52 miles. Of this length, 19 miles, between the City of Nelson and the Township of Poxhill, has been opened since 1876 ; and the connection between Nelson and the Port—a distance of about a mile —is expected to be completed early in May. The Bellgrove Contract, 3 miles long, an extension inland of the present line, is fast approaching completion. Another subsection, the Wai-iti Contract, 6 miles long, was prepared, and advertised for tenders, but the acceptance of a tender has been postponed. Surveys of the remainder of the section to Boundell are in progress. The works on the Port line consist chiefly of filling in the foreshore of the harbour, building a sea-wall, and laying the line, together with water-supply and other minor works at the wharf. The contracts have been fairly carried out, and the sea-wall—the most important work —is standing well. The Bellgrove Contract is for formation and bridges only. The "Wai-iti Bridge, which is the principal structure, has six spans of 40 feet and two of 11 feet. It has been carried out in a very satisfactory manner. Provision must shortly be made for laying the permanent way and finishing the stations on the Bellgrove extension. The necessary sleepers are now being provided by contract. The "Wai-iti Contract, lately advertised, was also for formation and bridges only. Considering the nature of the country the works are comparatively light: they consist principally of earthworks. There are four heavy cuttings from 6 to 10 chains long and 20 to 50 feet greatest depth, and six embankments from 4 to 9 chains long and 30 to 80 feet extreme height. The remainder of the subsection is, however, remarkably easy, and the tenders received were very satisfactory. As you are aware, there has been a considerable agitation with reference to the route the railway should take between Poxhill and the Buller Valley: it is therefore advisable to refer to the subject somewhat in detail. Five or six different lines and combinations of lines have been examined and surveyed with more or less minuteness, according as they appeared feasible. There are, however, only two between which there is anything like competition : these are the Hope or Bochfort's line, originally surveyed in 1874, and the Blue Glen line, now adopted. The Hope line went directly through the Spooner Bange to the Motueka Valley, thence up the Motupiko Valley and Clark's Creek to the Hope Saddle, and down the Hope Biver to the Buller Valley. The Blue Glen line follows the Wai-iti Valley to the head, then crosses by Bay's Saddle into the Motueka "Watershed, the main stream being crossed immediately above the confluence of the Blue Glen Creek. The Blue Glen is then followed to near its head in the Big Bush, where the range between it and the Motupiko is pierced by a long tunnel. Prom this point the line runs up the Motupiko to Boundell, and down the Black Valley to tho Buller. The following is a comparative statement of the leading features of the two lines, as determined by the trial surveys ;—

The length of the 1 in 33 gradient on the Hope route is comparatively small, so it might be reduced to 1 in 35; but it is impossible to go beyond this at anything like a reasonable expenditure, there being long inclines at the latter rate. It is therefore quite obvious that there can be no comparison between the two lines in the most important feature of gradients. The trial survey of the Blue Glen route was on SJ-chain curves, but the permanent line is being set out with minimum curves of 7% chains, the limit on the main line in Canterbury and Otago. This reduces the length by about 1-|- miles, but increases the length of tunnelling by about half a mile. The main tunnel is not, however, increased ; on the contrary, it is shortened by about 11 chains. Subject to slight alterations that may yet be made, the lengths of the tunnels on the Poxhill to Boundell line are as follow: — Length. Spur No. 1 ... ... ... ... ... 13 chains. „ 2 ... ... ... ... ... 5 ~ ~ 3 ... ... ... ... ... 9 „ 4 ... ... ... ... ... 4 Bay's Saddle" ... ... ... ... 10 ',', Postman's Saddle ... ... ... (about) 21 „ Gordons ... ... ... ... (about) 14 „ Spur No. 5 ... ... ... ... ... 5 „ Blue Glen 43 „ Total 124 „

Particulars. Hope Route. Blue Glen Route. /cngtli from Foxhill to Hope Junction tuling gradient ;ength of tunnelling iccomniodation afforded ... 32 miles. 1 in 33. 77 chains in two tunnels. Accommodates the Motueka Valley and its tributaries better than the Blue Glen route, but leaves out the traffic of the Upper Wairau. 42 miles. 1 in 50. 84 chains, four tunnels ; longest 54 chains, and shortest 5 chains. Accommodates the Upper Wairau Valley better than the Hope route, but leaves out the Motueka Valley.

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So far as distance is concerned, the Hope line has the advantage by about 9 miles, and probably the cost will be somewhat less ; but our information is not sufficiently detailed to enable anything like a correct comparison to be made in the latter particular. In any case the difference is too small to be regarded in an undertaking of such magnitude ; and, if the relative carrying capacity of each line is taken into consideration, the balance is immensely in favour of the Blue Glen line. With reference to the accommodation afforded to the district traversed, I think there is little to choose from between the two lines. What is gained on the one is lost on the other, and the character of the country is much the same in both cases. It is thus shown that, while there is little difference between the lines in minor points, the most important consideration—easy gradients—is greatly in favour of the Blue Glen one. Por this reason the balance of advantages would still be on the same side, even if the line were much longer, more expensive, and farther away from the good country. Under those circumstances there was no difficulty in arriving at the conclusion that the Blue Glen line was infinitely the better of the two, and it was accordingly adopted. Having compared the two lines that came more directly into competition, it is necessary to refer generally to the others that have been proposed and examined. The first went through the Spooner Range by Rochfort's line, but with 1 in 50 gradients; then followed up the Motupiko to a junction with the Blue Glen line in the Big Bush ; its object being to accommodate the Motueka Valley settlers, without necessitating the heavy gradients of the Hope Saddle. These advantages are not, however, commensurate with the extra length of line and heavy outlay involved. The line would be 9 miles longer than the Blue Glen one, and would possibly cost nearly a quarter of a million more —the tunnel through the Spooner Range being 2| miles long—nearly a mile longer than the Lyttelton tunnel, the longest in New Zealand. Another line was proposed through the Spooner Range by way of Pretty Bridge Creek and Brown's Gully. It was strongly advocated and pressed on the attention of the Government by the Motueka Valley settlers. Prom an inspection of the ground I felt sure that it was impracticable, but to put the matter beyond doubt I had some levels taken. These showed that with lin 50 gradients it would be necessary to have a tunnel 2| miles long through the main range, and one of nearly half a mile through a subsidiary spur. The latter might be avoided by running up the Motueka Valley about a mile, and doubling back to the confluence of the Motupiko, but this would be worse than the second tunnel. Even with gradients of lin 35, as on Rochfort's line, it would require li miles of tunnelling at the Spooner Range. Altogether, the Pretty Bridge route is the least feasible of the many that have been proposed. In addition to those above described, several other routes through the Spooner Range have been examined, but none of them bear comparison with the adopted one by Blue Glen. Unless we commence far back on the present line, and go round the coast, there is no way of getting into the Lower Motueka Valley without heavy tunnelling. This is because the lines come square at the range where there are no lateral spurs or rising ground suitable for running a gradient on. In the case of the Blue Glen route the range is parallel with the general direction of the lino; consequently the whole length is available for running up a gradient: the proof being that, while the shortest tunnel, with 1 in 50 gradients, on any of the other lines is 200 chains, the Spooner Range is pierced on the Blue Glen route by one of 10 chains. Considering the exceptional roughness of the country through wdiich it passes, and the height to be attained, the line from Poxhill to Roundell is particularly good, and comparatively inexpensive. With the exception of the tunnelling and heavy earthworks already referred to, there are no works of magnitude, the bridging being exceptionally light. The setting out of the railway-line between Poxhill and Roundell has been one of the most difficult works of its kind in this Island, and the local engineers deserve great credit for the satisfactory results arrived at. Section, Greymouth to Kelson Creek. —The length of this section, as authorized, is 18 miles; 7f miles of which comprise the original Brunner Railway, and about three-quarters of a mile the Stillwater Contract, commenced in August last, the balance of 9| miles being under survey. In consequence of the line having to follow the precipitous banks of the Grey, the works on the Stillwater subsection are very difficult: they include a short tunnel and a considerable amount of heavy earthwork : the contract price for 63 chains being £12,534 for formation only. Fortunately the extension of the line towards Nelson Creek is on much more favourable ground. During the past year trial surveys have been made of this extension, and a subsection of 3 miles has been permanently set out, the contract and drawings being well advanced. Greymouth Harbour Worlcs. —The work done on the Greymouth Harbour Works during the past year consists chiefly of the extension of the main training wall on the south side of the river for a distance of 730 feet, together with reclamation between it and the shore. These works have iuvolved the placing of about 12,500 tons of rock, 8,800 tons of quarry rubbish, and 120,000 tons of shingle dredged from the river-bed. The average cost per ton has been 3s. 2d. for rock and lid. for shingle. This system of backing-up the training wall with dredgings taken from the river is working satisfactorily : it serves the double purpose of providing materials for filling at a moderate price, while keeping clear the channel and wharves for shipping. The small dredge " Hapuka " continues to work well, but she is not, alone, sufficient for all the requirements of the place, so another is being built in Dunedin. The new dredge will be about double the capacity of the present one. The two dredges will be fully employed if the works are pushed on at anything like a fair rate of speed. Greater progress might have been made with the Greymouth Harbour Works during the past vear were it not that Sir John Coode had indicated a point beyond which it was not desirable to go with the sea-wall till ho had considered the whole scheme, and this point was reached early in the year. His report was received in the colony early this month, and work on the sea-wall was resumed immediately on its receipt. Working surveys aud plans have been prepared for a new station and coal-shipping appliances

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at Greymouth. If the improvement of the harbour is to proceed at anything like a moderate rate, it will be necessary to put these latter works in hand at an early date. In connection with this subject, I submit for general information the following table showing the depths of water on the Grey Bar at each high water of spring and neap tides every month, from June, 1879, to March, 1880, inclusive :—

Picton to Hueunui Bailway. Section, Picton to Awatere. —Including the 18| miles of the original Picton and Blenheim Bailway, this section, as now authorized, is 31i miles long. The only portion in progress during the year is the last mile and a quarter leading into the Town of Blenheim. The making of the line is fast approaching completion, and a tender for the station buildings has just been accepted. The principal work on this sub-section is the bridge over the Opawa, which has one span of 80 feet, two of 60 feet, twelve of 30 feet, aud two of 11 feet. The works are being carried out in a satisfactory manner. The land surveys for the Blenheim Section are completed, and the working survey of the extension of the railway from Blenheim to the Awatere Biver is in progress. The line selected is that by the Dashwood Pass. Westpoet to Ngakawau Bailway. There have been no construction works worth mentioning on this line during the past year, but the survey for land purposes has been in progress. The Buller Belief Channel, cut last year, promises to be a success. Its original bottom width was only 6 feet, but it has been increased by successive floods to an average of about 130 feet. As done in the case of the Grey, I submit for general information the following table showing the depth of water on the Buller Bar at each hi«h water of spring and neap tides every month, from June, 1879, to March, 1880, inclusive :—

Hokitika to Greymouth Bailway. At the beginning of last year four sections of this railway were in progress. Three of them were regular contracts, and the fourth was piece-work. The Hampden Street Contract, which was merely for filling-in a waterhole on the line within the Town of Hokitika, was finished in December. The Hokitika Contract, for 3 miles of formation at the Hokitika end, w ras finished in February. The Greymouth Contract and Paroa (piece-work section) are approaching completion. They comprise 6f miles of formation and 2 miles of permanent way, the latter being required in connection with the Greymouth Harbour Works. The works on tho sections of the Greymouth to Hokitika that have been commenced are very light, and require no special comment. No new works were begun during the year, neither have there been fresh surveys in progress. HuEUNUI-WaITAKI BAIiWAY WITH BeANCHES. Main Line. —The new sections that have been in progress during the year are the Waipara Contract, 7 miles, extending from Amberley to the Waipara Eiver; and the Weka Pass Section, 9

Month. Spring Tides. Neap Tides. 1879. June July August September ... October November ... December ... 12 and 11 feet 10 and 7 feet 9 and 10 feet 9, 10, and 11 feet 10 and 10 feet 10 and 11 feet 11 and 12 feet 11 feet. 8 and 6 feet. 8 and 10 feet. 10 and 11 feet. 10 and 7 feet. 11 and 11 feet. 1880. 13 and 10 feet 10 and 10 feet 12 and 11 feet 8 and 10 feet. 9 and 7 feet. 9 and 9 feet, January February March

Month. Spring Tides. Neap Tides. 1879. June July August September ... October November ... December ... 14i and 14 feet, 13i and 12J feet 12 and 13| feet 13 and 12 feet 12i, 13J, and 13 feet 13| and 12 feet 12.V and 11J feet 12 and 12i feet, Hi and 10| feet. 11 and ll| feet. II and Hi feet. 10 and Hi feet, 10i and 10f feet, III and llf feet. 1880. 12i- and 12i feet 12$ and 12* feet 14i and 13Er feet 10i and 9| feet. Hi and 10 feet, Hi and 10 feet. January February March

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miles long, a continuation of the line through the Weka Pass to the Waikari: the latter was reserved from contract so as to provide work for the " unemployed " of Christchurch. The Waipara Contract, which includes formation, platelaying, and station buildings, is expected to be finished in June. The principal works are a large cutting through the shingle terrace on the south side of the Waipara and the Waipara Bridge. The cutting is about 40 chains long, with an extreme depth of 87 feet, and the bridge has thirty-one spans of 40 feet and six spans of 11 feet each. The works are being carried out in a satisfactory manner. The Weka Pass Section was opened out in June last, and has since been carried on at varying rates of speed according as the men came, except for about two months at harvest time, when the works were closed altogether. The Weka Pass Section is the heaviest on the main line in Canterbury. It is necessary to rise 580 feet in 7| miles, in order to get from the Waipara to the Waikari and Hurunui Plains, and the intervening country is very rough. The ruling gradient on the incline is lin 50, but there is only lj miles at this rate, the remainder being lin 55 and downwards. The sharpest curves are 7|-. chains radius, but the number of these is very small, and there are no reverse curves. The sharpest curves do not occur on the steepest gradients, and the steep gradients are in favour of the heavy grain traffic which may be expected from the upper plains; consequently the line on the whole is a good ono. The works in the Weka Pass consist chiefly of heavy cuttings, generally in soft limestone rock. The summit cutting is about 30 chains long, with an extreme depth of 36 feet, and there are four others from 10 to 20 chains long, and 30 to 40 feet deep. The amount expended on the Weka Pass Section during the year is in round numbers £15,000. The average cost of the work has been, for labour only: earthwork, 9Jd. per cubic yard ; loose rock, Is. 7d.; and solid rock, 2s. lOd. Except in the case of small works that cannot be measured the men are all employed by the piece. At first the prices were fixed at rates calculated to enable an ordinary workman to earn 9d. an hour, but they have lately been reduced, so that married men can only earn 28s. a week, and single men 21s. There have not been so many men coming to the work since the pay was reduced. At present there are only about 100 on the Weka Pass Section. The land plans on the Waipara Contract are all finished, and the survey for those on the Weka Pass Section is in progress and well advanced ; the whole is expected to be complete in about three months. The principal works that have been in progress on the open portion of the main line during the past year are workshops at Addington, protective works at Timaru, and minor additions to stations. The principal buildings now completed at Addington consist of wood-working shop with engine and boiler house, carriage and wagon erecting shop, smiths' shop, and machine shop, with engine and boiler-house; an engine-house for the smiths' shop is in course of erection, and tenders are being called for the locomotive erecting shop. The protective works at Timaru were in consequence of an encroachment of the sea on the line in Caroline Bay. A special report on this subject has been submitted to you by the Marine Engineer. All the works on the open line above referred to as finished were carried out by the Working Railways Department, but all the new wwks of a similar kind are now under the direct control of this department. With the view of its being entirely remodelled and extended, instructions have been given for a complete survey and plan of the Timaru station. Springfield Branch. —The contract for the Malvern Branch Extension to Springfield commenced in April, 1879, and described in my last annual report, was finished and opened to Springfield in. January, and to the coal-mine in February, With the exception of being considerably behind time, the works were completed in a satisfactory manner. Little Biver-Akaroa Branch.—The Ellesmere Contract, on the Little River and Akaroa Branch' let in June, 1879, is just finished. The length of the section is 17 miles, and the contract was for formation and bridges only. The line is particularly good, being practically level and straight. The works are very light, the earthwork being chiefly embankments along the low ground in the vicinity of Lake Ellesmere, from 2to 4 feet high. The bridges, which are ten in number, have in all two spans of 40 feet, three of 20 feet, nine of 13 feet, and twenty of II feet. Tenders are now advertised for the platelaying of the Ellesmere Section. The remainder of the line to Little River, 8 miles, is being prepared for contract. This subsection will also be practically level, but the line will be somewhat tortuous where it skirts the margin of Lake Forsyth. The land plans for the Ellesmere Section are completed. A preliminary survey of the portion of this lino between Little River and Akaroa was made for the department by Mr. Hardy Johnston, who had been previously engaged on the same work by the Ellesmere Trust. His pians shew the line to be very difficult. With gradients of lin 50, and 7 chain curves, the summit tunnel will be 1 mile 25 chains long, and there is a long succession of very heavy cuttings and viaducts leading to it on both sides. There is also another tunnel of 43 chains through a spur between German Bay and Akaroa. The length of the line from Caton's Valley, Little River, to the Town of Akaroa, is 23 miles. Mr. Johnston's estimate, exclusive of land, stations, and rollingstock, is £316,000. Ido not consider this too high; on the contrary, I think that the line will cost probably more than the amount stated, there being so much, uncertainty and risk in the long tunnels and other heavy works necessary. Ashhurton Branch. —The Ashburton Contract for the first 10f miles of the Ashburton Branch, let in April, 1879, is fast approaching completion, and the line will be open in the course of a few weeks. The works on the Ashburton branch are particularly light, being chiefly formation, and the alignment and gradients are first class. A contract for the second section, 85 miles, of the Ashburton Branch is in course of preparation; this will bring it to near the crossing of the Ashburton River. The works 011 the second section will be as light as those on the first, and the character of the line is the same in both cases. The land plans for the portion under construction are expected to be finished in June. Opaioa Branch. —The total length of this line opened out is the 10.j miles to Fairlie Creek, of

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which 1 mile 18 chains comprises the Albury Contract, let in June, 1879; the remainder, known as the Albury Downs Section, being reserved to give work to the " unemployed." The curves on this line are very easy, and the ruling gradient is lin 60. The earthworks on about 1 mile through the Albury Downs are very heavy. There are three cuttings of an aggregate length of 25 chains, and an average depth of about 30 feet, with two embankments to correspond, the largest being 30 chains long and 30 feet extreme height. The earthworks on the remaining 9 miles of the section are, however, very light. The Albury Contract consisted of a bridge of thirty spans of 40 feet and two of 11 feet, witb approaches thereto, over the Opawa river. The works, which are just being finished, have been carried out satisfactorily. The Albury Downs Section was opened out to the "unemployed " in October, 1879, and closed early in February, nothing having been done since. About £8,000 has been expended on the section, almost entirely in earthwork and culverts. The conditions were the same as at Weka Pass, and the average cost to date of the earthwork has been about Bd. per cubic yard for labour. The Tengawai Biver, which occurs at the commencement of the Albury Downs Section, will take a bridge about 25 chains long. No provision has yet been made for its erection. The work should, I think, be done by contract in the usual way. The survey for land plans on the Opawa Branch has been completed to Fairlie Creek. A. preliminary survey of the continuation of the line to Burke's Pass and the Mackenzie Country has also been made ; it shows that a first-class railway can be made right across the range into the Waitaki watershed at a very moderate cost. The ruling gradients will be about 1 in 50, and the sharpest curve 12 chains radius. The length of the line from Fairlie Creek to the Mackenzie Plains, on the western side of the Pass, will be 19 miles. Of this distance 16£ miles is surface-forming and light earthwork; the remaining 2$ miles are considerably heavier, but there is nothing of a formidable character. There is no tunnel at the summit, but an open cutting 30 chains long and 45 feet extreme depth ; it will, however, be necessary to have a tunnel of 7 or 8 chains length through a spur on the eastern side to avoid sharp curves. There are no large rivers, and few streams or watercourses of any kind on the line between Fairlie Creek and Burke's Pass. Canteebuey Inteeioe Main Line. Two contracts only have been in progress on this line during the year —viz., the Eyre and Temuka Bridges, situated respectively near the northern and southern extremities; the former is fast approaching completion, and the latter is quite complete, the work in both cases being well done. The Eyre Bridge has twenty-one spans of 40 feet and two of 11 feet, and the Temuka Bridge twenty-three spans of 40 feet and two of 11 feet. Working surveys have been made and contracts prepared for portions of the three sections of this line for which appropriation was taken last year, as follows: — Miles. Oxford-Malvern Section, West Oxford Contract ... ... ...71 White Cliffs-Eakaia Section, Selwyn Contract ... ... ... 4f Temuka-Eangitata Section, Kakahu Contract ... ... ... 5f A section at the Waimakariri Gorge was also prepared for the " unemployed," but it has not yet been opened out. The alignment and gradients on the Canterbury Interior line are good throughout, and the works are remarkably light; with the exception of a few heavy cuttings through the river terraces there is little in the way of earthworks beyond mere surface forming. The contracts that have been prepared are for formation and bridging; but the only bridge of any importance is that over the Selwyn, on the White Cliffs-Eakaia Section, which will have twenty-three spans of 40 feet and two of 11 feet. Waitaki-Blupp Bailway, with Beanches. Main Line. —The works in progress on the main line during the past year consist chiefly of minor additions to stations, increased station and wharfage accommodation at Port Chalmers, reclamation for new station at Dunedin, and river protective works at Balclutha. The building for the new passenger station at Port Chalmers was completed in January, and is now occupied by the Working Eailways Department in connection with the old platform, the other works not being sufficiently advanced to admit of trains coming to the new platform. The station building is a plain stone structure of moderate size. In consequence of some little difficulty in getting piles, the work on the steamer wharf was delayed a little at the commencement, but it is now proceeding rapidly. The first instalment, which provides 1,050 feet berthage, is expected to be finished in July, and the whole contract of 1,650 feet will probably be completed about the end of December next. This wharf, which was more fully described in last year's report, is simply a continuation, seawards, of George Street for a distance of 700 feet. It is 66 feet wide, and has an ordinary timber wharf on each side, with solid filling in the middle; there is also a single cross wharf at the inner end connecting it with the Bowen Pier. A. contract for a small piece of reclamation between the steamer wharf and the graving dock is being prepared. This work is urgently required in connection with the new station, as there is not sufficient room for sidings on the ground already reclaimed. It is also proposed to further increase the wharfage accommodation by extending the present wharves to the lengths originally proposed, which will give berthage for five or six more vessels. The contract for reclaiming a site for the new railway station at Dunedin, which was entered into in June last, has not progressed so rapidly as it ought to have done. The delay is mainly attributable to the objection raised by the Corporation of St. Kilda to the taking of materials for reclamation from the Ocean Beach Sand Hills. The matter is, however, on a fair way towards settlement, so I hope than greater progress will be made with the works during the ensuing year. The Clutha Biver has for many years been encroaching on its banks at the upper side of the peninsula on which the township of Balclutha stands, the middle of the river being now about where

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its southern bank originally stood. A survey made by this department in 1871 showed that 15 _■ acres had been carried away since the original land survey in 1847, and in October, 1879, the amount had increased to 52 acres. The great flood which occurred at the beginning of that month, and more particularly the long-continued high state of the river for some time afterwards, made such rapid inroads into the bank that the town and railway-works were in imminent danger of being carried away. Steps were at once taken to stop the encroachment by temporary works. In consequence of the great depth of water and the strength of the current against the bank, it was difficult to find a ready means of protection, but a simple plan was ultimately decided on, that proved quite successful. A row of large bags filled with shingle was first lowered into the river at the foot of the bank by means of rails and wire rope; next the slope was covered with long fascines put together on the bank, and pushed down inside the wires by poles; then the wires were pulled tight over the fascines and fastened to stakes driven into the ground at some distance back from the bank. All the temporary works that were necessary to stop the encroachment having been completed' a facing of stone was placed on the slope for a distance of nearly a mile. If durable stone in large blocks had been procurable, a covering of this kind would, in itself, be sufficient for all purposes ; but, in the absence of first-class materials, the present facing is only calculated to resist the ordinary wearing away of the banks. Although quite sufficient for this purpose, it may not be able to resist a strong current; it is, therefore, proposed to throw out three or four timber groins to deflect the current from the banks, and induce a deposit against them. The whole question of the Clutha floods, and the means of averting or ameliorating the damage done by them, has been referred to a Commission composed of Messrs. Bell and Higginson and myself. The investigation is now proceeding, and the report will be submitted to you in time for the meeting of Parliament. A detailed survey and complete plan of the Oamaru station have been ordered, with the view of its being entirely remodelled. Several sites have been proposed for the new station, but until the plans are completed it is impossible to come to a satisfactory conclusion. Among other schemes that have been suggested is that of keeping the station entirely on the present site, and diverting the railway south of Oamaru so as to go behind Cape Wanbrow, the ridge leading thereto being tunnelled. The object of this deviation would be to have an unbroken line right through, instead of the present back shunt at the Oamaru station, and to avoid the steep gradient running down to the busiest parts of the town on the level of the streets. A detailed survey has been made of this line, and borings taken at the proposed tunnel. Although the difficulties likely to be met with are not insuperable, they are sufficient to prevent the adoption of the scheme. The length of the deviation would be about 3} miles, and its cost from £45,000 to £60,000, according to the quantity of lining required in the tunnel, which would be 50 chains long. The advantages gained are by no means commensurate with this great outlay, for the gradient is only reduced from 1 iu 50 to 1 in 70, and the piece of level line between the foot of the incline and the station would be entirely lost. Duntroon Branch. —The only construction work in progress on this line during the past vear was the bridge over the Maerewhenua, which was all^but completed at the date of my last annual report. * The contract has been carried out in a satisfactory manner. Ngapara—Livingstone Branch. —The first portion of this line, called the Windsor Section, was commenced in July, 1879, to give work to the " unemployed " of Oamaru, and was carried on vigorously till January of this year, when the works were stopped altogether, and they have not yet been resumed. The total length opened out is 12 miles. The curves on this line are good, so is also the ruling gradient, which is lin 50; there is, however, a continuous rise of about 5^ miles, mostly at this rate. The works are rather heavy, there being two tunnels 13 and 11 chains long respectively, and about 8 miles of earthwork in cuttings, generally sto 15 chains long and 10 to 30 feet deep, with embankments to correspond. There will only be two small bridges on the section now under construction, but the culverts are numerous. The earthworks and culverts are nearly finished, but the tunnels are not yet begun. The total expenditure to date on the Windsor Section is about £21,500. 230,000 cubic yards of earth-cutting, 26,000 cubic yards of rock-cutting, and 3,600 cubic yards of masonry have been executed. The price paid for the main item, earthwork, has been about lOd. per cubic yard for labour only. The conditions on which the work was done were the same as in Canterbury, viz., the men were employed by the piece at rates calculated to enable them to earn 9d. an hour. About 400 men were employed at one time shortly before the works were stopped. The survey for the land plans for the Windsor Section are in progress. Brighton Boad Branch, Green Lsland. —With the exception of the station arrangements, the extension of this line to the Brighton Eoad was finished at the end of last year. These were duly completed, and the whole line opened for passenger traffic on the 4th September, 1879. Catlin's Biver Branch. —A contract for the first portion of this line, known as the Invertiel Section, let in April, 1879, is now all but completed. The length of the section is 2| miles, and the gradients and curves are much the same as on the main line. The works are moderately light, consisting chiefly of shallow cutting and filling, and about 40 chains of an embankment along the low ground of from 6 to 9 feet high, together with five small bridges. A contract was prepared and tenders received for the Puerua Section of this branch, 4| miles being the balance of the length for which an appropriation was made last year. The acceptance of a tender has, however, been postponed. So far as the character of the line and works are concerned, the Puerua Section is much the same as the Invertiel one above described. Waipahi-Heriot Burn Branch. —Of the 25 miles of this branch 15| miles only are in progress, viz., the Tapanui Contract, let in July, 1878, under special conditions as to payments. Instead of the usual progress-payments monthly, the contractors were only to be paid on the completion of the works. For the first twelve months after the contract was let the works progressed with great rapidity, and there was every prospect of their completion before contract time; but the commercial depression

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which then took place over the whole colony affected the contractors' financial arrangements so much that they were obliged to proceed more slowly, and in September last the works came to a standstill altogether. Under the provisions of last year's Public Works Act the original contract was modified to enable certain payments to be made, so the works recommenced in January. One of the conditions of the new agreement was the completion of the line to the Pomahaka Bridge by the 21st March. This condition has not been fulfilled, but the contractors are making considerable efforts to complete this portion without delay, so it is expected to be opened at an early date. It will, however, be well on to December before the whole of the contract is finished and the line open to Kelso. As stated in a previous report, the alignments and gradients of the Waipahi-Kelso line are good, and the works are comparatively light. All the works executed to date have been done in a satisfactory manner. Detailed surveys of the remainder of this branch to the terminus at Heriot Burn, about 10 miles, have been made during the year. They show the country to be particularly favourable to railway construction, a first-class line being obtainable at little cost. Before the whole of this portion was set out, trial sections were run across the watershed in the Heriot District and down to the Clutha Valley, so that, however little of the line is made, it may become a link iu the general system. These sections show that workable lines can be got from the Tapanui Plains to Lawrence and up the Clutha Valley. The country is, however, very rough, and a railway through it would be steep, tortuous, and costly, much the same as the present Lawrence line. Edendale and Toitois Branch. —Tho Wyndham Contract, being the first 4 miles, is the only portion of this line on which work has been done. It extends from the main line across the Mataura Eiver to the Township of Wyndham. The contract, which was let in May, 1879, and is fast approaching completion, includes formation and bridges only. The works on 2-,_- miles are particularly light, being nothing but surface-forming. There is, however, a cutting 20 chains long and 17 feet extreme depth through the terrace on the south side of the river, and an embankment 50 chains long and from 6 to 8 feet high on the river flat. The bridging consists of the Mataura Bridge, of nine spans of 60 feet, two of 13 feet, and two of 11 feet; and three small bridges of the aggregate length of 147 feet. The curves and gradients on the Wyndham Section are much the same as on the main line, but the greater portion is quite straight. Nine miles of the continuation of the line from "Wyndham towards Toitois have been set out for contract, and a trial survey made of five more; the route adopted being that along the banks of the Mataura Eiver. As stated in my general report on railway surveys in 1878, there are several routes to choose from in making a line between Wyndham and the Lower Toitois District. The ultimate selection was, however, confined to two, viz., the one just mentioned as following the course of the Mataura, and another which branches off from it at the crossing of the Wyndham Eiver and runs up the valley at Brand's Homestead and the Kuriwao Valley to near Glenhaui Station; then follows the low undulating ground to near the Pine Bush Hotel and tbe Waimahaka Creek, where the two rejoin. The former is known as the Biver route, and the latter as the Inland route. From the reconnaissance surveys, the balance of advantages appeared to be clearly in favour of the Eiver route ; but, out of deference to the wishes of the residents of the district, and in order to put the matter beyond doubt, detailed surveys were made of both. The result fully bears out the first impression, there being a decided difference in favour of the line originally preferred. The Eiver line is practically level. There is one curve of 7$ chains radius, but the others are all flatter, and the works are very light. The Inland line has about twenty 7a-chain curves, with gradients of lin 46, and very expensive works. These include a long succession of heavy earth-works and a tunnel 14 chains long, with either another tunnel of 8 chains or a cutting 50 feet deep. Furthermore, the cost of the inland line will be £11,000 more than the river one. The advantages claimed for the Inland route are that it opens up the country better. If it were possible to take the line right away from the river five or six miles, this argument would hold good ; but the two lines are in no place more than two and a half miles apart, and only about two miles where stations are likely to be, and there is no difficulty in making good roads between them; consequently the extent to which the country is opened up is by no means commensurate with the difference in tho character of the lines and the extra outkiy involved. Besides, the districts on the southern side of the Mataura, which is better accommodated by the Eiver route, is of nearly as much importance as those on the northern side. Otago Centeai, Eailway. General. —The total length of this line from its junction with the main trunk railway at Chain Hills to Albertown, on Lake Wanaka, is about 160 miles, and the length, of the section from Chain Hills to the Taieri Lake, for which an appropriation was taken last year, is about 65 miles. The various steps taken and the state of the works and surveys on the Otago Central Eailway are as follow: (1.) The "Wingatui Section, 6f miles, from Chain Hills to Mullocky Gully, was let by contract in May, 1879, and the works are now well advanced. (2.) The Hindon Section, 17! miles, from Mullocky Gully to the Nenthorne, was opened out for the "unemployed " iu June, 1879, and the works have since been carried on without intermission. (3.) Contract surveys have been prepared for the Nenthorne Section, 9 miles, from the Nenthorne to the Sutton, and again from the Eough Eidge to Cromwell, a distance of 47 miles. Preliminary surveys have been made of all the intervening distance between the Sutton and the Bough Eidge, except the Strath-Taieri portion, which is practically level. Nothing has yet been clone in the way of survey between Cromwell and Lake Wanaka ; but here also the country is particularly easy, so a preliminary survey is scarcely required. It will thus be seen that our information with reference to the line is tolerably complete, so a correct idea can now be formed of its capabilities and general character. So far as alignments and levels are concerned, the surveys show the line to be considerably better than was at first expected. The sharpest curves are 7i chains radius, and the steepest gradient lin

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50, as on the main line ; but few of the sharp curves occur on the steep gradients, and there are no reverse curves; consequently the Otago Central is slightly better than the main line. The works are on the whole much the same as was anticipated ; some items are heavier, but in other cases the balance is on the opposite side. The heaviest works on the line occur between North Taieri and the Sutton Creek, but there are also short lengths at Hyde aud Poolburn Gorge where the earthwork will be heavy. The heaviest formation works of all occur in the first mile and last two miles of the Hindon Section, where the line enters and leaves the Taieri Gorge. At those places there is a succession of rock cuttings ranging from 3 to 8 chains long, and 30 to 70 feet extreme depth, with embankments to correspond. A cursory inspection would lead to the impression that the difficulties in the Taieri Gorge itself are of a very formidable character, but such is not really the case. The ground is by no means unfavourable to railway construction ; the main slope of the hills is tolerably regular, and the sharp spurs that run out are generally mere razor-backs, of no width. The formation on six out of the twelve miles in the gorge proper consists chiefly of cuttings under 10 feet deep, with embankments to correspond. There is a large number of very deep rock cuttings on the other portions, amounting in the aggregate to a great quantity; but the cuttings are all very short; indeed, this is a peculiarity on the whole of the line. There are in all ninety large cuttings on the Wingatui and Hindon Sections, seventy ranging from 20 to 40 feet extreme depth ; and twenty ranging from 40 to 70 feet extreme depth. Of this total number, seventy are from 2 to 5 chains long, fifteen from 5 to 7 chains long, and five from. 7 to 10 chains long. The rock is all schist, and the dip of the strata is generally into the hill, so there is not much danger of large slips. The tunnels on the Otago Central Eailway between Chain Hills and the Strath-Taieri Plain are as follow : — Length. No. 1, at 5 miles 20 chains ... ... 10 chains. „ 2 „ 6 ~ 7_- ~ ... ... 18 „ „ 3 „ 7 ~ 57 ~ ... ... 7 „ „5„ 12 „ 60J ... 7 i „ ~ fa ~ lo ~ J-Jj ~ ... ... o^ ~ ~ 7 ~ 19 „ Id J ~ ... ... Z „ >, " „ 1" „ 79-f ~ ... ... o-j ~ ~ 9 „ 2o „ 4 ~ ... ... 4j ~ Total ... ... 61* „ Nos. 1 and 2 are on the Wingatui Section ; No. 2 pierces the saddle on the dividing range, between the Taieri Plains and Mullocky Gully; all the others are through spurs, put in to avoid sharp curves. The trial section at the Taieri Lake shows another tunnel of 11 chains also through a spur, but it can be avoided if considered desirable when making the permanent survey. These constitute all the tunnelling from Chain Hills to Lake Wanaka, a distance of 160 miles. When we consider that the line goes right into the interior, and that it has to rise against the general fall of the country, as well as to cross the dividing ridge between the Taieri and Clutha watersheds, the result must be taken as very satisfactory, more particularly as seven out of the ten tunnels are too small to be so termed. Among the most important and expensive works on the Otago Central Eailway is the bridging. In addition to the rivers, there are a number of narrow deep gorges to be crossed at a high level. They have generally large streams at the bottom, so it is cheaper to cross them on open viaducts than make solid embankments with large culverts. There will be in all seven or eight bridges of this kind between Chain Hills and Strath Taieri, of the aggregate length of 30 or 35 chains. The largest is that over Mullocky Gully, which will be 7 chains long and 140 feet above the level of the creek. The two highest piers will not, however, be more than 120 feet, and the next two not more than 70 feet. The other bridges will be much smaller than this, the piers being generally from 20 to 50 feet high, aud in one case 80 feet. A general design has been got out for these bridges :it is proposed to make them of iron, all to the same pattern, with spans of 105 and 66 feet, according to the requirements of each place. The piers in the river crossings are to be the usual cast-iron cylinders, and in deep ravines open ironwork, the shorter ones being masonry. The work of setting out the railway through the Taieri Gorge has been a very laborious one for the local engineers. Iu consequence of the roughness of the ground, the line had, in some places, to be traced out time after time till the proper section was obtained. The result is, however, well worth the labour expended on the work, the line being particularly well laid out. Wingatui Section. —As already stated, this section has been under contract for ten months, and good progress has been made with the works. All the culverts are finished, and the earthworks are well advanced. The cuttings at the western end of the first tunnel and the eastern end of the second one have been taken out, and they show solid clay-slate rock, so it is anticipated that there will be little difficulty in the driving. All the works on the Wingatui Section are being carried out iu a very satisfactory manner, and there is no appearance of slips or anything else likely to give trouble. Hindon Section. —This section, which was reserved from contract to give work to the " unemployed " of Dunedin, has been in progress for nine months. The greatest number of men employed at any time was seven hundred, and the least two hundred and twenty-five. Like all the other works of the same kind throughout the Island, the terms were piecework, at prices calculated to enable ordinary workmen to earn 9d. per hour. The men's time was carefully kept for some months, and it was found that the earnings did not in any case exceed the amount stated, and the average was considerably under it. Under the new arrangement now coming into force, the terms are altered, so that married men will only earn 285., and single men 21s. a week. The expenditure on the Hindon Section for the nine months ending this date is £35,350, and tho amount of work done on the principal works is as follows: Earthwork, 212,000 cubic yards; rock 10—E. 1.

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cutting, 157,000 cubic yards ; and rubble masonry, 3,400 cubic yards. The exact average prices paid for labour only have been —earthwork, ]od. per cubic yatd; and rock cutting, Is. sd. per cubic yard. Considering the inaccessibility of the situation, the character of the materials, and the conditions under which the work was done, it is scarcely possible to get a more satisfactory result. Inveecaegill-Kingston Eailway, with Branch. Lumsden-Mararoa Branch. —The formation on the first six miles of this branch, known as the Lumsden Contract, which has been in progress since July, 1879, is now nearly finished. The line is practically straight and level, and the works are very light, being chiefly surface-forming, low embankments, and small bridges and culverts. The Oreti Bridge, which occurs in this section, was begun by the county as a road bridge ; but the Government took it over when the piers were in, and it is now being completed as a combined road and railway bridge. It has nine spans of 64 feet, and one span of 13 feet. Tenders are now advertised for the Castle Bock Contract, the continuation of the branch for 12-f miles along the Five-Eivers Plain. The line is nearly all straight, and the gradients easy, nothing steeper than lin 55. With the exception of 2 miles in ascending and descending a terrace where there are three cuttings respectively 30, 20, and 15 chains long, and 15, 14, and 16 feet extreme depth, the works are particularly light, being merely surface-forming and a few culverts. "Western Eailways. Otautau Branch. —This section was opened for traffic on the 15th December, 1879, and has since been running satisfactorily. The station buildings were scarcely finished when the line was open, but they are now all complete. Biverton-Orepuki Branch.- —The Eiverton Section, being tho first 6 miles of this line, is the only portion at present under construction. The works had been begun by the Provincial Government of Otago, and the contract for their completion^was let in June, 1879 ; it includes formation and permanent way. With the exception of one 5-chain curve approaching the Aparima Bridge, the alignment and levels of this branch are much the same as on the main line, the ruling gradient being lin 50. The only work of importance is a cutting through a ridge, 30 chains long and 30 feet extreme depth, with an embankment of much the same dimensions. Except the large cutting, of which there is about 30,000 cubic yards to do, the works on the Eiverton Section are well advanced. A contract survey of 7 miles more of the Orepuki Branch, in continuation of the present contract, has been made, and the plans are in progress. Otautau-Nightcaps Bailway. —The total length of this line, from the Otautau Township to the Nightcaps Coal Field, is 10-f- miles, of which 3} miles constitute the Opio Section, begun in June, 1879, and 7\ miles the Waicola Contract, now being let. This line is nearly all straight, and the levels are good, the ruling gradient being 1 in 66. Furthermore, the inclines are in favour of the heavy mineral .traffic which may bo expected from the coal fields. The works are all very light, mere surface-forming and light earthwork, with three small bridges. The Opio Contract is nearly finished. Eolling-stock. The rolling-stock received in the Middle Island during the past year consists of 13 locomotives, 10 American cars, 1,050 sets of wagon ironwork and wagons, and 100 timber trucks. With the exception of 3 locomotives (the balance of an old order), 100 timber trucks and 90 wagons imported under a special contract, and some wagons sent from the North Island, nearly all the stock was imported to the order of the Working Bailways Department, and erected in the railway workshops. EOADS AND BBIDGES. Nelson District. Tophouse and Tarndale Boad. —Four small contracts were let for this road, three of which are approaching completion and the fourth is well advanced. Contracts for two more sections are being prepared. These five sections, about 6 miles in length, will complete the road between Tophouse and the Woolshed Flat. Pelorus Valley Boads. —Of the works included under this head the Wakamarina Bridge is in progress, and tenders are advertised for the Kaituna one. Contracts are in course of preparation for the improvement of the roads generally —a total length of 30 miles. The survey is finished for 16 miles, and in progress on the remainder. The work is being cut up into two-mile contracts, the first three of which are nearly ready for advertising. Bridge over Wairoa Biver. —This bridge was completed and open for traffic in October, the works having been carried out in a satisfactory manner. Westland District. Westport to Reefton Road. —The only work in progress on this road during the year was the bridge over the Ohikanui Eiver. The bridge itself was finished in September, but the approaches, which involved a large quantity of rock-cutting, wore not completed till March. Beef/on to Greymouth Road. —A. site has been selected for the Inangahua Bridge at the lower end of Eeefton, near the present foot-bridge, and the detailed survey is in progress. The width of the river at this point is only about 350 feet, the floods do not rise to a great height, and the bottom is good; consequently the bridge will not be expensive-nor difficult to construct. The only thing to be specially provided against is the large quantities of timber brought down by floods, which necessitates the adoption of spans of considerable length. The bridge over the Ahaura Eiver was satisfactorily completed in October, and it has since been severely tested by heavy floods, which, however, did it no harm.

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Greymouth-Okarilo Road. —The bridge over the Teremakau at Kumara was completed in September. A heavy flood which occurred at the end of December carried away one of the dolphins that protect the piers, and another has subsequently been destroyed in a similar manner; but no damage was done to the bridge itself. It is proposed to rebuild these two dolphins on a stronger plan than the one first adopted. The bridge over the Hokitika Eiver at Kanieri was completed in August, the works having been carried out in a satisfactory manner. The only other works in progress on the Greymouth-Okarito Eoad during the year were wire foot-bridges over the Waitaha Eiver and Evans' Creek, and a horse-bridge over a branch of tho Okarito Eiver. The foot-bridges are finished, and the horse-bridge is well advanced. Okarito to Haast Bass Track. —The last of the small contracts for formation on this track has been finished during the year, and the bridge over the Wills is in progress and expected to be completed in May. On its completion there will be a line of communication open for horse and cattle traffic right through from the beach at the mouth of the Haast Eiver to Haast's Pass, on the boundary of Otago. A track was made from Lake Wanaka to the latter point some years ago, so that communication will shortly be completed right across the island. I understand, however, that, although not very bad, there is a portion of the track on the Otago side which requires to be repaired and improved to make it passable at all seasons. General. —Hereto is appended a statement (Enclosure No. 2) prepared by the Eesident Engineer, showing the works executed on roads in Westland to 31st March, 1880. Chetstchijrch-Hokitika Eoad. The weather on the West Coast has been exceptionally fine during the past year, consequently the road has been maintained in good order at a moderate cost. The river has for some years been encroaching on the road in the Otira Valley to such an extent that it has become necessary to make a diversion clear of the river-bed for 3J miles. A contract is now being prepared for the work, which will not be heavy. Similar encroachments on a smaller scale are also taking place in the Bealey and Teremakau Valleys. The road is now being diverted for half-a-mile at the former place, and, in all probability, a diversion of \\ miles will be necessary at the Teremakau during the ensuing year. Canterbury District. Bakaia Gorge Bridge. —The only work to be mentioned under this head in Canterbury for the year is the Bakaia Gorge Bridge, the materials for which arrived from England in April last. Tenders were twice called for the erection of the bridge ; the first time the lowest tenderer would not take up the contract, and tho second time no tenders came. It was then decided to proceed with the work by day labour, and a contract has been entered into for carting the materials to the site, but the erection has not yet been commenced. Otago District. Maori Kaika Boad. —The dray road has been extended for some distance along the beach from Portobello Bay to the Kaika, and a track is being formed from thence round Point Harrington to near Taiaroa Heads. The work is done by day labour, the Maoris in the district being principally employed. Waikari- Waitati Boad. —Surveys are in progress on this road, from the point in the Leith Valley up to which it was completed by the provincial authorities, to Blueskin. It is proposed to give the work to the " unemployed " of Dunedin on the same terms as the railway works. General. In addition to the above, this Department has done work for the Lands Department in connection with " Eoads to open up Lands before sale," as follows : — Nelson — Aorere Valley Boads. —A pack track has been constructed as far as Brown's Eiver, and the road along the Aorere from Maori Garden to Devil's Boots opened up. Improvements have also been made on the main road from Collingwood up the valley for about 14 miles. Surveys and plans are in course of preparation for converting the pack track above mentioned into a dray road. Westland — Ahaura to Kopara Flats. —The small contracts in hand at the beginning of the year were satisfactorily completed in November. There still remains 11 miles of the road to finish, five at the Orwell Creek, and six at the Kopara end ; the former section had previously been partially formed, but nothing has been done to the latter. Southland — Seaward Bush and Coast Line Boad. —This road, which is 2| miles in length, was finished in February, the works being done by contract in the usual way. WATEE EACES. In accordance with the practice followed in previous years I enclose the Eesident Engineer's report on the Westland "Water-races in full. (Enclosure No. 3.) It gives a clear and complete description of the various works executed and in progress, so it is unnecessary for me to enter at length into the subject. I will, however, supplement his information bv giving the following statement, showing the direct results obtained from the Nelson Creek and Waimea races, constructed and worked entirely by the Government. The three last items are the averages for the last two years : —

Particulars. Nelson Creek Race. Waimea Race. Total. lost up to 31st March, 1880 unnual revenue, less cost of maintenance lumber of miners constantly employed owing to construction of race ... ... ... ... ... innual yield of gold, in ounces, owing to construction of race ... £89,265 £645 £144,590 £2,515 £233,855 £3,160 70 4,400 595 20,550 665 24,950

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MISCELLANEOUS WOEKS. The only works of importance under this head for the past year are the building of the large dredge for Greymouth, already alluded to, the erection of a jetty and store at Catlin's Eiver, and the manufacture of sundry articles of railway plant at the various centres. BUILDINGS. The total expenditure on public buildings in the Middle Island during the past financial year is as follows:— £ s. d. Customs ... ... ... ... ... 36 13 6 Judicial ... ... ... ... ... 13,523 110 Postal and Telegraph ... ... ... ... *3,589 1 8 Offices for Public Departments ... ... ... 4,501 8 6 Lunatic Asylums ... ... ... ... ... 16,932 5 2 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... 15,994 14 2 Total ... ... ... ... £54,577 4 10 As it is unnecessary to consider each building in detail, I append a table (Enclosure No. 4) showing the state of the various works. This shows that upwards of fifty buildings have been in course of erection, or altered or repaired, during the year. The new buildings that have been actually in progress comprise 10 courthouses, 7 post and telegraph offices, 2 lunatic asylums, 1 building for public departments generally, and 6 smaller buildings of various kinds. The courthouses at Christchurch, Waimate, and Invercargill, the lunatic asylums in Canterbury and Otago, and the public offices at Timaru, were designed by local architects, but carried out by the officers of this department. In all other cases the latter have done all the work from beginning to end. The Christchurch and Waimate Courthouses are finished, and the Invercargill one is about half done. It will probably be completed in contract time. The works done during the year at the Lyttelton Gaol are as follow:—Offices for gaolers, guards, reserve guards, and clerk, and kitchen and laundry. In the north wing the floor and doors have been completed, together with forty-two cells: the expenditure being about £3,200, out of a total of £9,500 proposed for the whole of the buildings. The first contract for about £10,700 on the Sunnyside Asylum, Canterbury, is nearly completed, and a commencement has been made with the works on the second contract, which amounts to £19,200. The temporary building at the Seacliff Asylum is finished, and the works on the first contract of the permanent building are about to be commenced. The amount of the contract is £20,700. The public offices at Timaru are rapidly approaching completion ; they are expected to be quite finished in June. The above constitute the principal buildings that have been in progress during the year. There is nothing special to report with reference to the others enumerated in the Table. The finished works have been done satisfactorily, and those in hand are progressing favourably. SUEVEYS OF HNAITTHOEIZED LINES. General.— The surveys of the authorized lines of railway have all been referred to under their respective names, but it is necessary to state here what has been done on the proposed lines not yet authorized. Westport-Inangahua.- —Trial surveys have been made for a railway between "Westport and Inangahua Junction. Two lines have been run. One, called the South line, crosses the Buller about 9 miles from Westport, and then follows generally the existing dray road to a junction with the Nelson-Greymouth line on the eastern bank of the Inangahua, that river being crossed a little above its confluence with the Buller. The other, called the North line, keeps on the "Westport side of the Buller all the way to a point immediately above the Inangahua Junction. It then crosses, and terminates at the same place as the South line. The two lines are almost exactly the same length, 27 miles, but preference is given to the northern one on account of its being somewhat easier to make. The average inclination of the valley is easy, so it will not be necessary to make the ruling gradient steeper than lin 50. The trial survey has been made to seven-chain curves, but possibly it will be found advisable to make them sharper to avoid heavy works. The surveys show the line to be much longer and the works more costly than at first anticipated. The bank of the river for a long distance is irregular and precipitous, consequently the earthworks are heavy. The tunnelling is, however, light. As determined by the trial survey, the railway from Westport to Inangahua Junction is estimated to cost approximately £12,000 a mile. It is quite possible, however, that a considerable reduction could be made on this amount by the adoption of sharper curves. Fast and West Coast Bailway. —A contract has recently been made with Mr. G. P. "Williams, C.E., for a preliminary survey of the portion of this line between the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge and the Bealey Biver, a distance of about 40 miles. The amount of work yet done is not sufficient to give a correct idea of what the line is likely to be. "With reference to the general route of the railway between the two coasts, the Chief Surveyor of Westland has just sent in a report directing attention to the Whitcombe Pass route, one of his staff, who was lately over that line of country, having thought well of it. The subject has also caused some little discussion on the West Coast, so it is advisable that I should refer to it here, In his report, the

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Chief Surveyor estimates the height to which it would be necessary to rise at 3,100 feet, and the amount of tunnelling required through the pass at 1J miles, and adds that, "this route as sketched out, if found practicable (Windwhistle House to Hokitika by Whitcombe Pass), will be about 25 miles shorter than any of the routes already explored and reported on." So far as the altitude and length of tunnelling is concerned, the Whitcombe Pass route seems to be on a par with the others further north, but in the matter of distance there is no comparison between them. The Chief Surveyor is correct in stating that this route is 25 miles shorter than any of the others from Hokitika to the beginning of the Canterbury Plains at Windwhistle House, particularly if the Browning Pass route is not considered. But the connection of these two places by a railway is not the sole nor yet the principal object in view. What is wanted is the shortest and easiest route between the main coal supply at Brunnerton and the large markets on the East Coast, From this standpoint the Whitcombe Pass route is inferior to either the Taipo or Arthur's Pass routes. It is in reality 49 miles longer from Brunnerton to Christchurch by the Whitcombe Pass route than by Arthur's Pass. And the balance is on the same side even as regards Ashburton and other large centres south of Christchurch, the Arthur's Pass line being from 8 to 20 miles shorter, according to the line taken across the Canterbury Plains. The only point for consideration in connection with this route is the possibility of getting better gradients on the western side of the range at the Whitcombe Pass than at the others. Although I fear any little advantage in this respect will be outweighed bj the disadvantage of extra length, above referred to, it has been considered advisable to have an exploration made to put the matter beyond doubt; the season is, however, too far advanced to attempt it this year. I may add that the question of adopting either this or the Browning's Pass route was somewhat fully considered before I sent in my general report, and that they were both rejected in favour of the routes further north. The information we had with reference to them was not complete, but it led to the conclusion that any slight advantage they may possess in minor points is far outweighed by the extra length. Tapanui-Waikaka Line. —A contract has recently been made with Mr. H. P. Higginson, C.E., for the preliminary survey of a line of railway from the Waipahi-Heriot Burn lino, near Kelso, to the Main Trunk Line or the Waimea line, near Gore. The survey is in progress, and the works are ascertained to be light, but the information is not yet sufficiently complete to enable a decided opinion to be given as to the best line for accommodating the country. At present the balance of advantages seems to be in favour of a line passing near the Waikaka Township, and joining the "Waimea Plains Eailway 5 or 6 miles from Gore. Some of the residents in the district are anxious that it should follow down the Waikaka Valley to the main line, but I do not think this would be so beneficial to the country at large, for the following reasons: The Waikaka Valley line approaches the main line at an acute angle, consequently a considerable portion runs through country that is already provided with railway communication. The line joining the "Waimea Eailway will accommodate the numerous settlers in the Otama and Chatton Districts, who are quite shut out from the Waikaka Valley one ; at the same time there will be no place in the Waikaka Valley more than 5 or 6 miles from a railway. Lumsden-Mararoa Bailway .—A. reconnaissance survey of this line has been made for the Department by Mr. D. L. Simpson, C.E., from the head of the Five-Eiver Plains right round the Mararoa and "Waiau Valleys to the Orawia, and on to Orepuki, joining in both cases the lines previously surveyed from Otautau and Eiverton. It shows that a good workable railway can be made all the way at a moderate cost. The gradients at the dividing ridge between the Oreti and Waiau watersheds are taken as 1 in 40, but they could possibly be reduced to the standard of 1 in 50 when making the detailed surveys. GENEEAL EEMAEKS. [Up till 30th June, 1880.] Prices. —In consequence of the general commercial depression that has prevailed throughout the colony during the past year, the price of labour and materials for public works are considerably less than for some time previously, the fall being at least 20 per cent. For the same reason competition among tenderers is greater. Twenty tenders were received for the Waicola, and thirteen for the Puerua Contracts, lately advertised. Number of Men engaged on Works. —The average number of men directly employed on the public works in the various districts of the Middle Island, for the twelve months ending 30th June, is as follows: —

These numbers are exclusive of men employed on construction works and in erecting rolling-stock by or under the Working Eailways Department, and of contractors' men engaged in shops or otherwise, apart from the works,

District. Employed by Contractors. Government Labour, including Surveys. Total. kelson and Marlborough ... Vestland Elanterbury )tago ... Southland 85 180 285 405 200 15 125 260 765 10 100 305 545 1,170 210 Totals 1,155 1,175 2,330

E.--1

The " Unemployed." —Eeference has already been made to the " unemployed," under the head of each railway on which work had been provided, but it is desirable to deal with the subject in a more general way. The question of providing work for the " unemployed " is by no means a new one, it dates as far back as tho decline of the Otago gold fields in 1864. Since that time it has revived at intervals in all tho large centres, whenever the supply of labour became much greater than the demand. Prior to the present one, the last agitation for labour of any magnitude in the Middle Island occurred in Otago, in 1876. In response to it the Government opened the Waikouaiti Section, 9f miles, of the Main Trunk Line. It was opened in October, 1876, and finished in September, 1878. The greatest number of men employed on it at any time was about 165, and the average for the whole time about 125 ; the amount spent in labour being about £21,000. At one time this section was not sufficient to absorb all the labour that offered, so another was opened south of the Clutha, the Toiro Section, 4 miles long. This one was begun in July, 1877, and finished in January, 1879. The greatest number of men employed at any time was 105, and the average for the whole time about 75; the expenditure for labour being about £8,000. Employment was thus given to about 180 men for two years, at an expenditure of £29,000, equal to about £80 per annum per man. The present agitation commenced at the beginning of last winter, and was general throughout the Island. Sections of railway were therefore opened to meet it as follows : The Paroa Section, on the Greymouth-Hokitika line, 3 miles, in May ; the Weka Pass Section, on the main line in Canterbury, 9 miles, in June ; the Albury Downs Section on the Albury Branch, Canterbury, 9J miles, in October; the Hindon Section, on the Otago Central Bailway in Otago, 17i miles, in June ; and the Windsor Section on the Livingstone Branch, Otago, 12 miles, in July. Up till the 30th March, 1880, the approximate expenditure on those sections for labour and materials, including all other charges usual on contracts, was as follow : — £ Paroa ... ... ... ... 1,500 Weka Pass .. ... ... ... 15,000 Albury Downs ... ... ... ... 8,000 Hindon ... ... ... ... 35,350 Windsor ... ... ... ... 21,500 Total ... ... ... £81,350 Although there has been a small number of men constantly employed on the Paroa Section since its commencement, the "unemployed" agitation has never assumed large proportions on the West Coast. The greatest number of men to which employment was given at any one time in Otago during the past year was 1,220, and in Canterbury 580: making a total of 1,800. The numbers at present employed are: Otago, 710; Canterburjr, 150: total, 860. As previously stated, the Canterbury works were stopped altogether during the harvest months, as was also the Windsor Section in Otago; but the Hindon Section had to be kept open all the year, about 300 men remaining on. The cost of the earthworks on the Waikouaiti Section, including plant, was 13d. per cubic yard. Tho proportion due to plant on the sections now in progress cannot yet be ascertained exactly, but, as already stated, the average price paid for labour to 31st March is Bd. to lOd. The principle of giving piecework only, first commenced in connection with the Waikouaiti Section, has been rigidly adhered to. Out of a total of 700 men at one time employed on the Hindon Section, only 20 were on day work. In giving piecework the difficulty is to hit the exact price per yard at which men will earn the stipulated amount per day. At first this was somewhat of a difficulty, but it was soon got over. On keeping the time on the Hindon Section for some three months it was found that the earnings of the best men did not exceed 9d. per hour, the wages we wished to pay. In March last the wages were reduced on the piecework sections to rates calculated to enable married men to earn 285., and single men 215., a week, and rations were provided by the Government at Is. 3d. per day. The Windsor and "Weka Pass Sections were reopened at that time. The former was soon filled, but the applicants for work in Canterbury were not numerous for the first month or two. They are, however, coming in such large numbers now that it has been found necessary to arrange for the opening of both the Albury Downs and Waimakariri Gorge Sections. Departmental. —Although the number of large contracts entered into during the year is less, the work of the department has been fully as heavy as in previous years. About 110 regular contracts and. a great number of small works were in progress, and contracts have been prepared for one or two sections on each of the authorized lines. The piecework sections have also caused a great amount of work to the department. Maps. —lnstead of the usual general map printed all in black lines, the one this year shows only the principal features, and the railway lines are shown in. red. Detailed maps of each district are also given. Enclosures.- —The following enclosures accompany this report: — No. 1. Lengths of Eailways Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed, &c, Middle Island. „ 2. Statement of Works executed on Eoads in Westland. „ 3. Annual Eeport on Water-races. „ 4. Statement of "Works executed on Public Buildings. „ 5. Sketch Map of Middle Island. „ 6. Bailway Maps, six sheets. I have, &c, W. N. Blair, Engineer in Charge, Middle Island,

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Enclosure 1 in Appendix E. TABLE of Lengths of Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1880. MUDDLE ISLAND.

State of Line. .Appropriation. Name of Line. Mileage. Subdivision. Main Line. Sidings. Total. Sn , Under faur; Forve yed- mation. Under Opei ied. ±"iatelayiag To June, 1872. 1876-77. 1877-78. 1878-79. 1879-80. Date. 1872-73. 1873-71. 1874-75. 1875-76. Total.' ENelson-Greymouth M. chs. 53 0 M. chs. 1 0 19 10 3 0 6 0 23 70 7 50 M. chs. 0 21 0 66 0 40 M. chs. 1 21 19 76 3 40 6 0 23 70 10 64 M. chs. | M. chs. M. ehs. 1 21 M. chs. M. chs.l EH. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs.j M. chs, Nelson-Roundel! ... Port Extension Nelson-Foxhill Bellgrove Surveyed Under survey Greymouth-Brunner-ton Stillwater Under Survey Reconnaissance Station Westport Waimangaroa Ngakawau Extension of Survey Greymouth Paroa Hokitika Hampden Street Surveyed Picton-Blenheim ... Blenheim Surveyed Reconnaissance Hurunui - Waipara Reconnaissance Waipara Section Weka Pass Section... Amberley — Ashley (part) 6 0 3 0 31 Jan., 1876 19 10 ... ... 1 19 io Westport-Ngakawau Greymouth - Nelson Creek 16 0 3 14 ... j 7 April, 1876 ... 1 ... 7 50 7 50 Greymouth-Hokitika Westport-Ngakawau Greymouth-Hokitika 19 63 23 51 0 63 5 41 2 6 0 29 6 20 3 60 8 70 0 44 3 51 0 77 3 0 0 19 15 64 17 10 1 22 5 0 11 0 7 0 1 73 1 55 0 10 0 20 0 63 5 41 2 6 2 22 7 75 3 70 9 10 0 44 3 51 0 77 3 0 0 19 15 64 18 . 5 1 72 5 0 11 0 7 0 0 44 15 64 0 63 3 51 0 77 3 0 0 19 ... 17 Dec, 1878 5 Aug., 1876 5 Aug., 1876 26 Sept., 1877 ... j ... I ... . ... ... ... ■- ... ... 6 "20 3 60 '" I ... 1 i 1 8 70 0 29 0 29 6 20 3 60 8 70 ... ... ... ... Picton-Hurunui Picton-Blenheim ... 0 75 0 50 18 Nov.', 1875 ... ... ... 17 10 17 10 18 32 ... 1 22 ... ... Blenheim- Awatere... 16 0 5 0 Hurunui - Waitaki and Branches Main Line 193 58 ... • 6 77 9 5 7 64 0 35 7 32 9 5 i 9 '5 6 77 ... V 1 20 VI 42 £3 18 '" C 3 Nov.', 1875 7 64 7 64 3 63 1 76 1 61 5 18 11 65 1 34 12 67 ... 9 Feb., 1876 17 April, 1875 5 Nov., 1872 2 Sept., 1872 1 April, 1872 7 Oct., 1867 1 76 3 63 3 63 1 76 1 61 5 18 11 65 1 34 Ashley-Rangiora ... Rangiora-Southbrook Southbrook-Kaiapoi Kaiapoi-Addington Christehurch-Adding-ton Addington-Selwyn... Selwyn-Dunsandel... 22 22 25 61 I ... i 11 65 1 34 1 61 5 18 21 9 1 77 ... 7 Oct., 1867 15 Feb., 1873 21 9 l"77 21 9 1 77 1 77

E.-l

Enclosure 1 in Appendix E— continued. TABLE of Lengths or Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1880.— continued. MIDDLE ISLAND.

State of Line. Appropriation. Name of Line. Mileage. Subdivision. Main Line. Sidings. Total. Opened. Under Under Surveyed. Flatelaying. formation. To June, 1872. 1873-74. 1874-75. 1875-76. 1876-77. 1877-78. 1878-79. 1879-80. Total. Date. 1872-73. Hurunui - Waitaki and Branches Main Line — continued] M. chs. M. chs. Dunsandel-Rakaia ... 10 66 Rakaia-Ashburton... 17 7 Ashburton- Rangitata 19 29 North Rangitata North to 2 59 Rangitata South Rangitata South to 13 65 Temuka Temuka-Timaru ... 11 15 Timaru-St. Andrews 10 28 St. Andrews-Otaio... 3 66 Otaio-Makikihi ... 3 61 Makikihi-Hook ... 3 36 Hook-North Waitaki 16 14 North Waitaki-South 1 40 Waitaki (including Bridge) M. chs. | 1 16 1 12 0 24 1 4 M. ehs. 10 66 18 23 20 41 2 59 14 9 12 19 M. chs. M. chs. ... i M. chs. 29 May. 1873 4 Aug., 1874 31 May, 1875 24 Aug., 1875 4 Feb., 1876 26 Oct., 1875 1 July, 1876 1 Sept., 1876 30 Oct., 1876 1 Feb., 1877 1 Feb., 1877 17 April, 1876 M. chs. M. ehs. 10 66 M. chs. M. chs. 17'"7 19 29 M. chs. 2 59 13 65 11 15 M. chs. 10 28 j 3 66 3 61 3 36 16 14 M. chs.j M. ens. M. chs. M. chs. 10 66 17 7 19 29 2 59 13 65 11 15 10 28 3 66 3 61 3 36 16 14 1 40 1 r ... 1 ... 1 ... I ... | 1 <-l 20 J 40 25 -1 ... I ... I ... ... I 1 40 ... ... Branches, — Rangiora-Oxford ... I 1 Dec, 1874 6 April, 1875 21 June, 1875 27 Dec, 1875 11 77 5 53 4 7 21 76 Rangiora-Cust ... 11 77 Cust-Carlton ... 5 53 Carlton-Oxford West 4 7 Main Line-West 14 24 Eyreton Eyreton-Bennett's... 5 63 Lyttelton-Christ- 6 26 church Hornby-Ellesmere... 14 48 Ellesmere-South- 10 48 bridge Ellesmere Section ... 17 0 Reconnaissance ... 25 10 Rolleston-Sheffield... 24 1 Sheffield-Springfield 5 59 Springfield-Coalmine 0 77 Horndon-Whitecliffs 11 42 Ashburton Section ... 10 60 Surveyed ... 8 39 Washdyke- Pleasant 8 71 Point Pleasant Point-Albury 16 61 Albury Section ... 1 28 AlburyDowns Section 9 8 Preliminary Survey 19 0 Waimate Branch. ... 4 35 11 77 5 53 4 7 14 24 [2 5 44 1 11 77 5 53 4 7 14 24 Eyreton (from Main Line) 20 7 1 30 15 54 14 24 Lyttelton 6 26 5 63 6 26 0 20 20 18 6 3 26 44 1 Feb., 1878 9 Dec, 1867 6 26 5 63 5 63 6 26 Southbridge 25 16 14 48 10 48 12 0 27 16 ...[ 26 April, 1875 30 July, 1875 14 48 10 48 14 48 10 4S Little River-Akaroa 42 10 17 0 25 10 24 1 5 59 0 77 11 42 10 60 8 39 8 71 17 0 25 10 17 0 Springfield Branch... 30 57 ! ... ... . _ - . 24 1 24 1 5 59 0 77 11 42 £l 40 32 17 ,{ 1 Dec, 1874 3 Jan., 1880 ■ 10 Feb., 1880 3 Nov., 1875 5 59 0 77 Whitecliffs Branch... Ashburton Branch... 11 42 19 19 1 28 0 30 12 70 11 10 8 39 9 46 10 60 11 42 8 39 ... Opawa Branch 55 8 0 55 24 Dec'.', 1875 871 8"71 16 61 1 28 9 8 19 0 4 35 0 60 17 41 1 28 9 8 19 0 4 77 1 28 9 8 1 Jan., 1877 16 61 16 61 Waimate Branch ... 0 42 19 Mar., 1877 4 35 4 35 4 35 ... I I

E.—l.

11—E. 1

raitaki-Bluff and Branches Main Line — continued] 246 72 South Waitaki- I Oamaru Oamaru-Hillgrove ... Hillgrove-Palmerston Palmerston - Goodwood Goodwood - Waikouaiti Waikouaiti - Puketeraki Puket eraki-Whatera-puka Whaterapuka-Wai-tati Waitati-Mihiwaka ... Mihiwaka-Upper Port Chalmers Upper Port ChahnersGlendermid Glendermid-D unedin D unedin-Kaikorai Kaikorai -Clutha River Clutha (with Bridge) to Balclutha Station Balelutha-Clinton ... Clinton- Waipahi ... Waipahi-Gore Gore-Mataura Mataura-Woodlands Woodlands-Iuvercar-gill Invercargill-Bluff ., 13 8 1 56 j 14 64 25 Sept., 1875 13 8 13 8 24 52 12 68 4 26 3 19 27 71 4 Nov., 1876 22 May, 1878 6 Sept., 1878 24 52 12 68 24 52 12 68 4 26 1 11 j 18 25 4 26 4 57 0 60 j 11 3 6 Sept., 1878 4 57 4 57 5 46 11 3 7 May, 1878 5 46 5 46 6 66 0 40 7 26 7 26 7 May, 1878 6 66 6 66 2 5 2 5 2 5 7 May, 1878 2 5 2 5 5 77 3 10 0 22 6 17 0 10 3 20 6 17 3 20 20 Dec, 1877 20 Dec, 1877 5 77 3 10 5 77 3 10 0 70 0 70 0 70 20 Dec, 1877 0 70 0 70 7 6 6 5 45 30 10 8 6 8 6 9 April, 1873 1 July, 1874 1 Sept., 1875 7 6 6 "5 7 6 6 5 45 30 0 60 6 50 58 5 58 5 r i ...i 22 Jan., 1878 45*30 0 60 0 60 21 3 9 68 15 74 7 51 20 60 11 30 2 8 49 53 "I 22 Jan., 1879 1 Nov., 1877 21 June, 1877 30 Aug., 1875 7 June, 1875 11 Feb., 1874 7*51 15*74 9*68 21 3 21 3 9 68 15 74 7 51 20 60 11 30 20 "60 l>3 0 42 61 11 30 Branches, — Duntroon Branch ... Ngapara ,, Livingston „ 21 18 15 2 16 40 Pukeuri-Duntroon... Waiareka- Ngapara... Windsor-Livingston Surveyed Moeraki Branch Shag Point Palmerston Section Surveyed Glendermid - Port Chalmers Green Island Brighton Road Mosgiel-0 utram Clarksville - Waitahuna Waitahuna- Lawrence 17 0 21 18 15 2 12 0 4 40 1 43 1 67 3 0 6 0 1 9 1 50 0 22 0 25 18 50 21 40 15 27 12 0 4 40 1 65 2 2 3 0 6 0 1 49 ... 5 Feb., 1867 lDec, 1875 2 April, 1877 17 0 21 18 15 "2 17 0 21 18 15 2 12 "o 0*22 0 15 4 40 Moeraki „ ... Shag Point Palmerston- Waihemo 1 43 1 67 9 © 15 TTeb.', 1877 27 June, 1879 1 43 1-43 1 67 3 "o l"67 0 40 6"'o 9 April, 1873 1 "9 Port Chalmers Branch 1 9 . . I l" 9 Green Island Outram Branch Lawrence „ 2 57 9 3 22 0 2 17 0 40 9 3 14 78 0 13 0 5 0 67 2 30 0 45 9 70 1 July, 1874 4 Sept., 1879 1 Oct., 1877 22 Jan., 1877 2 17 9 3 0 "40 2 17 0 40 9 3 14 78 },, ...{ 14 "78 23 7 7 2 2 April, 1877 7 2 7 2

E.—l.

Enclosure 1 in Appendix E— continued. TABLE of Lengths of Lines Authorized, Constructed, and Surveyed up to 31st March, 1880 — continued MIDDLE ISLAND.

State of Line. Appropriation. Name of Line. Mileage. Subdivision. Main Line. Sidings. Total. I ~ _ ! Under Under veved I Por" Plate J ' j mation. laying. Opened. Date. To June, 1872. 1872-73. 1873-74. 1871-76. 1875-76. 1876-77. 1877-78. 1878-79. 1879-SO. I Total. M. chs. 17 40 M. chs. 2 40 4 36 10 44 15 45 10 40 20 0 17 0 3 70 8 20 6 30 0 13 0 15 27 36 57 16 6 65 17 15 65 34 50 46 M. ehs. M. chs, 2 40 4 36 10 44 16 71 10 40 20 0 17 0 3 70 8 20 6 30 0 13 0 15 27 36 57 16 6 65 17 15 65 34 50 46 M. chs. M. chs. 2 40 M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. I M. chs. i i i M. chs. : i i : M. chs. | [ M. chs. | M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs. Waitaki-Bluff and Branches — contd. Catlin's River 17 40 Invertiel Section .,. Surveyed Reconnaissance 26 5 Waipahi-Keko | Surveyed i Under Survey ... 4 36 ... ... ... ... i ■•• ' ... I - Waipahi-Heriot Burn 26 5 1 26 10 40 j Approxi; Approxi 15 45 ... 1 1 ... | Canterbury Interior Main Line Kelso-Waikaka Waimea-Switzers ... Edendale— Toitois ... ... mate, 'mate. j 3 70 ... ! ... ... | I l Oxford-Temuka 18*40 85 0 ... ,, ... 18 40 Wyndham Section ... Surveyed Reconnaissance 85 0 Eyre Bridge | Temuka Bridge I Surveyed Reconnaissance .40 0 Wingatui Section ... Hindon Section Surveyed Under survey ... ... | 8*20 27*36 I - 0 13 0 15 ... '" ... i '" i ! i ... ... ... Otago Central Railway,— Dunedin- Alberto wn (Lake Wanaka) Otago Central ... 140 0 6 65 17 15 65 *34 Approxi mate. ... ... j ! ... Invereargill-Kingston and Branch, Lums-den-Mararoa Invercargill— Kingston 87 16 Invercargill- Winton Winton-Caroline ... Caroline-Elbow Eibow-Lowther 1 Lowther-Athol ■ Athol-Fairlight Faii-light-Kingston... 0 10 ! Kingston Wharf ... 30 0 Lumsden Section ... Castle Rock Reconnaissance 17 45 j Makarewa Junction to Riverton 11 35 Thornbury (Aparima June.) to Otautau 18 40 Riverton Section ... Surveyed Reconnaissance 18 56 22 16 8 27 5 77 13 40 9 60 8 60 0 10 6 0 12 60 11 20 17 45 0 45 1 64 0 40 0 20 0 20 19 21 24 0 8 67 6 17 13 60 22 Feb., 1871 20 Oct., 1875 7 Feb., 1876 15 Jan., 1877 28 Jan., 1878 29 April, 1878 10 July, 1878 14 Dec, 1878 18 56 ... I 22 16 j 8 27 I 18 56 22 16 8 27 5 77 13 40 9 60 8 60 0 10 ... ... ... 5 "7*7 Kingston Wharf Lumsden— Mararoa... ... i i ... i | ... ... 18 40 9 60 JO 12 18 52 ... ... : i ■" I ! 8 60 0 10 - Western Railways ... 0 10 30 0 0 10 ... 0 20 6 0 12 60 11 20 18 35 12*60 6*"o ... ... i - \ ~ ... I Wallacetown Branch 17 45 0 70 j ... 9 June, 1879 ... • 17**45 17 45 I ... i 1 ... ! Otautau Branch 11 35 11 35 0 40 11 75 15 Dec, 1879 11 35 11 35 Orepuki Branch 18 40 6 0 8 0 4 40 6 0 8 0 4 40 8 ' 0 6 0 ... I ... ... ... ... ... ... I ... Totals opened for Traffic I ! 76 30 27 77 127 60 247 71 153 69 94 66 58 57 18 51 817 31 for Ira 11 30 :

E.—l.

Enclosure 2 in Appendix E. ROADS in the Westland District.—Statement of Work Done and in Progress on each Road, under Public Works Acts, to and on 31st March, 1880.

Name of Road. -'a *? H si 1-^ j2 T3 o o o . to -— Principal Bridge Works Executed on each. ! 'State of Roads ! for Traffic. Remarks. Westport to Reefton :— At Ohika River ... M. chs. 0 24 M. chs. 0 19 M.chsJ 0 19 ■■ M.chs: 0 19 | Ft, 17 Ft, I In. 12 l 12 1 bridge, total length 200 ft., consisting of 3 60-ft, spans, trussed, and 1 18-ft. span, trussed Good Very difficult river to bridge; rise of water in floods, 39 ft. Greymouth to Reefton :— At Grey River Junction 0 50 0 39 0 39 0 39 | 17 12 12 1 bridge, 785 ft. long, consisting of 6 55-ft. spans, trussed ; 1 47-ft. span, trussed ; and 27 15-ft. spans, plain 1 bridge, 760 ft. long, consisting of 11 55-ft. spans, trussed, and 10 15-ft. spans, plain. Good River very undefined ; bad site for bridge. At Ahaura 0 41 i i 0 29 0 29 0 29 17 j 12 j 12 Good Difficult river to bridge ; mountain torrent; hard reef close below river bed. 1 11 0 68 0 68 0 68 17 i 12 12 2 bridges ; total length, 1,545 ft. Both rivers very liable to heavy floods ; boulders large, and difficult to drive through; heavy masses of timber frequently coming down. Average country. ! , Stillwater to Maori Gully 6 15 5 71 6 15 6 15 9j . 5 8 4 bridges, total length 79 ft.; and 187 lin. ft. culvert covering Just passable Greymouth to Arnold -.— Greymouth to Omotumotu... i 2 11 j j 2 11 2 11 i j 2 11 17 12 ; 12 124 lin. ft. culvert covering, retaining walls, and 20,400 cub. yds. rocky cutting 8 bridges, to'al length 206 ft.; and 233 lin. ft. culvert covering; also 10,000 cub. yds. rocky cutting 13 lin. ft. culvert covering Good Very heavy work. Omotumotu to Brunnerton... 3 78 3 78 3 7S ! 3 78 17 U j 12 | Good About 1J miles very heavy work, remainder about average. Very heavy timber, steep sidling cuttings, partly rock, and high embankments in places at crossings of deep ravines. Work consisted of reconstructing and widening old road, with new culverts. Heavy embankment approaching Arnold River. Omotumotu to Brunnerton (deviation at Wallsencl) 0 34 0 31 0 34 0 31 17 ! 12 12 Good Brunnerton to Stillwater 1 22 j 1 22 17 12 12 93 lin. ft. culvert covering Good Stillwater to Arnold 0 68 0 68 7 31 0 68 j 7 31 0 68 ] 'I | 17 S j 12 12 12 12 1 bridge, 25 ft. long, and 50 lin. ft. culvert covering Good Greymouth to Okarito :— Greymouth to Marsden Marsden to Hohonu 8 53 | 10 2 7 17 9 41 7 17 10 2 7 17 | 8 53 10 2 7 17 17 17 17 i 12 12 , 12 12 9 bridges, total length 231 ft.; 513 lin. ft. culvert covering, and 30,400 cub. yds. rocky cutting 13 bridges, total length 848 ft.; and 560 lin. ft. culvert covering ... 6 bridges, total length 441 ft., four of them being lattice trusses, with 50-ft. spans and over ; and 246 lin. ft. culvert covering 1 bridge, 590 ft. long, consisting of 9 55-ft. spans, trussed, and 6 15-ft. spans, plain 1 lattice bridge, 45-ft. span, and 251 lin. ft. culvert covering 1 bridge, 45-ft. span, and 101 lin. ft. culvert covering 1 bridge, 810 ft. long, consisting of 13 55-ft. spans, trussed, and 6 15-ft. spans, plain Good Good 7 m. 31 ch. of new road along very difficult country, and reconstructing and widening old road for 1 m. 22 ch.; all now formed 17 ft. wide, with 12 ft. width of metal, 12 in. thick. Average bush-felling. Average bush-clearing; very steep sidling ground throughout, necessitating heavy earthwork. River liable to heavy floods, and carrying large masses of timber. Average bush, average earthwork. Average class of work. River liable to heavy floods, and carrying large masses of timber. At Kumara 1 2 : 0 17 0 17 ! 0 17 17 i : 12 12 Good Stafford to Arahura Hokitika to Kanieri At Kanieri 3 63 ! 1 67 0 25 ! 3 31 1 67 0 12 3 35 1 67 0 12 3 35 1 67 0 12 17 17 17 12 12 12 12 12 12 Good Good Good I

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Enclosure 2 in Appendix E— continued. ROADS in the Westland District.—Statement of Work Done and in Progress on each Road, under Public Works Acts, to and on 31st March, 1880— continued.

Name of Road. S* 3 " o g-ii ■si ■si a P i a <§ r2 s O Principal Bridge Works executed on each. State of Roads for Traffic. Remarks. Greymouth to Okarito — continued. M.chs. Kanieri to Bess ... ... ... 16 21 M.chs. 16 19 M.chsJ 16 18 M.chs. Ft. 16 18 17 | Ft. 12 In. 12 I Bowen to Waitahi (Sections 1, 2, and 3, 13 15 North end) Waitahi to Wataroa (Sections 4 to 12, 30 33 j inclusive, North end) Wataroa to Okarito Forks (Sections 6 10 34 to 3, inclusive, South end) Okarito Forks to Okarito (Sections 1, 5 4; 2, and 7, South end) At Okarito River... ... ... j 0 4 At Okarito Lagoon ... ... 0 6 !• j 13 15 13 15 13 15 : 10 5 8 .7 bridges, two of them being 34-ft. spans, lattice trusses ; total length : Good 295 ft.; also 468 lin. ft. culvert covering 1 bridge, 45 ft. long, and 400 lin. ft, culvert covering ... ...[Good Average class of work. Average clearing and forming. 30 33 30 12 30 12 10 5 8 1 bridge, 42 ft, long, and 8S3 lin. ft. culvert covering; also 223 Good lin. ft. 4-ft. culverts under banks 130 lin. ft. culvert covering ; also 1 bridge,^52 ft. long, in course of Fair construction 4 bridges, total?length 139 ft.; and 55 lin. ft. culvert covering ... Good Average clearing and forming. i 10 34 10 34 | io 34 ; 10 5 8 Average clearing and forming. ; 5 4 5 4 5 4 : 12 0 4 10 0 6 10 | 97 73 8 8 Heavy earthwork, moderate clearing. 0 4 0 0 0 4 0 6 5 5 8 8 1 bridge in course of construction, 1 span 52 ft. long, understrutted 1 bridge, consisting of 2 10-ft. spans, plain ... ... ... Good River liable to heavy floods, and full of large rocks. Causeway over a tidal creek ; embankment heavily coated with stone. Heavy bush clearing and grubbing, and moderate earthwork. Of the total distances metalled, 39 m. 8 ch. is 12 ft. wide, 4 m. 78 ch. 8 ft. wide, and 53 m.67 ch. 5ft. wide. Twobridgeslongand difficult. Very heavy timber, average earthwork. Constructed on site of old track, which was partly cleared and formed. Average country. Easy country, average timber. Plain bridge. Easy country. Average country. Plain bridge. Average earthwork, heavy timber. Average country. Cattle-track round steep bluffs. Average country, heavy clearing. 99 43 | 97 50 97 73 I : 1 39 bridges, total length 3,424 ft.; 3,094 lin. ft, culvert covering; and 223 lin. ft. 4-ft. culverts under banks i | i i [ Mart den to Paroa ... ... ... ! 0 77 Marsden to Maori Creek ... ... 5 50 0 77 5 50 0 77 5 50 0 77 I 15 5 50 | Hi i 10 8 12 8 47 lin. ft. culvert covering ... ... ... ... ... Good 52 lin. ft. culvert covering ... ... ... ... ... Fair Pounamu to Lake Brunner ... ... 8 4 Junction to Christchurch Road ... 4 65 Waimea —Right-hand Branch ... 0 2 Hokitika to Blue Spur ... ... 4 46 Kanieri Forks to Lake ... ... ( 4 54 Kanieri to Kokatahi ... ... 0 4 South Creek —Branch to Main Line .... 0 37 i Okarito Forks to Lake Mapourika ... 3 76 Okarito to Haast Pass ... ... 6 11 ! Ahaura to Kopara Flats ... ... 12.22 7 62 4 65 B 3 56 4 54 0 4 0 37 3 76 ! 4 72 : 5 66 8 4 4 65 ridge on 4 46 4 54 0 4 0 37 3 76 3 60 5 66 8 4 I 10 4 65 I 17 ly. 8 4 46 ' 123 | 4 54 10 0 4 12 0 37 17 3 76 12 0 69 5 5 66 5 only. 18 5 I 12 8 I 5 8 12 8 8 176 lin. ft. culvert covering ... ... ... ... ... Fair 74 lin. ft. culvert covering ... ... ... ... ... Good 1 bridge, 113 ft. long ... ... ... ... ... Fair 1 bridge, 58-ft. span, lattice truss ; and 344 lin. ft. culvert covering... Good 1 bridge, 41-ft, span, trussed; and 91 lin. ft. culvert covering ... Good 1 bridge, 142 ft, long ... ... ... ... ... Good 7 ft. culvert covering ... ... ... ... ... Good 1 bridge, 20-ft. span, and 89 lin. ft. culvert covering ... ... Good Bridge in course of construction, 1 span, 97 ft., trussed, 6 ft. wide... Passable ... 259 lin. ft. culvert covering ... ... ... ... ... Good 12 8 3 3 12 8 6 8 Hokitika to Christchurch: — j Rangiriri to Arthur's Pass ... ... 31 mill es, main tenance ~IT| 4 to 12 Maintenance only ... ... ... ... ... ... Fair Precipitous country; mountain torrents; very liable to slips and inundations.

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Enclosure 3 in Appendix E. WESTLAND DISTBICT.—ANNUAL EEPOET ON WATEB-EACES. Sir,— Public "Works Office, Hokitika, 31st March, 1880. I have the honor to report on the water-races in this district with which the General Government are connected. They are as follow : — Nelson South-West Gold Fields — Eour-Mile "Water-race, Charleston District. Nelson Creek "Water-race, Grey Valley District. Westland Gold Fields — New Biver Water-race, Marsden District. Hibernian "Water-race, Marsden District. Hohonu "Water-race, Greenstone District. Waimea "Water-race, Waimea District. Waimea Extension to Kumara, Kumara District. Kanieri Lake Water-race, Kanieri District. Mikonui Water-race, Totara District. Four-Mile Water-race. —The only works in progress connected with this race during the year have been the completion of the pack track, aud the maintenance of the Argyle Water-race. The length of the pack track is 4 miles 30 chains, and it is metalled for most of its length. The maintenance of the Argyle Eace has, during the financial year, cost £510, and is carried on under the general supervision of this Department, but the cost is defrayed by the Gold Eields Department. When the construction of this race was first projected, the complete scheme included (1) a supply race from the Pour-Mile Creek, and (2) the enlargement and improvement of the existing Argyle Eaco. If this complete scheme were carried out, the supply of water on the gold field would be increased from 5 to about 14 heads, and the cost of the undertaking would be £12,000, in addition to the expenditure already incurred. It has, however, been considered that this outlay is greater than would be immediately justified by the prospects of the district. The construction of the supply race from the Eour-Mile Creek has therefore been eliminated from the scheme, and the improvement and enlargement of the Argyle "Water-race, with its reservoirs, &c, is all that it is at present proposed to undertake. The capacity of the present Argyle Water-race is about 5 statute-heads, and the reservoir is well proportioned with regard to the capacity of the race; this being practically evidenced by the fact that water is seldom or never spilled over the bye-wash of the reservoir, while on the other hand the supply to the race seldom fails short of its full carrying capacity. This being so, it is evident that the drainage at present available is utilized so far as practicable, and it is also evident that, if the water-supply is to be increased, a larger watershed will have to be found. It is proposed to attain this object by constructing catch-water races along the sides of the ranges at such a level as will enable them to drain into the present reservoir. The present drainage area is about 340 acres, and the additional area which it is proposed to utilize, by means of catchment races, is about 210 acres. The watersupplv which could be obtained from these united areas will probably be about 8 statute-heads. The expenditure required for catchment races, the enlargement of the reservoir, and the enlargement and improvement of the Argyle "Water-race, will be about £4,500. Nelson Creek Water-race. —Length, 16 miles 24 chains ; capacity, 60 statute-heads. This work is now entirely under the control of the Gold Eields Department. New Biver Water-race. —Length constructed, 6 miles 53 chains ; capacity, 16 statute-heads. This is a work which was undertaken by a company in 1872, with a Government subsidy of £5,000, but the work has now been abandoned, and it is not probable that it will be again utilized by its present holders. - Hibernian Water-race. —Length, 5 miles 51 chains; capacity, 10 statute-heads. This also was undertaken by a company in 1872, with a Government subsidy of £2,000, but the work has now been abandoned, and it is not probable that it will be again utilized by its present holders. Hohonu Water-race. —Length, 5 miles 41 chains; capacity, 50 statute-heads. The Government advanced a subsidy of £2,500 to the company who undertook this work, but it has now been entirely abandoned by them. Waimea Water-race. —The main race extends from the Kawhaka Creek to Ballarat Hill. Length, 16 miles 4 chains ; capacity, 40 statute-heads. There is also a branch race leaving the main race near Goldsborough. Length, 59 chains ; capacity, 30 statute-heads. The only work done during the year has been a length of about 9 chains of race, connecting the original head of the race with the headworks, which were completed just before the termination of last financial year. Waimea Water-race (continued): Extension to Kumara. —The length of the main race is 3 miles 1 chain, and its capacity about 20 statute-heads. The lengths of the branch races amount in the aggregate to 4 miles 4 chains, and their capacities vary from 5 to 50 statute-heads. The supply race from Kawhaka Creek, which also comes under this heading, is 4 miles 60 chains in length, and its capacity is 30 statute-heads. These works have all been completed over two years, and sales of water have been made continuously since then. The sludge channel at Kumara, which was undertaken with a view to the gold-bearing ground being worked on a large scale by sluicing, instead of being worked as hitherto in small claims by the method of paddocking, has been put in hand during the year. A contract was let for a length of 46 chains at the lower end of the sludge channel on the 26th September, 1879, for the sum of £5,830 ; but, although the contract has now been in full operation for six months, the length completed up to date is less than 9 chains. This slow progress is entirely owing to the difficulties which have been encountered in the progress of the work. It was at first intended that the whole of the tunnel should be driven from the lower end, but the very slow progress made induced the contractor to sink a shaft about midway on the contract in the hope that he would be able to drive the tunnel from this shaft, and thus hasten ]2—E. 1.

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the work ; but when the shaft was completed it was found that such large quantities of water were met with in it that steam-pumping machinery would be necessary in order to carry on the work, and the contractor is now making arrangements to obtain a steam-engine accordingly. Whether the steampower which he will be able to provide, without incurring a ruinous expense, will be sufficient to overcome the water yet remains to be seen; and until this aspect of the question is fully investigated it will be impossible to say with certainty whether the second section of the work, required to bring it up to its total length of 81 chains, can be proceeded with at present, as this section would have to be worked wholly from shafts, unless its construction is deferred until the present section is completed. The dam in the Kapitea Valley, referred to in last year's report, has not yet been proceeded with. A careful estimate has, however, been made of the probable increase of supply derivable from it, with the result that a total supply of 28 heads would be attainable; the supply from the present reservoirs being 15 heads. The cost of the dam would be £8,000; and the enlargement of the Kumara main race, and distribution races to carry the increased supply, would cost £1,000 ; making the total estimated cost of this addition £9,000. Kanieri Lake Water-race. —Length, 12 miles 21 chains; capacity, 60 statute-heads. This work was carried out by a private company in 1875, with the aid of a Government subsidy of £10,000, but it has now been entirely abandoned by the promoters, and the works are falling into a very dilapidated state. Mikonui Water-race. —Length, 15 miles 13 chains; proposed capacity, 40 statute-heads. The construction of this work, which was projected several years ago, has been commenced by the Government during the present year. Tenders were called on the 28th July, 1879, for the construction of 36 chains of tunnelling in six sections of 6 chains each. Tenders for four of these sections were accepted, and the two remaining sections were readvertised on the 4th September, 1879, and tenders for these latter sections were subsequently accepted. The first batch of four contracts has since been completed, but the other two are still in progress. All these sections have taken a considerably longer time to complete than was anticipated, owing to the hardness of the rock through which the tunnels had to be driven. I have been directed to prepare further contracts for works on this race up to the balance of this year's vote, and the same are now in hand, and will be advertised in a few days. The portion of the race upon which contracts already let, and the contracts about to be advertised, are located, is that from the lower end of the long tunnel to the termination of the main race. If, however, it is the intention of the Government to carry out the original scheme of deriving the water supply for this race from the Mikonui Eiver, it would be advisable to commence the long tunnel at both ends as soon as possible, as it would probably take four or five years to complete it throughout.The observations on the collateral advantages derived from the "Waimea, Kumara, and Nelson Creek Eaces, instituted during the last financial year, have been continued during the present year, with the following results : — Nelson Creek Bace. —Number of men employed daily throughout the year, 67 ; number of ounces of gold obtained by them, 4,400. Waimea and Kumara Baces. —Number of men employed daily throughout the year, 570 ; number of ounces of gold obtained by them, 19,700. The average annual income of each of the men so employed would therefore be about £146 per annum. I have, &c, F. "W. Martin, The Engineer in Charge, Middle Island, Dunedin. Eesident Engineer.

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Enclosure 4 in Appendix E. PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN MIDDLE ISLAND, STATEMENT OE WOEKS EXECUTED DUBING TEAB 1879-80. NELSON DISTRICT. Judicial, — Courthouse and Police Station, Picton ... ... ... Einished. Eepairs, Picton Gaol ... ... ... ... ... Tenders called for. Lock-up, Blenheim ... ... ... ... ... Einished. Police Station, Colliugwood (contract No. 2) ... ... ... Einished. Miscellaneous, — Sheep-dip and Quarantine Station, Port Nelson ... ... Finished. WESTLAND DISTRICT. Judicial, — Courthouse, Greymouth ... ... ... ... Finished. Police Quarters, Ahaura, additions ... ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse, Boss ... ... ... ... ... Finished. Warden's Eesidence, "Westport, additions and alterations to ... In progress. Postal and Telegeaph,— Post and Telegraph Office, Kumara ... ... ... Finished. Post and Telegraph Office, Westport ... ... ... In progress. Lunatic Asylum,— Lunatic Asylum, Hokitika, additions ... ... ... Finished. Miscellaneous, —■ Eepairs to Government Cottage, Orawaiti Boad ... ... Finished. CANTERBURY DISTRICT. Judicial, — Mortuary at Police Station, Christchurch ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse, "Waimate ... ... ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse, Ashburton... ... .'.. ... ... Tenders called for. Courthouse, Christchurch ... ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse, Akaroa ... ... ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse, Christchurch, additions ... ... ... Tenders called for. Lock-up, Addington ... ... ... ... ... Finished. Lock-up, Sydenham ... ... ... ... ... Finished. Lock-up, Bingsland ... ... ... ... ... Tenders received. Lock-up, Papanui ... ... ... ... ... Tenders received. Lyttelton Orphanage, drainage and repairs ... ... ... In progress. Burnham Industrial School, infirmary ... ... ... Finished. Burnham Industrial School, drainage ... ... ... In progress. Burnham Industrial School, additions ... ... ... Plans being prepared. Supreme Court, Christchurch, repairs ... ... ... Finished. Lyttelton Gaol, additions ... ... ... ... In progress. Addington Gaol ... ... ... ... ... In progress. Postal and Telegeaph,— Post and Telegraph Office, Devauchelle's Bay ... ... ... Finished. Offices toe Public Depaetments,— Government Buildings, Christchurch, fittings for Post and Telegraph Offices... .. ... ... ... ... Finished. Government Buildings, Christchurch, fittings for Deeds Office ... Plans being prepared. Government Buildings, Timaru ... ... ... ... In progress. Deeds Office, Christchurch, strong-room .. ... ... Finished. Lunatic Asylums,— Sunnyside, Christchurch (contract No. 1) ... ... ... Nearly finished. Sunnyside, Christchurch (contract No. 2) ... ... ... In progress. Hospitals,— Christchurch, minor repairs ... ... ... ... Finished. OTAGO DISTRICT. Judicial, — Fencing Police Eeserve, Clyde ... ... ... ... Finished. Fencing Police Eeserve, Cromwell ... ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse, Hyde, fittings, fencing, &c. ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse, Eoxbnrgh ... ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse, Tapanui ... ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse, Alexandra, fencing ... ... ... ... Finished,

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Postal and Telegeaph,— Post and Telegraph Office, Catlin's Eiver ... ... ... Finished. Post and Telegraph Office, Waitahuna ... ... ... Finished. Lunatic Asylums,— Temporary Asylum, Seacliff ... ... ... ... Finished. Lunatic Asylum, Seacliff ... ... ... ... In progress. SOUTHLAND DISTRICT. Judicial, — Courthouse, Invercargill ... ... ... ... In progress. Courthouse, Lumsden ... ... ... ... Finished. Courthouse and Police Station, Gore ... ... ... Tenders invited. Invercargill Gaol, additions ... ... ... ... Plans being prepared. Postal and Tblegbaph,— Post and Telegraph Office, Gore ... ... ... ... Finished. Post and Telegraph Office, Wyndham ... ... ... Finished. Native, — House for Natives at Bluff ... ... ... ... Work stopped. Suevey,— Strong-room, Invercargill ... ... ... ... Finished.

Map of the NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND Public Works Department 1880. John Blackett. M. Inst. C. E. Engineer in Charge

Sketch Map OF THE NELSON to GREYMOUTH (portion of) RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE MIDDLE ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE NELSON to GREYMOUTH (portion of) GREYMOUTH to HOKITIKA & WESTPORT to NGAKAWATU RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE MIDDLE ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF A PORTION OF PIGTON-HURUNUI RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE MIDDLE ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE HURUNUI to WAITAKI & CANTERBURY INTERIOR RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE MIDDLE ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE WAITAKI to BLUFF (portion of) and OTAGO CENTRAL(portion of) RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE MIDDLE ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

Sketch Map OF THE INVERCARGILL and KINGSTON WESTERN PORTION OF WAITAKI-BLUFF RAILWAYS TO ACCOMPANY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE MIDDLE ISLAND FOR 1879-1880.

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APPENDIX F. SCHEDULE of Railway Contracts Current on the 1st July, 1879, and Contracts Entered into during the Nine Months ended 31st March, 1880. NORTH ISLAND.

Date of Contract. Lines of Railway Branches. Name of Contract. Particulars Length of Contract. Length of Sidings in Contract. Name of Contractor. Contract to be Completed. Date Contract was Completed. Amount of Contract. Remarks. M. ch. Ik. M. ch. Ik. £ s. d. 292 o o 496 13 4 9,274 9 10 2,257 9 XI June 19, 1879 Mar. 1, 1880 Mar. 9, „ Mar. 10, 1879 Kawakawa ... No. 14, Station Buildings 1 3-ton Steam Crane... Taumarere Kamo T. Constable ... Fraser and Tinne William Sims Thomas Jones Aug. 23, 1879 Aug. 27, 1880 Mar. 2, 188 1 Oct. 31, 1879 July 26, 1879 ... Jan. 15, 1880 Jan. 14, „ Mar. 1, „ Mar. 3, „ Whangarei to Kamo ... ») }> Conveyance of Rails and Sleepers Cartage of Rails and Sleepers... 1 3-ton Steam Crane... Whangarei Formation Formation 100 1 70 o M. Niccol W. S. Wrack Fraser and Tinne P. Lanigan ... Mar. 23, 1880 Not given Dec. 27, 1880 Mar. 1, 188 1 ... Part of contract for 3 cranes. Part of contract, balance, viz., £1678 14s. 7d. charged to Miscellaneous Public Works. At schedule rates. At schedule rates. Part of contract for 3 cranes. » a ... 496 13 4 12,054 o o » )) • ■• F., P. L., and Bdgs. F.andP.L. F.andP.L. F.andP.L. » j) May 17, 1877 May 28, „ Nov. 9, 1878 Oct. 18, „ Kaipara to Waikato ,.. 11 a Auckland Helensville Ohaupo Rolling-stock, No. 2 ... 9 61 o o 43 o 6 21 o o 60 o o 70 o o 60 o Larkins and O'Brien ... Alex. Smith ... Daniel Fallon Guthrie and Larnach Co. May 11, 1879 Feb. 22, 1878 Feb. 5, 1880 i Jan. 10, i Apl. 10, 1880 May 11, 1879 May 30, „ Oct. 30, „ 16,933 o 3 *i,i27 10 8 25,972 5 6 5>93i 9 2 Contract jdetermined. *This amount has been paid to contractor in full of all demands. It it )) it Jan. 6, 1880 Jan. 7, 1879 Feb. 7, „ Feb. 8, „ a a ••• a a '<• ii ft ••• No. 1 o, Station Buildings Newcastle Wharf Extension ... Helensville Wharf and Permanent Way Auckland Harbour Reclamation Waitakerei ... John Duee J. S. Smith ... Sheehan and Foughy ... Feb. 16, „ Dec. 15, 1879 2,927 15 o 2,707 4 11 10,104 16 4 Contract determined. Feb. 11, „ Mar. 21, „ ii it •" f., p; l., and Bdgs. 12 64 o 1 45 ° James Dempsey Taylor and Danaher Dec. 3, 1880 Sept. 11, „ 32,710 5 o 36,601 5 2 )> 31 Mar. 24, „ Mar. 31, „ June 6, „ July 25, „ Jnly 31, „ Aug. 6, „ Dec. 31, „ Dee. 31, „ Mar. 1, 1880 Mar. 9, „ Mar. 23, „ Mar. 30, „ a 11 ■•■ a a ••• tt a a it ■•• a jj it a ••■ No. 11, Station Buildings No. 12, „ No. 13, „ No. 16, Wynyard Pier Cartage of Railway Material ... Workshops Site, Newmarket ... Newmarket Junction Station ... 1 3-ton Steam Crane... Te Awamutu Station Road No. 17, Station Buildings Painting Bridges ... ... William Cameron H. P. Kavanagh Henry Shailer D. Glendinning Richard White Joseph. Craig William Blewden Allen Maguire Fraser and Tinne Bearsley and MeConkey Scott and Coombes James Gibson June 16, 1879 July 29, „ Sept. 3, „ Sept. 29, „ Oct. 29, „ July 1, 1880 Sept. 24, „ Sept. 23, „ Dec. 27, „ April 27, „ July 19, „ June 2;, ,, June 25, 1879 July '5, „ Oct. 31, „ Sept. 26, „ Oct. 23, „ 797 o o 245 ° ° 489 16 6 i,o45 17 4 204 o o 2,099 ° ° 6,870 o o 496 13 4 171 14 6 1,889 ° ° 365 5 2 At schedule rates. il .)) •*■ a 13 Part of contract for 13 it ••• 11 It 3 cranes. 11 11 1 ... Jan. 22, 1880 Feb. 26, 1879 April 5, „ 11 )i Waikato toThames. Hamilton to Te Aroha Te Aroha to Thames ... Waikato Grahamstown Reclamation Shortland F. 12 64 o Hunt and White W. B. Souter J. J. O'Brien Feb. 19, 1881 Nov. 18, 1879 Dec. 25, „ Feb. 13, 1880 9,930 8 2 7,538 13 ° 8,393 1 4 3) 33 F. and Reclamation o 73 ° Oct. 1 „ 11 J) ■*■ Kauaeranga Bridge ... Alexander Watson I Feb. 24, 1880 I 763 7 6 I

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SCHEDULE of Railway Contracts Current, &c.— continued. NORTH ISLAND— continued.

Date of Contract. Line of Railway. Name of Contract. Particulars. Length of Contract. Length of Sidings in Contract. Name of Contractor. Contract to be Completed. Date Contract was Completed. Amount of Contract. Remarks. M. ch. Ik. M. ch. Ik. £ s. d. Jan. 26, 1878 Oct, 7, „ Oct. 18, „ Wellington to Napier. Napier to Woodville .., Papatu Bridges (3) ... 25 High-side Wagons Rolling-stock, No. 4 ... ¥. o 21 12 Proudfoot and McKay... Campbell Bros. Guthrie and Larnaeh Co. July 15, 1879 Cannot be stated i Jan. 10, 1880 i Apr. 10,1880 July 1, 1879 Oct. 25, „ April 30, 1880 Mar. 31, „ by Government Oct, 10, 1878 Feb. 21, 1880 Dec. 1, 1879 Jan. 24, 1880 I5>I9S 4 8 475 o ° 6,493 1 1 1 - 1 Mar. 24, 1879 July 8, „ Feb. 14, 1880 Jan. 5, „ April 6, 1878 April 1 2, „ j, ,, ... " Carting and Stacking Sleepers... Napier Workshops ... No. 1, Station Buildings Makatoko Carterton Part of 200 sets Points and Crossings Rolling-stock, No. 3 ... 0 45 o 1 40 o William Ebbett Alexander Reese Angus McKay Wilkie and Crawford ... Contract being completed Gilchrist and Waters ... Jan. 28, 1880 368 15 o 3,795 ° ° 1,656 o o 2,020 19 9 5 J,9S4 o o 620 o o Part of contract, remainder charged to Carlyle-Waitara Railway. „ ...; ... Wellington to Woodville p'.'l. F.andP.L. 5 25 ° 20 41 o Aug. 30, 1879 Oct. 18, „ j) j) Guthrie and Larnaeh Co. J- Jan. 10, 1880 i Apr. 10, „ Nov. 14, 1879 Dec. 26, ,, Sept. 12, „ Oct. 4, „ Sept. 18, „ Nov. 11, „ Nov. 26, ,, Feb. 2, 1880 Mar. 15, „ April 19, „ June 24, ,, Nov. 11, 1879 April 19, 1880 Jan. 17, 1880 8,088 1 3 Mar. 19, 1879 Mar. 31, „ May 13, „ June 3, ,, July 24, „ July 18, „ Sept. 30, „ Dec. 23, „ Dee. 23, „ Mar. 10, 1880 Mar. 30, ,, Aug. 18, 1879 Feb. 23, 1880 )) JJ *" 31 11 ... i „ ... : „ ... j Petone Workshops ... Railway Wharf Petone Drain No. 3, Station Buildings 150 Tank Connections Railway Manager's House, Petone Additions to Lower Hutt Station Office at Petone Workshops ... Water-tanks, Petone Workshops FenciDg Wairarapa Station Buildings ... Grey town Branch GreytownBranch Station Buildings Grey town Branch, Fencing W. J. Ridler... James Lockie Webber and Lenoury ... Swanston and Nelson ... R. S. Sparrow and Co.... Joseph Cross W. J. Ridler... W. F. Parsons R. W. Watson William. Strachan Bishop and Hawkins ... Bennett and Potts Ebenezer Gray Jan. 31, „ Sept. 1, 1879 Oct. 4, „ Aug. 22, ,, Nov. 11, ,, Nov. 26, ,, Feb. 26, 1880 2,360 o 4 16,758 17 5 190 13 6 810 o o 55 o o 850 o o 179 o o 274 o o 179 o o 173 16 o 1,881 9 o 760 6 3 1,183 J4 I0 „ ... 11 11 Grreytowu Branch F. 2 72 50 Jan. 10, 1880 5) !} Mar. 27, „ Wellington to Foxton. Wellington to Johnsonville Foxton to New Plymouth. Foxton to Carlyle H. Stewart ... May 23, ,, 500 o o Sep. 15, 1879 Freight on Rails, &c. G. M. Kebbell 8 weeks from receipt of material Dec. 5, 1879 Oct. 10, 1878 Dec. 13, 1879 140 13 o June 7, 1878 April 12, „ Waitotara Part of 200 [ sets Points and Crossings Rolling-stock, No. 5 ... F. and P. L. 12 70 o o 65 o E. W. Mills ... Gilchrist and Waters ... Aug. 30, 1879 39-79 1 '4 3 620 o o 11 11 Oct. 18, „ Guthrie and Larnaeh Co. W. Bishop ... J. Saunders ... j R. S. Martin... JJan. 10,1880 : i Apr. 10, „ June 3, 1879 April 16, 1880 Mar. 31, 1880 7,936 o 10 Part of contract only, balance of £4,500 to Carlyle and Waitara Railway. Mar. 14, 1879 April 17, „ 31 11 '*• I Freight on Rails, &c Wanganui Wharf and Reclamation Freight'on 1 Locomotive, &c. ... ... Sept. 8, 1879 408 19 2 23.5*4 8 3 June 11, „ 1) 13 6 weeks from \ receipt of ma- j terial July 18, 1879 75 o o

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SCHEDULE of Railway Contracts Current, &c.— continued. NORTH ISLAND— continued.

Date of Contract. Line of Railway. Name of Contract. Particulars. Length of Contract. Length of Sidings in Name of Contractor. Contract. Contract to be Completed. Date Contract was Completed. Amount of Contract. Remarks. June 19, 1879 July 15, „ Foxton to New Plymol Foxton to Carlyle ... nth —continued. Wanganui Workshops Freight on 2 Locomotives M. ch. Ik. M. ch. Ik. Gibbs and Pinches R.S.Martin... Nov. 16, 1879 6 weeks from receipt of material 10 weeks „ 8 weeks ,, Nov. 4, 1879 Dec. 8, „ Feb. 6, 1880 Dec. 24, 1879 Jan. 31, 1881 May 1, 1880 May 5, „ 10 weeks from receipt of material April 18, 1880 Oct. 10, 1878 Jan. 29, 1880 Aug. 9, 1879 £ s. d. 1,436 13 10 180 o o ... ,, ., Sept. 11, ,, Aug. 2, ,, Sept. 15, ,, Oct. 10, „ Oct. 10, ,, Oct. 23, ,, Jan. 5, 1880 Jan. 2, ,, Jan. 15, ,, Jan. 21, „ » j. ,, Rails ... ... ,, ,, ... ... Coal Store at Aramoho, &c. Stationmaster's House, Waitotara Footway, WaHganui Bridge ,,. Additions to Marton Station ... Waverley ... Waitotara Station Buildings ... No. 2, WaDganui Workshops ... Freight on Rails &. M. Kebbell Mclntyre and Co, Alexan der and McFarlane Henry Harris Gibbs and Piuches A. C. Riggs ... David Wilkie Robert McLean Thomson and McLean... Mclntyre and Co. Nov. 12, „ Sept. 27, „ Nov. 4, „ Dec 10, „ Mar. 1, 1880 Jan. 7, ,, 175 o o 185 o o 136 5 o 319 9 o 310 10 6 218 o o .. ., ... F.andP.L. 6 70 o o 50 o 12,429 4 o 1,780 16 3 420 o o 191 14 o Feb. 28, 1880 ., ,, ... Feb. 21, „ April 12, 1878 Carlyle to Waitara Stationmaster's House, Waverley Part of 200 sets Points and Crossings Rolling-stock, No. 5 ... Robert McLean Gilchrist and Waters ... Aug. 30, 1879 373 11 6 250 o o Oct. 18, „ Guthrie and Larnaeh Co. iJan. 10, 1880 | Apr. 10, „ Oct. 11, 1879 24 weeks from receipt of material May 2, 1879 24 weeks from receiptof material i Jan. 10, 1880 i Apr. 10, ,, 3 weeks from receiptof material 8 weeks ,, 12 weeks „ Jan. 21, i88t Dec. 1, 1879 Mar. 31, 1880 4,500 o o Part of contract only, balance oi £7,936 os. iod. to Foxton and Carlyle Railway. Jan. 23, 1879 May 21, „ Stratford ... Freight on Rails, &c. F.andP.L. 4 48 o Hursfhouse and Berry... C. H Ellaby... Feb. 14, 1880 Oct. 3, 1879 16,446 13 7 1,519 II o 11 a ••■ Mar. 25, „ June 11, „ Three Sixth-class Stations Freight on 12,300 Sleepers Hursthouse and Berry... C. E. Capper... July 12, „ Nov. 25, „ 255 18 o 666 5 o Oct. 18, 1878 >; 13 ••- Rolling-stock, No. 4 ... Guthrie and Larnaeh Co. Feb. 10, 1880 i,34S 3 1 Part of contract, balance charged to Napier and Woodville Railway. Aug. 15, 1879 )y jj ... Freight on Carriage and Van ... C. E. Capper... Sept. 11, 1879 85 IO o Aug. 2, „ Jan. 21, 1880 Aug. 25, 1879 Nov. 4, „ )) 3? ■*• ,, Rails Sentry Hill Workshops Additions to Engine-shed, New Plymouth Mangawhero Sidings, Sentry Hill Workshops Mclntyre and Co. J. C. George ... A. T. McGonagle Sept. 24, ,, Mar. 25, 1880 Jan. 21, ,, Dec. 6, 1879 311 13 2 287 9 6 1,327 17 o 239 9 ° Jan. 6, 1880 Mar. 23, „ F.andP.L. 6 60 o o 10 o o 18 o W. G. Bassett Bullot and Green Nov. 5, 1880 May 19, ,, 9,950 o o 685 o o „ ...

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SCHEDULE of Railway Contracts Current, &c.— continued. MIDDLE ISLAND.

Date of Contract. Lines of Railway and Branches. Name of Contract. [Particulars. Length of Contract. Length of Sidings in Contract. Name of Contractor. Contract to be Completed. Date Contract was Completed. Amount of Contract. Remarks. June 26, 1879 May 26, ,, Feb. 5, 1880 Feb. 13, „ Aug. 22, 1879 Nelson to Greymouth. Nelson to Roundell ... M. ch. Ik. o 81 50 300 M. ch. Ik. William Patterson Peter Dey D. Gorrie and Sons Sept. 26, 1879 May 26, 1880 Mar. 27, „ Mar. 19, ,, Nov. 18, „ Oct. 11, 1879 £ s. d. 1,762 18 6 8,159 ° o 129 19 o i49 9 7 12,234 ° ° No. 2, Port Belgrove Belgrove Station Water Sunplv, Port Nelson ... Stillwater ... P.L. Formation ,. ,, Mar. 27, 1880 Mar. 19, „ Feb. 16, 1880 Greymouth to Nelson Creek Greymouth to Harbour Works Dredge Formation o 63 o William Rowc Kincaid, McQueen, and Co. Despatch Foundry Co.... Seabrook Bros. Nov. 9, ,, I 4,139 o o ... Jan. 28, ,, April si, 1879 ,, ,, ... Greymouth to Hokitika 5-ton Steam Crane ... No. 1, Brumier Station Buildings Greymouth Hokitika April 7, „ j July 31, 1879 Aug. 28, 1879 574 o o 626 IO o ! April 29, „ June 9, ,, ., ., ... Formation 3 51 ° 300 William Rowe Jmeas Morgan Feb. 23, 1880 Nov. 3, 1879 Feb. 21, 1880 8,440 o o 3,60I 2 IO JPicton to Hurunui. Picton to Blenheim ... Hurunui to Waitahi. Main Line ... ,, Jan. 7, ,, Blenheim ... F.andP.L. 1 22 46 100 Henderson and Fergus... Mar. 27, 1880 9,969 4 O Oct, 31, 1878 Rolling-stock, No. 1 ... John Anderson \ Jan. 10, 1880 i Apr. 10, ,, Mar. 5, „ Dec. 18, 1879 6,685 12 6 Balance of contract, £6,685 !2s. 6d., charged to Waitaki and Bluff Railway. Per 100 feet. Feb. 19, 1880 Mar. 26, 1879 Goods Shed, Dromore Waipara P., P.L., and Bdgs. 6 77 o o 35 o Nelson and Coutts Peter McGrath Mar. 5, 1880 466 18 o 21,493 1 o ,, ... ... Feb. 28, 1880 Sawing about 100,000 feet Timber Springfield... Jagger and Parker As Engineer m ay decide o 7 9 April 4, 1879 Springfield Branch F., P.L., and Bdgs. F. and P. L. 6 45 o o 40 o F. Benham ... Aug. 18, 1879 ... io,353 ° o April 18, „ Main Line to Upper Ashburton Little River to Akaroa Ashburton ... 10 60 o o 30 o John Fraser, assigned to Wood, Shand, and Co. Peter McGrath Jan. 16, 1880 Mar. 23, 1880 9,858 17 6 June 26, „ Ellesmere ... Formation and Bridge 1700 Mar. 23, „ 14,704 4 8 June 2, ,, Washdyke to Opawa ... Canterbury and Interior Main Line. Temuka to Rangitata ... Oxford to Malvern Waitahi Bluff. Main Line ... Albury ,, 1 28 o William Paisley Feb. 29, „ 7,878 15 o June 25, „ June 25, ,, Temuka Bridge Eyre Bridge Henderson and Fergus... Feb. 23, „ Feb. 23, „ Mar. 23, 1880 4,3i8 6 1 3,788 10 o ,. ., Oct. 31, 1878 Rolling-3tock, No. 1 ... ... John Anderson i Jan. 10, „ i Apr. 10, „ June 19, 1879 Aug. 4, „ 6,685 I2 6 Balance of contract, £6,685 12s. 6d., charged to Hurunui and Waitaki Railway. Mar. 22, 1879 June 6, „ ,, Cattle-pens, Clinton and Waiwera Removing Carriage-shed, &c, Dunedin Station Painting Clutha Bridge Painting Bridges D. A. McLachlan Meikle and Campbell ... July 10, 1879 Aug. 4, „ 609 18 9 887 o o ,, ... ... June 14, „ June 13, „ ,, ... ... J. M.Watson and Co. ... Smith and Smith Aug. 7, „ Sept. 11, „ Nov. 7, „ Dec. 24, ,, 250 o o 240 10 o „ ... ... I

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SCHEDULE of Railway Contracts Current, &c.— continued. MIDDLE ISLAND— continued.

bd Date of Contract. Line of Railway and Branches. Name of Contract. Particulars. Length of Contract. Length of Sidings in Contract. Name of Contractor. Contract to be Completed. Date Contract was Completed. Amount of Contract. Remarks. J-J Waitahi to Bluff— eon Main Line ... tinued. Dunedin Station Reclamation ... Freight on Locomotive M. ch. Ik. M. ch. Ik. £ s. d. 58,487 IO o 99 0 0 June 17, 1879 Aug. 8, „ ,, E. Pritchard and Co. ... G. M. Kebbell Mar. 11, 1882 4 weeks from receipt of material 3 weeks ditto Feb. 2, 1880 Sept. 23, 1879 July 24, „ Jan. 21, 1880 ,, ... ... Delivery Valves and Tank Connections Cattle-pens, Palmerston Goods Shed, East Gore ioo sets Points and Crossings ... Freight on 11,000 Sleepers Steamer Wharf and Reclamation, Port Chalmers Port Chalmers Station Green Island Railway Extension „ Station Buildings Palmerston Invertiel Kincaid, McQueen, and Co. P. Sutherland and Co. ... D. A. McLachlan R. S. Sparrow and Co. ... Keith Ramsay McGill and Forrest ... Sept. 7, „ Feb. 2, 1880 100 0 0 195 17 ° ,» ... ... Mar. 15, „ Mar. 18, „ Jan. 19, ,, Oct. 9, 1879 May 3, „ ,, ... ... Duntroon Branch Port Chalmers Branch ... June 11, ,, June 11, „ April 22, ,, Dec. 27, 1879 July 24, 1880 Completed ... 146 17 6 318 19 1 1,400 o o 53S IO IO 26,698 7 8 ... July 5, „ Sept. 25, 1878 July 22, 1879 May 8, „ April 28, „ Brighton Road Branch Palmerston to Waihemo Main Line to Catlin's River Waipahi to Heriotburn F.andP.L. Formation o 40 50 300 2 40 o 060 R. Martin James Lines ... Meikle and Campbell ... Jesse Coates ... George Mackie Dec. 30, 1879 Mar. 21, „ Aug. 25, „ Jan. 7, 1880 Dec. 21, 1879 Jan. 17, 1880 July 19, 1879 Oct. 20, ,, Feb. 28, 1880 3.377 5 o 1,990 16 1 310 4 8 4,622 9 4 5,388 10 10 ,. July 30, 1878 Tapanui F., P. L., and Bldgs. Formation 15 40 o Proudfoot and McKay... May 30, 1880 61,500 o o May 12, 1879 April 19, „ May 19, „ Edendale to Toitois Otago Central Wyndham ... Inspector's House, North Taieri Wingatui ... 3 70 o James Shirley J. Hollick ... D. McKenzie... Jan. 6, „ July 5, 1879 Jan. 16, 188 1 July 12, 1879 9.723 9 o 466 13 o 48,839 '7 IO I ••• 6 65 o Invercargill to Kingston. Lumsden to Mararoa ... Formation July 1 o, „ Feb. 2, 1880 Lumsden ... Lumsden Bridge 600 D. W. McArthur Thomas Fergus, assigned to J. M. Watson Mar. 19, 1880 Aug. 23, „ 3,616 11 4 4,422 18 10 .. ,. Aug. 3, 1877 Western Raihoays. Makarewa to Riverton Wallacetown Branch. 1 F.andP.L. 11 74 o 1 20 o Miller, Murray, and Walker Donald McLeod D. Bonthron ... D. Robertson... May 1, 1878 July 31, 1879 11,358 18 0 Feb. 17, 1879 May 5, „ Dec. 5, 1878 ,. ,» Riverton Branch to Otautau No. 2, Station Buildings No. 4, Otautau Branch, No. 2 F. and P. L. 10 75 o o 30 o April 1, 1879 June 14, ,, May 26, „ July 31, „ July 30, „ Dec 13, „ 690 O O 687 15 6 10,600 o o Oct. 2, 1879 Sept. 8, „ Oct. 2, „ June 20, „ .» >. .. .. No. 1, Wayside Station Otautau Station Buildings No. 2, Wayside Station Opio ... 1 R. Burns J. Campbell ... R. Burns James Innes, assigned to G. Mackie D. Robertson Nov. 26, ,, Nov. 3, „ Dec. 10, ,, Feb. 13, 1880 Dec. 1, „ Nov. 3, „ Jan. 4, 1880 318 17 o 570 o 6 630 3 9 4.8.37 ° ° Otautau to Nightcaps... Formation 3 10 o » 23, „ Riverton to Orepuki ... Riverton ... F. and P. L. 600 o 30 o Feb. 27, „ 21,700 o o

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APPENDIX G. SCHEDULE of Sleeper Contracts and Deliveries Current on the 1st July, 1879, and Contracts Entered into during the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880. NORTH ISLAND.

Date of Contract or Agreement. Contractor's Name. Address. No. of Sleepers Contracted for, and Class of Timber. Rate per Sleeper. Place of Delivery. Rate per Month. Date for Completion. Total Delivered to Date. Remarks. AUCKLAND. 14 March, 1879 F. Mander ... Auckland ... 5,000 puriri 8. d. 3 9i Drury and Pokeno, for Wai-kato-Thames One-eighth first two months, one-eighth each succeeding month One-tenth first six months, one-twentieth each succeeding month 3 December, 1879 5,000 Completed. 9 June, „ Gibbons and Darrow Grahamstown 100,000 kauri 2 5 Shorthand, Kirikiri, and Puriri 3 June, 1881 14,150 26 November, 1878 26 October, 1 May, 1879 16 September, „ 9 December, „ 17 20 January, 1880 12 February, „ 20 17 December, 1879 16 „ 16 „ 16 19 January, 1880 20 „ 19 .. 19 .. 19 „ 12 February, „ 12 12 „ 16 „ „ 20 „ 24 „ 25 „ „ 25 25 ,, „ Thomas Hollywood Hamlin and Keleher J. B. Hay Bucklandand Shipherd ... William Thompson Elijah Hockin Bernard McCann Vincent Walters George G. Walters Robert McCracken William Stenson Francis Manders John Wheeler ... James Wright... D.Fullerton ... Pukekohe ... Waiuku Hunua Auckland ... Mauku Waiuku Pukekohe West Waiuku Mauku Pukekohe ... 500 puriri 3,000 puriri 10,000 kauri 5,000 puriri 5,000 puriri 400 puriri 500 puriri 1,000 puriri 200 puriri 150 puriri 400 puriri 300 puriri 400 puriri 250 puriri 200 puriri 500 kauri 200 puriri 600 puriri 600 puriri 400 puriri 800 puriri 200 puriri 500 kauri 500 puriri 800 puriri 300 puriri 1,000 puriri 300 puriri 1,000 puriri 200 kauri 100 puriri 300 puriri 3 91 3 9i 2 11 4 0 4 0 3 95 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 3 3 6 3 6 3 6 2 9 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 3 3 6 3 3 2 9 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 3 3 6 2 9 3 6 3 6 Pukekohe Mercer Hunua Mercer 500 3,000 983 4,083 2,404 365 500 445 200 150 400 300 Completed. Completed. Onehunga Pukekohe Completed. Onehunga Pukekohe Completed. Completed. Completed. Completed. Auckland ... Mauku Pukekohe ... Mauku Drury Pukekohe John Hart Gustave Adolph Albert Walker... Pukekohe ... Mauku Waiuku " Completed. " 600 Onehunga ,, ... ... John Moore Patamahoe ... Pukekohe J. Matthews ... W. H. Trail ... W. H. Reynolds Hugh Kerns ... W. Bailey E. Manders William Howard H. Hamilton ... Pukehohe ... •,, ... ... .» ... Waiuku Ramarama ... Mauku ,, ... ... Mereer Runciman's Siding... Onehunga Pukekohe **300 Completed. „ ... **200 100 Completed. Completed. A. Sherdin Pukekohe ...

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SCHEDULE of Sleeper Contracts Current , &c.— continued. NORTH ISLAND— continued.

Date of Contract or Agreement. Contractor's Name. Address. No. of Sleepers Contracted for, and Class of Timber. Rate per Sleeper. Place of Delivery. Rate per Month. Date Total ,, „ ... Delivered Remarks, for Completion. AUCKLAND— continued. i 26 February, 26 29 March, 29 29 29 29 29 1880 E. Hockin C. Lorantz C. Kavanagh ... W. Morrow ... S. Bradley ... Waiuku 3, ... Mauku Pukekohe ... Onehunga ... 500 puriri 1,000 puriri 250 puriri 100 puriri 152 puriri 201 puriri 700 puriri 450 puriri s. 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 d. 6 6 3 6 3 6 6 6 Onehunga Mercer Pukekohe i Onehunga "*250 Completed. T. Patterson ... J. Slator Pukekohe ... Pukekohe I „ __ _-. 26 April, 1879 David Wilkie Inglewood ... 10,000 red pine NEW 2 1 PLYMOUTH. Between Waipuku and Stratford One-fifth first month, onefifth during each succeeding month 25 June, 1879 10,000 Completed. Diverted from Wei Miscellaneous per R. W. Holmes lington, Tasmanian M. O'DonneU hard wood, Waitara Wharf... Normanby ... 278 rnatai... 1 3 Between Stratford and Normanby Ditto 17 December, „ 10 October, „ 15,816 278 Completed. R. Smith M. O'DonneU R. B'Own W Baker W. L. Fitzgerald W. Thompson J. Caddy R. Stewart ,, ... ... 85 matai... 1,020 matai... 116 matai... 170 matai... 107 matai... 64 matai... 49 matai... 563 matai... 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 .. ,, ,. 15 November, ,, 27 January, 1880 19 30 „ „ 2 February, „ 2 „ „ 2 10 85 1,020 116 170 107 64 49 563 Completed. Completed. Completed. Completed. Completed. Completed. Completed. Completed. .. .. I W. uNGANUI. 20 July, 1877 Richter Nannestead & Co. Palmerston North 23,000 totara and matai 791 totara 196 matai 30,000 toatra 2 7 Wanganui Railway Wharf One-eighth of contract number each month 9 April, 1878 23,000 Completed. 8 December, 1879 .. „ ( Extra to \ contract 2 6 1 9 1 9 } Palmerston North ... 987 Completed. 14 May, 1878 W.H. Lash ... Halcombe ... Halcombe One-eighth first two months, one-eighth each succeeding month One-eighth first two months 27 January, 1879 2,753 Contract determined. 13 March, 1879 Randolph and Walker ... Palmerston North ( 300 totara i. 300 matai 3,000 totara ( 5,000 matai I 20,000 totara f 3,000 totara ;. 3,000 matai 2 11 2 11 2 9 2 9 3 0 2 10 2 4 } ) Long Bush Station, FoxtonWanganui Railway Taonui Siding Aorangi Siding and Greatford Station Feilding Station 3 December, ,, 600 Completed. 22 May, 5 April, „ Bailev Bros. ... J. and C. Bull... Feilding Rangitikei ... One-eighth first month, oneeighth each succeeding month 22 October, „ 13 December, „ 3,000 17,937 Completed. 28 „ P. Bartholomew Feilding 28 January, 1880 5,405

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SCHEDULE of Sleeper Contracts Current, &c.— continued. NORTH ISLAND— continued.

* W. L. Crowther to supply 50,000 Tasmanian hardwood sleepers— 25,000 for P.AA r.D., North Island, and 25,000 to Working Bailways, South Island.

Date of Contract or Agreement. Contractor's Name. Address. No. of Sleepers Contracted for, and Class of Timber. Rate per Sleeper. Place of Delivery. Rate per Month. Date for Completion. Total Delivered to Date. Remarks. WANG. s. d. 2 4 .NUI — continued. Between Awapuni, Palmerston North, and Bunny thorpe 3 May, 1879 G. M. Snelson Palmerston North 10,000 matai 1,500 per month ... 3 February, „ 10,000 Completed. 18 November, ,, ,, f Extra to ( contract 800 matai 500 at'2 0 -) 300 at 1 11 j 2 4 2 9 2 9 2 9 2 3 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 9} 2 0) 2 9 2 9 2 9 2 0 2 9} 2 0 j 2 6 800 Completed. 10 May, 3 June, 3 May, 6 „ 9 June, 12 „ 12 „ 13 „ 14 „ G. Hansen Harvey and McCall Freeman and Wylds Anders Jonsson Edward Marsh N. Berguist ... Max Voss Thomas Pearce A. Grammar ... Feilding Palmerston North Foxton Palmerston North 1,000 matai 3,000 totara 3,000 totara 1,000 totara 2,000 totara 600 matai 600 matai 5,000 totara f 750 totara \_ 750 matai 2,000 totara 3,000 totara 3,000 totara 1,000 matai f 500 totara \ 500 matai f 250 totara } { 250 matai ) Terrace End Siding Oroua Bridge Station Terrace End Siding Awapuni Platform Karere Station Oroua Bridge Terrace End Siding 10 September,1879 3 November, „ 3 October, ,, 6 August, „ 9 November, ,, 12 September, „ 12 13 December, „ 14 November, ,, 1,000 3,000 3,000 1,000 2,000 600 600 2,155 1,500 Completed. Completed. Completed. Completed. CompletedCompleted. Completed. ,. ... Oroua Bridge Palmerston North Completed. 9 May, 13 „ 13 „ 13 ., 16 „ Petter Anderson A. F. Halcombe G. M. Snelson Neils Peterson Patrick Maxwell Feilding Palmerston North ,, ... Bunnythorpe and Palmerston Palmerston Station Awapuni 9 October, „ 13 13 13 August, „ 16 2,000 1,100 3,000 1,000 Completed. Completed. Completed. 13 June, 33 G. Richardson Palmerston North Palmerston North ... One-eighth first two months, one-eightli each succeeding month 4,000 first four months, 6,000 each succeeding month 3 December, „ 500 Completed. 10 July, 33 West and Cooper ,, 100,000 totara 1 3| Totara Reserve, Taonui Branch 17th July, 1881 3,570 Cutting only. IMay, 11 June, 1878 ., William Booth and Co... W. W. Corpe... Carterton ... Taratahi 25,000 matai , 10,000 matai I 5,000 totara we: [2s. 3d. & 2s. 6d. s. d. 2 1} 2 3 J EiLINGTON. Railway line, 57 m. 5 oh., near Eeatherston and Carterton Stations Railway crossing, Cemetery Road, Taratahi One-third first six months, one-ninth every succeeding month One-third first six months, one-ninth every succeeding month One-eighth first two months, one-eighth each succeeding month About 3,000 1 May, 1879 11 June, „ 25,000 15,000 Completed. Completed. 3 March, 1879 J. Cotter and Co. Greytown ... 10,000 black pine 2 9 Featherston Station 3 December, „ 10,000 Completed. 10 April, ,. Price and Potts Carterton ... ( 15,000 totara 1 10,000 matai 25,000 hardwd. 2 11 ) 2 10 j 3 6} 4 2 3 Featherston Station 7 January, 1880 C 14,200 totara 5,400 matai 20,638 31 January, .. W. L. Crowther* Tasmania ... Wellington 81 „ »

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SCHEDULE of Sleeper Contracts Current, &c.— continued. NORTH ISLAND— continued.

Date of Contract or Agreement. Contractor's Name. Address. No. of Sleepers Contracted for, and Class of Timber. Rate per Sleeper. Place of Delivery. Rate per Month. Date for Completion. Total Delivered to Date. Remarks. 1 July, 1 „ 16 March, 16 „ 1879 1880 33 George Ward ... George Hansen 3, Kopua .3 ,, 229 totara 1,500 totara 1,000 totara 500 totara s. 2 2 2 1 2 1 HAWKE'S BAY. d. 0 On line near Kopua 0 On line at 66 m. 44 ch. 0 6 On line between 67 m. 2 ch. and 67 m. 40 eh. 0 On line at 66 m. 30 ch. 6 At Makatoko Station 31 July, 1879 31 October, „ 21 April, 1880 21 „ 229 1,500 "500 Completed. Completed. Completed. J, ). .." 16 „ 16 „ 33 33 J. Barnes B. Billings ... Makatoko ... 600 totara 1,200 totara 21 „ 21 „ 400 400 SOUTH ISLAND. 3 June, 1879 Bragge Bros. Picton PICTON-BLENHEIM RAILWAY. ... | C 1,000 matai I 2 3 } j Blenheim 1 j, 4,000 b. birch [ 2 6 j 1 ... lOne-third first three months, one- 1 19 October, 1879 I third each succeeding month.) | f 888 1 j 3,330 j 24 January, 14 July, 25 „ 1879 H. Baigent ... " OH.' Mills .'.'. „ C. Holder and Co. Nelson ... ,, ... Havelock Greymouth... NELSON-GREYMOUTH RAILWAY.—NELSON-ROUNDELL. 3,000 matai 2 3 Waitapu 2,000 totara 3 0 „ 10,000 birch 3 3 Nelson ... ... One-twentieth 22 birch 4 10j Public Works Office, Greymouth ... ... 14 July, " 1881 3,060 Completed. 2,000 Completed. ( 1,100* 1 3,179f 22 Completed. 2 August, 1879 Henry Hearn ... Hokitika * Delivered at Lyttelton; sleepers being diverted. f Delivered at Nelson. GREYMOUTH- HOKITIKA. 4,000 totara, 3 0 Gibson's Quay, Hokitika ... One-twentieth during the first 7 July, kawhaka, five months, and one-twen-matai, and tieth during each succeeding silver pine month 1881 1,900 , 31 January, 1879 W. L. Crowther Tasmania ... ... ] 6,080 hardwoodl HURUNUI-WAITAIKI. 3 6 } I Lyttelton 4 2 j 1 31 January, 1880 I 6,080 Completed. October, 1879 Thomas Paterson ... Balclutha ... November, „ Findlay and Co. ... Dunedin „ „ T. Potter ... ... Balclutha ... Guthrie and Larnaeh ... Dunedin October, „ Engineer in Charge, North WeUington ... Island ... 1,231 blk. pine ... 869 blk. pine ... 1,007 blk. pine ... 333 blk. pine ... 12,472 blk. pine WAITAKI-BLUPF, ETC. 2 3 Balclutha 3 2 Dunedin 2 3 Balclutha 3 2 Dunedin Port Chalmers 1,231 Completed. 869 Completed. 1,007 Completed. 333 Completed. 12,472 Completed. 13 September, 1877 John Murdock and Co.... Invercargill... 10,000 matai or totara WESTERN RAILWAYS. 1 11 I Invercargill Railway Station,., One-fifth first two months, remainder in equal monthly instalments One-fourth first month,- onefourth each succeeding month One-fourth first month, cnef ourth each succeeding month One-twentieth to be delivered in five months, remainder in equal monthly instalments One-twentieth to be delivered in five months, remainder in equal monthly instalments 28 February, 1878 10,000 Completed. 30 April, 1879 F. Jack Winton ( 8,000 totara") ( and matai j 2,000 totara 3 0 Aparima Junction... 21 August, 1879 8,000 Completed. 28 „ Boyd and Edwards Invercargill... 2 Hi „ 21 „ 2,000 Completed. 7 July, 1879 John Murdoch „ 60,000 black pine 3 5 Stacked alongside Mataura Railway and Bluff Harbour 7 July, 1881 13,816 ■ ,. j. D. and W. Lockhart 30,000 black pine 3 3 On trucks at Centre Bush Crossing, InvercargiU-Kings-ton Railway ,. .» 11,531 ,, ...

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APPENDIX H. SCHEDULE of Contracts for Roads and Miscellaneous "Works Current on the 1st July, 1879, and Contracts entered into during the Financial Year ended 31st March, 1880. NORTH ISLAND.

Date of Contract. Line of Road or Work. Name of Contract. Name of Contractor. Contract to be Completed. Date Contract was Completed. Amount of Contract. Remarks. No formal contract No formal contract No formal contract Roads, North Island ... ,, ,, No. 1 Whakatane, Te Teko Road Deviation, Te Teko Road - Rangi te Hika 33 £ b. d. 970 10 6 151 10 o „ „ No. 1 Side-cutting, Galatea-Opepe Road Peraniko te Ngatimanu 500 o o Dee. 10, 1879 Feb. 24, „ April 22, ,, May 24, „ May 21, ,, Aug. 23, ,, March 4, 1880 March 23, ,, March 19, „ Feb. 4, „ 3, .. ... Roads, North of Auckland No. 2, Patutahi Drainage Otara Cart Bridge Section 2, North Shore to Te Weiti Road Matakohe Cart Bridge Mangapai Wharf Kaiwhaka Wharf Mangapai Wharf Approaches Repairs, Road between Waiwera and Orewa Rivers Section 3, North Shore to the Wade Road No. 1, gravelling Waingongoro River 1 Edward Brennan ... ... Feb. 10,1880 Abbot and White ... ... Aug. 24,1879 Erne Bond, and Co. ... July 22, „ Richard Smith ... ... Nov. 3, „ McLean and Ormiston ... Sept. 6, „ A. and K. Stewart ... ... Dec 4, „ David Miller ... ... April 26, 1880 WiUiam McElroy ... ... June 23, „ Matthew Phillip ... ... June 19, „ Daniel Hughes ... ... Mar. 9, „ Feb. 12, 1880 Dec. —, 1879 Aug. 20, „ 41 12 10 2,450 o o 170 o o 1,010 18 o 548 o o 248 o 4 3H 17 ° 294 o o 170 o o 144 o o Balance of contract, £247 15s. 6d., charged to Miscellaneous Public Works. Nov. 22, 1879 Dec. 20, ,, ,, ,3 3, 3, ... ... Feb. 4, „ Feb. 4, „ March 8, „ 3. 33 ... Roads and bridges in unsettled districts Roads and bridges in unsettled districts Roads and bridges in unsettled districts Roads and bridges in unsettled districts Roads and bridges in unsettled districts Roads and bridges in unsettled districts Roads to open up lands before sale No. 2, No. 3, N0/4, ,, ... ... Mar. 10, ,, „ ... ... Mar. 9, „ Gordon and Vincent ... April 15, ,, Mar. 30, 1880 Mar. 30, „ Mar. 30, „ 169 o o 184 o o 448 7 o Feb. 28, „ No. 5, „ Dingle Brothers ... ... April 10, ,, 416 10 o Mar. 30, „ No. 4, gravelling Mountain Road Joseph Mulree ... ... May 6, ,, 446 12 6 April 14, 1879 April 14, „ April 9, ,, April 16, „ 3. Section 1, Purua Road Section 2, Puma Road Section 1, Herd's Point to Takahue Falling and Clearing Road-lines Nos. 2 and 5, Kairanga District Falling and Clearing Road-lines No. 4, Kairanga District Falling and Clearing Road-lines No. 6, Kairanga District Section 1, Bridle Track, Tangibau No. 2 Block Section 2, Bridle Track, Tangihau No. 2 Block Section 2, Herd's Point to Takahue Mangonui Cart Bridge Bridle Track, Hangaroa Village to Morris's Track... No. 2, Clearing Bush Road David Cleary ... ... July 14, 1879 Finlayson and Campbell ... July 21, ,, I William McElroy ... ... Aug. 9, „ Symons and Cribb ... ... July 12, „ July 23, 1879 July 2^, ,, Sept. 6, „ April 27, 1880 200 o o 415 o ° 425 o o 563 10 o April 15, „ )) Bickle and Stevens ... ... July 12, „ Oct. 18, 1879 234 10 6 April 15, „ 3) Calvey and Co. ... ... July 12, ,, Sept. 21, „ 330 o o July 2, ,, July 2, „ Aug. 14, ,, Aug. 21, ,, May 27, „ April 28, „ 3. .3 William McDonald... ... Nov. 2, „ „ ... ... Nov. 2, ,, Nui Hare ... ... Jan. 28,1880 Brown, Roberts, and Tooke ... Feb. 13,1880 Malcolm McLeod ... ... Sept. 2, 1879 Edward Harding ... ... July 21, ,, Dec. 12, „ Nov. 29, ,, Completed Feb. 19, 1880 Aug. 29, 1879 Aug. 25, „ 281 13 6 186 18 o 600 16 o 689 o o 334 10 o 392 10 o

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SCHEDULE of Contracts Current— continued. NORTH ISLAN D— continued.

Date of Contract. Line of Road or Work. Name of Contract. Name of Contractor. Contract to bo Completed Date Contract was Completed. Amount of Contract. Remarks. April 10, 1879 ■Aug- 23, „ Roads to open up lands before sale 33 33 Miscellaneous Public Works 3. 3, Provincial Liabilities 3, ••• No. 1, Road Formation, Waitara Block ... No. 1, Bridle Road, Tarapatiki to Mangaone No. 2, Mangaone Stream to Waiau Road No. 1, Kairanga Drainage Section 1, Bridle Road, Churchill to Block VII., Awaroa No. 1, Drainage, Te Aroha Block No. 2, Drainage, Te ArohafBlock No. 1, Patutahi Drainage Matakana Wharves Repairs, Panmure Bridge Kamo, formation for railway Ahuriri Bridge Opaki Bridge, Ruamahunga River Mangare Bridge, repairs No. 2, Patutahi Drainage Forming streets on reclamationForming footpaths on reclamation Motoa Swamp Drainage Painting Manawatu Gorge Bridge Parker and Higgs ... Te Winitana July 17, 1879 Nov. 15, „ Nov. 3, 1879 Completed £ a .d. 337 o o 300 o o 140 o o 1,029 8 6 496 17 4 _. - .. D.A.Poole Henrieh Liihrs July 19, 1880 June 1, „ Feb. —, 1880 March 1, „ March 20, „ March 20, „ Jan. 7, 1879 Jan. 13, „ Feb. s, „ March 10, ,, Aug. 25, „ July 14, „ Nov. 4, „ Dec. 10, ,, March 28, „ June 23, „ March 30, 1880 March 8, „ H. H. Adams Sept. 10, ,, Sept. 10, ,, May 4, 1879 May 7, 1879 June 3, „ Oct. 31, „ Aug.' 13, 1880 May 1, „ Mar. 28, „ Feb. 10, ,, July 26, 1879 Aug. 23, „ July 30, 1880 615 o o 955 o o 954 59 o 480 o o 5,308 o o 1,678 14 7 11,200 o o 5,500 o o 1,485 5 6 247 15 6 1,250 o o 500 o o 4S6 o o 147 o o Edward Brennan ... D. J. Cruikshank ... J. and M. McLean ... Thomas Jones Briton and Glendinning William Alexander... D. Henderson Edward Brennan ... R. Duignan Thomas Stevens William Langley R. and E. Tingey ... Nov. —, 1879 Aug. 21, „ July 7, „ Balance of contract, £2,257 9s- Ild-, charged to Whanga-rei-Kamo contract. Balance of contract. £41 12s. iod., charged to roads, North Island. Feb. 12, 1880 Oct. 20, 1879 Sept. 9, 1879 MIDD] iE ISLAND. Mar. 4, 1880 Feb. 28, 1880 1,485 o o 377 12 o 579 13 6 579 13 6 563 6 5 5°7 4 o 514 16 o 547 16 o 5,830 o o 7,383 o o 6,804 4 8 7,983 o o 3,228 IO o 2,077 s 11 1,998 10 o 419 o o 1,673 13 4 546 13 4 130 o o 155 o o 150 o o 55 ° o Aug. 2i, 1879 Aug. 21, „ Sept. 2, „ Aug. 25, „ Sept. 29, „ Oct. 3, „ Sept. 30, ,, Jnne 24, 1878 July n, „ July 4, 3, Nov. 27, ,, Nov. 2, „ Feb. 10, 1879 May 9, „ Jan. 3,1880 Jan. 20, „ March 3, „ March 3, „ March 3, „ March 3, „ Roads to open up land before sale New River Water-race Mikonui Water-race Waimea Water-race Miscellaneous PubUc Works „ ... Seaward Forest and Coast-Une Road Subsidy Section 9-2 Section 9-3 ... ..[ Section 9-4 Section 10-2 Section 9-1 Section 10-1 Section 1, Kumara Sludge Channel Teremakau Bridge Hokitika Bridge Aliaura Bridge Wairoa Cart Bridge Maruwhenua Railway Bridge Ohikanui Bridge Jetty and Goods Shed at Catlin's River ... Wakamarina Cart Bridge River Wills Bridge No. 2, Tophouse to Tarndale Road No. 3, „ No. 5, No. 6, „ Alfred Springford ... New River Water-race Company Stewart and Webster Martin and Dowling Scott and Neilson ... Martin Cashman John MeQuilkin James Scott John Maher Edward Blake W. Smith M. O'Connor F. Freeman Allan and Stumbles Henry Daulby William McPhee ... J. Gilbertson Gifford and Foot ... John McCullock Robert Christian ... Robert Carter Robert Carter Dec. 18, 1879 Dec. 18, „ Dec. 22, ,, Dec 19, ,, Jan. 24, 1880 Jan. 24, „ Sep. 26, „ Mar. 10, 1879 Mar. 10, „ Mar. 10, „ Sept. 22, „ Mar. 28, „ June 10, ,, July 9, ,, July 30, 1880 April 13, „ April 28, ,, April 28, „ April 28, „ April 28, „ Jan. 26, 1880 Feb. 2, „ Mar. 12, „ Feb. 24, „ Sept. 12, 1879 Aug. 25, „ Oct. 14, „ Oct. 4, „ July 29, ,, Oct. 25, „ Oct. 10, „ ...

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-A.:p:p:E_isnD:r:x: i.

ANNUAL REPORT ON LIGHTHOUSE WORKS BY THE MARINE ENGINEER. The Maeine Enginbee to the Seceetaey, Marine Department. Sie,— Marine Office, Wellington, 31st March, 1880. I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Minister having charge of the Marine Department, the annual report on works executed for new lighthouses, &c, during the year, viz. : —■ Hokitika Harbour Light. —This has been completed since last report. The light was first exhibited on the 22nd September, 1879. It is a fifth-order fixed light, the illuminant being gas. It will be maintained by the Harbour Board, Hokitika. Akaroa. —These works were satisfactorily completed, and the light was shown for the first time on the Ist January, 1880. The light is a second-order flashing light, showing a flash every ten seconds. Cape.Saunders.- —The works here have also been completed in a satisfactory manner, and the light was first shown on Ist January, 1880. It is a second-order revolving light, attaining its greatest brilliancy once a minute. Marine Store and Shed. —These buildings, which were very much needed for the use of the depart, ment, have been erected on the Thorndon reclaimed land, near Pipitea Point, Wellington, and are now in use. I have, &c, John Biackett, The Secretary, Marine Department. Marine Engineer.

ANNUAL BEPORT BY THE CHIEF INSPECTOB OF MACHINERY. The Chief Inspectoe of Machtneey to the Hon. the Mini-stee for Public Woeks. Office of the Chief Inspector of Machinery, Sie,— Wellington, 27th May, 1880. I have the honor to forward for your information a report for the past nine months ending 31st March, 1880, being the sixth report of the inspection of Machinery Department. As anticipated in my last annual report, a steady increase has taken place in the number of boilers inspected during that time as compared with the corresponding period of last year. This is, no doubt, in consequence of the imposition of an import duty on timber, which has induced saw-millers and others to continue working machinery which otherwise would have remained idle, and I am sanguine that still greater results may be shown in the future. The number of inspections from Ist July, 1879, to 31st March, 1880, were 837. Of this number, 5 have been condemned and 82 were found defective, and notices were accordingly given to the owners to have necessary repairs effected. It is satisfactory to state that the Inspector's instructions have, in all cases, been promptly carried out, and the boilers put in good working order. It is still found necessary for the protection of the employes in the different works where machinery is used to enforce the provisions of the Act with reference to fencing, or otherwise protecting the machinery. Only seventeen of such notices have been issued during the past nine months, but as many as forty-eight had to be given for the previous twelve months. I hope it will be found that the number will decrease year by year, in consequence of the desire of owners to make their machinery and works perfectly safe without waiting for instructions from the Inspectors to do so. I am glad to be able to state that, where fencing has been ordered, the work has been done to the satisfaction of the Inspectors without any delay. The number of machines of various kinds at work in the colony, using steam-power, is 730, and it has been found necessary to import gauge-testers from England to, enable the Inspectors to carry out their duties in connection therewith in a more efficient manner. It has also been fouud, from tests that have already been made, that there exists a great need for such instruments. I have much pleasure in stating that although there are so many different kinds of boilers in use, yet no explosion has taken place during the past nine months, which I think may be taken as satisfactory evidence that the department is doing good work. The only accident that has occurred during the period, attended with serious results, was a case where a lad, employed in the Union Sash and Door Company's Works at Auckland, was drawn round a shaft (which he had no business near), and killed. In this case the machinery was fully protected as far as could be, and the accident was caused solely by the fault of the sufferer. Three slight injuries to persons have been reported by the Inspectors. The tables annexed will show the number of boilers inspected, and all particulars connected therewith. I append tables also of the income and expenditure for the nine months ended the 31st March, 1880. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, J. Nancaeeoav, Wellington. Chief Inspector of Machinery.

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Enclosure No. 1 in Appendix J. Statement showing the Amount of Eees Collected in the Inspection of Machineet Depabtment during the Nine Months ended 31st March, 1880. Name of District. . Amount Collected. Otago ... ... ... ... ... ... ... £401 0 0 Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... ... 346 0 0 Auckland... ... ... ... ... ... ... 377 0 0 Wellington ... ... ... ... ... ... 287 0 0 Marlborough Taranaki ... • ... ... ... ... 38 0 0 Nelson North Nelson South Westland ... ... ... ... ... ... 26 0 0 Hawke'sßay ... ... ... ... ... ... 84 0 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... £1,559 0 0 -_______..__■-_______________-___--■___■

Enclosure No. 2 in Appendix J. Statement showing the Cost of Woeking the Inspection of Machineet Depabtment during the Nine Months ended 31st March, 1880. Nature of Expenditure. Amount Expended. Salaries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... £1,020 0 0 Travelling expenses ... ... ... ... ... 326 9 3 Sundries ... ... ... ... ... ... 42 15 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... £1,389 4 9

Enclosure No, 3 in Appendix J. Statement showing the Number of Boilers Inspected during the Nine Months ended 31st March, 1880.

Enclosure No. 4 in Appendix J. Statement showing the Number of Accidents to Persons that have occurred with Machinery, as reported to Inspectors, during the Nine Months ended 31st March, 1880.

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Number of Portable Boilers. Number of Stationary Boilers. Name of Districts. Under , f „ ,„,, „ Over jH.r. Stoion.r. Ioap y H ?" a .r.| 0Total, )tago Eanterbury Luckland Vellington larlborough ... 'aranaki Jelson North ... Jelson South ... Vestland [awke's Bay ... 15 5 12 13 1 1 45 no 20 27 10 4 17 13 77 46 4S 25 28 8 28 26 5 53 >>) 75 41 3 228 192 200 '45 14 4 1 8 8 3 5 4 4 **6 42 21 4 Total 47 227 48 213 103 199 837

Date. District. Nature of Machine, and Name of Owner, Remarks, 1879. lug. 20 Dunedin Planing machine ; Findlay and Co.... Man named W. Robertson had two fingeri injured, which had to be amputated. James Black, scalded, not serious. Dec. 31 1880. Harch — Timaru Flour-mill; William Parr Auckland Union Sash and Door Company Henry Bennett, injured by a piece of wooc being thrown from a saw. Harry Jeffery, killed, by being drawn round i shaft he had no business near. .. Auckland Union Sash and Door Company

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Enclosure No. 5 in Appendix J. Statement showing Machinery Inspected during the Nine Months ended 31st March, 1880.

Name ob District. bo to © o PM CO © o © ■s IS 'a '"5 c3 i o3 CO CO o 03 3 EZj to be CO © P. 32 co © Lt © "el lis to _© o 'C 32 CO © be co © © 3 bt P © 03 t"* 03 © © 03 CD .g EH a 03 32 o _© a. o 32 © 32 © '£ OS O o c3 © 32 co © E3 o ho "o pq GO be c3 a © be 03 © a. o 3 c3 © 32 ■c © C3 © © 32 o o3 © © a CO © be co a 03 © 32 © © .g C3 .s 03 © © bn B 5 «3 © 32 03 © O Q' © 32 bD P. P O O fab o co 'o O •s © © 32 32 co © o o pq © 32 CO © © © be oi 32 32 © © © a o 32 T3 o3 O © 32 © © © C3 © 32 10 O © 'a © Q 'C 32 © *© 32 .g PM © B © is o — 03 'a a c3 QQ 'a CO © © 32 © 32 © © © co © 5 c3 © 32 CO © © © a 55 co © bC 32 o © b as © © 32 © © © © 32 to © © © 32 of 03 © 32 © O 03 © -7: co O co ad © 32 to © 03 © 32 to O a. co 03 = 03 © 32 be s o co o 32 © "© 03 bJD © © 03 © 3 CO © u S3 pq 32 B - © 32 03 © 32 © "5 c 5 o - - - - - — - - - - - - - u - - \~\ - - - - - - - u — — Otago 20 12; 3 3«J 25 3 iSl Canterbury ... ..' 22 ■°S 2 J9 ... 3 3 ... Auckland ... 38 , 3 10 7| 91 r6! ■5: Wellington ... 42 1 16 '3' 3| I 1 Marlborough ... Taranaki 3 3 il Nelson North — Nelson South Westland ... 3 Hawke's Bay 9 10! 5 ,.. ... 3' - I- !- Totals M - — r 16 U 6 137 180 58 i2 9 38 ii 20 23 |3 2 26 73! ... 12 12

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APPENDIX K.

ANNUAL REPORT ON WORKING RAILWAYS, BY THE COMMISSIONER OE RAILWAYS, NORTH ISLAND. The Commissioneb of Eailways, North Island, to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Sie,— Wellington, 30th April, 1880. I have the honor to submit the following remarks and statistics bearing on the working of the North Island Railways for the nine months ending 31st March, 1880. A change having been made in the ending of the financial period (from 30th June to 31st March), the nine corresponding months of the previous year will bo taken for purposes of comparison ; and, as far as practicable, I will adopt the same order, and continue the statistics, &c , embodied in my last report. The following table shows the progress of railway extension in the North Island to date, and also the lines now in course of construction, and likely to be opened for traffic during the current financial year. Mileage Open for Traffic on Section. 30th June, 30th Juno, 30ih June, 31st March, Now under 1877. 1878. 1879. ' 1880. Construction. M. oli. M. ch. M. ch. M. cli. M. ch. Kaipara ... 15 GS 15 68 15 68 15 68 0 43 Auckland ... 45 42 96 29 96 29 106 16 20 1 Napier ... 58 21 64 4 64 4 64 4 5 14 Wellington ... 19 44 27 7 44 79 44 79 23 48 Wanganui ... 59 3 85 27 94 57 94 57 20 70 New Plymouth 11 13 19 73 19 73 33 16 4 0 Total ... 209 31 308 48 335 70 359 0 74 16 Of the lines under construction, 43 miles are likely to be opened before the end of August of the current year. The extension of the line from Peathersfon to Greytown and Masterton (24 miles) will open up the principal part of the Wairarapa Plain, and connect its chief centres of population with Wellington. Seven miles of this will be opened about the middle of May, and the remainder in August next. Another important extension of the northern trunk line, Kai Iwi to Waitotara (13 miles), will be ready for opening about the end of August; and a further length to Waverley (8 miles) in the early part of next year, connecting Wanganui with 33 miles of the fine country northward of that to wn, and making it an easy day's journey thence to New Plymouth by rail and coach. A short length of 6 miles at the southern extremity of the Waikato Section will also be ready in July next. These extensions will, I have no doubt, prove fairly remunerative; but with regard to the remaining 23 miles likely to be opened during the current financial year, I fear they will barely pay working expenses for some time to come. By your instructions the train mileage has been considerably reduced, and expenditure in other directions curtailed. These changes have not, however, been long enough in force to materially effect the results to date. The reduction in train mileage already effected is at the rate of about 170,000 miles per annum, representing a considerable saving in working expenses; and still further reductions are under consideration. Landslips, floods, and other similar casualties have, as usual, occurred, swelling the maintenance cost, as well as interrupting communication and stopping traffic. The frequent recurrence of these, and the costly nature of maintenance incidental to light and cheaply - constructed railways, make it impossible, even with tho most rigid economy in other directions, to compare favourably, in our percentages of expenditure to receipts, with some of the

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other Australasian Colonies. Not only is the maintenance of the road costly, but, from the character of the grades and curves, the wear and tear of the rolling-stock is also excessive, and, as will be shown by the statement below, the percentages under these two heads bear an undue proportion to the gross expenditure.

The North Island lines are comparatively new (the average age of the 359 miles open to 31st March, 1880, being only three years and ten months) ; and, notwithstanding the light train-mileage and traffic, it will be seen that the maintenance is increasing, and no doubt the time is not far distant when extensive repairs and renewals will be necessary. To meet this prospective liability, I fear that it will be necessary to resort to higher tariff charges, unless traffic increases very much, notwithstanding our efforts to curtail expenditure. Since the discussion in the Houses of Parliament last session on the subject of increased rates, as a means of making the lines pay a higher percentage of interest on the construction-cost, I have made an effort to compile a comparative statement of tariff charges on the railways of the Australasian Colonies, which I now submit (see Table A). The table is defective in some respects, owing to tho difficulty of getting exact conditions, placing all on the same footing; still I think it may be accepted as a tolerably close approximation for the present purpose. Only the principal descriptions of traffic in the classification have been dealt with, and these, in turn, have been grouped so as to include kindred items, as shown on the following page :—-

Maintei iance. Locom. Carrk am WagonR otive, age, 1 Tot Mainter Locom Carriagi Wagon I Sal nance, lotive, e, and Repairs. -Grc Expeni iss limre. Perce r c Expend Red ntage if liture to sipts. 1 Repairs. For Period ending te £ c ft o u 2 0> W) ,5 J>'rt . § c c < i "rt EH ft o U So £< ft ft S 5? o rf > O C < | a nj EH ft o U .4: C El, ft o l\ He g'c g 2 a jjjj H u ■ ft o U P.5. ti o a ujs : Si,* . SP«s < Is & ft o U o ™ s"$-| r^ C rt ,S if § rt-!-. ho 111 o c <u ft (1] o 6 c O :2 months, June 30, 1877 ... 2 months, June 30, 1878 ... :2 months, June 30, 1879 ... 9 months, Mar. 31, 1880 ... 210 309 336 359 320.575 484,607 712,327 519,260 £ 112-23 114-38 129-28 121-79 d. 14-84 15-01 14-16 14-94 £ 23-79 4o-95 44-60 40-65 d. .ri5 5-38 488 4-99 £ 136-02 i'55-33 173-88 162-44 d. £ 17-99 3"-7' 20-39 3"-3' J9'°4 359'66 19'93 344'53 d. 41-21 40-86 39M8 42-26 £ 35'20 41-28 36-04 34'35 £ 80-5. 8r8 74-5. 72-8

TABLE A. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT of Tariff Charges Current on the Railways of the A ustralian Colonies, 1879.

TASMANIA. NEW ZEALAND. VICTORIA. NEW SOUTH; WALES. QUEENSLAND. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. L. AND W. R. MAIN LINE. Tariff for Tariff for Tariff for Tariff for Tariff for Tariff for I Tariff for Description. Rate per Class. Class. Class. 10 SO IOO ISO Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Class. IO SO Miles. Miles. Class. 3 5 IO ' SO TOO Miles. Miles. Miles. ■ io Miles. SO Miles. IOO Miles. ISO Miles. IO Miles. BO Miles. IOO Miles. ISO Miles. IOO Miles. ISO Miles. 10 SO Miles. Miles. IOO Miles. ISO Miles. 10 SO Miles. 133 Miles. II ...es.l Grain, Root Crops, &c. Wool ... Coal, in bulk Cement Nails, Wire, &c Rough Castings Ploughs and Ploughshares Agricul. and Vegetable Seeds Dairy Produce ... Boots, &c, in cases Hams and Bacon Hardware Implements, agricultural ... Cheese Drapery Glassware Harness Sugar... Beer, in bulk Fat and Tallow... Fruit, fresh Hides, &c. Iron, bar and rod Leather, in bales Meat, preserved, in cases ... Pottery ware Spades and Shovels Stone, dressed ... Vegetables, in crates Bark, in full loads Bones... Bricks... Clay, in bulk Drain-pipes Flagging Lime... Road Metal, in full loads ... Timber, sawn, single trucks Firewood Sheep ... Cattle... Passengers ... ] Ton Bale Ton 33 5) E H* N* C C D C B C B A B C A A A A B C D C B C B D B B N* D D N* N* N* N* N* N* O* K*f L* M* M* s. d. s. d. 4 2 10 10 1042 2068 5 IO 19 2 5 IOI 9 2 5015 o 5 io^9 2 6 8J23 4 5 «°,'9 2 6 823 4 7 627 6 6 8 23 4 5 iOI 9 2 7 627 6 7 627 6 7 627 6 7 6 27 6 6 823 4 5 1019 2 5 OI 5 o 5 1019 2 6 823 4 5 1019 2 6 8 23 4 5 ° I5 ° 6 823 4 6 823 4 2084 5 °'5 o 5 OI 5 o 2084 2084 2068 2084 2084 2084 1042 '3 5 44 1 8 4 33 4 10 o 23 4 15 031 8 s. d. 15 o 7 4 9 2 3i 8 3i 8 23 4 3i 8 40 o 3i 8 40 o 48 4 40 o 31 8 48 4 48 4 48 4 48 4 40 o 31 8 23 4 31 8 40 O: 31 8 40 o 23 4 40 o 40 o 1 11 6 1 s. d. 19 2 9 5 10 10 40 o 40 o 29 7 40 o 52 6 40 o S 2 6 65 o 52 6 40 o 65 o 65 o 65 o 165 o 52 6 40 o 29 7 40 o 152 6 40 o 52 6 29 7 52 6 52 6 ■3 7 29 7 29 7 '3 7 '3 7 10 10 '3 7 13 7 '3 7 12 6 78 7 83 4 44 2 60 10 Agricul. Special # 1 1 3 s. d.| 3 o 1 o 3 o 5 o 5 ° 5 o 5 o 6 6 6 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 9 o 9 o 9 o 9 o 9 o 7 6 10 o s. d. s. d. s. d. 7 3 13 617 8 245068 7 313 620 o 16 633 650 o 16 633 650 o 16 633 650 o 16 633 650 o 21 041 662 6 21 041 662 6 25 050 075 o 25 0:50 °75 o 25 050 075 o 29 058 687 6 29 058 687 6 29 058 687 6 29 058 687 6 29 058 687 6 25 050 °j75 o 13 626 038 6 13 626 038 6 13 626 038 6 13 6 26 o 38 6 13 626 038 6 13 626 038 6 13 626 038 6 13 626 038 6 13 626 038 6 12 625 037 6 13 626 038 6 7 613 6^0 o 6 612 619 b 6612 619 o 6 612 619 o 6 612 619 o 6 612 619 o 6 612 619 o 6 612 619 o 27 652 677 6 20 1041 8,62 6 26 051 062 11 39 677 088 1 8 616 625 o 5 611 016 6 yavailableontwo ( ± lines under 10 < ;s in length. (. 13 o;25 0I38 o 8 616 62c o A* W§ c* I 2 2 s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. 2 05 8 10 11 15 10 26506674 2 65 38 412 6 6 017 834 449 4 7 021 742 5j6i 2 7 021 742 5 61 2 9 029 558 784 10 6 017 834 4 49 4 9 o 29 5 58 7 84 10 9 ° 29 5 58 784 10 9 029 558 784 10 9 029 558 784 10 9 o 29 5 58 7 84 10 9 029 5 58 784 10 9 029 5 58 784 10 9 0,29 5 58 784 10 9 °|29 5 58 784 10 7 0^21 742 561 2 9 o 29 5 58 7 84 10 6 017 834 4 49 4 2 05 8 10 11 15 10 3 07 513 8 19 7 7 021 742 561 2 6 017 834 449 4 307 513 819 7 9 029 558 784 10 9 029 558 784 10 5 012 422 932 7 205 8:10 11 15 10 205 8|io 11 15 10 2 05 810 1115 10 2 05 810 11 15 10 2 05 810 11 15 10 3 07 513 819 7 1 6 4 10 9 o 13 2 3 o 7 5I13 819 7 1 64109 013 2 5 012 422 932 7 1 6 4 10] 9 013 2 7 619 2131 841 o [5 041 0J73 498 4 A.G.2 Special Coal Spcl. 2 1 1 s. d. 2 6 6 8 o 10 2 6 5 IO 5 10 8 4 3 4 3 4 8 4 5 »° 8 4 8 4 3 4 11 8 11 8 1 8 4 5 IO 4 2 4 2 3 4 4 2 5 10 8 4 5 10 8 4 8 4 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 s. d. 9 2 35 5 4 2 12 6 29 2 29 2 41 8 '5 o 15 o 41 8 29 2 41 8 41 8 58 4 58 4 41 8 29 2 20 10 s. d. 16 8 59 7 6 3 25 o 5° o 50 o 72 6 26 8 26 8 72 6 50 o 72 6 72 6 26 8 s. d. 25 o 90 10 9 5 37 6 69 2 69 2 103 4 39 2 39 2 '03 4 69 2 103 4 103 4 39 2 150 o 150 o 103 4 69 2 62 6 46 8 39 2 46 .8 69 2 103 4 41 8 103 4 103 4 19 2 25 o 37 6 19 2 19 2 19 2 37 6 19 2 37 6 19 2 37 6 12 6 62 6 150 o Special W* Special* 1 '.' 1 1 s. d. s! d. 4 1 12 5 2 010 5 '4 6:14 6 4 614 6 4 6,14 6 .4 6I14 6 5 920 9 5 9 20 9 7 0:27 o 5 9; 2° 9 7 °! 27 o s. d. 22 10 6 o 20 10 27 o 27 o 27 oj 27 o 39 6 39 6 52 o 39 6 52 o s. d. 33 3 7 9 31 3 39 6 39 6 39' 6 39 6 58 3 58 3 77 o 58 3 77 o 1 w Sp. Sp. 2 2 3 2 s. d.l 4 o 1, o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 5 o 4 o 5 o 5 ° 4 o 5 ° 5 o 5 o 5 10 5 o 5 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 5 o 4 o 5 o 4 o 10 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o 4 o .3 6 10 o 7 6 s. d. 11 o 2 O 7 6 7 6 14 7 '4 7 17 6 14 7 17 6 .7 6 M 7 17 6 17 6 17 6 20 6 17 6 17 6 14 7 '4 7 14 7 11 o H 7 '4 7 •4 7 14 7 17 6 ■4 7 17 6 11 o s. d. s. d. Ag 3 °i 7 3 W 1 o' 2 4 Sp. 3 0 7 3 1 5 016 6 1 5 016 6: 1 5 °i6 6 1 5 016 6, 2 6 621 o. 2 6 621 o 3 7 625 o; 3 7 625 o; 3 7 625 0! 4 9 o 29 o 4 9 o 29 o 4 9 029 o ( 4 9 °, 29 o 3 7 6:25 o; 3 7 &25 oi M 4 0U3 6 M 4 cfe 6 M 4 0:13 6 M 4 013 6 M 4 013 6 M 4 oil 3 6 M 4 o 13 6 M 4 o 13 6 M 4 o 13 6 M 4 o 13 6 M 4 o 13 6 Sp. 3073 „ 3°73 „ 3073 ,, 3073 „ 3°73 „ 3073 „ 3073 „ 3073 ST. 15 025 o ST. 10 o 20 10 5 10 020 10 C 10 020 10 Is. d. 13 6 5 o 13 6 33 6, ,33 6 33 6 > *' ,33 6 41 6. 41 " 5° ° 5° 0. |5° o S8 6 38 6!' 58 6 5° ° 5° o .26 o '26 o 26 o 26 o 26 o 26 o 26 o 26 Oj 26 o 26 o 26 o 13 6 13 6 13 6 13 6 13 6 13 6 13 6 13 6 50 o 41 8 41 8 41 8 s. d. 12 o 6 2 17 6 34 6 34 6 34 6 !34 6 44 6 44 6 55 6 155 6 166 6 !66 6 !66 6 66 6 55 6 44 6 26 o 26 o 126 o J26 o 26 o I26 o 26 o 126 o 26 o 26 o 26 o 17 6 17 6 17 6 17 6 .7 6 17 6 17 6 17 6 66 6 55 5 55 o 55 o 33 1 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 A.G. 1 A.G.i 33 2 2 33 „ 3) 33 " 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 3 Miscel. 2 1 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 5 920 9 7 027 o 7 027 o 7 o 27 o 4 614 6 4 614 6 4 614 6 4 1 12 5 4 1 '2 5 4 6 14 6 4 6 14 6 46146 7 027 o 7 027 o 26126 4 1 12 5 4 614 6 26126 39 6 52 o 52 o 52 o 27 o 27 o 27 o 22 IO 22 IO 27 O 27 O 27 O 52 o 52 o 25 o 22 IO 27 O 25 o 20 10 20 10 20 10 25 o 20 10 12 6 25 o 58 4 37 6 100 o 58 3 77 o 77 o 77 o 39 6 39 6 39 6 33 3 33 3 39 6 39 6 39 6 77 o 77 o 37 6 33 3 39 6 37 6 31 3 31 3 31 3 37 6 3i 3 18 9 37 6 87 6 56 3 150 o 3 3 2 3 3 3 4 3 3 2 2 3) 100 o 100 o 72 6 50 o 41 8 35 1C 26 8 35 10 50 o 72 6 30 o 72 6 72 6 12 6 16 8 25 o 12 6 12 6 12 6 25 o 12 6 3 3 3 1 33 33 3) 10 o 3 1 A B 1 Special Spcl. 1 A. 1 Spcl. 1 20 10 '5 o 20 10 ' 1 Special Special 2 3) »3 " 10 o 10 o 10 o ia 2 2 2 33 10 o 2 1 B 1 2 Special 29 2 41 8 29 2 41 8 41 8 6 8 9 2 12 6 6 8 6 8 6 8 12 6 6 8 12 6 6 8 12 6 1 1 1 3 3 Special 33 10 o 10 o 10 o 3 D* A* A* A* A* A* B* Mis. B* Mis.* D Mis. L.S. 2 2 3 2 33 " ' 2 Excptl. A 2 Spcl. 2 Excptl. 3) :> 33 23 4 23 4 11 6 11 6 9 2 11 6 11 6 11 6 8 4 67 1 58 4 35 10 48 4 " i Special # # ST.* ST.* S* C* 10 o 10 o 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 20 o ,, Spcl. 2 Excptl. Spcl. 2 Excptl. Ton Ton L.S. 1 Special* * 1* 2 1 10 5 2 1 10 5 2 1 10 5 26126 3 1 S P . 2 Sp. 20 o 14 7 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 22 6 3? 53 33 3J Truck 10 o| o 10 5 o 10 o 4 2 21 o 50 o 25 oj 12 6 25 o; 8 4' 42 o 100 o, Special * O* TS F* S* C* 2 1 10 5 1363 26126 10 o 29 2 40189 10 050 o 33 3) 33 20 o 17 6 17 6 + 21 O 22 O 33 L.S. Ordinary Single ,, ,, }■ 2 612 6 25 o 16 8 37 6 I i 8 I I 3 9 921 332 9 1 2 6 12 6 25 o 37 6 1 26126 25 o 37 6 1 2 6 7 o 1 1 8|n 5 24 6 31 6 . ... { Ordinary Return 2 1884 25 o 2 1 o 2 o iol 6 3I14 3I22 o 2 1 9 8 6 17 o 25 o 56 3 2 1 11 9 5 18 9 28 2 2 1 8 5 6 2 1 o 7 10 16 6 21 6 }• 3 918 9 37 6 56 3 1 }Onlj > shor J mile I C Ordinary Return f <_ Tickets not issued. ( 1 3 9 18 6 37 6 1 3 9il8 9 37 6 56 3 I 3 9 2 6 10 6 1 2 617 2 37 o 47 f > Saturday Return 2 26126 2< O 37 6 2 2 2 2 61 12 6 25 o. 37 6 2 2 11 14 2 28 2 42 3 2 8 3 2 I 8;II 9 24 6 32 ° j) ... i }■ 2 612 6 25 © 37 6 ■ 2 6 1 6 I 1 ion 926 3I39 3 1 07 617 026 6 1 2 6 12 6 25 o. 37 6 1 2612 6 25 o 37 6 i i 8 ,, 2 1884 16 8 25 ° 2 2 2 • 9 8 6 17 o 25 o ! 2 1 11 9 5 18 9I 28 2 1 2 I oj „ ... ... * Haulage only. f Calculated at 2,300 superficial feet to the truck load. J Single-tier trucks. || Special rates for this mileage only being the through distance. % Agricultural implements are charged at a mileage rate each according to description. a Per truck. b At per ton. § These rates include cartage at is. lod. per ton.

E,— 1,

TABLE B.

* Private wagons. Note.—All rates include collection and delivery, except under " Mineral " and " Special.'' The rates inserted above are such as would be charged by the principal English railways between places where there is no competition, such for instance by sea or canal; but between places where that kind of competition exists a lower scale has generally to be adopted, which is entirely governed by circumstances. With respect to passenger fares, the Midland Company, some three or four years ago, revolutionized the passenger fares by doing away with the second-class carriages and reducing the first-class fares to ijd. per mile, which was previously the second-class rate.

Rates per ron charged 1 and Lincolnsl >y Manchestei lire Railway. -, Sheffield, Description. Class (English Classification). 10 Miles. 50 Miles. 100 Miles. 150 Miles. Grain, Root Crops, &c. Wool Coal, in bulk* Cement ... Nails, Wire, &c. Rough Castings Ploughs and Ploughshares ... Agricultural and Vegetable Seeds Boots, &c, in cases Hams and Bacon, loose Hardware Cheese, loose Drapery, in bales ... ,, in cases ... Harness ... Sugar, refined Beer Fat and Tallow Fresh Fruit Hides Iron, bar ... ,, rod ... Leather, in bales Meat, preserved, in cases Spades and Shovels Stone, dressed Vegetables, in crates Bark, in full loads ... Bones, loose Bricks Clay, in bulk Drain Pipes, glazed ,, common Flagging Lime Road Metal, full loads Timber, sawn Firewood, 3-ton lots Passengers, Ordinary Single ... Special 2 Mineral Special I I 2 Special 3 3 3 4 3 4 4 i i i i 3. Special s. d. 4 2 9 2 1 1 4 2 8 4 8 4 9 2 4 2 10 10 10 10 10 10 13 4 IO IO 1.3 4 13 4 8 4 8 4 8 4 8 4 10 10 s. d. 9 2 18 4 4 5 9 2 15 o 15 o 18 4 9 2 20 10 20 10 20 10 25 o 20 I o 25 o 25 o 15 ° 15 o 15 o 15 o 20 IO 9 2 15 o 20 IO 18 4 18 4 18 4 15 o 15 o 18 4 5 5 5 5 9 2 5 5 5 5 4 6 5 5 9 2 9 2 id. to 3d. per id. to 2d. s. d. 13 4 26 8 7 4 13 4 21 8 21 8 26 8 '3 4 31 8 3i 8 31 8 37 6 3i 8 37 6 37 6 21 8 21 8 21 8 21 8 31 8 13 4 21 8 3' 8 26 8 26 8 26 8 21 8 21 8 26 8 8 9 8 9 13 4 8 9 8 9 7 6 8 9 13 4 . r 3 4 mile, plus 5 p< s. d. 18 4 32 6 10 11 18 4 26 8 26 8 32 6 18 4 40 o 40 o 40 o 47 6 40 o 47 6 47 6 26 8 26 8 26 8 26 8 40 o 18 4 26 8 i 4 2 8 4 IO IO 3 2 2 9 2 9 2 9 2 8 4 8 4 9 2 2 4 2 4 4 2 2 4 2 4 2 3 2 4 4 2 4 2 Vary from 1 40 o 32 6 32 6 32 6 26 8 26 8 32 6 10 10 10 10 18 4 10 10 2 I I 2 Mineral Special Mineral ,, 10 10 9 6 10 10 18 4 18 4 er cent. duty. ,, Special i 2 „ Ordinary Return ... ,, ,, I i No reductic ) Vary from j and a ha >n made; dou ible single fart es charged. ,, Saturday Return ... 2 I single fare fc ilf. >r double jour ■ney to fare 2

E.—l

Analysis of Tables A and B.

This statement indicates a lower scale of charges generally on the New Zealand railways, so that, upon this ground, there is a justification for increasing our charges to meet the contingency referred to, should you deem it desirable. Since the comparison of colonial tariff charges (Table A) was printed, I have been favoured by the General Manager of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company (one of the leading English lines) with a similar statement of charges (Table IB) applicable between non-competing points on the principal railways at Home. In connection with the analysis of Table A, it will be observed that there exists a considerable difference in the comparison of rates for long distances. Our tariff' has been framed upon a scale calculated to aid in promoting and developing settlement and production up-country; and I am of opinion that the principle of " decreasing scale for distance " is essential in a new colony, and would not, therefore, advocate any changes in this respect. I have recently submitted to you a suggestion whereby tho railway net revenue of the colony might be increased by upwards of £80,000 (equivalent to 1 per cent, on construction-cost), by adding a small percentage on the current charges for all distances. In addition to this, I have also pointed out that on non-paying sections, and on lines passing through country of an exceptional character, an additional mileage, beyond the actual distances, might reasonably be imposed. The net revenue for the nine months has fallen short of the estimate by £2,324, but, notwithstanding the exceptionally-depressed state of trade during this period, the result shows a clear profit, over working expenses, of £3-1,046, being equal to 1*66 per cent, per annum on £2,563,000, the approximate cost of opened lines to date. Looking at the railways of the colony in relation to population and traffic (see Table 10) it appears that, with a population of 414,216 on the 3rd March, 1878, there were — Percentage Year ending Year ending of Difference 30th June, 1878. 30th June, 1879. between the two Years. Miles of railway open ... ... 1,060 1,144 7'92 Inhabitants to every mile ... ... 391 362 Miles to each 1,000 of population ... 256 2 76 Tonnage carried ... ... ... 866,914 1,135,780 31-01 Tonnage to each 100 of population ... 209 274 Passengers carried ... ... ... 1,542,695 2,722,740 76'49 Passengers to each 100 of inhabitants ... 372 657

* Comprises grain, root crops, agricultural and vegetable seeds, dairy produce, hams and bacon, cheese, fat and tallow fresh fruit, preserved meats, and vegetables. t Wool only. J Coal, stone, bones, bricks, clay, lime, and road metal. § Hardware, drapery, glassware, sugar, beer, and the general run of merchandise not included in *. Note.—The Queensland wool tariff is omitted owing to a doubt as to quantity, for which rates given in Table A are applicable.

Agicultural Produce. * 'ool. t Miner; lis, &c. General Merchandise. S Tarii for Tari iff for Tarii for Tariff for Colony. 1 o o o o V 3 o o o 1 o o I O £ o o TO Q 0 O O 0 o o o New Zealand Victoria New South Wales South Australia Queensland ... s. d. 5 10 8 1 5 4 4 8 3 10 s. d. 19 2 17 6 16 516 7 17 6 s. d. 31 8 34 4 32 4 31 2 28 5 s. d.j 41 2; 5i o, 46 8 45 9 40 6 js. d. 1 o 2 6 . o s. d. 4 2 2 4 3 6 s. d. 7 4 5 o 6 6 , o s. d. 9 5 6 8 7 4 7 9 s. d. 1 10 6 6 2 7 2 1 s. d. 7 3 7 6 6 8 10 5 7 2 s. d. 10 4 ■4 5 12 4 20 10 s. d. 12 8 21 9 17 11 3i 3 20 5 20 9i s. d. 6 2 8 o 7 2 5 4 ij 6 8 s. d. 21 1 17 11 22 7 19 o 13 7 s. d. 35 8 35 8 44 7 ;36 3 58 11 42 2i s. d. 46 5 53 2 64 7 53 3 84 6 60 4i 5 6i 6 2* 2 3 2 ioi 13 5 Average of Colonial Railways (including New Zealand) Average of Colonial Railways (excluding New Zealand) ■7 5 31 7 45 o 1 4i 1 6 3 9 7 9i 7 9i 7 11 14 3 22 10 18 10 43 10 63 10 5 6 17 0 3i 7 46 o 3 7 5 i° 7 3 3 4 15 3 6 io! 18 3 Average of Principal English Railways 8 4 6 6 8 10 10 8 16 10 8 8 16 6 l i , 24 6 15 11 23 5 29 7 I 10 3 8 5 4 4 1 30 10 I l2 j I "So f'Higher (including §.»„; New Zealand) B a'S Higher (excluding §£-§ New Zealand) a pi " ■35-3 Lower (including n x I New Zealand) 6 % a Lower (excluding jzj L New Zealand) o 3l o 4 1 9 2 2 o 1 o 1 ° 5 o 7 , 6 I 7a 2 2 o 618 ii 2 3 2 10 6 6i 13 "I 3 10 o 4i 1 oi 3 11 o 6 4 10. 1 6 o 8 4 n 10 2 o 81 8 2 i7 5

E.—l

As a striking contrast to some of these figures the following results (taken from a report of the Commissioner of Eailways, Victoria) make it apparent that New Zealand stands high in the railway accommodation afforded to its population : — 1877. 1877. 1876. 1876. New South Y' f ■• United Great Wales. ' States. Britain. Inhabitants to every mile ... 1,108 924 580 1,961 Miles to each 1,000 of population 090 1-08 172 051 The sparse population of New Zealand, and ample mileage of its railways, taken in connection with the results achieved hitherto, augurs well for the future, and clearly indicates that commensurate population is all that is wanted. The following comparative statement of receipts, &c, shows the financial progress of the North Island railways since 1874-75 : — Length Total Gross Receipts Total U, Percentage of ■p ■ i Open for Train from all AVorking „• . Expenditure Traffic. Mileage. Sources. Expenses. P'" to Receipts. Miles Miles £ £ £ Per cent 12 months ending June 30,1875 73 87,569 18,683 17,025 1,658 91-12' „ „ „ 1876 146 236,342 58,606 49,321 9,285 8416 „ „ 1877 -210 320,575 69,722 56,156 13,566 80-54 1878 309 484,607 102,582 83,925 18,657 81-81 1879 336 712,327 156,815 116,880 39,935 74'53 9 months ending March 31,1878 290 360,896 73,076 60,620 12,456 8294 1879 330 547,092 120,106 87,098 33,008 72-51 1880 352 519,260 125,486 91,440 34,046 7287 For the purpose of exact comparison the figures for the years ending June, 1878, and 1879, shown above, are commuted to correspond with the nine months ending March, 1880, and the following results are based thereon :—

Similarly, and for the same periods, I append the tonnage and number of passengers :— Wool. Timber. Grain. Merchandise. Minerals. Firewood. Total. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 9 months ending March 31, 1878 2,779 4,659 1,091 5,214 3,558 1,100 18,401 „ „ 1879 5,271 34,272 6,147 42,908 24,521 17,630 130,749 1880 5,883 32,356 8,178 36,981 38,112 25,560 147,070 First-class. Second-class. Total Passengers. 9 months ending March 31, 1878 ... ... ... 15,973 40,625 56,598 „ „ „ 1879 ... ... ... 115,643 422,643 538,286 1880 ... ... ... 133,669 481,934 615,603 The experiments with native coal forfocomotive and other purposes have resulted favourably, and led to the acceptance of tenders altogether excluding importation from New South "Wales since the Ist January, 1880. The consumption of fuel on the North Island railways during the last twelve months was as follows: — Latest Tenders for Native Coal. Imported Coal, Section. Tons. s. d. s. d. Auckland ... ... 3,601 ... 7 5 ... 37 0 Napier ... ... 1,356 ... 34 9 ... 35 0 Wellington ... ... 2,833 ... 31 6 ... 33 9 Wanganui ... ... 1,526 ... 32 6 ... 39 6 Foxton ... ... 400 ... 35 9 ... 42 9 New Plymouth ... ... 436 ... 36 9 ... No tender. Total ... ... 10,152 The present average cost of native coal is 235. lOd. per ton, against 365. sd. for imported coal, on equal conditions as to delivery, leaving an ample margin for difference in quality. The North Island lines are now supplied with native coal as follows: Auckland Section, from Waikato mines ; other sections, from West Coast mines of Middle Island. Since my last report it has been arranged to credit the railways for the postal mail service, and on this account the sum of £1,504 has been included in the receipts for a portion of the past nine months, being at the rate of £10 per mile per annum; and you have now under consideration a proposition to increase the allowance for haulage of construction-material from 50 to 75 per cent, of the ordinary tariff charges, the latter being the estimated cost to this department.

Average pe: t Mile for Nin Eailway Openei te Months of 'er Train Mile. d. Nine Months ending Receipts. Expenditure. Net Profit. Receipts. Expenditure. Net Profit. 1st March, 1878 ... 1879 ... 1880... £ 283 371 364 £ 235 269 265 £ 48 102 99 d. 54 53 58 d. 45 38 42 d. 9 15 16

E.—l

As some consideration is likely to be given to the labour question, consequent on the existing state of " supply and demand " in the colony, I believe your wishes will be anticipated by the following information in relation to the pay of the North Island railway employes:— Description. Maximum. Minimum. Average. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Stationmasters ... 175 0 0 ... 100 0 O ... 127 0 0 por annum. Clerical Assistants ... 156 0 0 ... 100 0 0 ... 123 0 0 Smiths ... ... 012 0 ... 0 9 0 ... 010 9 per day. Fitters and Turners ... 0 12 0 ... 0 9 0 ... 0 10 6 ~ Carpenters ... 0 10 0 ... 0 10 0 ... 0 10 0 „ Engine-dfivers ... 0 13 0 ... 0 9 0 ... 0 11 9 „ Firemen... ... 0 10 0 ... 0 7 0 ... 0 8 0 „ Guards ... ... 0 9 7 ... 0 7 0 ... 0 7 9 „ Porters ... ... 0 8 11 ... 0 7 0 ... 0 7 8 „ Gangers ... 0 9 0 ... 0 7 6 ... 0 8 4 Platelayers ... 0 7 0 ... 0 6 6 ... 0 6 9 The additions to rolling-stock since 30th June, 1879, have been as follows; and the averages given indicate how far provision has been made for extension of lines : —

The locomotives belonging to the department in tho North Island are, in number and description, as follow :—■ 4 Class A, 8-in. cylinder, 4-wheels coupled, 8 tons. 6 „ 0, 9* „ 4 „ 12 „ 4 „ D, 9* „ 4 „ 12 „ 4 „ E, 10 „ 8 „ 28 „ (double Fairlie.) 20 „ F,lo| „ 6 „ 17 „ 4 „ H,14 „ 4 „ 32 „ (Fell,) 9 „ L, 10-i- >t 4, 17 (j 10 „ E, 12 „ G „ 29 „ (single Fairlie.) Total 61 Of these, 4 are used on the 2£ miles of 1 in 15 incline, and 6 for construction-purposes, leaving 51 in use for ordinary traffic. The following is aprecis of the reports I have received from Managers of the respective sections, which will inform you as to the condition of the lines, and other matters appertaining to the working of the North Island Eailways during the past nine months; and I take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to the Managers and employes generally for their hearty co-operation in the efforts to economize and curtail expenditure rendered necessary by the existing depression. I have also much pleasure in bearing testimony to their zeal and ability in the safe and efficient working of the railways. Kaipara Section (15 miles 68 chains). The total receipts for the nine months amount to £4,166, being an increase of £306 over the receipts for the corresponding period of last year ; expenditure, £3,871, as compared with £3,647 for the previous period. Maintenance. —The road has been maintained in good order, and steady progress has been made in various works calculated to permanently improve the railway. Among these may be mentioned bank-raising and widening, bridge repairs and renewals, ballasting, and many minor works. Exceptionally large expenditure has been incurred, especially in repairing bridges, and the outlay in this direction will continue during a portion of next financial year. Locomotive. —The two locomotives have been maintained in good running order, and have cost little in repairs. The carriages and wagons have been maintained in good repair. Wharves. —The wharf at Eiverhead has received various repairs during the period; but the Manager urges speedy action in the promised new structure; otherwise very heavy expenditure will have to be incurred in patching up the present one to maintain it in a workable condition. Auckland Section (106 miles 16 chains). The total receipts for the nine months embraced by this report amounted to £45,736, showing an increase of £6,103 over the corresponding period of last year; expenditure, £30,277, as against £32,058 for the previous and corresponding period: that is, the revenue has increased 16 per cent., while the expenditure has decreased 3 per cent. In my last report I had occasion to remark that the increase in revenue had been absorbed by equally increased working and other expenditure of an exceptional character, chargeable against revenue; but that a contrary state of things has resulted 15—E. 1.

Locomotives. Car: lages. Wagons. j Number jon Hand. Average per Mile. Number on Hand. Average per Mile. Number on Hand. Average per Mile. 10th June, 1879 (miles open 336) list March, 1880 (miles open 359) 54 61 0-16 017 117 121 0-35 0.34 844 1,254 2-51 3 49 Additions during nine months ending 31st March, 1880 7 4 410

E.—l.

this year is shown by the figures given above. Every effort has been made in all departments to curtail expenditure. Trains which failed to produce sufficient receipts to cover the cost of running, aud other charges, have been discontinued, and further reductions of train-mileage will bo made. The expenditure is at a minimum, while the traffic is slowly but steadily increasing. It may be mentioned that the depression of trade, which has pervaded tho colony, has affected this line in a comparatively small and unappreciable degree. Maintenance. —The line has been maintained in fair running order in spite of the fact that where the line crosses swamps great difficulty is experienced in keeping the road in an efficient state. Topham's Swamp, Ohaupo, alluded to in my last report as a source of considerable anxiety and cost, still gives very great trouble. Eoad approaches hare been made to five platforms and sidings; ten passenger platforms have been lengthened from forty to a hundred feet, as was most suitable for the public convenience. Cattle-loading pens have been erected at five stations, and crush pens added to the cattle accommodation already provided at Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, and Ohaupo. The site of Pukete Station has been changed from 77 miles 69 chains to 76 miles 67 chains. The exceptional cost still continues very heavy in this branch of expenditure. Locomotive. —The engines, carriages, and wagons in this district have been maintained in a state of efficiency, and are in good order. Two single-boiler Fairlie engines have been added to the stock. It will be remembered that numerous complaints were received last year of fires caused by locomotives, especially on the Auckland line, where light native fuel is consumed. Owing, however, to improvements effected by the staff in the apparatus for the arresting of sparks, last season, which was moreover very dry, was marked by an absence of such complaints. The carriages and wagons are iu fair running order. There being no shed accommodation the former class of stock suffers considerably, while the painting and varnishing is a source of considerable cost. For the large and increasing coal traffic it is contemplated to provide wagons fitted with boxes to facilitate deliveries of shipping orders. Traffic. —The General Manager reports that " Timber and general merchandise is looking up, and the traffic generally is not only improving, but, what I think is more to the point, is spreading over the line and not between a few points." The Newmarket branch line, 8 miles 66 chains in length, was opend for traffic on the 29th March, or two days before the close of the financial period. It cannot bo expected that the revenue from this branch will be large for some time to come. This, with the Hamilton branch, 1 mile 1 chain, makes a total addition to the mileage of 9 miles 67 chains. Napieb Section (64 miles 4 chains). The total receipts for the year on this line amounted to £20,337, showing a decrease of £2,095, as compared with the corresponding period last year; expenditure, £13,402, showing a decrease oi £1,222, as compared with the corresponding period of 1879. Of all our lines the greatest sufferer by trade and general business depression has been this section. Maintenance. —The line has been well maintained : bridges and culverts carefully inspected and repaired, and buildings kept in good condition. Forty-one rails have been taken out of the main line and replaced with new rails, and 1,465 sleepers have been renewed. Locomotives.— All rolling-stock has been, maintained in a state of thorough repair. One class F engine has received a general overhaul. As in Auckland so here, the carriage stock is injured through the absence of shed accommodation. New workshops have been erected, and the machinery is in course of erection. A large saving in repairs will result. Traffic. —The traffic has been maintained with regularity. An increase in the tonnage of minerals has occurred, but the timber traffic has fallen off here as elsewhere on account of the excess of supply over demand. Mills at Hampden and Waipawa have been idle during the last eight months for want of orders, whilst the traffic afforded by the saw-mills at Kopua and Takapau has been small. The General Manager writes : " I am of opinion that an alteration of tho tariff, an increase in most cases being made, would be advantageous. The population of the Hawke's Bay District is small and the holdings are so large that a tariff that may suit a railway-line in Otago or Canterbury is less applicable hero, where the traffic is of sucli a different nature. In part illustration of this, I would point out that the -65 miles of open line here pass through (exclusive of town sections and Maori occupations) but twenty-eight or thirty holdings, six of which are respectively, in round numbers, 7 miles, 6 miles, 5 miles, 5 miles, 4 miles, and 4 miles iu extent, while nearly all are confined to pastoral uses, the growth of cereals being almost nil. When this is taken into consideration, I think it must be allowed that the railway returns for this district are very fair indeed." Wellington Section (44 miles 79 chains). The total receipts for the period amount to £22,708, being a decrease of £631 as compared with the corresponding period of last year. Expenditure, £19,690, as against £15,874 for corresponding term of year. This unsatisfactory state of things is readily accounted for by the unusual commercial depression. Maintenance. —The frequent recurrence of slips and of other damage by floods and rains has had the effect of withdrawing platelayers from their regular lengths. The period under reference has been marked by exceptionally heavy expenditure, chargeable to maintenance; The most serious slips were—• first, on 20th November, when the Pakuratahi cutting was completely blocked with rock; ou 28th February, 1880, when the mouth of the summit tunnel was blocked ; and on 20th March, when traffic was suspended beyond Upper Hutt for four days. As far as can be ascertained, the cost of repairing these slips has been £950, or 4s\ per cent, of the total earnings of the line, not to mention a loss of traffic of at least £250.

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On this subject the Manager says: "I have always felt that a large proportion of these expenses ought lo be borne by the Construction Department. They are a part of the cost of construction of tlie line ; or at least they should be divided over some years, and shown in the returns separated from the cost of maintenance." In the view expressed by tho Manager I entirely concur ; but on this point I have more fully remarked elsewhere. All renewals of 40-lb. rails are being effected with 52-lb.; the old 40-lb. rails which are serviceable being used in places whore tho traffic is lightest. Locomotive. —The stock has been maintained in thorough repair. The following additions have been made: 1 Fairlie, class K; 1, class C; 4s 6-wheel composite carriages; 20 cattle-trucks; 25 high-side wagons ; 25 low-side wagons ; 30 timber-trucks. The workshops at Petone will be completed about the end of May. Offices for the Manager and staff have also been erected at Petone. Frequent supervision on the Manager's part over the work done in the workshops necessitated his location at Petone instead of Wellington. A Manager's residence was completed about the end of the year, and is now occupied. Traffic. —The receipts, as already shown, have been less than those of the last corresponding period. An increase of tonnage has taken place in wool, minerals, and firewood, but a falling off in timber, grain, general merchandise, and live stock. To cover the heavy expenditure incurred in working the incline, an addition of 5 miles to passenger aud goods rates has been made, dating from the 2nd January last. It is expected that the receipts will thereby be increased to the extent of £2,200 per annum. The new railway wharf at "Wellington has been completed, and the erection of a station will shortly be commenced. Wanganui Section (94 miles 57 chains). The total receipts for the nine months amounted to £27,105, being an increase of £1,083 over the corresponding period of last year; expenditure, £19,305, as compared with £16,701 for a similar period in 1879, being an increase of £2,601. The proportion of working expenses to receipts has been 7P22 per cent. Maintenance. —The road is laid with 9 miles of 53-lb. steel rails, 54 miles of 52-lb. iron rails, and 31 miles of 40-lb. iron rails. During this period 3 miles 20 chains have been rclaid with 52-lb. iron rails in place of 30-lb. In November heavy floods and slips occurred on the Kai Iwi section. During December the Rangitikei District was visited with heavy storms and consequent damage to the permanent way. In March most severe floods were experienced in the Manawatu ; the rails between Karere and Oroua Bridge being covered with water for about 4| miles to a depth of 7 feet 6 inches. In places the permanent way was lifted3odily from the formation and turned over into the side drain. Ordinary traffic was suspended from the 20th March to the 3rd April; but communication for passenger traffic was in part kept up between the trains by canoe and other means. With the exception of recentlyflooded portions, the line is in good order. Locomotive. —The following additional stock has been placed on the line during the period embraced by this report: 3 single Fairlics, Class B,; 30 timber-trucks; 20 cattle-trucks; 50 highside wagons ; 50 low-side wagons. The locomotives have been maintained in very fair order. Seven engines have received a thorough overhaul. The carriages and wagons have been kept in fair order; but the Gfeneral Manager complains of the want of shed accommodation to protect carriages from the weather. The erection of workshops at Bast Town is in progress. Traffic. —The traffic has been maintained with fair regularity. Interruptions to traffic occurred on the 3rd December on Kai Iwi section, and on the 22nd March between Karere and Oroua Bridge ; but these have already been alluded to under the heading of " Maintenance." On the 17th December a daily train and coach service was established between Wanganui and New Plymouth. The depression elsewhere felt has affected the traffic on this line. A reference to the tonnage returns will show a large total without proportionally high receipts. This arises from the fact that a large quantity of material is carried at half-rates for the Public Works Department. In the face of falling revenue, every effort has been made by the General Manager to curtail expenditure, and the staff is now as small as efficiency permits. New Plymouth (33 miles-16 chains). The total receipts on this section amount to £5,434, being an increase of £616 over a corresponding period of 1878-79; expenditure, £4,895, being an increase of £706 over a similar period of last year. On the 17th December the line was extended from Inglewood to Stratford, a distance of 13 miles 23 chains. The same date marked the establishment of a daily train and coach service between New Plymouth and Wanganui. _ • 'Maintenance. —During the past nine months, in addition to the ordinary maintenance, about 2 miles of the formation has been made up to 12 feet in width. Portions of the line have been relaid with 40-lb. rails, the 30-lb. laid down originally being found wholly inadequate for the traffic. All station buildings between New Plymouth and Waitara have been painted. Locomotive. —The locomotives, four in number, have been kept in fair running order. The following additional rolling-stock has been received : 1 first-class 4-whcel carriage, 1 goods brake van, 6 timber-trucks, 4 cattle-trucks, 5 low-side wagons. Traffic has been maintained with regularity during the period, and no accidents of any kind have occurred.

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Tho Managers' reports in each case contain an estimate of exceptional expenditure on maintenance, which I have omitted in this report, as it is very difficult to draw a distinction between the class of expenditure named and ordinary maintenance, since, if the railways were substantially constructed in the first instance, tho maintenance labour-cost, which now averages nearly a man a mile, would be much less ; and consequently it may be asserted that a portion of this labour-charge is due to exceptional expenditure necessary on light and cheaply-constructed Hues, and should be added to whatever may be directly defined as exceptional maintenance. Attached hereto please find tho following tables : — Statement of Classified Eeceipts and Expenditure ... ... ... Table 1 „ Passenger and Goods Traffic ... ... ... ... ~ 2 „ Accounts for Sections ... ... ... ... „ 8 General Statement of Accounts for Northern Lines... .. ... „ 4 Beturn of Accidents ... ... ... ... ... ... „ 5 ~ Locomotives and Rolling-stock ... ... ... ... „ 6 „ Miscellaneous Stock ... ... ... ... .... ~ 7 Statement of Receipts, Expenditure, &c., for each Tear since 1876-77 ... „ 8 ~ Dates of Opening Lines ... ... ... ... „ 9 New Zealand Bailways in relation to Population and Traffic ... ... „ 10 I have, &c, John Lawson, Commissioner of Bailways, North Island.

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TABLE NO. 1—Appendix K. NORTH ISLAND. COMPARATIVE CLASSIFIED STATEMENT showing Receipts and Expenditure, and Proportion of each Class of Expenditure to Mileage and Receipts, for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

Mileage. Receipts. Classified Expenditure. Proportion of each Class of Expenditure to Mileage and Receipts. o Total for Year. Maintenance. Carriage Locomotive, and Wagon Repairs. Traffic Expenses. Gsneral Charges. Sundries. Section. I*-** c5 c H Total. Per Mile of Railway per Annum. .a ■coMaintenance of Way. Locomotive Power. Repairs of Carriages and Wagons. Traffic Expenses. General Charges. Sundries. Total. c.S" °>,E HI fed; >- 0-1 C " P. "co . 0, 'j cd s a. p. a. o. o > ,p u CO z 'to - a. ° >.G*i s «- a< - ! y a. a. 5 =* = 1879-80. Kaipara Auckland Napier Wellington ... Wanganui New Plymouth 16 107! 6SJ 45. 95 33 13,687 156,554 80,577 108,005 128,601 £ s. d.j 4,i66 8 3 45,736 2 2 20,337 o i°j 22,708 2 11 27,104 17 s 5,433 17 1 \ £ a. A. 1338 10 4 607 15 9 I406 14 9! 656 O 2 370 18 2 273 16 O s. d. 6 1 5 10 5 oi 4 2i 4 2i 3 4l £ s. d, 1,855 io- 5 io,55S 9 5, 5,103 16 11 6,090 14 7 6,880 o 10 1,838 4 7 £ a. d. 616 6 6 8,391 16 2 3,78i 15 11 8,061 16 6 7,054 I 6 1,662 3 II £ s. d. i75 1 1 1,914 O IO 681 15 7 1,090 5 3 544 8 5 73 2 5 £ s. d. 844 19 0 7,396 14 8 2,943 16 8 3,626 0 7 3,6 s8 6 6 889 6 3 £ s. A. 375 7 4 1,997 11 1 890 15 5 810 8 6 ■,156 7 5 427 3 5 £ s. d. 3 16 6 21 11 1 £ s. d. 3,871 O IO 30,277 3 3 13,402 0 6 19,690 0 7 19,304 13 o 4,894 18 1 92-91 66'2o 65-90 86-71 71-22 90-08 3I4-S2 402-3S 268-04 568-82 264-17 246-64 67-88 46-42 39-92 43-75 36-05 36-90 I50-76 I40-27 102-08 175-95 94-15 92-62 32-54 16-19 15-20 I3-53 12-06 13-86 50*08 111*52 75-64 232-90 96-53 83-76 IO*8lj I2.87: 11-27! 17-92., I3'i6j 4'22 . ;5'44 3-63 : |I'50: 745 3-68 3-07 2'93 2-03 242 1-02 68-65 98-29 58-88 104-75 49-79 44-81 i 4 *8i| ii'34J 8'77! 8-06! 6-79 6-70! 30-501 26-54 1. 1781, 23-41 21-52. 658 V06 12*65 i*8o 0-31 029 ,0*07 .0*03 10 15 2 3i 8 4 4 17 6 2-94 0-31 0-43 0'25: p'02 jo'o6 ;0'04 o'S5 Totals ... 361519,260 125,486 8 8 472 16 2 32,323 16 9 29,568 o 6 J4.478 13 7 i9>339 3 8 J5,657 13 2 72 8 7 J9M39 16 3 72-87 42-261 13-67! 16-87 72-87 8-94 2'6l 0-27 10-03 4 10 344- 53: 121-79 14-941 111-41 2-07 21-32, 1878-79. Kaipara Auckland Napier WeUington ... Wanganui New Plymouth 16 97 45 S6 21 11,168 225,521 74,584 91,882 "5,033 28,904 3,860 18 2 39,633 14 9 22,432 4 5 23,339 14 2 26,021 3 6 4,817 16 8 313 14 o 53 1 3 4 448 12 10 794 5 7 393 6 9 298 5 o 6 io| 3 6 6 oi 5 °i 4 6i 3 4 1,735 6 9 12,033 9 9 5,623 7 I 4,009 8 4 6,607 9JI 1,784 14 2 57i 5 o 9,467 19 9 4,042 15 4 6,909 9 1 5,375 4 1 1,060 2 o 170 4 O 1,806 14 IO 893 ! 3 1,193 15 2 654 9 7 52 13 3 781 9 1 6,921 13 4 3,181 16 8 3,ooi 13 5 3,079 7 11 867 16 7 380 8 4 1,790 14 2 871 18 3 749 1 5 961 1 1 423 18 6 9 5 5 37 9 3 11 00 10 16 4 26 18 o 3,647 18 7 32,058 1 1 14,623 18 7 15,874 3 9 16,704 10 7 4,189 4 6 94-48 80-89 65-19 68-oi 64-20 86-95 296-39 429-64 292-47 540-22 252-51 259'33 78-39 34-12 47'°5 41-46 34-85 34-78 141-00 161*27 112-47 136-45 99-88 110-48 37' 29 12-8 1 1810 10-47 13-78 14-82 46-41 126-89 80-85 235 -I 4 81-25 65-63 12-28 10*08 1 vol 18-05 11*21 8-8o 13-83 24-22 17-86 40-62 989 3-26 3-66 1-92 2-87 3-12 i'37 o'44 63-49 92-76 63-63 102-15 46-55 53-72 i6-79 7-37 10-24 7-84 6-42 7-20 30-9I 24-00 1744 2549J 26-24! 8-17 11-90 2-80 ji-95 2 01 J3- 5 2 0-75 0-50 0-22 0-37 C4I 0*20 p'04 0-03 0-03 p*o6 - ... Totals .;. 330547,092120,105 11 8 i3'95i IO"33 483 2 OJ 4 44 31,793 16 O 27,426 15 3 4,77° 18 1 17,8.33 17 o ;5,i77 1 9 95 9 o 87,097 17 1 72'52 3S°'33 138-21 127-88 12-03 19-19 2-09 7i-73 7-83 20-82! 2-27J o*38 O'O.

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TABLE No. 2.—Appendix K. NORTH ISLAND. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT of Passenger and Goods T raffic for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

Section. c First Second Class. Class. Passengers. Timber. Grain. Merchandise. Goods. Minerals. Parcel; i, Live Stock^&c. Passengers. Goods. Total Passengers D and Goods. R«°™es. Receipts. Total. Wool. Firewood. Total. 'arcels. Dogs. Horses and Cattle. Sheep, Pigs, &c. Total. Total. 1879-80. Kaipara. Auckland Napier Wellington ... Wanganui ... New Plymouth M. I07 65 45 95 ; 33 No. 3,109 48,440 22,427 29,848 26,536 3,309 No. 10,814 182,918 58,128 98,077 92,471 39>526 No. j 13,923 231,358 80,555 127,925 119,007 42,835 615,603 T. c. q. 44 4 o 263 10 1 3,159 5 3 1,302 12 o 1,099 4 o 13 17 o T. c. q. 2,912 15 3 4,566 10 2 3,265 11 3 6,020 6 2 13,580 10 2 2,010 13 1 32,356 8 1 T. c. q. 100 18 o 3,703 12 O 1,060 17 o 755 !3 o 2,085 5 1 47i 7 o 8,177 12 1 T. c. q. 3,457 9 2 13,484 10 o 5,464 17 o 5,958 16 o 6,641 5 3 1,974 11 o 36,981 9 1 T. e. q. 1,013 i° o 24,350 5 o 1,878 6 o 8,836 o o 620 16 o 1,412 16 o T. e. q. 35° ° o 430 o o 6,020 O O 8,115 o o 9,030 o o 1,615 ° o T. c. q. 7,878 17 1 46,798 7 3 20,848 17 2 30,988 7 2 33,057 1 2 7,498 4 1 No. i,S4i 4,685 7,974 6,290 9,025 i,572 No. 222 9 J5 160 764 764 131 No. 1 ",645 54o 355 409 61 No. 85 27,089 5,125 21,589 1,888 2,317 No. 1,849 44,334 13,799 28,998 12,086 4,o8i £ s. d. 1,392 10 o 22,367 9 8 10,599 19 o 12,581 10 10 14,029 9 o 3,374 14 11 ■64,345 13 5 £ s. A. 2,769 9 5 23,368 12 6 9,726 11 10 10,126 12 1 13,075 8 5 2,059 2 2 61,125 l6 5 £ a. A.' 4,161 19 5 45,736 2 2: 20,326 10 10 22,708 2 II 27,104 17 5 5,433 i? 1 £ s. d. 4810 10 10 o £ s. d. 4, 166 8 3 45,736 2 2 20,337 o 10 22,708 2 11 27,104 17 5 5,433 17 1 ... Totals ... u 133,669 48i,934 5,882 13 o 31,087 ! 2,956 i3,on 58,093 io5,i47; 38,111 13 o 25,560 o oj 147,069 15 3I 125,471 9 iol 14 l8 IO; 125,486 8 1878-79. Kaipara Auckland Napier Wellington ... Wanganui ... ENew Plymouth 16 97 65 45 86 21 2,910] 8,662 32,7l6l55,937 23,984J 65,881 3 I,43i] 90,221 21,371; 66,035 3,23ij 35,907 "5,643422,643 ii,572 188,653 89,865 121,652 87,406 39,138 538,286 38 12 o 337 12 o 2,782 18 o 1,261 16 o 836 8 o 13 12 o 3,55i 11 2 5,223 19 1 4,46i 17 3 7,670 16 3 10,675 10 3 2,688 7 3 85 I oj 2,929 19 o 1,242 IO o 216 II o 1 2,964 18 o 13,898 6 3 5,752 12 o 10,068 4 3 8,06 1 19 3 2,161 15 3 262 16 o 19,497 18 2 I.539 12 O 1,913 16 o 537 9 1 769 18 o 232 o o 342 5 o 5,097 o o 5,657 15 o 5,231 5 o 1,070 5 o 17,630 10 o 7,134 18 2 42,230 O 2 20,876 0 3 26,788 19 2 26,567 8 I 7>!5i 15 2 o o O o 8 6,767 488 237 39° 5 22 23,565 6,432 14,186 1,987 178 46,370 30 30,332 6,920 14,423 2,377 183 1,38.? 11 3 19,522 14 5 12,208 o 3 12,582 11 8 13,817 19 7 2,924 7 3 2,477 6 11 20,111 o 4 10,224 4 2 10,757 2 6 12,203 3 11 i,893 9 5 57,666 7 3 3,86o 18 2 39,6.33 14 9 22,432 4 5 23,339 14 2 26,021 3 6 4,817 16 8 i - I 3,860 18 2 39,633 14 9 22,432 4 5 23,339 14 2 26,021 3 6 4,817 16 8 1,224 '5 2 447 17 o 6,146 13 2 ... Totals ... M 33° 5,270 18 o J34,272 3 3 '42,907 17 o i24,52i 9 3 130,749 12 o 7,895! 54,265 62,439 4 5 120,105 n 8 ... 120,105 11 8

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TABLE No. 3.— Appendix K. New Zealand Railways (North Island). Statement of Accounts for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880. KAIPARA SECTION.

De. £ s. d. Ob. £ s. d. To Cash in hand and outstanding, ist July, By Payments into Public Account, 31st 1879 ... ... ... ... 97 3 8 March, 1880 ... ... ... 4,109 8 2 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c, 31st Cash in hand and outstanding, 31st March, 1880 ... ... ... 4,161 19 5 March, 1880 ... ... ... 149 14 11 £4,259 3 1 £4,259 3 ' To Amount paid into Public £ s. d. By Expenditure, 31st March, 1880 ... 3,871 o 10 Account, 31st March, Balance towards payment of Interest ... 295 7 5 1880 ... ... 4,109 8 2 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, 1st July, 1879 97 3 8 4,012 4 6 Cash in hand and outstanding, 31st March, 1880 ... ... 149 14 11 4,161 19 5 Recoveries to Vote ... ... 4 8 10 £4,166 8 3 £4,166 8 3 AUCKLAND SECTION. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Ce. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Cash in hand and out- By Amount paid into Public standing, 1st July, 1879 785 15 7 Account, 31st March, Less Amount of Transfer 1880 ... ... 45,955 9 7 Touchers in Treasury Less Befunds of Bcvenuo 1,046 4 8 Books, but not entered • 44,909 4 11 in Railway Departmen- Cash in hand and outstandtal Accounts ... 13 2 o ing, 31st March, 1880 ... 1,599 I0 I0 772 13 7 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c, 31st March, 1880 ... .45,736 2 2 £46,508 15 9 £46,508 15 9 To Amount paid into Public By Expenditure, 31st March, 1880 ... 30,277 3 3 Account, 31st March, Balance towards payment of Interest ... 15,458 18 11 1880 ... ... 44,909 4 11 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, 1st July, 1879 772 13 7 44,136 11 4 Cash in hand and outstanding, 31st March, 1880 ... 1,599 10 10 £45,736 2 2 £45>73 6 _ * 2 NAPIER SECTION, Db. £ s. d. £ s. A. J Ce. £ s. d. To Cash in hand and outstand- By Payments into Public Account, 31st ing, 1st July, 1879 ... 530 6 4 March, 1880 ... ... ... 20,363 13 10 Less amount of Transfer Cash in hand and outstanding, 31st Vouchers in Treasury March, 1880 ... ... ... 480 2 9 Books, but not entered in Railway Departmental Account ... 13 o 7 517 5 9 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c, 31st March, 1880 ... 20,326 10 10 £20,843 16 7 £20,843 16 7 To Amount paid into Public By Expenditure, 31st March, 1880... ... 13,402 o 6 Account, 31st March, Balance towards payment of Interest ... 6,935 o 4 1880 ... ... 20,363 13 10 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, 1st July, 1879 517 5 9 19,846 8 1 Cash in hand and outstanding, 31st March, 1880 ... ... 480 2 9 ■ 20,326 10 10 Recoveries to Vote ... 1 o 10 o £20,337 o 10 £20,337 o IO

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WELLINGTON SECTION. WELLINGT Db- £ s. d. Or. £ s . d. £ s. d. To Cash m hand and outstanding, ist July, By Payments into Public Ae1879 ... ... ... ... 462 8 7 count, 31st March, Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c., 31st 1880 ' ... ... 22,946 18 3 March, 1880 ... ... .., 22,708 2 11 Less Refund of Revenue... 076 22,946 10 9 Cash in hand and outstanding, 31st March, 1880 ... 224 o 9 £23,170 11 6 £23,17011 6 Da- £ s. d. To Cash in hand and outstanding, ist July, 1879 ... ... ... ... 462 8 7 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c., 31st March, 1880 ... ... .., 22,708 2 11 £23,170 11 6 £ s. d. To Amount paid into Public By Expenditure, 31st March, 1880 ... 19,690 o 7 Account, 31st March, Balance towards payment of Interest ... 3,018 2 4 1880 ... .., 22,946 10 9 Less CaBh in hand and out- £ s. d. To Amount paid into Public Account, 31st March, 1880 ... .., 22,946 10 9 Less CaBh in hand and outstanding, ist July, 1879 462 8 7 standing, ist July, 1879 462 8 7 22,484 2 2 Cash in hand and outstanding, 31st March, 1880 ... 224 o 9 £22^708 _ 2_i_i £22,708 2 ii WANGANUI SECTION. Db. £ s. A. £ a. d. Ce. £ s. d. £ e. d. To Cash in hand and outstand- By Payments into Public Acing, ist July, 1879 ... 504 3 10 count, 31st March, Less amount of Transfer 1880 ... ... 27,532 10 5 Vouchers in Treasury Less Refunds of Revenue 477 14 2 Books, but not entered 27,054 16 3 in Railway Departmen- Cash in hand and outstandtal Accounts ... 20 3 8 ing, 31st March, 1880 ... 534 1 4 484 o 2 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c., 31st March, 1880 ... 27,104 17 5 £27,588 17 7 £27,588 17 7 To Amount paid into Public By Expenditure, 31st March, 1880 ... 19,304 13 ° Account, 31st March, Balance towards payment of Interest ... 7,800 4 5 1880 ... ... 27,054 16 3 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, ist July, 1879 484 o 2 26,570 16 1 Cash in hand and outstanding, 31 at March, 1880 ... .,, 534 1 4 £27,104 17 5 £27,104 17 5 PLYMOUTH SECTION. Db. £ s. d. Ce. £ 6 . d. To Cash in hand and outstanding, ist July, By Payments into Public Account, 31st 1879 ... ... ... ... 110 9 9 March, 1880 ... ... ... 5,244 16 5 Passengers, Parcels, Goads, &c., 31st Cash in hand and Outstanding, 31st March, 1880 ... ... ... 5,433 17 1 March, 1880 ... ,,. ... 299 10 5 £5,544 6 10 £5^544 6 10 £ s. d. By Expenditure, 31st March, 1880 ,,, 4,894 18 1 To Amount paid into Public Balance towards payment of Interest ... 538 19 o Account, 31st March, 1880 ... ... 5,244 16 5 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, ist July, 1879 no 9 9 5,134 6 8 Cash in hand and outstand. ing, 31st March, 1880 ... 299 10 5 £5,433 17 1 £5,433 17 1

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TABLE No. 4— Appendix K. NORTH ISLAND SECTIONS. Summary of Accounts for Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

TABLE NO. 5.— Appendix K. Return of the Number and Nature of the Accidents to Life and Limb which have occurred on each of the several Lines of New Zealand Railways (North Island), between 1st July, 1879, and 31st March, 1880.

De. £ s. d. £ s. d. Eo Cash in hand and outstanding, 1st July, 1879 ... 2,490 7 9 Less amount of Transfer Vouchers in Treasury Books, but not entered in Railway Departmental Accounts ... 46 6 3 2,444 1 6 Ce. £ s. d. s. d. By Payments into Public Account, 31st March, 1880 ... ... 126,152 16 8 Less Refund of Revenue 7s. 6d., and Refunds for Wharfages, &c, £1,523 18s. iod. ... 1,524 6 4 124,628 14 c Cash in hand and outstanding, 31st March, 1880 ... 3,287 1 c Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c., 31st March, 1880 ... 125,471 9 10 £127,915 11 4 £127,915 11 4 Eo Amount paid into Public Account, 31st March, 1880 ... ... 124,628 10 4 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, ist July, 1879 ... ... 2,444 1 6 ■— 122,184 8 10 By Expenditure, 31st March, 1880 ... 91,439 16 a Balance towards payment of Interest ... 34,046 12 ; Cash in hand and outstanding, 31st March, 1880 ... 3,287 1 o 125,471 9 10 Recoveries to Vote ... ... ... 14 18 10 £125,486 8 8 £125,486 8

Passengers Inju s Killed or ired. Servants of th or of the Conti or In; ie Department, ractors, Killed jured. d 'o O o © C$ O Person or I] while < at! Croe is Killed njured crossing Level ssingg. Name of Railway. Prom Causes beyond their own Control. Promt Misc, or W Cau their own. onduet rant of ition. Pron beyoi own I Cauzes td their Control. From i Misci orW Car ;heir own onduet rant of ntion. Nature and Cause of Accident. Killed. Injured. Killed. Injured. Killed. Injured. Killed. Injured., Killed. iDjured. Wellington, 1879. 20 July . 1 ... Crushed by fall of ballast. Wellington! 21 „ 1 Eell off ballast, leg broken, Auckland^... 8 Aug. 1 Slight injury to hand. Auckland ... 20 Aug. 1 Slight injury to knee cap. Auckland ... 22 Sept. 1 Three fingers crushed in Auckland ... 13 Dec. 1 crane. Eoot slightly crushed. Auckland ... 16 Dec. 1 Shoulders crushed between Wanganui... Auckland ... Auckland ... 31 Dec. 1880. 13 Jan. 4 March 1 1 1 wagon. Struck by buffer in the side. Hand crushed by buffer hook. Thumb split open by machine. Eell off empty truck and run over. Train ran into man and horse, killed horse. Wanganui... 31 March 1 Wanganui... 29 April I Total ... 3 8 1 .6—: E. 1

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TABLE No. 6.— Appendix K. Statement showing Quantity and State of Rolling-stock on the Railways open for Traffic in the North Island on 31st March, 1880.

100

L01 Ca. 1KI. :s. Brake. rCKS. rONI !0M0' irl: le. logi le. 6 1 si Clas Con si' npi te. 2nd !las: is. CD H CD 'Sd o O "5jd o -. Name 01? Section. o T3 "">*> o .9 o a*" 5 00 6 "J ■s ! O CD .2 c IN I 'HCD is 4r u .3 0 o3 _o CD a c SO 1-*-. u d 4t■73 O o He** O n3 CD o o 'ft CD CD Os »r o T3 o "p. o '€" ~£ CD Pj o n o 2 *& & O 00 go" O 2 CD -I- >. CD C c> co" 6 M "ft o CD .s 00 oT « o o *►» o s 00 o 00 . o o -3 o aT O CD CD eS o3 — S 2 co t> O of *""} ,4 o a* 02 GO O CD O o oT I CD 13 a H =2 CD CS -O CD E** o 1* s i o SPh o w c H ■J co *3 O O c CD 00 CD S3 5 c O I CO CD M O -Q CD I £ =5 r*d o o O CD CD t> O O TEEc W CD s o hi .a C3 EH c t— DO o r-i CtT 0 a? 5 oo '■'': CD !■- SO ■"Hi CD *© a. W CD CD X! > ■"cD o o J3 a CD SE) o d, to CO. EKEaiapaea. In good order ... Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs... 1 1 1 2 3 12 4 10 4 18 ... ... Auckland. In good order ... Undergeing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs... In hands of contractors ... Under erection ... 2 1 6 2 5 5 6 2 4 8 2 7 2 3 8 2 1 26 1 1 42 12 10 ;35 108 4 1 I "l 65 6 i*3 30 i°5 ... 1 I-" ... ... ...I Naeiee. In good order ... Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs ... In hands of contractors ... 3 i 3 1 5 5 5 2 '" 4 H 18 4 2 3 89 2 42 2 37 1 I... 3 2 12 ... '.-.. ■ • WELLINGTON. In good order ... Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs... In hands of contractors ... Under erection ... 3 3 • 31 3 1 1 2 1 1' 8 2 4 '" 1 3 59 3 24 3 1 '9 60 3 49 4 33 1 "2 22 !'•-» ... ... ... Wanganui. In good order ... Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs... In hands of contractors ... Under erection ... 2 I 5 I 3 I ... 2 1 3 4 ... 4 5 1 3 1 2 40 8 27 5 30 102 120 35 18 20 I I". New Plymouth. In good order ... Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs... In hands of contractors ... 2 I ... I ... ... 2 ... 5 .... 1 2 1 ... 1 ... 4 ... * ... 4 11 ... ... ... ... ... 1 ... ... ! _ _ j 1 j _ _ ■ _ i_ I 1 Totals 3 10 1 u 4 4 18! i 8' 4 9 4 22 1 2 20 23 3° ! 9 27 4 1 170 "5 22 21 95 39 6 4°5; '50 23«

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TABLE No. 7.— Appendix K. Statement showing Quantity and State of Miscellaneous Stock on the Railways Open for Traffic in the North Island on 31st March, 1880.

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I L-l ?ab: or !ea: eig: reoi eighi: -& M. 'ES. -ill BR] BS. Name op Section. CD sCD co I *h CD > 03 U d O bo es .5 CD c3 H ■■d CD U CD 1> o ft o -=■ :i I o 6 3 .d $ § S o -w 6 6H $ Ed H 03 >—I .—1 PI c o H .s CD o CD CD t> n c 6 to O & CD C~ E> d. o o +3 o 03 "o s-l H Sh CD JS' CD "3 m V Id o 03 ?-, .9 o 08 CD pq o to a c +3 00 O +3 en O I O N O 43 & CD 6 en M CD Sh H B o +3 03 ft co CO CD i-, ft 'o3 ft* t co b Li Ph *o 5 Hi CD 4^ CD 4A O -D "4-1 © 4a CD t o 6 43 I 10 4J o CO 43* S o v6 43) CD +3 s o 4r O CO S3 O w 09 CD a Kaipaba. [n good order Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs I 3 2 1 3 4 1 Auckland. Ln good order Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs [n course of erection 1 2 2 1 3 2 9 11 3 1 26 2 I !••• ... I Napiee. [n good order Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs [n hands of Engineer ... Cn course of erection 5 I 1 1 1 2 61 5 '3 10 3 1 4 2 I ... Wellington. [n good order Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs ... 1 3 1 1 2 2 1 3 1 + 8 1 3 1 1 ... Wanganui. [n good order Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs [n course of erection ... 2 2; '"I ... 6 3 5 2 5 26 2 17 1 5 1 - ... ... 1 New Plymouth. in good order Undergoing heavy repairs Undergoing light repairs 1 1 1 5 1 '4 3 'I I 1 ...1 I... ... ... 1 I <J I Totals ... 1 1 1 11 3 1 1 6 7 I 4 10 3 4 3 5 2 S 3 7 24 1 20 i, 104 72 5 4 16 5

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TABLE NO. 8.— Appendix K. NORTH ISLAND SECTIONS. Comparative Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for the Tears 1876-77, 1877-78, 1878-79, and 1879-80.

',7.9-1 !q*. Section. Receipts. Expenditure. Expenditure per cent, of Receipts per Annum. Eaipara .uckland rapier Wellington Wanganui lew Plymouth ... £ s. d. 4,168 8 3 45,736 2 2 20,337 o 10 22,708 2 11 27,104 17 5 5,433 17 1 £ a. A. 3,871 o 10 30,277 3 3 13,402 o 6 19,690 o 7 19,304 13 o 4,894 18 1 92-91 6620 65-90 86-71 71*22 90*08 Total 125,486 8 8 9M39 l6 3 72-87 1878-79. Eaipara .uckland apier Wellington Wanganui few Plymouth ... 4,992 17 4 52,477 18 2 27,503 IS 8 30,401 6 5 35,171 16 1 '6,267 8 5 4,995 l8 IO 41,521 16 1 19,255 '9 l° 22,919 11 7 22,614 2 7 5,612 7 o 99-26 79-12 70-01 75-39 64-30 89-S5 Total 156,815 2 1 116,879 J5 ll 74-53 1877-78. Eaipara .uckland fapier Wellington Wanganui lew Plymouth ... 3,925 3 10 37,321 10 6 25,263 13 11 16,100 3 9 15,040 19 1 4,93° 7 3 4>76S 4 1 29,133 15 4 18,216 10 2 11,718 15 4 15,015 14 6 5,°75 3 2 121 *4o 78-06 72-10 72-78 9983 102-93 8r8i Total 102,581 i8 4 83,925 2 7 1876-77. Kaipara Auckland Napier Wellington EFoxton Wanganui New Plymouth ... 3,778 4 5 21,868 3 9 2i,374 13 10 11,518 18 3 8,364 12 2 175 9 6 2,641 19 1 4,296 11 6 17,663 8 10 13,231) 19 2 9,893 19 2 7,378 13 2 412 14 4 3,271 2 2 113*72 80-77 61-94 85-89 88-21 235'!9 123-81 Total 69,722 1 o 56,156 8 4 80-54 * Nine month: from ist July, 1879, to 31st March, 1880.

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TABLE NO. 9.— Appendix K. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.—NORTH ISLAND. Statement of Lengths of Sections Open for Traffic, 31st March, 1880.

TABLE NO, 10.— Appendix K. New Zealand Railways in Relation to Population and Traffic.

Opened fc )r Traffic. Total Opcnec Section. Subsection. Date. M. ch. M. ch. Kaipara ... ERiver Wharf (old) to Eiverhead October 29, 1875 ... 15 68 Auckland Auckland to Onehunga Penrose to Mercer Mercer to Ngaruawahia Ngaruawahia to Hamilton Hamilton to Ohaupo ... Onehunga Wharf Hamilton Branch Newmarket to Waikomiti December 24, 1873 May 20, 1875 August 13, 1877 ... December 19, 1877 June 4, 1878 November 28, 1878 October 20, 1879 ... March 29, 1880 ... 15 68 8 o 37 27 31 2 10 33 9 27 o 20 1 1 8 66 Napier to Hastings Spit to Napier Hastings to Pakipaki ... Pakipaki to EKEaikoura... KEaikoura to Waipawa Waipawa to Waipukurau Waipukurau to Takapau Takapau to Kopua 106 16 Napier ... October 12, 1874 ... November 25, 1874 January 1, 1875 ... February 17, 1876... August 28, 1876 ... September 1, 1876 March 12, 1877 January 25, 1878 ... 12 o 2 o 4 13 10 10 12 16 4 63 12 79 5 63 Wellington Wellington to Lower Hutt Lower Hutt to Silverstream Silverstream to Upper Hutt Upper Hutt to Kaitoke Kaitoke to Featherston April 14, 1874 December 15, 1875 February 1, 1876 ... January 1, 1878 ... October 17, 1878 ... 64 4 8 9 8 o Wanganui 3 35 7 43 17 72 EFoxton to Palmerston Palmerston to Feilding Aramoho to Turakina Wanganui to Aramoho Turakina to Marton ... Halcombe to Feilding... Marton to Halcombe ... Aramoho to Kai Iwi ... April 27, 1876 October 20, 1876 ... May 17, 1877 January 21, 1878 ... February 4, 1878 ... April 22, 1878 May 20, 1878 June 28, 1879 44 79 23 30 11 28 20 21 2 60 9 18 7 76 10 49 9 15 New Plymouth to Waitara Sentry Hill to Inglewood Inglewood to Stratford October 14, 1875 ... November 30, 1877 December 17, 1879 94 57 ew Plymouth 11 13 8 60 13 23 33 i6 359 o

North Island. Middle Island. Total. 'opulation on 3rd March, 1878, exclusive of Maoris ... 158,208 256,008 414,216 'ercentage of total population in each Island files of railway open for traffic on 30th June, 1878 ... fnmber of inhabitants to every mile open... 'ercentage of miles of railway in each Island to total mileage lumber of miles of railway to each 1,000 of population carried over the railways for year ending 30th June, 1878 amount of tonnage carried over the railways to 100 of population 'assengers carried over the railways for year ending 30th June, 1878 fumber of passengers carried over the railways to 100 of population j I ... j 38 309 512 29 i"95 123,529 78 383,548 242 62 75i 34i 7i 2-93 743,385 290 i,i59,i47 452 1,060 391 2-56 866,914 209 1,542,695 372

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.A-IFIPIEIITIDIEIK L.

ANNUAL BEPOBT ON WORKING RAILWAYS BY THE COMMISSIONER OE RAILWAYS EOR THE MIDDLE ISLAND. The Commissioneb of Eailways, Middle Island, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks. Sie,— Dunedin, 10th May, 1880. I have the honor to submit the following report on the working of this department during the nine months ending 31st March, 1880, together with particulars of revenue and expenditure for the same period. The total length of line open for traffic on the Ist of April is as follows : — Section. M. eh. Amberley to Kingston ... ... ... ... ... 754 15 Nelson to Foxhill ... ... ... ... ... ... 19 10 Picton to Blenheim ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 10 Greymouth to Brunner ... ... ... ... ... 7 50 Westport ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 808 5 There has been added during the nine months 20 miles 27 chains, as follows : — Section. M. eh. Sheffield to Springfield ... ... ... ... ... 6 15 Shag Point ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 67 Walton Park ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 40 Otautau Branch ... ... ... ... ... ... 11- 35 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 27 The Moeraki line, 1 mile 43 chains, has been taken up ; and 9 miles 19 chains at Westport is closed for traffic : total closed, 10 miles 62 chains. The receipts and expenditure and the percentage of expenditure on receipts were as follow : — Section. Eeceipts. Expenditure. Percentage. Dunedin, Christchurch, and Invercargill £430,623 15 3 £324,383 15 3 7509 Greymouth ... ... ... 7,683 2 6 3,619 4 9 4711 Westport ... ... ... 2,377 16 2 2,879 011 121-07 Nelson ... ... ... ... 5,872 0 11 4,592 17 2 78-22 Picton ... ... .... ... 3,545 9 8 3,369 8 2 9503 Total ... ... ... £450,102 4 6 £338,844 6 3 75-28 The percentage of expenditure on the aggregate receipts of the nine months for the entire system of railways, Middle Island, was 75'28, against 71'28 for the previous twelve months. The past nine months have been of a very exceptional character, and, much as I may regret that no better result is exhibited, I cannot say that anything more favourable was to be anticipated. Not only has there been a great falling-off in the amount of business done, consequent upon the general commercial depression, but we entered upon the period under great disadvantages owing to the severe floods which occurred in June and July last. Traffic was suspended from this cause ou 114 miles of line between the Waitaki and Selwyn, a portion of the line north of Christchurch was wrecked, and

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between Dunedin and Clinton a prolonged interruption of the traffic took place, and the Outram branch was not reopened until after a lapse of two months. The result was, a considerable loss of revenue, and a heavy expenditure in repairing and making good the damaged portions of the line and works. Breaches in the embankments had to be made up, ballast which had been washed away to be replaced, new piles for bridges to be driven, and new culverts to be erected. All this has been accomplished in a substantial manner, with a view to place the line and works in a condition of greater security for the future. As before mentioned, the depression of trade which unhappily exists in the colony has operated prejudicially upon the business of the railways, and, seeing how intimate is the alliance between the railways and the commerce of the country, this cannot well be a cause of surprise. The receipts, as compared with the previous corresponding nine months, have decreased lOd. per train-mile, and this, calculated upon the total train-miles run during the nine months, amounts to £61,717 14s. 2d. As a striking instance of the extent to which the department has suffered from the slackness of trade, I may refer to the Port Lyttelton line. The receipts on this short but important line fell off, as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, at the rate of £583 per week for twenty-four weeks, making a total of £13,992. The alteration in the termination of the financial period has operated prejudicially to the department as regards the comparative results of the working of the period, inasmuch as the business of our three best months, and the heaviest portion of the grain traffic, have been, as a matter of account, lost to us so far as this period is concerned. It is true we take this traffic to account subsequently, but it is for the benefit of the accounts of the succeeding year. With a view to give effect to your urgent instructions that the strictest economy compatible with safety and efficiency should be practised, and every possible retrenchment of expenditure effected, many alterations (all having that object in view) have been and are still being made in the arrangements. The staff has been reduced in number ; some offices have been abolished, and the duties of others amalgamated ; the train-mileage has been reduced to the extent of 200,000 miles per annum ; the speed of the trains has been diminished—a measure which will result in a saving on the wear and tear of the rolling-stock, and on maintenance of way. The effect of these reforms will be more advantageously felt when the operations of the department resume their normal condition. I am afraid that it must be admitted that, in the past, too much has been expected from, and attempted by, the department in respect of tho facilities for travelling offered to the public. Many influential members of the community are familiar with the frequent train-service of the Old Country; and pressure has been brought to bear with a view to obtaining somewhat similar facilities in this country. It may not be amiss here to direct attention to the position of New Zealand in respect of miles of railway opened, as compared with the position of Europe, America, and the neighbouring colonies. The population of a country I take to be the true criterion of its ability to maintain a system of railways, and that its mileage of railways (if the railways are to be a success) should bear a certain proportion to its population. That New Zealand should contrast unfavourably in this respect with the United Kingdom and Europe generally, might fairly be expected; but the following table will show a result perhaps not altogether anticipated : —

* Approximate. It will thus be seen that New Zealand (Middle Island) stands lowest in the scale ; that, while the United Kingdom, with its network of railways, has 1,961 souls to employ and feed each mile of its railways, and New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, 1,108, 924, and 784 souls respectively, we must look for the support of our railways to the traffic which 341 persons per mile can create. The conclusion which I would draw from this —and I submit that I have sound reason on my side —- is, that New Zealand, so far as the financial results of the working of its railways are concerned, cannot be expected for the present to take a high place in the scale, and that disappointment cannot reasonably be felt at the results which have been accomplished. I am still further strengthened in this view by official statistics which I have obtained of the results of the working of the New South Wales railways. I append the figures (an annual statement of mileage, earnings, and interest on expenditure from 1855 to 1878), and it will be seen that in the fourteenth year of working only L973 per cent, of interest was earned; that, up to that date, the highest rate of interest was no more than 2'236 per cent.; and that, although in four exceptional years (out of twenty-four) the interest did exceed 4 per cent., in 1878, the twenty-fourth year, the interest

Country. Year. Population. Miles open. No. of Inhabitants per Mile of Railway. Efew Zealand, Middle Island Queensland Jnited States Danada iouth Australia Victoria South. Wales Treat Britain 1878 1877 1876 1876 1877 1877 1877 1876 1876 256,008 203,085 45,627,900 *4,000,000 236,864 860,787 662,212 33,093,439 36,905,788 751 359 78,654 6,412 302 931 598 16,872 12,723 341 566 580 624 784 924 1,108 1,961 2,900 France

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earned was no more than 3'741 per cent. This is the latest year of which I have any record, but I am credibly informed that for the period of depression through which we have been and are passing such results will be shown by the New South Wales accounts as would be considered alarming in New Zealand. New South Wales Eailways.

v w .r Total Interest on lear. miles. Earnings. Capital per cent. £ 1855 14 9,249 '638 1856 23 32,283 L530 1857 40 43,387 1-176 1858 55 62,309 L492 1859 55 61,760 1-107 1860 70 62,269 -832 1861 73 75,004 '899 1862 97 103,871 1-842 1863 124 123,941 L097 1864 143 147,653 L669 1865 143 166,032 2'079 1866 143 168,535 2'236

v -.„-., Total Interest on Year. Miles. -„ „ ~ , . Earnings. Capital per cont. £ 1867 204 189,072 2-185 1868 247 224,359 1-973 1869 318 264,975 L892 1870 339 307,142 1-817 1871 358 355,322 2-688 1872 398 424,989 3'397 1873 403 484,236 3 653 1874 403 536,575 4'074 1875 473 614,648 4396 1876 509 693,225 4'428 1877 598 815,920 4'468 1878 688| 902,989 3741

Fuel. —The question of fuel, which is so important an item in our expenditure, has long engaged my attention. It had been my anxious desire to replace the Newcastle coal which we were uniformly consuming in our engines by the native article, the primary consideration being the much smaller cost of the latter, but other inducements to effect this improvement were not wanting. After many efforts, disappointments, and , difficulties, this important reform has been accomplished, and the native coal is now used with marked success on the Dunedin, Oamaru, and Christchurch Sections. The tenders accepted for the supply of coal for locomotive purposes, with the exception of that for Invercargill, are for native coal only. Southland possesses an abundant supply of excellent fuel, but, unfortunately, for want of the means of access it is not yet available for railway use. By the adoption of native coal we not only conduct our business at a clear annual saving of £8,500, but retain in the colony a large sum of money, and give profitable and much-needed employment to labour. Early in the year, at your suggestion, the plan of keeping a separate account against each section and branch was introduced. The preparation of the sectional and branch statistics causes additional labour and some expense, but the information thus obtained is valuable. Each section, with its branches, is under the charge of a separate manager, and the four-weekly sectional accounts represent the comparative financial results of the management and working of each section. Emulation is thus created, unnecessary or extravagant expenditure can be at once detected and localized, and unprofitable branches are easily ascertained. Already excellent results in respect of economy and restriction of expenditure have followed the introduction of this system. In February last the headquarters office was removed from Christchurch to Dunedin, and, from its more central position, there can be no doubt that already the change has been productive of benefit in respect of the administration of the southern sections, while at the same time the office is not so remote from the other extremity of the line as to be disadvantageous to the northern section. The cashier and accountant still remain in Christchurch, and their separation from my office is a very objectionable arrangement, causing much inconvenience and extra work, and actually obviating many of the advantages which would otherwise result from the centre of administration being placed in Dunedin. Maintenance oe Wat and Woeks. Amberley to Kingston. Since the date of my last report the way and works department has been entirely reorganized. The maintenance of the line, instead of being separated into two sections under separate engineers, has been placed under one head, and the result so far has been eminently satisfactory both in respect of efficiency and economy. Tho total expenditure for maintenance of way and works and repairs of damages during the nine months was £117,719 9s. 7d., being at the rate of £158 4s. Id. per average mile open, or at the rate of £205-67 per mile per annum. The main line and branches have been maintained in good running order during the nine months, 24 miles 33 chains of road having been relaid, and 50,47l sleepers having been replaced. A large number of Oregon bridge-beams have been renewed with the more durable ironbark. Pour engines, with gangs of men, have been constantly employed in ballasting, removing slips, widening embankments, &c. I have already referred to the serious damage caused by the floods which occurred about the close of the last financial period. On the Ist July extensive portions of the line in Canterbury and Otago were wrecked, and the traffic stopped. At Greytown the flood rose 15 inches above the railway platform. The embankments which have been raised to protect the agricultural lands from the overflow of the Taieri Eiver confine the mass of floodwater until it reaches Greytown, where it is precipitated directly upon the unprotected railway works, breaching the embankments, washing away the ballast, and otherwise seriously damaging the works, and necessarily impeding.or altogether stopping the traffic. A new 80-feet span has been added to the Taieri Bridge on the Outram branch, and 6,000 cubic yards of earth and 1,800 cubic yards of rubble have been used in making up and protecting the embankments. The cost of the repairs and protective works on this branch amounted to £1,510 ss. 2d.

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Considerable trouble has been caused by heavy slips on the line between Dunedin and Palmerston, no less than 10,000 cubic yards of material deposited on the line having been removed. On this section some of the large embankments which are laid on the slope of hilly ground are slowly but surely moving, and require constant attention and considerable expenditure. The south-east gale which occurred about the beginning of July last denuded the beach to the north of Timaru of shingle, leaving the friable clay beneath exposed to the action of the water. The heavy seas cut into the clay, and caused such damage to the foundations of the Whale's Creek Bridge as to render a suspension of the traffic for some days necessary. A new masonry abutment has been built at the south end of the bridge, and 5,200 tons of rock have been deposited on the shore, to replace the shingle and protect tho clay bluff's from further erosion. This work has cost, to date, about £3,000, and the expenditure cannot be expected to stop here, inasmuch as it will be necessary to continue the protective work northward, with a view to prevent an encroachment of the sea in that direction. In my last annual report I drew attention to the circumstance that the flooding of the Waimakariri had, during the preceding year, on five different occasions caused a suspension of the traffic ; but I added that I had a confidence that the protective works then in course of construction would prove thoroughly effective, an opinion which the experience of the last nine months has borne out, no interruption of the traffic having occurred from that cause during the period. The protective works executed on the Bakaia, Eangitata, and Ashburton Eivers have also successfully stood the test of heavy floods, two of such floods being higher than the one which carried away the piers of the Eangitata Bridge during the previous year. On the Invercargill Section the line has been ballasted, and the exposed embankments on the Winton-Kingston line have been pitched and protected. The Addington workshops are now approaching completion. Signal apparatus on the most improved principle has been completed at several of the principal stations, and the traffic at these stations is now protected aud rendered safe. Locomotive Depabtment. Section, Amberley to Palmerston. The locomotive engines employed on this section are 55 in number. They have been maintained in good working condition during the past nine months : 11 of them have been thoroughly repaired, 2 have had the fire-boxes repaired, 10 have been examined and undergone partial repairs, 18 have been painted, and 14 cleaned and varnished. Ten new engines have been received and erected —4 of Class J, and 6of the American '■ consolidation " engines, classed as " T." The 4" J " engines and 2of the " consolidation " are at work on this section, the latter between Oamaru and Palmerston; and 4 of the " consolidation " have been transferred to the Dunedin Section. I have already referred in this report to the attempts which have been made to use native coal in the engines, and to the success which has at last crowned our efforts. Much of the credit of this is due to the Locomotive Engineers, who, by dint of careful experiment, at last solved the " spark difficulty," which was the great obstacle to the use of the native fuel. How complete the success has been will be evident from the following facts : Last year, when the great bulk of the coal consumed was Newcastle, no fewer than 200 fires were reported, while in the period under review, with all the engines burning the native coal, only two fires have occurred. It is absolutely necessary that moderate stocks of coal should be maintained at various points on the line. But native coal on exposure to the weather is liable to disintegrate and deteriorate ;it is therefore highly desirable that sheds should be provided for the protection of the stacks of coal from the weather. The annual saving by the use of the native coal in this section is £5,500. Additional engine-shed accommodation is urgently required, there being a larger number of engines than can be housed at night. Proper sheds, with pits, for the examination and cleaning of the engines, should be provided. A considerable saving has been effected by the substitution of wind-power for manual labour in raising water for locomotive purposes. There are now seven windmills at work in this section ; and every mill erected, with proper storage accommodation, represents the saving of a pumper's wages—in other words, very soon recoups its own cost. I hope ere long to see every one of our water services supplied by a power which may almost bo termed automatic. Good water is of vital importance in locomotive-working. The inferior quality of the Oamaru water has necessitated the haulage for use there of 3,600 gallons daily from the Waitaki Eiver —a considerable expense to the department, but effecting in the long run an immense saving in respect of the condition and cost of repair of the engines. Carriages. —The passenger stock has received its proper meed of attention, and is in excellent working condition. Heavy repairs have been done to 33 carriages, 6 brake-vans, and 9 horse-boxes ; and 76 carriages and 27 brake-vans have been lifted and undergone light repairs. Eight of the ordinary six-wheeled carriages have been converted to the double-bogie principle, and we have now 16 carriages and mail-vans altered iu this way. The alteration is generally satisfactory, the carriages being more comfortable to travel in, and the wear and tear of both vehicle and road much diminished. An addition to the passenger stock has been made of 10 new carriages of American make (from New York), 6 first-class and 4 second-class. They are of good material and workmanship, and, being beyond dispute the easiest-running of our vehicles, are much appreciated by the public. These carriages when received were found to be too large for our tunnels, notwithstanding that the precaution had been taken of sending with the order a drawing to scale of our smallest tunnel. The New York agent accepts without reserve the responsibility of the error, and proposes to pay the cost of altering the carriages, which the Locomotive Engineer reports at £10 3s. lid. each. 17—E. 1.

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Wagons. —The condition of the wagon stock has been well maintained, 964 wagons having undergone more or less extensive repairs during the nine months. The following additions have been made to the stock —294 high-side and 25 low-side wagons erected in the Government workshops —at a cost, including timber, of £10 lis. 7d, each —and 80 low-side wagons built under contract by Messrs. Anderson, of Christchurch. The whole of the carriage and wagon repairs of this section are now being carried on at Addington. The completion of the works, and consequent removal of the machinery and entire establishment thither, is an event much to be desired, as the work will then be carried on more economical^, and a considerable saving will result. The steam-cranes at Lyttelton have been kept in good order, and, with the exception of one, all have been altered to the narrow gauge. Two new steam-cranes have been put to work, and native coal is now used in all. Section, Palmerston to Kingston. Owing to the stock of locomotives in this section up to August last being very inadequate for the work required of them, the small number at command were much overtaxed, and many were kept at work when they ought to have been in the repairing-shop. Subsequent additions to the stock set these at liberty for much-needed renovation; but the cost of repairs has, in consequence of this, been heavy. There are now 55 engines upon this section, and repairs have been done to 42 during the nine months. New tires have been fitted to 11 engines. The small mileage made on this section by the engines with a rigid wheel-base before the tires require to be re-turned, indicates the desirability, in the interests of economy, of having bogie-engines only. It is not only that the tires cut away rapidly at the flange, but the rails, on sharp curves, suffer considerably. lam bound here to state that the quality of the tires received from England must bear some share of the blame of this rapid wear. Some of these socalled steel tires have turned out very bad indeed, soft in texture and inferior in quality: " soft as cheese "is an expression which has been applied to them, and it not inaptly describes their quality. I may inform you that some of the six-coupled engines have had to be sent to the shops to have the tires turned up after running only 3,000 miles. I attach tracing of the tire of an engine employed on the Lawrence branch, after doing 2,598 miles. Native coal is now used on this section except in Southland, where, however, I hope ere long to be able to adopt it. In my remarks on the Christchurch Section I have referred to the efforts which were made by the Locomotive Engineers to design a spark-catcher which would obviate the tendency of the native fuel, from its lightness, to throw out live sparks; and I think it right to repeat here that the credit of accomplishing this belongs equally to the Locomotive Engineer of this section, The carriage stock has been maintained in a condition of efficiency, 136 carriages and 36 brakevans having received repairs. Six new horse-boxes and 6 brake-vans have been built, the whole of the ironwork for both vans and horse-boxes, with the exception of wheels and axles, having been made in the railway shops. I gather from a paper which was laid on the table of the House that the average cost of imported horse-boxes is £159 each, while those built at Hillside cost £154, and are certainly superior to the former. The imported brake-vans cost £201 each, while those built at Hillside cost £216; but the latter have been specially built for service on the heavy grades, and weigh 8 tons 10 cwt., and are in every respect superior to the imported ones. The wagons have received careful attention, 891 having been repaired in the nine months, and 105 new wagons built. The brass-moulder's shop has been well employed, having turned out 63 cwt. 2 qr. 21 lb. of castings in the period under review. The Hillside shops are quite inadequate to meet tlie demands which are made upon them in respect of construction work and of the repair of the several kinds of stock : they are badly arranged, and scantily supplied with tools, and the work carried on in them costs much more than it would in commodious and well-lighted shops. I may here take the opportunity of mentioning that the shops at Invercargill are also very small and incomplete: they were originally provided for the Bluff and Winton lines only, and the work has altogether outgrown their capabilities. As in Christchurch and Oamaru, the want of adequate engine-shed accommodation is felt both in Dunedin and Invercargill. In Invercargill the shed will not contain a fourth part of the engines requiring accommodation, and it is impossible that justice can be done to an engine which is cleaned at night and in the open air. Both engines and men suffer from the insufficient accommodation. The Port Chalmers Dock workshop is useful as an auxiliary to the Hillside shops, but is out of the way, inconvenient, and expensive. The forge was not largely employed during the nine months. Crank-shafts were made for the s.s. "Albion" and the p s. " Iron Age;" also several smaller shafts. For the department, buffers, buffer-plates, engine-axles, &c, were turned out, together with 16 tons of fish-plates. At the present moment a new furnace is in course of construction which will enable us to consume native coal in the forge, instead of the expensive Newcastle coal; and it is anticipated that the saving thus effected will recoup the cost of the furnace in the course of one year's operations. Teafj?ic Depabtment. Section, Amberley to Temuka. Since the date of my last report an important change has been made in the organization of this department. The opening of the through line, and the increase of business consequent upon that event, very much extended the respective jurisdictions of the Traffic Managers of the Christchurch and

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Dunedin Sections, and increased their duties ; and. it was found in practice, and became a ground of complaint, that the Timaru and Oamaru District, being remote from either centre, did not, especially in the busy season, get an adequate share of consideration. A new section, therefore, made up of the southern portion of the Christchurch Section and the northern portion of the Dunedin Section, and extending from Temuka to Palmerston, was created, and placed under the charge, for traffic purposes, of a separate Manager. This arrangement has worked well, and given general satisfaction ; and it may not be amiss to state that the creation of a new office has not added to the expenditure, but, on the contrary, has resulted in a considerable saving. The sections now stand thus: Amberley to Temuka, 247'4 miles; Temuka to Palmerston, 170'2 miles; Palmerston to Clinton, 148'5 miles; and Clinton to Kingston, 198'75 miles —each section including the branches appertaining to it. The only mileage added to the Christchurch Section was from Sheffield to Springfield (6 miles 45 chains), opened on the sth January. This extension opens up the Springfield coal mine, which brings a considerable traffic to the department, and supplies a fuel of fair quality for the use of the engines. The Customs examination of goods has been transferred from Christchurch to Lyttelton —an arrangement which, obviating in many cases tho double handling of goods, produces a saving of labour, and works well. The examination is carried on in the commodious sheds of the Harbour Board, which have been so altered and arranged that vessels lying alongside the Gladstone Pier can deliver their cargoes direct into the sheds. As we are now in the midst of the grain season, I cannot state the number of tons carried, as was done in my last report; but the number of tons handled at Lyttelton, exclusive of materials for the use of the department, amounted to 225,235, and 57,536 tons were dealt with in the Christchurch Goods Department. By the last-named station 120,075 tickets were issued; and by Lyttelton, 58,593 tickets. Section, Temuka to Palmerston. Although the period at which the sections were separated for accounting and statistical purposes is so recent as to preclude me from presenting anything like a comparison between this and any former period, indications are not wanting that the Timaru and Oamaru Section has shared in the effects of the general depression in respect of its traffic. This is sufficiently shown by a comparison instituted by the Manager, between the period under notice and the preceding one, in respect of the traffic of the two chief stations on the section, Timaru and Oamaru, which exhibits a falling-off in the passengers booked of 11 per cent., and in tonnage of goods of 22 per cent. I am glad to observe, however, that there are indications of a revival of trade and of improving traffic. Extensive reductions have been effected in the staff of this section; and I believe lam justified in saying that the staff now stands at the lowest possible point consistent with efficiency. Some important improvements have been effected at stations on this section. Semaphore signals have been erected in the Oamaru Station yard, and the traffic of that station has been placed in a reasonable condition of security. Telegraph communication also has been opened up with several of the stations. Much, however, remains to be done, both in respect of protection by signal and telegraph communication. The traffic cannot be considered as absolutely safe until every station is protected by signals. To provide signals for every station would, however, be attended with considerable expense; but every large and important station should be so protected, and I cannot too strongly urge that this should be done. As regards telegraphing, I should be glad to see a very large extension of the block system, which works admirably wherever it has been introduced on our railways, and which enables us to work the traffic not only with safety, but with economy. The Ngapara branch, which was a source of so much trouble last year from the lightness of the rails, and its consequent inability to carry any but the very lightest engines, has since been relaid with 40-lb. rails up to Teaneraki. An extension of the relaying, up to Ngapara, is much to be desired. Sidings have been put in at Corriedale and Whitstone, and the siding at Teaneraki has been considerably lengthened. The Timaru-Oamaru Section contains many of the elements of a large carrying business—namely, extensive coal fields, which produce a fuel of fair quality, for which there will be a large demand; an unlimited supply of building stone, of a quality which is every day coming more into use ; and great facilities for grazing, which are rapidly developing a stock-carrying traffic which bids fair to become an important one. There is every reason to expect that at no distant period the section will occupy an important position in respect of the traffic of this system of railways. Section, Palmerston to Clinton. The working of the traffic of this section presents results of a favourable character as compared with other sections of the railway. Taking the figures of the nine months under review, against those of the corresponding period of the previous year, the passenger traffic exhibits an increase of 44 per cent., and the inwards and outwards goods traffic an increase of 6 per cent. This is the more gratifying that it has occurred during a period when the traffic on other parts of the line has been so injuriously affected by the business and financial depression which has prevailed as to show a large falling-off in the revenue. This section, moreover, has had to contend with the drawback of a suspension of traffic consequent on the floods which I have referred to elsewhere. An inadequate supply of rolling-stock in the early part of the period also proved a hindrance to the traffic. Taking all these circumstances into consideration, I submit that the returns of this section are highly satisfactory. The expenditure has been restricted to what was found to be absolutely necessary for the efficient working of the business. The Manager draws attention to the inadequacy of the accommodation afforded by the present Dunedin Station and yard. He states —and I fully concur with him—that if more extended facilities

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are not soon given, the traffic will inevitably become unmanageable ; and I cannot refrain from saying that much credit is due to that officer for having accomplished so much with means so inadequate. To enable us to do justice to the traffic of this section, many additions and improvements are required at the stations; and I would recommend an early consideration of the question. The railway telegraph has proved an important, adjunct in working the traffic, and I would be glad to see it extended to all the chief stations. Especially desirable is a more general adoption of the block system of signalling. On no section is this so much required as on this, where the many tunnels, curves, and grades, and the irregular surface so much circumscribe the view. Section, Clinton to Kingston. The traffic of this section, although sharing with that of the others the effects of the depression of commerce, was, on the whole, not unsatisfactory. The timber trade forms an important item of the traffic, and some difficulty is experienced in carrying it on, owing to the inadequate supply of timberwagons. Messrs. Anderson and Co. are building a hundred of this description of truck, and I shall therefore soon be in a position to meet the want. The discontinuance of the express train between Clinton and Invercargill does not seem to have caused much inconvenience to the public, while, as a matter of economy, it has been a benefit to the department. Here also the railway telegraph, although its operations are very limited, has done good service ; and an extension of it to all the principal stations is much desired. Greymouth Section. The passenger traffic on this line is light, only 34,746 passengers having been carried during the nine months. The mineral traffic, which is considerable, keeps the line in a good position as to the percentage the working expenses bear to the gross revenue, and gives proof of what can be done on a New Zealand light narrow-gauge railway if a fair amount of traffic can be secured. The line carried during the nine months 37,192 tons of goods and minerals, the earnings being at the rate of £1,248 per mile per annum ; and the working expenses have been brought down t047'1l per cent, of the receipts. The line has been fairly maintained, and is now in good running order. Over 50 rails have been exchanged —that is, the damaged rails have been lifted from the main line and relaid in the sidings, the sound rails from the sidings taking the place of those removed from the main line ; and 25 sleepers have been renewed during the period. The retaining-walls have been thoroughly repaired, and are now in good condition. The timber bridges are showing signs of decay, and will shortly require repairs. The General Manager again refers to " Ibbotson's patent clip-joint " in condemnatory terms, and states that, "had the rails been fitted with long four-bolt fish-plates, a far better and more economical road to maintain would have been the result." The two locomotives have been in regular work, and are kept in good order, both having recently received considerable repairs. A more powerful engine is required, and is now about to be sent from the Dunedin Section. A small workshop would be of great convenience: the engine and necessary tools are already provided. The carriages, four in number, are in good running order, and are now being painted and varnished. Ninety-seven wagons have received a thorough overhaul, and are now iu first-class order. Tho steam-cranes, shoots, and wharves are in fair condition, a new set of shoots having been supplied. Further coal-wharf accommodation is urgently needed. Proper station accommodation at Greymouth, and further siding accommodation at Brunner, are much required, the work being retarded and the expenditure increased for want of proper facilities. Westport Section. The traffic over this line still continues to be very light, the receipts being insufficient to meet the working expenses. The portion of line extending from Waimangaroa to Ngakawau is still closed. I mentioned in my last, annual report that the Westport and Korauui Companies were carrying on operations to open out their respective mines, and stated that if they got into successful work the revenue would show a marked improvement. I believe the Westport Company is now about to commence operations, and, with the moderately good bar and extensive accommodation for loading already provided, a large business should result. Fifteen thousand two hundred aud eighteen passengers and 5,167 tons of goods and minerals have been carried during the nine months. The receipts have been at the rate of £309 per mile per annum, and the wrorking expenses 121'07 per cent, of the receipts. The line has been maintained in fair working condition during the past period: it has not been necessary to renew either rails or sleepers, the traffic being so light. The two locomotives are in good order, and the carriages and wagons have been fairly maintained. The strictest economy is being practised, so far as the safe and efficient w rorking will allow. Nelson Section. The traffic on this section is light, the earnings being at the rate of £382 per mile per annum, and the percentage of working expenses to receipts 78'22. The passenger receipts show an increase of about £100, and the revenue for the carriage of goods has increased £259 as compared with the corresponding nine months of the previous period, 53,193 passengers and 8,128 tons of goods having been carried. The line has been well maintained, and is in good working order. Two rails and 70 sleepers have been renewed. One and a quarter miles of embankment has been widened to 13 feet, and well ballasted.

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A new siding has been provided at Wakefield, and the Nelson Station yard partially relaid in order to meet the working of the new port extension. An additional engine was supplied in this section in December last, and the three are now in excellent working order. The carriages have been thoroughly repaired, restuffed, painted, and varnished. The wagons have also been repaired and painted. The new extension to the port is expected to be opened this month, and will, no doubt, help the revenue. The workshop tools have been usefully employed, the heavy portion of the Picton work, as the turning of wheels, &c, being done in Nelson. Picton Section. The traffic on this section is also very light: 20,107 passengers and 9,858 tons of goods have been carried during the past nine months, the receipts being at the rate of £256 per mile per annum, and the working expenses 95'03 per cent, of the receipts. The line has been well maintained, and is in good order. The large timber viaduct near Picton has been thoroughly repaired and painted. The embankments have been made wider and ballasted. An additional engine was also supplied to this section in December last, bringing the complement up to three, and all are now in good condition. The carriages and wagons have been carefully attended to, properly repaired, painted, and varnished, and are in good order. Genekal. The rules and regulations for the guidance of the staff in conducting the traffic have been most carefully revised, and are now in the hands of the printer. The work has necessarily been some months in hand. I am also preparing conditions of employment, which, as soon as ready, will be submitted for your approval. The object aimed at in the proposed conditions is a complete reorganization of the staff with a view to secure the safe and efficient conduct of the business of the department. It is intended that the employes of the three departments —locomotive, maintenance, and traffic—shall be separately classified, with minimum and maximum rates of pay for each class, rising by reasonable increment; permanency of employment, advance of pay, and promotion being made entirely subject to good behaviour and competency. It is further proposed that every man shall, on entering the service, pass a medical examination, be perfect in sight and hearing ; that all, except maintenance-of-way labourers, shall be able to read and write; and that a certain limit of age shall be fixed. I have it in view to propose that a Board of Inquiry shall be formed, consisting of three representatives from the class of officers—one from each of the departments—and one man selected from the grade to which the accused person belongs ; in order that, in cases of imputed misconduct, neglect, or incompetency, the individual may have a fair and impartial hearing, and not be subject to dismissal through the will or caprice of a subordinate officer of the department. A few slight reductions have been made in the tariff, the tendency being to secure increased business for long distances. I propose to submit also for your consideration a readjustment of the passenger fares, to the extent of the entire abolition of return tickets and a commensurate reduction on siDgle fares. The usual inducement to grant return fares —viz., competing lines- —is wanting here, and I cannot see any ground for the concession. The change of system would, I believe, lead to the convenience of the public, for, without much increasing the cost, it would enable a passenger to make his return journey at any time that suited his business or his pleasure. It would at the same time be a saving to the department —the several kinds of tickets kept in stock would be reduced by one-half, and the frauds which are known to be practised with the Saturday single-fare return tickets would be entirely frustrated. The railway telegraph service, as I have already stated in this report, has been of great assistance to the department. There are now fourteen absolute block stations, which render the working of the dangerous parts of our single line of railway perfectly safe. The stores department has received careful attention during the period, the accounting portion having been reconstructed. I propose laying before you shortly further proposals in regard to the more economical working of this department. The stores contracts are incomplete, and require careful revision, many articles being in frequent demand that are not provided for. I beg to attach Stores Manager's report. The several officers have given me hearty assistance in carrying out retrenchment, and I have to acknowledge the zeal and efficiency of the staff generally. Recapitulation. The following is a summary of the results of working during the past nine months : — The miles of line open for traffic on the 31st March were 808 miles 5 chains. The train-miles run were 1,481,225, and the gross earnings £450,102 4s. 6d. The working expenses were £338,844 6s. 3d., and the net earnings £111,257 18s. 3d., the working expenses being 75'28 per cent, of the receipts. The earnings per average mile of line open were £557, and the actual earnings per train-mile 73d. The total expenses per mile have been £419, and 55d. per train-mile. The total cost of constructing the lines open for traffic has been £6,066,402, the net earnings being equal to 2'44 per cent, per annum on the cost of construction. The number of passengers carried was 1,697,565, and 658,616 tons of goods were carried. The total amount paid for claims for loss and damage has been £871 12s. Bd. The rolling-stock consisted of 124 locomotives, 284 coaching and 4,089 goods vehicles. The amount paid for wages was £223,477, and the number of employes 2,383.

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Attached hereto please find the following tables : — Comparative Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure ... ... Table A. Comparative Statement of the Goods and Passenger Traffic ... „ B. Statement of Accounts of the different Sections, Middle Island Eailways ... ... _ ... ..._ ... ... ... „ C. Summary of Accounts, Middle Island Eailways ~. ... ... „ D. Eeturn of Accidents ~ „ ... ... ... ~ E. Eeturn of Eolling-stock ~ „ ... ... ... ~ F. Eeturn of "Weighing Machines, &c, Middle Island Eailways ... ~ G. Eeturn of Cranes ~ „ ... „ H. Eeturn of Pumps ~ „ ... „ I. Eeturn of Traversers, Turntables, and "Weighbridges, Middle Island Eailways ... ... ... ... ... ... ~ K. Eeturn of Number of Vessels Loaded at Lyttelton ... ... „ L. Eeturn of Tonnage Handled at Lyttelton ... ... ... ~ M. Statement of Cost of Working Locomotives, &c, Middle Island Eailways „ IN". Eeturn of Number of Vessels and nature of Loading Discharged at Lyttelton ... ... ... ... ... ... „ 0. Eeturn of Eevenue and Expenditure at each Station, Middle Island Eailways ... ... ... ... ... ... „ P. Statement of Expenditure on Maintenance, &c, Amberley-Bluff Eailway ... ... ... ... ... ... „ Q. Statement of Mileage Open and under Maintenance, &c, AmberleyBluff Eailway ... ... ... ... ... ... „ E. Statement of Mileage Open for Traffic, Amberley-Bluff Eailway ... „ S. Statement of probable Cost of future Eenewals, &c, Amberley-Bluff Eailway ... ... ... ... ... ... „ T. Eeturn of Sleepers and Eails Eelaid ... ... ... ... „ U. Statement of Expenditure: Casualties, Additions, &c. ... ... „ V. Statement of Sectional Expenditure for Maintenance, AmberleyBluffEailway ... ... ... ... ... ... „ W. Classified Expenditure for Maintenance, Amberley-Palmerston Line for the Years 1877-80 ... ... ... ... ... „ X. I have, &c, "Wm. Coin-tees, Commissioner of Eailways, Middle Island. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works.

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T AB LE A.— Appendix L. MIDDLE ISLAND.—Comparative Classified Statement showing Receipts and Expenditure, and Proportion of each Class of Expenditure to Mileage and Receipts, for Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

Mileage. Receipts. Classified Expenditure. Proportion of each Class of Expenditure to Mileage and Receipts. Section. -J Per Mile of Railway per Annum. (Average.) Repairs of Locomotive Carriages Power. and Wagons. Sundries. Total. Total for Year. Maintenance.! Locomotive. Carriage and Wagon Repairs. Traffic Expenses. a- rf 5 i "*5 . P- p. ' 162-36 I 15-78 241-05 ! 30-21 95-82 i 13-83 68-49 9-S9 50-35 ! 10-05 iSS-89 j iS-70 General Charges. Sundries. Train Mileage. Total. Per Train Mile. Maintenance of Way. Traffic Expenses. Genera! Charges. o cj o o . E S = < i- a* ill a 6 o.E •E;-5< Oh P. S- 5Si: 5 ! P. « CO H -E=-?.< '§„- i i I i ' £ s.d.j £ s. d. 58,912 o 1020,046 IO II ! 1 1879-80. Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill Greymouth Westport Nelson Picton 1,413.339 £ s. d. 430,623 15 3 £ s. d. 752 6 5] ,d. £ s. d. 115,519 9 5 £ s. d. 92,932 13 8 £ s. d.l 13,263 15 oj £ s. dj £ s. d. ,1,509 5 .3324,383 15 3 53^ 566-72 55-08 205-65 19-99 I37-87 13-40 35-02 3-40 23-17 2-25 2-63 755 •26 S 10 20 18 811 11,584 13,061 26,358 16,663 5.6S3 2 6 2,355 16 2 5,852 o 11 3,545 9 8 1,248 10 2 309 2 41 381 13 7 1 256 1 2 '13 oij ! 4 Si I 4 3 ! Sol 12 8 ! l,oSs 16 1 I,212 9 11 1,360 5 8 122,159 13 11 643 O oj 248 2 5 557 5 3! 149 6 11 1,486 16 1! 394 o 10 823 5 8 106 12 5 82,422 II Io'20, 944 13 8 1,483 6 8 552 9 2 l,°S3 13 9 695 8 8 96,919 11 n 440 15 2 33o 19 o 445 16 7 381 13 9 14,862 19 6; 2 7 8 3,619 4 9 3 2 6, 2,859 ° H j 4,592 15 2 ! 3,369 8 2 1,514 IS 5338,844 6 3 45-n I2ro5j 58-22 95-03; 55-28; 584-12 374-27 243-35 j 545-oS 73-71 52-90 41-79 48-53 54-90 130-25 I4I-I5 58-81 98-24 EI96-53 i6'33 I9'95 11-03 I9-59 104-49 72-46 96-64 59'47 132-58 13-10 10-24 13-53 n-86 40-32 I9-4I 25-61 7-70 33-69 s-os 1 2-74 3-39 51-60 43-02 28-98 25-55 23-91 8-98 6-o8 4-06 5-5o 2-41 •39 ■41 04 •06 ... - 1 I '25 Total I3-3S -44 1 1,481,225' 450,102 4 6 523 ig 11 19-80 18-78-79-Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill Greymouth ... Westport Nelson Picton ■716 8 19 20 18 781 1,235,624 11,832 27,629 I7.3S2 ',304,063 432,747 iS 2! 6,631 14 5 2,014 15 9 S,So5 5 I* 4,053 16 5 450,953 10 10 801 15 8 1,055 13 o 135 15 1 355 16 9 292 15 7 564 18 o 70 II 2i 3 5f 3 "I 4 71 6 11 102,229 16 269,689 16 416,165 9 1195,16s 5 1010,1=8 8 5 925 1 10; 661 18 5 165 9 6 1,426 9 10: 419 14 8 1,021 16 I 505 14 9 140 10 4 606 o 10; 320 16 3 1,308 o 2! 1,509 13 5 288 13 10 931 13 6; 455 15 6 1,515 11 8 888 63 94 14 2 698 19 o: 486 o o 831 14 3 6 18 2 21 4 o 6 13 10 294,242 12 11 1 3,605 12 s 2,618 2 3 4,502 12 3 3,683 11 1 308,654 IO II 67-99 545-I6 54-40 586-24 12994 I79-I3 81-79 292-67 90-87 266-03 68-44 523-53 57-15 54-I9 39'n 15-86 S'6-So 189-41 l5o-33 6991 85-02 109-46 lSl'49 19-86 18-56 21*15 11-36 20-93 19-69 129-12 107-56 34-74 64-15 124-23 I3-54 I I3-43 10-51 13-11 12-26 13-48 29-95 27-22 9-61 18-56 6-84 28-45 3-14 3'40 2-91 2-51 1-31 - I- - 156-32 iS-48 231-80 ! 28-94 4I-45 j 12-54 6o-<6 8*09 50-481 9-65 165-98 18-19 18-82 | 68-21 j 21-95 29-76 I I9'9i ! !'97 ! I 8-51 I I 6-64; I 3-98 j 6-51 ; i 2-18 I'54 I 13 1-45 '44 1-47 •Ift •14 '44 ; -oo Total •16 105,000 5 1153,255 9 216,858 15 998,828 11 011,842 16 10 866 10 3' 3-io; TABLE B.—Appendix ED. MIDDLE ISLAND. —Cojipabative Statement of Passengees and Goods Tbaeeic for Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880. Section. a •* 15 Passengers. Goods. Parcels, Live Stock, etc Receipts. First Class. Second Class. Total. Wool. Timber. Grain. Merchandise. Minerals. ! Firewood. Total. Parcels. Dogs. Horses and 1 Cattle. Sheep, Pigs, &c. Total. Passengers. Goods. Total Passengers and Goods. Recoveries. Total. I 1 1 1— :■ 1879-80. Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill •Greymouth ... Westport Nelson Ficton M. No. j 361,210; 1 No. S 1,213,001 No. i,S54,3oi T. c. q. '31,918 8 o: T. c. q. T. c. q. 71,931 14 3 134,898 15 o 574 14 2 963 18 2 2,300 o I S99 15 o 4,851 10 3, 321 6 o T. c. q. 169,956 6 1 T. c. q. T. c. q. 165,560 9 023,985 o o T. c. q. S9S, 250 IS o No. 127,339 No. 12,288 No. i 11,213 i No. 141,810, I No. 292,650 £ s. d. 209,684 10 1 £ s. d. 219,773 10 5 £ s. d. 429,45s o 6 £ s. d. 1,16S 14 9 £ s. d. 430,623 15 3 8 10 20 811 9,' 23 628 8,934 4,624 384,5*9 25,623 14,59° 44,259 15,483 34,746 15,218 53,193 20,105 125 16 o] 7 12 o 1,780 15 2 686 5 1 1,836 9 o 622 5 3 34,631 52; 500 3,516 10 3 250 12 oj 3,015 o o 355 IS °l 3,66o o o 35,191 19 2 5,166 14 2 8,125 14 1 9,858 9 2 l','3l8 1,029 85 113 9 219 lo' 11,289 86 323 506 I 142,525 i,S25 1,866 1,802 297,930 i,53o 7 8 645 2 4 3,525 15 8 1,529 16 o 215,117 13 9 6,152 14 10 1,732 13 10 2,144 3 3 2,015 13 8 231,818 16 o 7,683 2 6 2,355 16 2 3,852 o n 3,545 9 8 448,936 9 9 ... 5,683 2 6 2,355 16 2 5,852 o II 3,545 9 8 450,102 4 6 Total 1,165 14 9 ,1,313,0461 1,697,565 ,32,051 16 o] 80,841 18 3(135,820 o o 154,902 3 3 204,334 14 1,30,665 o o [658,615 12 3 131,202 12,514 1878-50. Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill Greymouth ... Westport Ne!son Picton j 716 8 20 781 359,583! 8,779 389 8,325 4,55° '1,065,015 15,454 10, 259 41,390 14,809J 1,424,600 26,233 10,668 49,7i5 19,359 31,922 15 1 040 133 8 o 20 o o 105,528 10 2:i35,oi5 15 3 561 2 r 552 14 o 59 1 18 3 2,584 13 2 I,159 8 o 6,912 3 o 485 19 0 118,558 8 o|l39,233 18 3 200,126 19 3 1,305 12 o 868 6 I 1,455 8 o 74o 14 2| 204,499 o 2 151,264 18 3 25,556 13 o 1,585 11 o 253 16 o 175 14 o 23,065 s 0651,126 o 25,958 5 1 3,445 16 o 2,063 15 o 5,850 8 2 2,356 5 o 10,510 15 2 -a o O <L> o il,o79 13 12 18 16 136,763 i 5 96 374 921 138,159 l 4 5,S42| 18 108 392 937 149,295 j 199,763 5 1 i,375 10 8 619 2 n 3,619 14 6 1,593 17 3 206,971 10 5 232,984 13 I 432,545 18 2 5,256 3 9 6,631 14 5 1,395 12 10 2,014 15 9 1,885 11 5 5,5o5 5 11 2,439 19 4 4,o53 16 7 432,545 18 2 6,631 14 5 2,014 15 9 5,505 5 " 4,o53 16 7 4So,9S3 10 10 Total 1 I 381,626: 1,148,949jl, 530,555 32,056 5 1 ,179,036 12 3 27,So7 5 0501,131 12 I ... ... ",138 243,982 o 5 450,953 10 10

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114

TABLE C.— Appendix L. New Zealand Railways (Middle Island). Statement of Accounts for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

V-/XJ.JE.\jlOXUJ-LU0Eij^Xl, XJ U-L> JljUA.iy, . UNI) liNVJfiKUAKGILL SJiECXlOJN. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Earnings,— Cash in hand and outstanding-, July I, 1879 ... 18,042 1 6 Less amounts of Transfer Vouchers in Treasury Books, but not entered in Railway Departmental Accounts 78 10 3 17,963 II 3 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c, to March 31, 1880 ... ... ... 429,458 o 6 £447,421 _ii_ 9 Cr. £ s. d. By Payments into Public Account to March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ...453,345 12 7 Less Refunds for Wharfages, &c. ... ...£34,060 15 7 Ditto of Revenue ... 6,110 15 7 40,171 11 2 4<3,I74 1 S Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 34,247 10 4 £447,421 11 9 To Amount paid into Public Account, Mar. 31, 1880 £413,174 1 5 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, July 1, 1879... 17,963 11 3 395,210 10 2 By Expenditure to March 31, 1880... ...324,383 15 3 Balance towards payment of Interest ... 106,240 o o Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 34,247 10 4 429,458 o 6 Recoveries to Vote ... ... ... 1,165 14 9 £430,623 15 3 £430,623 15 3 G-EREYMOUE: 'H SECTION. Dr. £ s. d. To Cash in hand and outstanding, July 1, 1879 117 6 11 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c, to March 31, 1880 ... ... ... 7,683 2 6 Cr. £ s. d By Payments into Public Account to March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 7,749 18 8 Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 50 10 9 £7,800 9 5 £?$_°±_9_S By Expenditure to March 31, 1880... ... 3,619 4 9 Balance towards payment of Interest .,, 4,063 17 9 To Amount paid into Public Account, Mar. 31, 1880 £7,749 18 8 Less Cash in hand and out1 standing, July 1, 1879 117 6 it 7,632 11 9 Cash in hand and outstanding, March 3 1, 1880 ... ... ... ... 50 10 9 £7,683 2 6 £7,683 2 6 WESTPOEBI ! SECTION. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Cash in hand and outstanding, July 1, 1879 ... 83 4 2 Less amount of Transfer Vouchers in Treasury Books, but not entered in Railway Departmental Accounts ... ... 18 7 6 64 16 8 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 2,377 l6 2 £2,442 12 10 Cr. £ s. d. By Payments into Public Account to March 31, 1880 ... ... ... '... 2,279 5 5 Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 163 7 5 £2,442 12 10 To Amount paid into Public Account, March 31, 1880 £2,279 5 a Less Cash in hand and outstanding, July 1, 1879 64 16 8 • ■ 2,214 8 9 Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 163 7 5 2,377 J6 2 Loss in working ... ... ... 501 4 9 £2,879 ° " By Expenditure to March 31,1880 ... ... 2,879 o 11 £2,879 o 11

115

E,—l

TABLE D.— Appendix L. Middle Island Sections. Summary of Accounts for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

SECTION. Dr. £ s. d. To Cash in hand and outstanding, July i, 1879 ... ... ... ... 21 3 3 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 5,872 o 11 £5,893 4 2 I Cr. £ s. d. By Payments into Public Account to March 31, ■ 1880 ... ... ... ... 5,820 19 ii Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 72 4 3 £5.893 4 -» To Amount paid into Public Aceount, March 31, 1880 £5,820 19 11 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, July 1, 1879 2133 5,799 ;6 8 By Expenditure to March 31, 1870... ... 4,592 17 2 Balance towards payment of Interest ... 1,279 3 9 Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 72 4 3 £5.872 o 11 £5,872 o 11 PICTON IECTTON. Dr. £ s. d. To Cash in hand and outstanding, July 1, 1879 ... ... ... ... 37 11 o Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c, to March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 3,545 9 8 £.3 1 S83_ o 8 Cr. £ s, d, By Payments into Public Account to March 31, 1880 3,553 15 ? Cash in hand and outstanding, March 3 1, 1880 ... ... ... ... 29 5 1 £3,j83_°_J By Expenditure to March 31, 18S0... ... 3,369 8 2 Balance towards payment of Interest ... 176 1 6 To Amount paid into Public Account, March 31, 1880 £3,553 15 7 Less Cash in hand and outstanding, July 1, 1879... 37 IJ 0 3,5i6 4 7 Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 29 5 1 £3,545 9 8 £3,545 9 8

Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. s. Po Earnings,— Cash in hand and outstanding, July i, 1879 ... 18,301 6 10 Less Transfer Vouchers in Treasury Books, but not entered in Departmental Accounts ... ... 96 17 9 — 18,204 9 1 Passengers, Parcels, Goods, &c., to March 31, 1880 ... ... ... 448,93.6 9 9 £467,140 18 10 '0 Amount paid into Public Account,Mar. 31, 1880 £432,578 1 o Less Cash in hand and outstanding, July 1, 1879 18,204 9 1 ■ 414,373 II II Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... ... ... 34,562 17 10 448,936 9 9 Recoveries to Vote ... ... ... 1,165 14 9 £450,102 46

Ob. £ s. d. By Payments into Public Account to March 31, 1880 472,749 12 2 Less Refunds for Wharfages, &c. ... ... 40,171 11 2 I. ! s. d. 432,578 I 0 Cash in hand and outstanding, March 31, 1880 ... ... .,, ... 34,562 17 10 £467,140 18 10 ly Expenditure to March 31, 1880... ...338,844 6 3 Balance towards Payment of Interest ..,111,257 '8 3 £450,102 4 6

E.—l.

TABLE E.—Appendix L. Return of Accidents for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

116

; Passengers Killed or Injured. Servants of the Department or of the Contractor Killed or Injured. Date. From their own Misconduct or Want of Caution. From Causes beyond their own Control. From their own Misconduct or Want of Caution. Trespassers. Workshops. Miscellaneous. Nature and Cause of Accident. Locality. Killed. Injured. Killed. ' j Injured. i— — Killed. Injured. Killed. Injured. Killed. : Injured. | Killed. Injured. ,8 79 . July 24 Christchurch Section — Rolleston I Crushed. Whilst roping wagons into a dummy siding he was endeavouring to unhook a rope which had got jammed, and was crushed between rope and wagon. Arm squeezed between coupling-chains and buffer when uncoupling wagons from engine. Left arm broken in two places, right hand split, and cheek cut open (child of Stationmaster). Whilst crossing yard was knocked down by a wagon and run over. Arm bruised between buffers of two wagons when uncoupling. Arm injured while lifting timber into a truck. Squeezed between two brake-vans when coupling them up. Aug. 16 Sept. 17 Winslow I I ... Oct. 13 Oct. 31 Nov. 19 1880. Feb. 5 March 8 March 23 March 23 1879. Aug. 20 Dec. 29 1879. July 2 1 Orari Lyttelton Christchurch Station ... ... j 1 i i Lyttelton Tunnel Burnham Lyttelton i i Bruised and cut. Fell off train when passing through tunnel. Arm smashed and foot fractured (child). Fell off platform of carriage (since dead). Leg severely cut. Whilst using lever it slipped and inflicted wound. Thigh injured. A crowbar sprang out of the hands of a man who was using it, and struck this man on the thigh. Leg injured. While shunting, wagon passed over his leg. Struck on the head by a sprag while endeavouring to stop a carriage. ... i ,, ... ... Oamaru Section — Timaru Pleasant Point Dunedin Section — Dunedin i i i Jujy 23 July 30 Ang. 6 Near Otakia Hillside Shops ... 1 i ... ... i I Killed by crane at engine-shed. Had jumped down to attend to injector, leaving the crane in gear; the crane swung round, and, catching him between the crane-wagon and boiler-frame, killed him on the spot. Caught between two wagons, one of which he was covering, and slightly injured. Run over by express close to Otakia Station. Had previously either laid down or fallen across the rails. Caught between buffer of a high-side wagon and door of painters' shed at Hillside, and slightly injured. Killed through engine of 4 p.m. goods-train from Clinton leaving rails and running over bank a mile south of Kaihiku. Deceased was jammed between reversing coal bunker and a wagon. Slipped his foot in jumping off carriage of 1 p.m. train when on his way to Hillside workshops, his left foot getting underneath the wheels of the van. Foot crushed whilst shunting wagons into Macandrew Road Siding by 5.40 p.m. train. Aug. 15 Near Kaihiku I Aug. 19 Hillside Shops 1 ... Aug. 27 1880. Jan. 16 Macandrew Road Siding i Port Chalmers i Severe injuries about head through two casks of beef falling from ship's tackle upon him at Port Chalmers. Caught between platform of goods and some trucks when shunting at Mosgiel Station, and severely injured about the lower part of the body. Severe injuries to head and skull through falling from platform of long carriage between Burke's and St. Leonards. This was from the 3 p.m. Oamaru train. Feb. 16 Mosgiel i March 5 Between Burke's and St. Leonards Invercargill Section — Buxton's .... Near Gore ... i 1879. Nov. 27 Dec. 19 1880. Feb. 17 ... , ... ... , i i ... i Severely jammed while shunting. Foot taken off while getting on to ballast train when in motion. Invercargill-Clinton ... i Concussion of the brain caused by falling off engine. Total ... 2 i 6 i i ! I 12 | J I I ... ... ... ...

E.—l.

TABLE F.—Appendix L. Statement of Rolling-stock (Middle Island). AMBERLEY-BLUFF SECTION.

117

Locomotives. Cahbiages. Brakes. TltUCEES. TFagoss. Fairlies. Bogies. eo co o •■* •^fl -? •<? no 1 t^ 1st Class. Composite. 2nd Class. a' ,g GO CO B CD CEO CEM CD "^ CO torn "T 1 CD . rs-73 a •^ a ■ .a g« a • Eg a-* el ft a, 2.° 2 III £ IE S - CD o £ CJ <U . o o £ -ft ■7 O ■* cj CD 10 CD o o 5 « S1 fl ft ■-7 =1 CO O P 0J if CS) • CD Sag g"* CO CO g s °*o a'ft to 0) CO So **"S £>■ ED o o to teeJ CD CD CD IS o o *"***$ CD o eg M O O w O o CD cd o a ft ft o o CD CO IS a cd a 3 is is CD ■^1 cj CD u CD bo o SB O O CD CD 02 OJ ■a be o 4) & 1 3 2868 1 4 8 io 4 38 2 I 3 I I 1 13 ... 28 3 7 6 60 10 20 78 14 6 4... 27 42 ... 2 178 Il6 42 ... 50 255 2131 1084! 18: GREYMOUTH SECTION. 2 ... 1 71 8 8: WESTPOBT SECTION. "I I I 11 30 s, KELSON SECTION. 2 ... ... 1 2 2 2 422 10 10 ... PICTON SECTION. ' i ! ; , I I 2 6 1 3 i° H —

E.—l.

TABLE G.— Appendix L. Weighing Machines.

TABLE H.— Appendix L. Cranes.

TABLE I. —Appendix L. Return of Pumps.

118

Weighing Machines. Sections. I i i ■g 3 i i •s I i aI 3 S s I i 'i I 8 | i EEhristchurch ... 3amaru Dunedin 2 I 11 2 6 I I 2 17 16 6 2 4 I 7 6 2 2 4 S i i 3 S i 3 11 7 2 5 I invercargill ... EErrey mouth Westport Mel son Picton i 4 4 4 i 2 2 Total ... 2 3 ii 8 8 I 2 '7 22 i7 2 i 12 35 3 13

Stationary. Tvavi :lling. Stc; an, ind. Steam. nid. Section. Total, 1 a J 2 ! I ;|i s|i I I I I I 2 i 2 ill! -U) WJ « H i 2 I I 1 i 1 EEhristchurch E)amaru... Dunedin... invercargill Ejreymouth Westport •Jelson ... 'icton .., i S 1 2 I I I 1 4 ... s 4 4 2 I 2 I 2 1 2.3 3 9 3 7 5 4 4 2 1 1 ••■ 5 I 1 2 2 I io 4 1 Total i 6 3 2 7 S 2 8 1 3 1 58

Section. Steam Pumps. Hand Pumps. Windmill Pumps. Hot-air Pumps. Total. Christchurch ... Dunedin invercargill ... "# 4 1 32 12 17 61 8 i i 9 44 14 18 Total S 76

E.— 1

119

TABLE K.— Appendix L. Return of Traversers, Turntables, and Weighbridges at work on the 31st March, 1880, on the Middle Island Railways.

TABLE L.— Appendix L. Return of the Number of Vessels Loaded at Lyttelton for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

TABLE M.— Appendix L. Return of Tonnage Handled at Lyttelton, for the Nine Mouths ending 31st March, 1880.

Tnrnt; ibles. Wei ighbridgcs. Where Fixed. * ' r s* I M O fe ■*■ OD w w t — M-H (W 00 «tj- eo a o Ml '3 CO c o c c o 2 qt/j 6 CO Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill Section, — Lyttelton Heathcote Christchurch ... Kaiapoi Leeston Ashburton Tinwald ... ... Timaru Oamaru Shag Point Palmerston Port Chalmers ... Dunedin Clinton Gore Invercargill Bluff Elbow Riverton Greymouth Section Westport Section ... Nelson Section Picton Section 3 i 3 I i i i i I 1 ... | I l 9 3 i 2 9 7 2 I I I I I I i 4 i I I I i i i i I I i i i i 2 Total ... 11 4 2 2 I 21 22 3 8 I 2

Home and Foreign. Intercolonial or Coastwise, Fully Loaded. Intercolonial or Coastwise, Partially Loaded. Total. No. 27 No. 480 I No. 267 No. 774

1 Inwards. Outwards. Total. Talbot and McClatchie's Slied New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's Shed ... Export Shed Lyttelton Goods Shed Import Shed No. i Gladstone Pier Shed No. 2 „ » No. 3 „ » Coal", Railway Material, &c, handled for Railway Departments, for which no charge has been made Tons cwt. qr. 624 19, 3 455 3 1 Tons cwt. cjr. 3.39° 19 o 3.2 11 3 ° 2,264 i? ° Tons cwt. qr. 4.015 18 3 3,666 6 1 2,264 17 o 405 7 2 11,298 17 3 522 o o 742 4 o 897 18 o 7.134 o o 3°,947 9 1

E.—l.

TABLE N.—Appendix L. STATEMENT of Cost, &c., of Working Locomotives, for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

* Employed by Public Works Department.

120

Ingine No. Class. Total Engine Tons Hauled, n Fl'cl , Mileage. 1 Mile Consumed, Cost of Repairs. Cost of Working, in Cwts. Cost per Mile in Pence. Cost per Ton. Mile in Pence. Torn I Cost of Engine, 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 !3 14 15 16 17 18 *9 20 21 22 23 24 *5 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 5° 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 7i 72 73 74 75 O O M M C A O o o o F F F F D D D D O O O R E E E E B R R R R R R F F *F F F O O o o o o o D D D D D D S C P G G G G P A A A A A A A A A A A A O O o F 25.048 29.439 25.045 18,043 6,318 4.163 29,797 26,217 20,840 I 17,848 I 7,681 13,304 20,869 12,098 2,854 23,176 i.73S 13,858 22,357 18,243 18,928 17,890 11,472 i7,5 08 10,269 4,040 20,166 20,072 23,545 22,650 20,555 19,736 16,746 io,773 16,682 4,433 i7,37o 15,081 20,807 19.275 22,661 '8,273 23,194 22,052 22,739 17,947 24,220 22,818 20,626 20,454 19,249 ii,95° io,434 9,752 20,604 14,909 23,036 19,430 8,613 14,099 15.824 11.577 17.357 13,810 14.095 19.340 13.793 15.721 25,291 9,863 14,939 20,262 -18,687 21,762 22,511 1,180,648 2,038,931 1,608,494 1,425,404 Shunting Shunting 1,928,190 1,619,1 n 799,368 766,952 3 2 2,040 340,286 520,567 284,757 142,701 1,392,208 57,947 467,183 530,442 708,560 821,332 1,126,161 1,053,167 1,442,740 863,124 340,843 449,778 I,339,io7 1,524,502 i.5°6,974 1,319,800 i,373.49i 1,106,531 3.36,193 406,736 196,662 51,682 5'16,494 696,563 963,427 533,642 599> J44 809,890 629,582 926,619 719,952 1,289,900 1,311,813 758,112 604,535 655,504 Shunting 214,801 59,867 1,276,998 707,417 1,084,321 925.573 Shunting 279,368 258,280 180,745 420,077 52,298 52>4'i 662,719 216,937 149,810 1,039,253 170,563 129,294 977,i5o 647,475 848,42s 638,5 5*5 4,305 4,945 4,950 4.oi si 677 470 5.483 ■ 4.981 3,456 3,051 i,4'3 2,436 3.253 1,852 508 3,755 35 'i 2,081 4.o8si 3.234i 3.885 5,747* 3.5 76i 5.49&i 3,383 1,225! 4,616 j 5,i39 5,826^ 6,517* 5,647 5>796i 5,86 9 J i,93o 2,853! 79'i 2,7214 3,47°* 3,64if 3.234I 3.707 3,483i 3,64°i 3,45'i 3,640:1 2,8 4 4i 4,658 4,4i5i 3,226! 2,2395 3,2*55 1,662 2,139 i,6io| 5,5i6i 3,375 5,i i°i 4,709! 9 67i 1,726 i,357 1,646 1.997 . 1,942! 1,621 1.845 .,6 4 ii i,449i 3,i44! 1,694-1 1,523 3,332 3,73i 3.917 3.o43 £ s. d. 87 3 2 no 8 3 49 19 10 98 10 n 127 1 1 3 16 7 107 19 3 130 7 1 86 14 9 94 7 11 50 10 8 63 10 8 154 3 3 132 3 6 946 21 5 1 47 6 2 14 1 6 160 1 o i/5 4 5 63 13 6 72 17 1 3" 19 7 175 18 10 21913 3 354 13 3 189 14 1 204 13 7 123 15 3 141 18 6 172 14 5 93 8 7 72 11 6 109 8 1 99 o 4 38 2 s 153 i° 6 130 6 o 1' 5 5 6 263 17 2 84 14 3 144 15 9 99 4 9 153 11 6 87 16 o 46 4 2 50 1 8 5° 3 1 77 17 8 4906 167 12 3 42 1 5 399 18 8 115 1 6 83 9 10 404 17 1 104 19 11 214 16 4 124 13 3 39 7 8 55 5 7 150 8 10 57 5 2 37 3 11 280 8 6 256 9 3 42 8 o 68 n 10 56 5 2 265 13 3 ' 32 8 i 103 6 9 251 9 3 69 7 9 68 17 10 £ s. d. 762 7 2 789 1 11 827 7 o 565 3 5 196 5 6 124 17 5 896 8 9 784 19 10 626 6 o 590 6 8 258 1 1 457 2 3 5/8 2 5 403 2 8 88 1 2 702 9 o 82 3 5 44o 8 7 662 7 6 546 5 3 583 19 o 546 17 o 57i 19 7 792 1 5 510 7 1 182 16 1 663 18 5 603 o 4 653 8 o 691 7 7 658 7 7 593 13 8 563 3 6 350 12 6 551 16 8 131 13 6 556 8 8 526 3 8 643 15 5 543 3 2 661 o o 574 6 6 675 17 2 645 12 4 652 3 7 419 n n 613 11 3 599 17 1 478 16 3 465 13 3 437 19 3 245 7 1 301 n 1 344 8 n 512 18 2 398 14 5 547 15 8 479 11 9 305 19 5 392 14 6 346 14 7 356 1 8 439 9 5 403 13 4 362 13 5 406 15 10 388 1 2 368 n 10 534 o 1 244 2 2 386 18 10 485 18 9 439 10 8 508 17 8 528 15 5 8-13 7'33 8-40 8-83 12-28 7-4i 809 8.34 8-21 9-20 9-64 9'39 9'22 IO'6l 818 7-23 I7-9I 7'8o 8-83 899 8-14 831 18-49 13*21 17-06 31-92 io'i 5 9-66 7-92 8-82 9-70 8-35 9-11 10-24 9-36 9-19 980 10-44 8-75 1004 789 9'44 802 869 7-82 6-24 656 6-83 6*47 5'7S 7'55 5-76 16-13 11-30 6-94 12-92 679 8-57 n'99 7'35 609 10-50 6-86 766 io'9S 8-2S 7-48 6*67 5'6o 12-40 6-73 6-98 8-87 6-37 6-37 ■17 •10 •13 •11 •12 •13 •21 •21 '22 •36 '33 •45 ■16 •12 •53 ■23 •37 ■24 •18 •13 •20 •16 •20 •37 '45 'H •12 '13 •15 •12 •13 ■32 •38 ■20 3-29 •30 •26 •20 •33 •28 £ s. d. 849 10 4 899 10 2 877 6 10 663 14 4 32.3 6 7 128 14 o 1,004 8 o 915 611 713 o 9 684 14 7 308 11 9 520 12 n 732 5 8 535 6 2 97 5 8 723 14 1 129 9 7 454 10 1 822 8 6 721 9 8 647 12 6 619 14 1 883 19 2 968 o 3 73° o 4 537 9 4 853 12 6 807 13 11 777 3 3 833 6 1 831 2 o 687 2 3 635 15 o 460 o 7 650 17 0 169 15 11 709 19 2 656 9 8 759 0" 807 o 4 745 14 3 719 2 3 775 1 11 799 3 5 74o 19 7 465 16 1 663 12 11 650 o 2 556 13 11 514 13 9 605 11 6 287 8 6 701 9 9 459 10 5 596 8 o 803 11 6 652 15 7 694 8 1 430 12 8 43 2 2 2 402 o 2 506 10 6 496 14 7 440 17 3 643 1 11 663 5 i 430 9 2 437 3 8 590 5 3 509 15 5 419 6 11 589 5 6 690 19 11 578 5 5 597 13 3 •22 ■30 •19 •15 ■12 •11 ■17 •20 •22 •78 1*84 "II •27 •14 *l8 ■37 ■37 •67 •28 2'0I 2-94 2-05 •47 •70 ■13 ■71 '77 ■14 ■25 •16 •22

E.—l.

TABLE N. —Appendix L.— continued. STATEMENT of Cost, &c., of Working Locomotives for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880 — continued.

Engines K and T are American.

TABLE O.— Appendix. L. Return of the Number of Vessels, and Nature of Loading, Discharged at Lyttelton, for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

121

Engine No. Class. Total Engine Mileage. Tons Hauled, I Mile. Fuel Consumed Cost of Repairs, in Cwts. Cost of Working. Cost per Mile in Pence. Cost per TonMile in Pence. Total Cost of Engine. 2,614 2,876 3,628 3,9'8 3,2031 6,989 8,288! 8,745i 6,578 8,2 7 3i 4,401 7,269 7,628 4,459! 4,608 i4,i33i 6,162 6,584 6,006 6,129! 4,859 3,803! 3,927i 3,196! 4,220 1,725 i,756 i,673i 2,0131 179 1,308 3,427 3,535 3,538 4.M4 3,229! 4,883! 418 £ 3- d- £ s. d. £ fc d. 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 9° 9i 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 Brough F F F F O .[ J .1 J J .( K K M M L K K K K K K F F F T T T T T T J J .1 .1 O R O t forward ... 15,889 17,679 21,813 19,71.3 18,100 21,78.5 24,525 21,762 18,303 25,523 13,938 27,751 28,556 18,425 18,888 18,538 28,324 26,842 27,924 25,384 25,747 i6,744 26,588 22,415 i9,74i 3,061 3,306 3,868 4,977 344 2,959 12,751 11,716 10,619 12,592 18,103 15,044 2,394 441.041 880,932 1,061,897 941,252 491,791 2,113,215 2,840,210 2,060,784 2,089,512 2,872,921 1,612,339 1,364,186 1,476,119 1,251,139 1,482,385 377,958 1.465.185 1.541.369 1,633,141 1,423,227 1,238,641 769,956 1,291,552 853,196 9n,539 351,169 441,709 337,1.36 465,712 21,204 308,169 1,296,931 1,206,107 895,963 1,228,289 956,969 931,452 76,050 300 18 6 290 15 7 126 o 5 326 17 2 218 7 9 295 13 10 1 60 5 2 92 1 2 43i 13 9 124 o 2 555 14 10 106 9 6 112 5 2 68 7 3 80 3 o 79 1 3 87 14 4 52 17 6 53 o o 178 8 9 74 16 10 156 n 9 63 11 7 48 11 8 73 6 10 29 2 8 24 17 8 58 19 2 66 o 2 75 2 7 35 4 o 32 17 5 34 7 3 31 4 8 26 15 11 53 in 66 6 o 44 7 6 382 17 2 408 17 IO 447 12 11 426 4 8 578 9 5 618 6 9 755 15 3 691 6 s 559 16 1 762 4 4 462 o 2 669' 6 6 679 17 9 636 6 3 600 7 9 5°6 11 4 6p3 4 o 691 5 7 674 8 4 818 7 10 762 4 6 530 15 1 521 8 9 554 18 2 467 10 3 114 8 9 121 16 9 161 19 5 221 o 3 15 9 6 127 19 9 364 13 4 350 17 4 304 10 5 339 7 6 498 1 5 453 19 1 73 13 2 i°'32 949 6'3i 9-16 10-56 io'o6 8-96 8-63 13-00 8-33 17-52 670 6-65 9-I7 8-64 7'57 6-27 6-65 6-25 9-42 7-80 9-8.5 5-28 6-46 981 "•25 10 65 i3'7o ■3-84 6,V2i i3'2.3 7-48 789 7-59 698 7-3o 8-29 11*41 •37 •19 •12 •19 •38 •10 ■07 •09 ■11 •07 ■15 -1.3 •12 •13 •11 ■37 •12 •11 •10 •16 ■16 683 15 8 699 13 5 573 13 4 753 1 i° 796 17 2 914 o 7 916 o 5 78.3 7 7 991 9 10 886 4 6 1,017 15 o 775 16 o 792 2 n 704 13 6 680 10 9 585 12 7 740 18 4 744 3 1 727 8 4 996 16 7 8.37 1 4 687 7 5 585 o 4 603 910 54o 17 1 143 11 5 146 14 5 220 18 7 287 o 5 90 12 1 163 3 9 397 IO 9 385 4 7 335 15 1 366 3 5 55i 3 4 520 5 1 118 o 8 103 IO4 105 I06 I07 108 109 no •21 •10 ■17 •14 •12 •07 •is •14 I'02 ■18 •07 •07 •08 ■07 •13 ■13 ■37 111 112 "3 i,94i,454 96,472,471 404,251 14,002 17 II 55,261 14 o 8-55 •17 69,165 12 3

Month. Home Intercolonial and or Foreign. Coastwise. Total. General Cargo. Timber. Coal. Firewood. Sundries, Total. 1879. •uly ... lugust... ieptember )etober November )ecember 1880. No. 1 7 3 4 2 No. 7i 7i 82 92 9° 84 No. 72 78 85 96 92 88 92 98 89 l| 27 38 39 47 41 42 12 1 1 16 24 30 28 9 n io 8 4 ii i7 14 14 10 13 5 7 4 6 7 4 2 It 78 85 96 92 88 4 'anuary February larch ... 2 4 7 9° 94 82 42 42 42 3i 36 22 5 6 ii 8 8 9 6 6 5 92 98 89 Total 34 756 790 360" 210 75 98 47 790

E.—l.

TABLE P.— Appendix L. Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880.

W™ '■—*■ "" ' ■ ' ll ■'" ' ' ' ■■ '""■ ■""" ' ' '•'- ' ■'" —" ■ ' ■■'-'"* "w—'iy * Include-*! Gtuard-j. f Two Guards included.

122

Stations. a a. o d o Number Hands .. Tot, a> r. Expenditure. ployed. Number G01 ids. Coaching. Receipts. Goods. Total. Tickets , ~. Issued. L T°ns, .Outwards I Tons Inwards. £ s. d.; 452 14 2 95 19 3 142 11 11 106 8 10 696 1 o 90 17 11 707 3 6 96 12 o 117 7 3 174 4 5 150 10 4 885 14 7 I4>03? 3 ii 8,419! 2,600 2,852 3,m 12,020 1,923 14,002 1,268 2,040 4,75° 8.58 6,886 iS',570 1.305 4,i37 8,i57 58,408 4,436 2,174 4,101 1,253 1,321 3,334 6,452 2,749 18,323 1,999 i,773 i,259 639| 1,523 3,788 4,697 11,784 447 890 2,267 i,43' 2,286 6,158 2,736 3,707 1,481 2,061 2,350 3,210 4,698' 507! 2,086 4,184 3,oi3 85.1 2,056 3,026 34,4i7 4,5i9 1,064 2,131 2,035 902 873 3,221 4*7,385 747 3,507 3,040 2,113 1,692 £ s. d. 2,08112 5 489 18 7 399 1 3 4H 19 4 2,040 13 11 284 3 4 1,804 3 4 102 12 6 £ s. d. £ s. d. 4.009 6 8 680 6 o 800 16 6 719 14 o 2,813 16 3 562 7 5 3,891 19 8 454 7 3 455 4 10 965 6 4 843 15 10 3,393 11 1 46,932 11 2 645 IS 4 190 18 10 1,890 17 1 36,97s 7 1 1,576 6 2 502 12 8 1,040 10 7 438 17 7 537 o 8 1,653 18 n 5,354 3 o 3,575 3 5 10,415 15 10 i,338 3 3 1,151 10 o 649 15 10 339 15 3 1,282 12 o 1,783 16 3 1,490 12 6 4,189 4 4 88 8 u 353 14 9 607 16 5 415 13 3 835 911 3,219 14 1 562 13 4 i,i93 4 4 407 19 1 1,276 16 3 1,011 1 2 1,366 9 8 2,300 3 7 354 2 4 835 12 5 2,894 12 1 2.010 13 1 701 9 6 1,287 4 9 447 19 11 16,272 4 5 i,478 8 7 680 17 10 1,204 14 1 i,i4S 19 2 559 5 1 735 18 10 1,319 7 5 16,290 18 9 2,147 10 7 2,125 3 11 i.on 5 3 796 13 6 467 2 4 2,908 6 3 1,468 3 11 332 16 4 2,143 9 4 5,864 9 3 2,059 H o 846 2 7 227>S75 6 10 Amberley... EBalcairn ... Sefton Ashley Rangiora Junction ... Southbrook ICaiapoi Belfast Sty* Papanui ... Riccarton ... Addington Junction Christchurch ,, (Accountants) Opawa Heathcote Lyttelton ... Hornby Junction ... Templeton Rolleston Juncton ... EBurnham ... Selwyn Dunsandel Rakaia Chertscy ... Ashburton Tinwald ... Winslow ... Hinds Ealing Rangitata... Orari Winchester Temuka ... Eernside ... Moeraki Oust Bennett's Junction ... Oxford East Oxford West Prebbleton Lincoln Springston Ellesmere ... Doy leston... Leeston SoutEhbridge Aylesbury... EKEirwee Darfield Junction ,., Sheffield ... Springfield Ooalgate ... Washdyke Junction Timaru St. Andrews Otaio Makikihi ... Waimate Junction ... Waihao Waitaki ... EPukeuri ... Hi Hi io| 1 I Hi 12i 12 ■3i 13 14 14 ■5 18! i3i Hi Hi i4i 14 13* 13! 12! I2i 12 I 2 2 I 21 13 I2i I2i II ni 12! 5 1 2 1 6 1 6 1 1 2 1 8 *ioo 1 5 100 4 1 3 1 2 2 6 3 15 1 2 2 1 2 36 6 3 542 11 5 13,976 5 o 392 8 10 130 4 2 329 7 9 99 16 10! 174 14 ij 226 17 Oj 580 13 6 321 11 11 i,799 1 8 130 0 7 178 19 11 194 4 3 86 2 6 173 'a 1 198 4 9 214 9 4 296 10 3 51 18 4 89 o o 160 16 9 122 14 8 114-17 3 514 10 8 121 7 4 194 8 6 107 19 6 ■59 °H 123 3 H 262 4 10 375 14 6 99 o 10 128 13 9 375 10 7 330 3 9 123 4 6 in 15 10 132 12 3 2,865 16 9 232 19 9 97 13 10 115 6 6 233 17 5 113 15 6 337 8 1 173 16 7 4,ii7 5 H 208 9 2 i37 9 3 130 2 3 127 5 10 116 8 o 180 14 4 232 o s 108 10 11 225 6 5 437 3 3 209 15 11 125 S 3 2,49 2 382 1,202 i,°37 2,096 786 6,090 1,057 1.147 652 2,049 4,5'5 29,340 7,826 150.674 8,7071 964: 393, 555i 646; 1.596 5,889 5,283 6,607 1,643 877 45' 149 1,302 894 1,102 2,027 44 332 334 372 998 7,280 968 2,328 482 2,149 i,'8 3 1,243 2,248 672! 719 5,234 f 2,861 7°4! 662 179! 9,97i] 955! 757 1,628 1,117 6331 899 2,677. 33,752 4,721 2,986 760 925 169! io,459 i,754 239 1,284 8,361 1,510 75i 7,164 565 745 1,510 3,896 I,2S8 4,689 5°8 756 949 3,829 9,141 102,580 3,423 99,016 73° 410 295 383 154 i,°39 8,385 1,727 10,489 2,658 1,192 621 218 356 818 768 3,687 98: 241 j 716! i8o| 3n! 8S4 367| 1,9261 432; 399 417 1,200 1,264 345 993! 1,924 1,502 384 995 632 12,491 1,5So 453 590 208 362 9Si 1,391 41,467 1,856 2,443 938 274 230 306 1,114 201 3,65° 2,242 2,734 i,i93 H3 9 2 720 10 8 166 2 o 1,497 15 10 32,694 8 o 645 IS 4 190 18 10 405 8 10 4,772 16 o 6.57 2 3 260 16 11 881 17 7 242 6 9 261 1 6 903 10 9 2,106 1 2 675 3 4 6,339 2 8 172 5 n 322 13 11 242 18 5 179 7 8 391 14 9 1,158 16 10 743 7 8 2,626 11 3 63 5 7 151 9 8 444 15 2 190 11 9 549 n n 892 14 1 257 12 6 488 6 9 229 15 2 437 6 9 47° o s 700 17 10 1,015 13 7 89 16 2 464 9 6 1,081 9 7 906 1 9 271 4 9 618 18 7 257 16 6 n,459 17 7 795 3 H 163 11 3 411 13 6 336 i? 11 156 4 6 i*74 4 4 360 o 8 11,658 19 7 65 14 8 583 o 9 611 14 1 504 IS o 34° 0 2 2 10 o 695 II 2 224 19 I 1,131 1 4 2,618 7 2 804 8 9 470 3 6 1,927 14 3 190 7 5 401 is 3 304 14 8 773 2 4 278 4 1 2,087 16 4 35i 14 9 34i 15 8 244 15 8 677 13 10 1.895 IS 3 14,238 3 2 1,485 8 3 32,202 11 i 9>9 3 I' 241 15 9 158 13 o 196 10 10 275 19 2 750 8 2 3,248 1 10 2,900 o 1 4,076 13 2 1,165 17 4 828 16 1 406 17 5 160 7 7I 890 17 3 624 19 s 747 4 10 1,562 13 1 25 3 4 202 5 1 163 i 3 225 1 6 285 18 o 2,327 o o 305 o 10 704 17 7 178 3 11 839 9 6 54i o 9 665 11 10 1,284 10 o 264 6 2 371 2 11 1,813 2 6 1,104 11 4 430 4 9 668 6 2 2 12 13 3 3 •ni ni 12J Hi Hi ioi 10 9i 10 iol 11 Hi I0i| I I 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 1 I 3 4 1 1 4 2 12 i3i 14 „1 134 13 14 3 1 1 T 2 7 2 Oamaru ... Waiareka Junction ... Malieno ... Herbert ... Hampden... Hillgrove ... Shag Point Junction Pleasant Point Cave Albury Waimate ... Duntroon... Ngapara ... i I II I I I I0 10 10 11 14 20 14 1.3 12* I'-i* 11 1 1 2 1 2 2 37 2 2 I I 190 3 5 4,812 6 10 683 4 8 5'7 6 7 793 o 7 809 1 3 403 o 7 561 14 6 959 6 9 4,631 19 2 2,081 15 11 1,542 3 2 399 n 2 291 18 6 127 2 2 2,905 16 3 772 12 9 107 17 3 1,012 8 o 3,246 2 1 1,25s 2 3 375 19 1 I 10 12 ioi 10 I 2 I 5,021 1,260 4,059! 7,5i3 2,443; 2,841 11 9 9 2 4 2 1 Carried forward 52,056 4 2 536,139 367,720; 365,763 110,140 5 7 ii7,435 1 3 423

E.—l.

TABLE P .—Appendix L. — continued. Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Nine Months ending 31st March, 1880— continued.

19—E. 1,

123

Slations. a a. C t. d o ™ Number of Hands Employed. Total Expenditure. Number of Tickets Issued. Got ids. Coaching. Receipts. Goods. 'otal Tons Outwardi Tons Inwards. Brought forward... Palmerston SVaikouaiti Seacliff tVaitat i ... Port Chalmers, Upper EErlendermid Junction Port Chalmers Etavensbourne PclicEhet Bay Dunedin ... EJaversham Burnside Junction ... ■Abbotsford UEosgiel Junction ... EE4reytown... JVailiola ... Hilburn ... Hilton Ellarkesville Junction Ejovell's Elat Stirling Balclutha... iVaitapeka EVarepa ... EElinton -Green Island Elutram ... ilonnt Stuart Hanuka ... iVaitakuna 14 14 14 14 14 17 17 17 17 21 14 15 IS 13 13 13 13 11 ni 12 12J 14 13 15 423 6 3 1 2 1 2 25 2 2 *n6 2 "it 4 2 1 1 4 2 1 3 4 £ a. d. 52,056 4 2 732 5 2 248 9 6 28 9 9 152 9 2 no 4 7 232 5 9 3,080 17 n 150 12 5 265 19 6 12,742 17 6 150 13 1 32 14 11 368 4 6 356 12 11 261 3 7 218 10 11 124 6 3 394 1 11 222 6 9 141 i7 9 367 1 8 365 3 o 140 10 o 115 7 11 620 8 1 S4 6 2 298 15 1 f 93 9 10 { 81 9 o 193 9 n 645 13 6 297 2 10 438 9 8 282 13 8 339 14 2 217 11 9 3,463 4 7 866 9 8 223 5 o 318 18 10 178 iS 9 294 12 7 224 12 o 89 5 6 325 16 9 165 4 11 82 7 2 162 15 8 536,139 12,645 4,302 777 4,912 7,707 4,880 37,889 16,007 16,918 139,948 14,388 1,646 12,485 i8,455 6,773 3,32.5 2,046 9,048 3,671 1,600 4,566 7,830 581 i,344 12,157 824 10,002 i,57i 844 4,222 8,566 2,466 5,862 2,918 4,985 3,825 60,273 4.524 4.963 5,848 2,i45 10,658 1,168 2,022 15,365 2,034 866 270' 367,720 3,015 2,025 3,499 473 228 48,817 25 i,394 35,913 178 21,808 2,523 919 687 1,729 2,902 161 3,024 17.230 542 93° 767 945 8,092 i,733 340 67 638 i,752 2,273 2,008 1,322 1,609 6,579 20,467 9,064 . 8,582 3,260 2, 111 891 1,381 664 1,170 889 214 1 365,763 6,176 2,034 572 518 19,244 422 5.500 95.033 2,777 1,464 5,309 710 648 1,161 4.729 186 424 953 2,137 700 363 1,609 3,o77 3,767 259 123 2,000 4,794 2,976 5,626 1,361 2,468 1,395 14,787 16,926 740 1,155 956 4,8iS 1,918 609 3,367 888 £ a. A. 110,140 5 7 3,077 17 9 1,042 2 1 106 7 4! 768 8 7! 1,026 16 2 389 8 1 3,497 9 7 821 8 9 1,581 3 9 37.852 10 5; 968 o 1] 63 16 111 856 15 4 2,047 H °| i,045 15 i°: 667 15 o 317 10 3 2,285 9 4 602 7 n 286 9 7 1,014 2 6 2,233 11 9 133 4 2J 252 2 7 2,169 15 4 39 9 n 1,138 4 2 230 16 7 116 18 n 678 o 2 2,470 13 1 967 9 7 2,276 9 1 903 1 9 1,408 16 3 699 H 9 14,303 6 5 930 19 7 526 6 1 1,097 19 o 604 6 3 1,990 n 6 957 4 10 254 i7 3 2,415 19 7 386 3 5 1.34 8 11 13 17 1 £ s. d. 117,435 1 3 2,172 4 3 644 3 n 719 6 7 64 18 9 58 5 1 13,645 1*2 3 18 16 o in 18 4 22,475 18 8 108 8 2 2,204 12 o 652 8 6 34-7 9 7 208 11 8 871 n 4 1,685 is 7 86 17 9 829 12 n 4,860 4 3 544 15 4 699 17 9 687 19 8 932 o 7 93i 15 4 745 4 2 96 211 28 4 5 387 8 11 i,957 17 4 2,052 16 6 1,611 1 9 840 1 4 1,514 3 10 2,583 16 n 8,682 18 6 1,620 2 7 i,479 13 8 1,693 13 5 571 5 10 1,127 5 1 1,810 16 2 206 6 1 511 211 597 3 9 82 11 9 o S 2 £ a. A. 227,57s 6 10 5,250 2 o 1,686 6 o 106 74 1,487 15 2 1,091 14 11 447 13 2 17,143 1 10 840 4 9 1,693 2 1 60,328 9 1 1,076 8 3 63 16 11 3,o6i 7 4 2,699 19 6 i,393 5 S 876 6 8 1,189 1 7 3,97i 4 n 689 5 8 1.116 2 6 5,874 6 9 2,778 7 1 833 1 11 940 2 3 3,ioi 15 11 97i 5 3 1,883 8 4 326 19 6 145 3 4 1,065 9 1 4.428 10 5 3,020 6 1 3,887 10 10 i,743 3 1 2,923 o 1 3,283 118 22,986 4 11 2,551 2 2 2,005 19 9 2,791 12 5 1,175 12 1 3,n7 16 7 2,768 1 o 461 3 4 2,927 2 6 983 7 2 217 08 14 2 3 1 5 10 2 13 13 13 14 14 12 1 ■ 2 Lawrence ... Waipahi ... 3ore Hataura ... Sdendale ... (Woodlands ... Envercargill Bluff ... _ ... tfakarewa Junction kVinton ... Dreti Elbow Kingston ... ... jAparima Junction... ttiverion ... EEHautau ... EEroodwood Burke's ... 11 10 11 13 10 11 9 9 13 9 n 12 13 14 17 4 3 3 2 3 2 I30 7 2 3 1 3 2 2 3 3 1 9' 3' 1 Totals 699 83,018 2 8 1,038,260 592,561 592,561 209,793 19 10 203,198 8 6 412,992 8 4 u-di t Joint staff. t Includes seven Guards. S Now Tkoriibury.

124

E.—l

TABLE Q.— Appendix E. STATEMENT showing Classification of Expenditure on Maintenance of Way and Works, Amberley and Bluff Railway, for the Financial Period of Nine Months ended 31st March, 1880.

TABLE R.—Appendix L. STATEMENT showing Mileage Open for Traffic and Under Maintenance, on 30th June, 1879, and 31st March, 1880, with Lengths Opened and Closed during that Financial Period, and Equivalent of Mileage under Maintenance, reduced according to date of opening.

Classification of Works. Christchurch Section. Oamaru Section. Amberley to Palmerston. Dunedin Section. Invercargill Section. Total Amberley and Bluff, "with Branches. Proportion of each item to the whole. Comparative Bates per mile for the Period. InTe, r; Total. cargill. Christchurch. Oamaru. Dunedin. Supervision ... Eepairs, Permanent Way Ballasting Sidings and Turntables Grading Permanent Way, New Materials Boads, Approaches Bridges and Culverts ... Eences, Cattle-stops, &c. Signals Cranes and Weighbridges Pumping Apparatus ... ... Telegraphs ... Stations and Buildings Tools and Implements Workshop Commission £ s. d. 1,403 15 1 13,840 11 9 816 8 2 74 6 7 239 14 6 3,781 19 1 293 4 3 2,818 16 11 697 0 0 200 b 1 43 10 7 556 14 1 £ a. A. 969 11 10 10,444 18 3 1,308 11 1 49 11 4 1,318 14 8 4,079 5 2* 189 13 2 1,617 9 6 273 19 1 26 12 0 20 14 10 248 15 11 £ s. d. 2,373 6 11 24,285 10 0 2,124 19 3 123 17 11 1,558 9 2 7,861 4 3 482 17 5 4,436 6 5 970 19 1 227 0 1 64 5 5 805 10 0 £ a. A. 1,754 7 0 17,379 4 6 3,621 8 10 460 17 6 1,316 2 11 4,348 0 7 282 0 4 1,637 16 5 954 0 7 15 9 8 22 10 1 107 19 2 19 6 1 655 6 5 461 12 2 97 18 10 £ s. d. 318 14 8 9,317 15 6 2,111 10 8 407 5 7 1,600 11 0 1,084 14 7 176 19 8 855 11 10 280 1 4 1 16 9 2 8 3 104 14 10 £ s. d. 4,446 8 7 50,982 10 0 7,857 18 9 992 1 0 4,475 3 1 13,293 19 5 941 17 0 6,929 14 8 2,205 1 0 244 6 6 89 3 9 1,018 4 0 19 6 1 3,193 18 11 2,196 13 2 460 13 3 per cent. 376 43-11 6-65 0-84 3-78 11-25 0-79 5-86 1-86 0-20 0-07 0-86 0-02 2-70 1-86 039 £ 60 59-7 3-5 03 1-0 163 1-8 12-1 30 0-9 0-2 2-4 £ 5-7 61-5 7-7 0-3 7-7 24-0 11 95 1-6 0-2 01 1-4 £ 11-8 1170 24-4 31 89 29-3 1-9 110 6-5 0-1 0-2 0-7 01 4-4 31 0-7 i 1*6 48-6 11-0 2-1 8-3 5-6 0-9 4-5 1-5 0*5 1-2 1-4 1-2 £ 6-0 68-7 10-6 1*2 60 17*9 1-4 9-3 30 03 o-i 1-4 0-9 4-3 3-1 0-6 1,493 0 2 615 14 7 133 14 4 817 12 2 859 14 6 2,310 12 4 1,475 9 1 133 14 4 228 0 2 259 11 11 229 0 1 6-4 27 0-6 48 5-1 Total Maintenance, without Casualties and Additions Casualties Additions and Alterations 27,008 18 2 4,753 1 3 5,126 2 5 22,225 3 6 793 18 0 2,352 7 1 49,234 1 8 5,546 19 3 7,478 9 6 33,134 1 1 2,839 17 7 1,680 19 6 16,978 16 5 225 1 3 1,144 4 2 99,346 19 2 8,611 18 1 10,303 13 2 84-00 7-28 8-72 1164 20*5 22-1 1307 4-7 13-8 223-2 191 11*3 884 1-2 5-9 133-8 11-fi 13-9 Totals 36,888 1 10 232 miles 25,371 8 7 170 miles 62,259 10 5 37,654 18 2 1 18,348 1 10 192 miles 118,262 10 5 100-00 159-0 149 2 2536 95-5 159-3 Mileage under Maintenance 402 miles 148' 5 miles 7425 miles

Mileage Open for Traffic on 30th June, 1879. Additional Length Opened for Traffic during Einancial Period. Eeduced Mileage equivalent Maintenance for whole Period. Lengths Closed during Period. Net Addition to Mileage Open T . T ,, for Traffic. Dine. Dength. Total Mileage Open for Traffic on31st March, 1880. Total Mileage under Maintenance, lstJuly,1879, to 31st March, 1880. Traffic Section. Net Addition to Mileage under Maintenance. Line Opened. Date of Opening. Length Opened. Line. Christchurch Section Oamaru Section ... Dunedin Section ... Invercargill Section M. chs. 230 10 169 77 148 0 187 24 Sheffield to Springfield Shag Point Branch Walton Park Branch Otautau Branch... 5th Jan., 1880 18th August, 1879 24th Sept., „ 15th Dee., „ M. chs. 6 45 1 67 0 40 11 35 M. chs. 2 15 1 50 0 31 4 36 Moeraki Pt. Branch M. chs. M. chs. 6 45 oeraki Pt. Branch 1 43 0 24 0 40 11 35 M. chs. 2 15 0 7 0 31 4 36 M. chs. 236 55 170 21 148 40 198 59 M. ehs. 232 25 170 4 148 31 191 60 Totals I i 1 43 18 64 7 9 754 15 742 40 735 31 20 27 8 52 ...

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125

TABLE S. —Appendix L. STATEMENT showing the Lengths of Railway and Sidings Open for Traffic on 31st March, 1880, on the Amberley and Bluff Railway.

TABLE T.— Appendix L. STATEMENT showing Approximate Probable Cost of future Renewals of Permanent Way and Structures, reduced to an Annual Rate, for the Amberley and Kingston Railway. (Length, 763 Miles.)

Main Line. Branches. Line of Railway. Single. Double. Sidings. Single. Sidings. - - — EEheistchurch Section :— M. chs. M. chs.. M. chs. M. chs. M. chs Lyttelton to Temuka ... ... 94 40 7 60 33 43 Addington to Amberley ... ... 32 21 ... 3 75 Eangiora to Oxford ... ... ... ■•• 22 7 1 64 Eyreton Junction to Bennett's ... ... ... ... 20 7 1 40 Hornby to Soutbbridge ... i ■•• ... 25 39 2 24 Bolleston to Malvern and Sheffield ... ... ... ... 24 5 1 68 Sheffield to Springfield Mine ... ... ... 6 56 Darfield to White Cliffs ... ... 11 40 17 Line of Railway. Main Line. M. chs. Branches. M. chs. M. chs. Total lailway. Equivalent of Single Track. M. chs. 135 63 36 16 23 71 21 47 27 63 25 73 6 56 12 47 22 7 20 7 25 39 24 5 6 56 11 40 1 64 1 40 2 24 1 68 l" 7 Total—Christchurch Section ... 126 61 7 60 37 38 109 74 8 43 126 61 7 60 37 38 109 74 8 43 236 55 E>amaeu Section: — Temuka to Waitaki ... ... ... 50 13 ... 6 10 Albury Branch ... ... ... •■• 25 54 1 40 Waimale Branch ... ... ... ■•• 4 4(3 0 47 Waitaki to Palmerston ... ... 50 67 ... 5 7^ ... Duntroon Branch ... ... ... ... •■■ ••■ 21 33 0 50 Waiareka Branch ... ... ■■• ■■• 14 77 0 72 Shag Point Branch ... ... ... ••• 1 67 0 11 Oamaru Breakwater ... ... ... ... ■■• ••• 0 64 0 10 50 13 50 "67 6 10 5" 7 25 54 4 46 21 33 14 77 1 67 0 64 1 40 0 47 0 50 0 72 0 11 0 10 56 23 27 14 5 13 55 74 22 3 15 69 1 78 0 74 Total—Oamaru Section ... 101 0 ... 11 17 69 21 3 70 101 0 11 17 69 21 3 70 170 21 EEIttnedin Section : — Palmerston to Dunedin ... ... 40 43 ■■■ \ 16 40 '" 1* Dunedin to Clinton ... ... ... 73 18 ... ) ... g Glendermid to Port Chalmers... ... ... ... ... 19 _g Walton Park Branch ... ... ■•■ 2 47 2 Mosgiel to Outram ... ... ... ... ■■• ■■■ 9 3 -g , Lawrence Branch ... ... ... ... ■■• ... 22 0 >zj 130 21 40 43 73 18 ... "j ... ) 16 40 1 0 2 47 9 3 22 0 s O ft 1 9 2 47 9 3 22 0 Total—Dunedin Section ... 113 61 ... 16 40 34 59 113 61 16 40 34 59 148 40 Enveecabguix Section : — Clinton to Invercargill ... ... 65 43 ... ) ii in • Invercargill to Bluff... ... ... 17 0 ... j "■ Invercargill to Kingston ... ... ... ... ... 87 16 g Makarewa Junction to Eiverton ... ... ... ... 17 45 -g Aparima Junction to Otautau... ... ... ... ... 11 35 94 3 65 43 17 0 ... } ... ) 11 40 r6 o E 87 16 17 45 11 35 87 16 17 45 11 35 Total—Invercargill Section ... 82 43 ... 11 40 t 116 16 116 16 198 59 82 43 11 40 Grand Total ... ... 424 5 7 60 76 55 330 10 12 33 424 5 7 60 76 55 330 10 12 33 754 15 851 3

Basis of Computation. Renewals. Particulars. Assumed Duration of Work in Years. Miles to be Renewed Yearly. Value of Yearly Renewals. 'eemanent Wat: — Cost per mile of renewal of way, 53-lb. steel rails, Ac. ... £800 Labour laying same ... ... ... •■• ••• 119 Jarrah sleepers... ... ... ... ... ■•■ 400 Labour laying same, packing, and ballasting ... ... 110 Years. 14 Miles. 54*5 £ 49,595 7 109 55,590 Total cost per mile ... ... ... £ 1,420 3EIDG1ES AND CtJIA-EETS : — Cost of works as per schedule ... ... ... ... £568,945 Deduct for permanent structures ... ... ... ... 168,945 16,000 Balance subject to renewal ... ... £400,000 25 Itations and Buildings : — Cost as per schedule, all subject to renewal... ... ... £465,279 25 18,611 rENCiNa : — Cost as per schedule, all subject to renewal... ... ... £113,534 10 11,353 ['otal estimated cost of future renewals in 25 years of age of railway yearly ... £151,149

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126

TABLE U.— Appendix L. RETURN of Sleepers and Rails Relaid during the Nine Months from 1st July, 1879, to 31st March, 1880.

TABLE V.— Appendix L. STATEMENT of Expenditure under Casualties, Additions, and Alterations, from 1st July, 1879, to 31st March, 1880.

New Sleepe: Belaid. Section of Railway. Black Pine. Totara. Birch. Blue Gum. Matai. Kauri. Jarrah. Kauri or Black Birch. I Red Pine. Totals. EJhristchurch E)amaru E)unedin Envercargill 1,746 j 539 1,141 9,140 70 1,624 6,703 1,909 ztt 2,708 72 13,049 12,557 19,563 5,302 1,519 1,2*86 2,425 Totals 3,265 2,966 9,210 8,327 , 1,909 26 2,708 2,425 72 50,471 Bails Belaid. Section of Railway. 28 lbs. 30 lbs. 40 lbs. 53 lbs. S3 lbs. 56 lbs. 64 lbs. 50 lbs. I I SS lbs. j Totals. 480 461 754 255 1,250 99 2,622 198 3,840 102 63 i 21 3,848 952 4,865 1,534 Christchurch E)amaru E)unedin 499 271 282 *2 Envercargill Totals 282 480 2,720 598 6,660 j 102 63 23 271 11,199

Damages by Floods and Casualties. £ s. d. Repairing Damages by Floods, 1879-80, — Repairing damages by flood June 29, 1879, Ohristchurch-Temuka and Branches ... 1,615 4 5 Repairing ditto Temuka-Palmerston and EBranches ... ... ... ... 543 5 8 Repairing breaches at Otaio ... ... 64 6 11 Repairing structures damaged by flood 29th June, 1879 ... ... ... 152 8 2 Repairs to roads, &c, damaged by floods... 627 12 6 Repairs to bridge at Washdykc, damaged by floods ... ... " ... ... 76 9 3 Three i 1-ffc. openings at 73m. 30ehs. (new structure) ... ... ... ... 223 15 5 Repairs, Whales Creek Bridge ... ... 33 17 3 £3,336 19 7 Various, — Bailing banks, Addington-Amberley Line 950 7 10 Additional spans to south end Waimakariri Bridge ... ... ... ... 158 5 6 Bepairs, Eangilata Bridge North ... 1,065 2 8 Repairing damages to line, Bankside ... 14 2 10 Sundries 22 0 10 2,209 19 8 Total casualties ... . ... £5,546 19 3 Additions to Permanent Wat and Woeks. Belaying 53-lb. steel rails south from Selwyn 524 8 3 Belaying ditto south from Bakaia Bridge ... 148 2 6 Kenewal of permanent way, Main Line, Oamaru to Palmerston \ ... ... 62 3 4 Belaying Ngapara Branch with 40-lb. old rails ... ... ... ... 25 8 6 Belaying Ngapara Branch with 40-lb. steel rails ... ... ... ... 87 19 3 Ballast Pit Boads at Mandeville and Burnham ... 69 13 3 Points and crossings for Branch Line, Tinwald ... ... ... ... 51 8 1 Level Crossing at 10m. 44ohs., Whitecliffs Branch ... ... ... ... 16 4 6 Footpaths at Level Crossing, Colombo Street, Christchurch ... ... ... 34 1 4 Level Crossing at Adam Street, Kaiapoi ... 5 16 6 Carried forward ... ... £1,025 5 6

£ s. d. Additions to Permanent Wat and Works— continued. Brought forward ... ... 1,025 5 6 Improvements to Level Crossing, Albury Branch, &c. ... ... ... ... 114 16 10 Level Crossing for Mr. W. L. Gray ... 4 4 11 Temporary Crossing for Mr. Arcbcr, Timaru 5 10 0 Level Crossing for Mr. Edwards, Ngapara ... 6 11 0 Dismantling Port Moeraki Branch (permanent way) ... ... ... ... 66 10 11 Dismantling ditto (structures) ... ... S00 6 7 Ballasting Kaiapoi-Bennett's, and EangioraOxford Branches ... ... ... 646 16 0 Fitting up three rail presses ... ... 31 3 2 Fixing turntable, Evan's Store, Timaru ... 50 18 3 Widening bank at Bangitata Island ... 478 9 5 Lightening slopes 191m., Pukeiviti ... 83 18 1 Painting bolts in Ashley Bridge ... ... 60 7 II. Driving raking piles, Waimakariri Bridge ... 39 13 10 Thirty-six new raking piles for Bakaia Bridge 559 6 0 Stone for Bakaia Bridge... ... ... 44 9 2 Widening crossings on Eakaia Bridge ... 30 7 6 Stone for Ashburton Bridge ... ... 99 7 6 Stone protection for bridges, Timaru District 148 2 3 Heavy stone, north end Waitaki Bridge ... 65 3 10 Strengthening Waiareka Bridge ... ... 156 10 6 Extra bracing Shag Eiver Bridge... ... 15 17 2 Brick culvert at mouth of Lyttelton Tunnel 260 3 7 Completion of water openings between Ashburton and Orari ... ... ... 103 5 6 Concrete culvert at 83m. 27chs., South Rangitata and Orari ... ... ... 44 19 7 Lowering Jackson's Creek Culvert, Opawa... 117 13 0 12-inch pipe across District Boad at 191|m. Pukeiviti ... ... ... ... 7 16 1 Minor drainage works, Christchurch District 13 13 11 Improvements to culverts, Oamaru District 10 11 9 Shifting fence through Mr. Stalker's land ... 11 4 6 Erecting barrier fence, edge of cutting, South Waitaki ... ... ... ... 9 5 0 Grates at McLean's crossing ... ... 8 6 3 Grate at Maheno for Wailaki County Council 32 15 0 Erecting gate instead of level crossing at 156m. ... ... ... ... 6 17 1 Removing two gatekeepers'houses ... 164 3 5 Removing platelayer's cottage from Waimakariri Bridge ... ... ,., 48 16 2 Carried forward ... ...£5,373 7 8

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127

TABLE V. —Appendix L — continued. STATEMENT of Expenditure under Casualties, Additions, and Alterations— continued.

TABLE W.—Appendix L. STATEMENT of Sectional Expenditure, showing Cost of Maintenance of the various Traffic Sections of Main Line and Branches, Amberley and Bluff Railway.

£ s. d. Additions to Permanent Wat and Works— continued. Brought forward ... ... ... 5,373 7 8 lemoval of platelayers' houses, necessitated by extention of lengths ... ... 95 19 1 fitting up 2-ton B G- travelling crane ... 41 5 5 Picking up boulders between Heathcote and Addington ... ... ... ... 54 1 3 £5,564 13 5 Additions and Improvements to Stations. JEarth-filling, drain, and crossing, Christchurch ... ... ... ... 31 10 11 Eonnecting Crane Boad with Shed A., Christehurch ... ... ... ... 18 11 0 fencing stores yard, Christchurch ... 10 11 6 fence, Gasworks Boad, Christchurch ... 11 11 0 iEreeting two loading gauges, Christchurch yard ... .. ... ... 33 8 11 lompletion of signals, Bolleston and Addington ... ... ... ... 70 8 5 Private sidings... ... ... ... 91 19 4 Jonslructing ticket office at Opawa ... 92 19 3 lepairs to floor of shed in Lyttelton ... 38 19 0 lough flooring Cunningham's shed, Lyttelton 86 4 7 Painting roof of engine shed, Lyttelton ... 26 7 3 fencing approach to well, Bangiora ... 11 16 7 few road, &c, at Bolleston ... ... 127 7 8 Shifting fence a't Rolleston ... ... 52 9 3 lemovmg Stationmaster's house, Cbertsey ... 65 7 7 loom at Winchester for telegraph purposes 69 16 10 Abater-supply pump, Ashburton ... ... 28 5 II Carried forward ... ... ... £867 15 0

£ s. d. Additions and Improvements to Stations — continued. Brought forward... ... ... 867 15 0 Filling hole opposite Quill's Hotel, Ashhurton 16 0 0 Water-supply well at Ashburton Bridge ... 14 6 8 Additions at Rangitata for telegraph ... 34 10 7 Lathe room, Timaru ... ... ... 16 8 6 Shil'ting goods shed, Pleasant Point ... 48 15 7 Drain, Stationmaster's houae, Cave ... 5 2 8 Pump houses, St. Andrew's and Pukeuri Junction ... ... ... ... 31 7 0 Shifting cattle-stop, &c, Hook Station ... 15 18 4 Making up earthwork alongside dummy siding, Makikibi ... ... ... 87 15 9 Shifting coal stage, Waimate Junction to Oamaru ... ... ... ... 513 Additional siding accommodation, Oamaru to Waimate Junction ... ... ... 19 0 0 Office, Traffic Manager, Oamaru ... ... 49 19 8 Gravelling approach, road to Papakaio ... 13 13 11 Connecting points with lever, Waiareka Junction ... ... ... ... 45 1 1 Water-service at Peebles ... ... 30 18 6 Six additional tanks at Hampden... ... 36 10 1 Water-service at Mabeno ... ... 30 4 9 Furniture for Shag Point Junction ... 7 9 11 Two signal-boxes for telegraph purposes ... 54 15 10 Minor telegraph additions ... ... 49 5 5 Improvements to Siaiionmasters'houses ... 61 15 4 Minor improvements to station buildings ... 82 17 5 Heightening gcods-shed doors ... ... 26 17 0 Sundries ... ... ... ... 262 5 10 1,913 16 1 Grand total ... £13,025 8 9

Line of Railway. Mil. :age. Te Average pi Expenditure for weekly I Ten Periods — Reduced up to 31st March, E di . Mileage. ISS°- lure. ir Four'eriod. Rate per Mile for Ni Months ended 31st March, 1880. Actual Mileage. tate per Mile. EIhristchukcii Section i— Main Line, Amberley and Lyttelton to Temuka ... Bangiora to Oxford ... Eyreton to Bennett's Hornby to Southbridge Bolleston to Springfield Mine ... Darfield to Whitecliffs M. chs. 126 61 22 7 20 7 25 39 30 61 11 40 M. chs. 126 61 22 7 20 7 25 39 26 31 11 40 £ a. A. 28,632 2 0 1,543 11 7 2,032 7 7 2,395 15 6 1,528 12 6 755 12 8 £ 2,863 154 203 240 153 76 £ 22-54 7-00 10-15 9*60 5-88 6-33 £ 225-45 70-18 101-60 95-84 58-81 63-00 Total—Christchurch Section 236 55 232 25 36,888 1 10 3,689 15-90 159'00 EE>amaru Section : — Mam Line, Efemuka to Oamaru Oamaru to Palmerston Washdyke to Albury Waimate Junction to Waimate Pukeuri Junction to Duntroon Waiareka Junction to Ngapara Oamaru to Breakwater Shag Point Branch ... 63 40 37 40 25 54 4 46 21 33 14 77 0 64 1 67 63 40 37 40 25 54 4 46 21 33 14 77 0 64 1 50 8,355 9 1 11,135 6 5 1,781 18 4 295 19 11 1,414 1 11 2,066 11 8 102 7 9 219 13 6 836 1,114 178 29 142 206 10 22 13-06 29-32 6-84 5-80 6-76 13-73 10-00 11-00 130-55 293-03 68-54 59-20 6733 137-80 10200 110-00 Total—Oamaru Section ... 170 21 170 4 25,371 8 7 2,537 14-92 149-24 EEiunedin Section : — Main Line, Palmerston to Dunedin Dunedin to Clinton ... Glendermid to Port Chalmers... Walton Park Branch Mosgiel to Outram ... Lawrence Branch 40 43 73 18 1 9 2 47 9 3 22 0 40 43 73 18 1 9 2 38 9 3 22 0 1 I [ Not classified Y under sections. J Total —Dunedin Section ... 148 40 148 31 37,654 18 2 3,765 25-44 253-60 Envercargill Section -. — Main Line, Clinton to Invercargill Invercargill to Bluff... Invercargill to Kingston Makarewa to Biverton Aparima Junction to Otautau... 65 43 17 0 87 16 17 45 11 35 » 65 43 17 0 87 16 17 45 4 S6 1 [ Not classified y under sections. J Total—Invercargill Section 198 59 191 60 18,348 1 10 1,835 9-56 95-56 Grand Tolal 754 15 742 40 118,262 10 5 159-27 11,826 15-92

E.-i

128

TABLE X. —Appendix L. Shewing a Comparison of the Classified Expenditure for Maintenance of the Amberley to Palmerston Line, for the Three Years, 1877 to 1880.

.A-IFIPIEIKriDIIX IMI. REPORT ON THE CLEARING OE THE UPPER THAMES RIVER EROM SNAGS AND RAPIDS. J. C. Eirth, Esq., to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sie, — Matamata, Auckland, 24th February, 1880. I have the honor to report, for your information, that the Upper Thames Eiver, from the Ohinemuri Junction to Pakopako, now called Stanley, a distance of about 70 miles by the river, was, before the commencement of snagging and blasting operations, only available for canoes, the river being filled with logs and rocks. 1. Seven years ago snagging operations were commenced, and the worst obstructions removed between Ohinemuri and Oniahu. Further operations were abandoned owing to great excitement amongst the river Natives, arising from the murder of Sullivan in the Waikato District. 2. Two years ago operations were recommenced. A steam-launch and punt were built for the purpose. The work was proceeding when the river Natives insisted on the stoppage of operations. Negotiations with the Natives, though somewhat difficult and costly, were, at length, successful, and their objections to clearing the river south of Omahu were finally removed. A second steamlaunch was purchased, and two more punts were build. 3. Subsequently a third iron steamer was built, of light draft and great power, fitted with a steamwinch and various mechanical appliances. The operations have been continued to the present time. Large quantities of dynamite have been used with very good results. Groins, to narrow the stream and deepen the channel at certain points, have been built; innumerable snags have been removed (one of the largest being 120 feet long and 5 feet diameter at the butt) ; shallows have been dredged ; and many impassable rapids and falls (formed by masses of conglomerate rocks) have been removed by dynamite.

Rates per Mile per Annum. Proportion of each Item to the whole Expenditure. 1877-78. 1878-79. I 1879-80. 1877-78. 1878-79. 1879-80. Supervision Repairs, Permanent-way Eiallasting Sidings and Turntables Erradings ... E'ermanent-way and New Material Etoads, Approaches ... 1 ridges and Culverts fences, Cattlestops, &c. Signals EEranes and Weighbridges imping Apparatus Stations and Buildings Eools and Implements Workshop Commission £ 6-2 86-4 1-8 0-8 1-4 91 2-2 16-2 3-7 1-3 0-7 2 1 11-5 2-8 0-7 £ 6-7 81-8 4-9 0-6 5-2 17-5 0-8 15-4 7-8 1-0 0-6 35 10-4 4-9 0-6 £ 7-8 .80-5 7-1 0-4 5-2 26-2 1-6 14-7 3-2 0-8 0-1 2-7 7-7 4-9 0-4 per cent. 4-0 550 10 0-5 1-0 60 2-0 10-5 20 1-0 0-5 1-5 7-0 2-0 0-5 per cent. 3-4 41-2 2-4 0-3 2-6 8-9 0-4 7-8 3-9 0-5 0-3 1-8 5-2 2-5 03 per cent. 3-82 3901 3-41 0-20 2-50 12-63 0-77 713 1-56 0-37 0-10 1-29 3-71 2-37 0-22 Total Maintenance, without Casulties and Additions 1469 161-7 163-3 94-5 81-5 79-09 EJasualties Additions and Alterations 5-8 2-3 16-8 19-8 18-4 24-8 4-0 1-5 8-5 10-0 8-90 12-01 Totals ... 10000 155-0 198-3 206-5 100-0 1000 Mileage 382 miles 400 miles 402 miles

129

E.—l

4. The operations have been so far successful that all serious impediments from Omahu to Stanley, a distance of about 45 miles, have been cleared, and the river rendered navigable for steamers drawing not more than 3 feet. The steamer " Kotuku," 82 feet long and 20 feet beam, now running on the river, carries, on a 3-feet draft, 35 tons of cargo during six months in summer, and 50 tons during the remaining six months of the year. 5. There still remain some obstructions between Omahu and the Ohinemuri Junction, which, as soon as the Maori opposition is removed, will be cleared. 6. The total cost to the Ist January last of all labour, material, and appliances amounts to the sum of £7,442 4s. sd. 7. The result of the operations is that the clearing of the navigation of this beautiful river has opened a very large area of valuable lands owned by Government and private individuals for advantageous settlement, and provided a cheap means of transit for agricultural and other produce, without transhipment, from Stanley, the head of the navigation, to the Port of Auckland. T have, &c, J. C. FIETH.

Authority Gboege Didsbuky, Government Printer, We__ington.---1880.

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PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. RICHARD OLIVER, FRIDAY, 6th AUGUST, 1880., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, E-01

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PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. RICHARD OLIVER, FRIDAY, 6th AUGUST, 1880. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, E-01

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PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. RICHARD OLIVER, FRIDAY, 6th AUGUST, 1880. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, E-01

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PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. RICHARD OLIVER, FRIDAY, 6th AUGUST, 1880. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, E-01

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PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. RICHARD OLIVER, FRIDAY, 6th AUGUST, 1880. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, E-01

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