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APPENDIX No. 3. EOADS TO OPEN CEOWN LANDS FOE SALE.

Extracts peom Bepobts and Statements by Supebvising Ofpicees on the Wobk done fbom Ist July, 1886, to 30th June, 1887.

AUCKLAND. Ohaihau to Victoria Valley. —At the date of'last report there were twenty-two and a quarter miles of this road open, partly as a cart-road, partly as a bridle-road. During the season a bridge has been built over the Mangamuka Eiver, and recently work was again started to continue the road towards Victoria, a length of half a mile having been formed as a bridle-road, whilst a mile and a half are under contract by Maoris. As the line will now run for some miles through Maori territory, the work will be put into their hands so as to avoid complications. The work will shortly effect a junction with the track made by the Mangonui County from Oruru Valley, and thus afford a readier means of access between Hokianga and Mangonui. The area of Crown land directly affected by this road is not great (about 7,200 acres), but indirectly it will open a much larger extent of Crown and private property. Mr. G. G. Menzies, under Mr. Fj. Fairburn's supervision, has direct charge of the works. Kohukohu to Bakautapu. —This work has been in charge of the Hokianga County. The whole length of five miles and a half is now completed. It runs through the Kohukohu Village Settlement, and ends at the Herd's Point-Takahue Eoad. Only about 387 acres of Crown land are directly affected by it; but indirectly it affords means of access to a large extent of Crown lands at Manganuiowae. The county has also constructed a wharf where the road terminates at Kohukohu. Lower Waihou. —This road, which was laid out previously to last year's report especially to give access to the Native school from the Waihou settlements, Hokianga, will, when continued, lead to an extensive area of Crown lands. During the year a length of two miles and a half has been made as a bridle-road by Maori contractors. Wairua to Helena Bay. —ln connection with this line, an exchange has been effected of a piece of land at its termination at Mimiwhangata, to serve as a landing-place, and possibly a village in the future. Some few repairs have also been made where slips had occurred. The Mimiha Branch of the above road leads directly to the homestead settlement of that name, and runs most of the way through Crown lands, but partly through the property of Mr. John Williams, who has dedicated the road to the Crown. A length of three miles and a quarter of bridle-road Bft. to 12ft. wide has been made very cheaply, the work having been let to local settlers at piecework rates. A 30ft. bridge, now nearly finished, will complete the road. Mr. B. J. Fairburn has been in charge of the work. Whangarei through Tahehe. —This forms part of a road commenced three years ago, which, starting from the Ngunguru Eoad, runs through Crown lands and joins that now forming at Parua Bay. It was started this year near Pataua, in order to give access to the village settlement there. One mile and ten chains have been made to date by the village settlers—of from 6ft. to 12ft. wide— where it runs through their settlement and through a Native reserve. Mr. E. J. Fairburn has had charge of the work. . Mangapai to Mareretu. —This line was started at the southern end, where it branches from the Paparoa-Waikiekie Eoad. It runs through a homestead settlement, affording the settlers a much-needed outlet, and will eventually lead on through Crown and private properties to a district much in need of opening up. During the year three miles and a half of 6ft. bridle-road has been made, and, in addition, contracts are let for another mile and for four bridges. Mr. Eussell, under Mr. E. Fairburn's supervision, has had charge of the works. Paparoa to Waikiekie. —One and a quarter miles of this road and 93ft. of bridging have been made. It is on the same line as that mentioned above, but its further extension will be on a branch through some Crown lands of good quality, containing about 12,800 acres, part of which has been prepared for settlement. This is a line which should be continued in the spring, as it affords access to good land. Mr. B. Fairburn has been in charge. Tatararihi Brain. —The Hobson County Council has supervised the construction of 60 chains of drain through Crown land, which will eventually be affected to the extent of about six or eight hundred acres. Assistant Surveyor Hardy speaks of the swamp in high terms. It has been laid out in farms for settlement. Hunua Boads. —Nothing on this line has been done beyond ascertaining that a good line can be ' obtained through private property into a large extent of Crown lands now lying idle, but which it is proposed directly to prepare for settlement. A question of compensation has hitherto delayed the work. AivaroaStvamp, Whiriwhiri, and Deeds. —These three votes all refer to the same place. Under the supervision of the Waipipi Eoad Board Inspector, Mr. J. T. Mellsopp, the drains cut last year have been deepened and improved, and fresh material thrown on to the road, and a contract is now in operation for a bridge, and extension of the road to dry land on the south side. An experiment has been made in sowing the swamp with mixed grasses, which has turned out a great success. The grass is doing very well. Akaaka Sivamp. —The contract in force at date of last report for a mile and a half of drain through this swamp has been completed, and a branch drain deepened and otherwise improved by Mr. Mellsopp, acting for the Waiuku Eoad Board. Ghurchilt Punt. —This work has been completed under Mr. Eairburn's supervision and design, and the punt handed over to the Waikato County Council.