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Intimately connected with the Auckland contract is the Newmarket Junction Station, that being the point where the Kaipara line of railway joins the Waikato line. The ground is generally unfavourable for making a commodious station, and more than one design for the station has been made and revised. The plans, however, are now in such a forward state that tenders will shortly be called for the work. Waitakerei Contract (inland line, 12 miles 65 chains). —This was commenced in the end of April last, and is being prosecuted in a satisfactory manner. Since the contract was let it has been found possible to improve the line without extra cost by the substitution of 10- and 15-chain curves in place of two of 8 chains, and the lowering of the summit about 5 feet. The time for completion is the 11th September, 1880. Auckland Reclamation Contract. —This work was let on the 11th February, 1879, but as yet the contractor is making very slow progress, and very little show of work. The District Engineer is, in consequence, urging him to proceed with more system and energy. Time for completion, 3rd December, 1880. Ohaupo Contract (6 miles 20 chains). —This is in a very fair way to be completed before contract time, 18th September, 1879, and the works have been carried on from the first with systematic energy. The heavy swamp embankment at 1 mile 75 chains is most backward, but is rapidly approaching completion. The works are standing well, and the lake drainage has been effectual in drying the swamp, as intended. Newcastle Wharf Contract. —It was found necessary to make considerable alterations and additions to this contract after the work had been let, principally with a view to increased convenience for working, and also for increased stability in the structure. Delay has occurred in consequence, but the work will now be pushed on to completion. The contract time expired 30th May, 1879, but the alterations will require extended time. Hamilton Branch Contract (1 mile 1 chain). —The earthworks on this are all but finished, and the side drains nearly so ; the line is fenced in for about 50 chains ; and there is every reason to believe that the contract will be completed within the time allowed, 12th September, 1879. Railway Workshops. — A piece of ground has been purchased at Newmarket on which it is proposed to build workshops. The ground is not especially favourable for the purpose, and will require very considerable expenditure to form and drain it for the purpose of erecting buildings. Sections and plans of the ground have been taken with a view of preparing the work of formation as a first contract. Waikato-Thames Railway. Hamilton Division. —The line is staked out eastward of the Waikato River, from 1 mile 41 chains, which is the site of Hamilton East Station, to 14 miles 40 chains. The works on this length will consist mostly of forming and ditching. The plans for this contract are nearly ready for transmission to the head office for approval. Grahamstown Contract. —This is a work of reclamation for station purposes, and about one-third of the work is completed. It will most probably be finished within contract time, 18th November, 1879. Shortland Contract.— This is also a work of reclamation adjoining the above, and reaching as far as the Kauaeranga River. Not much work executed yet, as contractor has been preparing tramways, &c, for conveyance of material. Contract time ends 26th December, 1879. State of Surveys. —Plans are nearly ready for the next contract for formation, which may extend to about Puriri, at 9 miles. The line is staked out as far as Hikutaia, 13 miles 63 chains. Ho. 10, Station Buildings Contract. —This refers to the stations on the Auckland Contract, and it is expected that all the works will be finished before the line is ready. Contract time expired 11th May, 1879. No. 11, Station Buildings Contract, Green Bane. —This contract is well advanced, and wll probably be finished before contract time, viz., 16th June, 1879. No. 12, Station Buildings Contract. —This work includes sundry sixth-class stations, and is well advanced ; three are finished, two with timber on ground, one not yet begun. The time for completion of contract is 29th July, 1879. Napier-Manawatu Railway. Papatu Section (extending 5 miles 37 chains beyond Kopua, which is 64 miles 4 chains). —The formation of the line on this section has all been let out in small contracts to parties of labouring men, chiefly settlers from Norsewood, Danevirk, Ormondville, and Makaretu. The lighter portions of the work have been completed, the heavy cuttings are still in band. Between Kopua and the Manawatu River the ground was found to be very treacherous, and a deviation of the line was made so as to secure solid ground. This has proved successful, and no more trouble has arisen from slipping. Papatu Bridges Contract. —The contract time expires on the 15th July next, but the works will not be completed within the time. The difficulties of obtaining timber, and of transporting it over very rough and difficult country, may account for portion of the delay. Two of the bridges, the Manawatu and the Makatoko, have been completed, with the exception of the ballasting. The third, that over the Mangarangiora, has been begun. These are all large and lofty structures, and would, perhaps, be more properly called viaducts than bridges. Surveys. —From 69 miles 65 chains to 72 miles 65 chains the line is now permanently pegged out, ready for bush-felling, and from the latter point to 83 miles one survey party is now engaged in permanently laying out the line, and beyond that another party is exploring and contouring the country in advance. The nature of the country is such as to render surveys very tedious. The country is covered with dense bush, and is intersected with very deep and wide river-beds, which are very tortuous and irregular in their course and features. This demands the most careful and exhaustive survey to make sure of obtaining the best available line.

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