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of the vote is to be expended by the Woodville and Kumeroa Road Boards to open up direct communication between the places named. Specifications for this work have been prepared by the Survey Department, and the formation put in hand by the Road Boards. Puketitiri Bush. — Pohui Survey District. —The sum voted for the formation of a road to the Puketitiri Bush is to be spent by the Hawke's Bay County Council, who have supplemented the vote by £240. Contracts have been let for the formation of 6 miles of road, cost £426, and for clearing the road through the bush, 2J miles, £333. Tukituki to Waipawa. — Makaretu Buataniwha Survey District. —It having been found that the Crown lands in the Makaretu Reserve could not be sold until the reservation had been cancelled, the road works were not continued; but in view of legislation on the subject, the road formation and surveys have recently been commenced. A statement of the expenditure on this road will be found in the report for last year. Tautane and Botokakaranga. —The votes for the Tautane and Rotokakaranga Blocks, have not as yet been operated upon, for there is little probability that these lands would be taken up, until the law has been so altered as to allow of the upset prices being fixed at the selling value. In the case of the Rotokakaranga Block, the 39th parallel of latitude, the boundary of the provincial district, cuts the block into two narrow strips, thereby spoiling it for subdivision. It is intended to send out a party in July to explore for roads through the Tautane Bush, the object to be kept in view is to find a main road through the centre of the block, that will connect from the sea cost at Wainui with the railway at Tahoraiti, in the Seventy Mile Bush. Horace Baker, Chief Surveyor.

Wellington. The following works were undertaken to open Crown lands for sale in the Wellington Provincial District, during the year 1881-2, the funds being obtained from vote 107. Item 37, £8,000, and 49, £500.—The whole of the works carried out in the Forty Mile Bush, were intrusted to the Wairarapa West County Council; I am only in a position to indicate generally what has been done in that district. (1.) In the Pahiatua Township a contract has been let for clearing and formation of a dray road between the main coach road and western boundary, of section number one, Block VIII, Mangahao, and from thence southwards to the cross road to the Tiraumea, distance about 3J miles. (2.) The Hawera-Mangaone Cross Road has been laid off by the County Engineer, and contracts let for the construction of a dray road for a distance of 2 miles. (3.) Contracts are in progress on Foster's Line, South Mauriceville, to the extent of 2J miles; the road will be sixteen feet wide ; and is being constructed in a more expensive manner than usual in similar circumstances. No provision has yet been made for the necessary bridges ; and the work has not been pushed on expeditiously, save on one contract; the time allowed expired on 31st May. (4.) Regarding the road works to open up the Wangaehu, No. 2 Block, I have no certain information : the County Council have accepted tenders for the formation of a bridle road. Item 39, £500. —The Manawatu Highway Board are expending £350 in making the road from Knight's towards Fitzherbert Township, and the road eastward towards section No. 270, block XVI. Formation, 14 feet wide. Item 40, £1,500.- —The Hutt County Council brought the Akatarawa Block Road contracts to a conclusion, most of the work being done in 1880-1. About twelve miles of bridle-tracks were made, ranging from 3 to 7 feet in width. Item 41, £1,000. —The only work done on the Waikawa Blocks was the felling of the forest 1 chain in width, and clearing 16 feet in centre, on a distance of 2\ miles, under the supervision of this office. Item 42, £5,000. —The department is engaged in laying off a road through the Otamakajma block, preparatory to inviting tenders for the clearing. Item 43, £1,000. —Proposals have been submitted for your consideration regarding the opening of the eastern side of the Pohangina Valley. Item 44, £1,500. —Mr. G. F. Robinson is superintending, under your directions, the road works on the Momahaki Block. He was good enough to inform me, in May, that he had completed or in hand about 13 miles of road works, comprising-—clearing 1 chain and stumping 30 feet in width, and earthworks and bridging, the width of road being feet. The marvel is how so much could be done for £1,500. Mr. Robinson requires some further funds to construct a line from Richardson Township towards Waverley. Item 45, £1,200. —The Wanganui-Waitotara Highway Board, through their engineer, Mr. A. Atkins, are making the £1,200 voted to open Tokomaru Block spread over a considerable distance. The bush is felled 1 chain in width and stumped 18 feet in centre, formation being 8 feet in width. Contracts have been undertaken for about 16 miles of road. Item 46, £2,000 ; and 47, £2,000. —The Wanganui County have been proceeding with the construction of Mr. Field's Mangawhero Line. The Marton-Murimotu Road has had no money spent upon its improvement yet. Item 48, £2,300. —The Hutt County Council completed the construction of the bridle-road from Akatarawa to the Waikanae River, distant about 8 miles, width of road 5 feet. Item 50, £1,330. —This vote was expended by the district engineer, Public Works Department, in completing the roads and drains on the Kairanga Block. Item 51, £90. —Was expended by the Manawatu County Council on the Kiwitea Main Line. Item 52, £1,500. —This is to be handed over to the Wairarapa East County Council to improve various roads leading towards Crown lands, but no road works have yet been undertaken so far as I am aware. J. W. Marchant, Chief Surveyor.

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