D.—No. 9

No. 2. II.—WEST COAST EOADS, WESTLAND. Mr. O'Cootob to Mr. Blackett. District Engineer's Office, Hokitika, 1st June, 1872. Sie, I have the honour to report that the works undertaken in the County of Westland from June, 1871, the date on which they first commenced under the Immigration and Pubiic Works Act, to the 31st May, 1872, are, as stated in Schedule attached, each of the several sub-divisions being more particularly described under separate numbered headings, also attached. In relation to the progress of these works generally, and to the cost of their construction as a criterion in the case of other works which may be contemplated hereafter, there are two facts which it is necessary to bring under your notice —1st, The exceptionally bad weather which prevailed up to the end of February last, eight months' rainfall, giving an average of 4-10th of an inch per diem ; and, 2nd, The rate of wages, which, partly in consequence of the inclemency of the weather, but mainly on account of the paucity of the population, has been maintained throughout at twelve (12) shillings for eight working hours. With respect to the Main Trunk Line of road, and its cost, there is an additional fact to be mentioned, viz., —That this road, while on the one hand it was designed to afford through communication, from a colonial point of view, was also so placed in the country that it fulfils the purpose of local roads connecting all the principal mining centres ; and that although in consequence of its being so placed at a distance from the sea shore, and crossing from river to river over rugged mountain ridges, it may appear costly, if reckoned by the mile ; yet the whole end to be attained was arrived at much cheaper and more efficiently in that way than it could have been by means of a main road along the beach, with all its necessary branch roads to the centre of population. I have, &c, C. T. O'Cotook, District Engineer.

COUNTY OF WESTLAND, NEW ZEALAND. Schedule of Works undertaken under the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870, 12th June, 1871, to 31st May, 1872.

WESTLAND ROADS.

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Refeeence No. to DesobipTION AND DlAQ-BAMS Attached. Natttee oe Woke. Sttebitisioh" op Woek. Remabks. Trunk Eoad — Greymouth to Ross Greymouth to Omotomoto ... ...■ Omotomoto to Marsden Alternative Line, Grey to Marsden direct Marsden to Hohonu Stafford to Arahura Hokitika to Kanieri Kanieri to Eoss .. 17 MP Christchurch Road to Grey and Eoss Eoad ... ... ... Waimea District Water Supply Quay Wall, Maori Cemetery to Tainui Street Strengthening Wharf, Tainui Street to Boundary Street New Wharf, Tainui Street to Johnston Street Works in progress Surveyed Explored Works in progress „ completed 1 A 2B&C 2B&C 3D 5F 6 GH& ,, j» • ■ ■ 75 » J) ".]■" )j 5> ,» j; ■ • • „ in progress Branch Eoads 7K 8 L &M Water-races Grey Protection Works Works completed Surveyed Works in progress 9 )> 5) » » » 9 )) >> j) ?) 9