D.—l

8

Little River 'Branch. —The completion of this railway, including platelaying and stations, up to the Little Eiver Township, 36 miles from Christchurch, is now under contract, and is expected to be finished about January next. Any further extensions of the line towards Akaroa will be a charge against the Lake Ellesmere and other endowments, reserved for the purpose of constructing this railway, and which, if sold to advantage, will materially assist in completing the line throughout. Ngapara—Livingstone Branch. —The tunnelling on this line, which was stated last year to be in progress, has now been completed, and a contract has been entered into for platelaying on the first 4 miles. The formation of the remaining 8 miles is nearly completed, and tenders will shortly be called for the platelaying on this length also. P aimer ston-Waihemo Branch. —A contract for the final completion of this ai lway, including platelaying and station buildings, is now in progress, and is expected to be completed next month. Length, about 9 miles. Ccdlin's River Branch. —The works on this railway, as far as the Port Molyneux Eoad, will probably be completed and ready for traffic in September or October next. Length, about 8 miles. Waipahi-Heriotburn Branch. —As regards the extensions of this railway, which have been advocated from time to time, the Government are desirous, if possible, of meeting the views of those interested, but the question is, whether the opening-up of the country, which requires to be developed in this district, can best be done by the extension of this Waipahi-Heriotburn Eailway, or by extending the railway from Lawrence, as has been advocated by other persons ; and we have therefore decided, that before any further extension is undertaken on either of these lines, a complete survey and report should be obtained as to how the object desired can best be brought about. This survey will be put in hand during the recess, and the decision of the Government upon it will be announced next session. Edendale-Toitois Branch. —This work remains in the same condition as last year, as it seemed doubtful whether any sensible increase to the traffic would take place if the rails were laid on the 4 miles additional formation already completed beyond Wyndham. The question has, therefore, been kept open till it is decided whether the line should be extended any further at present. A vote will be proposed to cover the cost of the platelaying over the 4 miles now formed, and the Government will ascertain whether a further extension of about 2 miles will command the traffic of the district, and, if so, will recommend the extension. Waimea-Switzer's Branch. —The formation of the first 7 miles of this railway, which was alluded to last year as in hand, has now been completed, with the exception of the bridges. Seaivard Bush Branch.- —On this railway the formation is completed for 5| miles, and a contract has been entered into for the platelaying. Otago Centbal Eailway. So much has been said during the year about the position of the works on this railway that I trust honourable members will bear with me if I refer to them somewhat in detail. It will be remembered that, when taking the vote for this line last year, I stated most distinctly that, although we took a very large vote, it would be impossible to spend much of the money during the financial year then current, and in practice this has proved to be the case to even a greater extent than I then thought. For the Wingatui Viaduct plans and specifications had been prepared with the view of ordering the ironwork from England, but these I have had altered so