41

D.—1.

has been a considerable increase in the traffic to Tavrpo since the destruction of the terraces ; so it will probably become necessary to increase the expenditure on this road. In addition to better maintenance, the road will require improving in many places if a large traffic is to be carried expeditiously and safely. The alternative road between Eotorua and Tauranga via Te Puke was considerably damaged by the eruptions and the floods which subsequently occurred. The Waingahea Bridge was carried away, the bed of the stream being silted up 12ft. All the streams were more or less affected in the same manner. Even now a small rainfall causes a large flood, and a small flood brings down immense quantities of the volcanic deposits. The Te Puke Eoad has been made available for light vehicles, but a large expenditure is required before it can accommodate heavy traffic. The branch road from Eotorua to Tarawera is in almost exactly the same position as the Te Puke Eoad ; but, on account of the greater deposit of volcanic matter on the adjoining hills, it will be worse to maintain. Takanaki and Wellington. Taranaki-Taumaranui. —A reconnaissance survey has been made for a road to connect Taranaki with Auckland. Two routes have been proposed, one commencing on the coast at the Mimi Eiver and the other at Stratford. A special report with map, on the subject is hereto appended. (Enclosure No. 1.) Manawatu Gorge Boad. —This road was maintained by the department till the 31st December, 1886, at which date it was handed over to the local authorities. Awakino Bridge. —The new bridge, completed in January, 1886, was destroyed by a bush-fire on the 23rd of the same month. It was immediately rebuilt, the work being finished on the 2nd July, 1886. Tiraumea Bridge. —A contract is in preparation for a bridge over the Tiraumea Eiver, in the Pahiatua District. It will have three spans, 80ft., 40ft., and 20ft. respectively. Nelson Distbiot. Clarence Bridge. —This bridge, commenced in March, 1884, was satisfactorily completed on the 25th January, 1887. The bridge has four spans of 120ft. and one of 60ft. It consists of composite girders—wood and iron—supported on piers of cast-iron cylinders filled with concrete. Wairau Bridge.- —The work of painting this bridge was completed in December. Roads in the Sounds.- —A contract has been let for the track between Waikawa and Waitamonga. The work is nearly finished. A reconnaissance survey has been made for a road between Mahakipawa and Havelock. Bai Valley Boad. —The only work done on this road during the year is the improvement of the gradient at Collins Hill, which was finished in July, 1886. Belgrove-Tarndah Boad.- —Sundry repairs have been done during the year between Belgrove and Tophouse, and again in the Wairau Gorge. Riivaka-Collingicood Boad. —Out of the 16|- miles to make over the Takaka Eange, 8 miles are finished and 6-| in progress, and tenders have just been received for the last 2 miles. With the exception of half a mile in swampy ground, none of the road has been metalled. The Takaka Bridge, with one mile of approach-roads, was satisfactorily finished in June, 1886. The bridge has two spans of 80ft. and three of 40ft. One of the piers is of concrete, and another of iron cylinders, the remainder being timber. The superstructure is of wood and iron, of the usual type. A section of this road between Takaka and Anahau has been completed during the year. It is formed for 2 miles 29 chains, and gravelled for one mile. Eve's Valley Boad. —The improvement of the gradient at the saddle, referred to in last annual report, was duly completed in July, 1886. Nelson-Lyell Boad. —The section of this road from Belgrove to Hope Junction has been put in repair and maintained by the Public Works Department during the last three months. The improvements at the Hope Saddle in progress during 1885-86 were finished early this year. A track has been made from the main Buller Eoad up the Owen Eiver to the quartz reefs, a distance of 9J miles. It is formed for a width of Bft., and gravelled for 3ft. in the centre. .The track was only intended for horse- and sledge-traffic, but since the fresh activity displayed at the reefs it has been used by wagons. If the present prospects of the reefs are realized, it will be necessary to widen and metal the track. The most important work in progress on the Belgrove-Lyell Eoad during the past year is the Motueka-Motupiko Bridge, which is just about finished. It will be taken off the contractors' hands next week. The work has been carried out in a satisfactory manner, and will be finished seven weeks before the contract-time. A contract was entered into on the 26th November for the erection of a small bridge over the Upper Buller, to replace a bridge built many years ago by the Provincial Government of Nelson. The work is progressing satisfactorily. The Owen, Granity Creek, and Matiri Bridges have been painted during the year. Westland District. Buller Boad. —A detailed survey of the portion of this road between the Nine-mile Eerry and Inangahua Junction has been made, with the view to its improvement. It has been divided into nine sections; contracts have been let for four of them, and tenders for the remaining five have just been received.