F.—la.

4

The line will follow the Main South Road crossing the Waimea River at the bridge, and passing through Spring Grove and Wakefield to Fox Hill (22 miles from Nelson) ; a mile of this section, near Wakefield, passes through bush, the remaining portion following along the line of road, and contiguous to the railway now being constructed, which has its terminus at Fox Hill. From Fox Hill the line will be carried through the Waiti Valley, crossing to the upper part of the Motueka River; thence through the Big Bush to within three miles of Top House (at the junction of the east and west roads) ; thence westward to Round Hill, and passing on through comparatively clear and level land to Devil's Grip and the Hope Junction. This section of the line from Fox Hill, which is 86 miles in length, passes through 14 miles of bush. Another route, via the junction of the Motueka and Motupiko Valleys, Clarke Saddle, and thence to Hope Junction, was also explored, but as the bush, 26 miles in extent, offered greater difficulties, the one above mentioned has been adopted. Attention had also to be given to the fact, that should a direct line to Blenheim at any future time be required, the route adopted would effect a considerable saving, as the poles from the junction of the east and west roads to Top House could be utilized. From the Hope Junction the line will follow the north bank of the Buller River to the Lyell, crossing the Hope, Owen, and Matairi Streams. The total length of the section is 118 miles, 59 of which is through bush. Kaikoura Reconstruction. The faulty insulation of a portion of this line, caused by its proximity to the sea, called for immediate attention. A new line, about 25 miles in extent, commencing from a point about four miles north of Kekerangu to five miles south of the Clarence, will be completed shortly, the same running inland, and thereby removing a section of similar length from the sea coast. From that point to two miles north of the Hapuka River, a distance of about ten miles, owing to the precipitous nature of the country, the line cannot be shifted; but, in order to secure a better insulation for the wires, each wire will be given a separate arm and erected on the alternate side of the pole, and where the spans cross small bays, as a further protection each wire will be carried on a separate pole. From the Hapuka to the Kahautara River the line has been shifted back. That portion of the line over Riley's Hill has also been considerably strengthened. The various alterations mentioned, so far as they have already been completed, have given sufficient evidence that the measures taken for the better insulation of the wires have been effectual. Second Wire, Greymouth to Lyell. The erection of this wire to connect with those now being run from Nelson to Lyell is being carried on. This will afford greater facilities for communication between stations in the North Island and those on the West Coast of the Middle Island, besides giving another route for telegrams from the South in the event of interruption on the line between Christchurch and Hokitika via Bealey. Fourth and Fifth Wires, Greymouth to Hokitika. These wires are intended to connect with the overland route from Nelson via the Lyell, and will consequently reduce, in a great measure, the work on the line from Christchurch via Bealey. Second Wire, Tokomairiro to Lawrence. The erection of this wire is now in progress; when completed it will relieve the other wire of the pressure of work put upon it by the increasing work of the stations on that section. It will doubtless before long become necessary to continue the wire from Tokomairiro to Dunedin. Waipukukau to Porangahau. The continuation of the fourth wire from Waipukurau to Porangahau was completed on the 14th June. A lineman's station at the latter place will be opened when the erection of the office is completed. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS. Bluff to Balclutha. This section, during the erection of the fourth and fifth wires from the Bluff, has in many places been considerably strengthened. Sixty 25-feet and one hundred and seventy 20-feet poles nave been inserted, and all angles, where possible, removed. The wires at road crossings, &c, have also been raised to prevent interruptions by traffic. Particulars as to cost of maintenance of this and other sections are given in Table G. Balclutha to Waitaki. Upon this section, the line from Palmerston to Naseby has received a thorough overhaul. Extra poles have been inserted, and about two tons of wire erected to replace a like quantity of inferior wire. Tokomairiro to Queenstown. On the Gold Fields line to Queenstown, about 270 heart of black pine poles have been erected, renewing a section of 18 miles between Lawrence and Roxburgh.