D.—l

III

Waikato-Thames. —From Hamilton towards Te Arolia the formation is nearly completed for a distance of eighteen miles, with the exception of the bridge over the Waikato River near Hamilton, with which the contractor is not making proper progress; while at the Grahamstown end of the line the formation is completed from Grahamstown to Kopu, with the exception of about three-quarters of a mile at Kauaeranga, the working survey of which will be ready in about three weeks, when tenders will be called for the completion of the formation and the plate-laying. The branch line from Hamilton to Cambridge is in progress, a contract having been accepted for the formation of the first five miles. Napier-TVoodville. —In the first portion of the section of four miles from Makatoko to Matamau is included a large viaduct which will not be finished before June, 1883; and, as there would have been no advantage in completing the section long before the viaduct was finished, tenders for the last portion are only now being called for. Plans are being prepared for two other large viaducts on the next section, for which tenders will be called shortly, and it is expected that these will be completed about the same time as the large viaduct previously mentioned, so that the line from Makatoko to near Danevirk (nine miles) will then be ready for traffic. Wellington- Woodville. —No further progress has been made with this line, the whole sum spent last year upon it, £25,825, having been required for the payment of liabilities and some improvements. lam informed that £15,000 more is required for improvements to the length open, in addition to the outstanding liabilities, £5,019. ' New •Plymouth-Foxton. —The House will be glad to learn that, upon the completion in December next of the section between Manutahi and Waverley, there will only remain a gap of ten and a half miles situate between Hawera and Manutahi; and the construction of this short length, the survey of which is nearly finished, will complete a line of one hundred and ninety-five miles. Wellingion-Manawatu. —l am glad to be able to say that a company, formed for the purpose of constructing this line under the Railways Construction Act of last year, will relieve the colony from any demand on its means for the prosecution of this work. Nelson-Round ell. —A further length of three miles from Foxhill to Belgrove was completed and opened last July. Picton-Surunui. —A section from Blenheim towards Awatere, length about five miles, was let for contract in December last, and is now in progress. In connection with this line I may mention that the bridges to be erected over the Clarence and Waiau Rivers are designed to carry both railway and road traffic. Hurunui^-Bluff. — Honorable members will find in the report from the Engineer in Charge a full statement of the work done, both on the main line and on the various branches. I can here only briefly indicate the nature of the work undertaken during the past year. We have constructed upon the main line the section through the Weka Pass from Waipara to Waikari, and this was opened for traffic shortly after the close of the financial year. A contract has been let for the formation from Waikari to Hurunui; and for the bridge over the Hurunui the designs will shortly be completed. We have also made considerable progress in the construction of the various branches. The expenditure, including liabilities, on improvements to portions of the main lines and branches previously opened for traffic amounted to £208,020, the chief items being sums on account of new stations at Timaru, Duntroon, Port Chalmers, and Dunedin; for considerable additions to stations at Ashburton, Oamaru, Palmerston, Mosgiel, and Invercargill; and for the lengthening of the Rakaia Bridge about 1,500 feet. It is estimated that over £280,000 additional, besides outstanding liabilities amounting to £98,000, will be required for further additions and improvements to the opened lengths; of this sum, however, probably some £45,000 or £50,000 will not come in course of payment during the next three years. Otago Central. —Upon this line the expenditure last year was £21,268, and outstanding liabilities £11,080. Towards the carrying-out of the work the total expenditure, including liabilities, was, on the 31st March, £136,392, and to line the tunnels will cost £17,000 more.