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15

APPENDIX No. 2.

AUCKLAND. The following report indicates the roadworks undertaken by the department during the year just terminated. It has been prepared by Mr. E. Fairburn, who has had a general charge of the whole: — Okaihau to Victoria Valley. —At the date of last year's report 22f miles of this road had been formed, 10 miles as a cart-road and 12f miles as a bridle-road; also a bridge of 130 ft. span, partly truss, had been built over the Mangamuka Eiver. During the season there has been formed a length of 27 chains cf cart-road and 203 chains of bridle-road, or 230 chains in all. The work, as stated in last year's report, and for reasons therein given, has been done by Maoris. The junction with the bridle-road lately opened by the Mangonui County from the Ortiru Valley, alluded to in that report, has also been effected. There are at present two contracts hi operation. Mr. G. G. Menzie3, under Mr. E. Fairburn's supervision, has charge of the works. Lower Waihou. —The works on this road which were nearly finished at date of last year's report have since been completed by the addition of 8 chains of bridle-road formation and 17ft. of bridging. Wairua to Helena Bay, Mimiha Branch. —This road has been completed during the season, having been carried as far as the coast. It has been formed as a bridle-track from 6ft. to 12ft. wide. The total length is nearly 4 miles. The works on it done during the season are 50 chains formation, 6ft. to 10ft. wide, eight of which are lightly metalled; 10 chains of embankments, and 80-Jft. of bridging. Mr. E. J. Fairburn has been in charge. Whangarei through Taheke. —This road has been formed from 4ft. to 12ft. wide by village settlers. The total length at present formed is 177 chains. Of this a length of 87 chains was made this season, together with 64ft. of temporary bridging, which sort was adopted in order to secure that settlers should have access to their lots with the amount of money available. Mr. E.J. Fairburn has had charge. Mangapai to Mareretu.—Tho contracts let on this road were completed in November last, the money allocated being thereby nearly expended. A total of 4-J- miles of 6ft.-wide bridle-track has been made, principally through forest, cleared 1 chain wide. The portion of the 4|- miles constructed this season was 1 mile in length, the work done including 132 ft. of substantial bridging, built at a very cheap rate, and by which some of the worst crossings in the district have been obviated and detours saved. Mr. Eussell, under Mr. B. Fairburn's supervision, had charge of the works. Aivaroa Sivamp, Otawa, to Deeds. —During the season a 14ft.-span bridge has been made over the Otawa Stream, about 18 chains of approaches through swampy land formed, and 4 chains of the river-bed cleared and deepened. The work was under the supervision of Mr. J. T. Mellsopp, the Waipipi Boad Board Inspector. Wairangi (or W aerenga) Road. —During the season Mr. Haszard, in the process of cutting-up the surrounding lands for sale, has surveyed about 4-J- miles of well laid-out road up the main valley. The remarks in last year's report on this road would still apply. WaAngaro to Akatea. —This bridle-track, commenced, in December, 1886, was finished in November last, the total work being 11 miles of 4ft.-wide track, plus 2-| miles of lft.-wide benching, or 13|- miles altogether. The work done this season comprises &\ miles of 4ft.-wide road, 2|- miles of lft. benching, and 288 ft. span of bridging. It has been performed by village settlers, and in a satisfactory manner. This road in itself will not open up much Crown land, but as it will in the future become the main outlet for a great deal of the district lying between Waikato and the West Coast it will be the means of opening out a good deal of country, much of which is of first-rate quality, through short branch roads being made to connect with it. Mr. F. H. Edgecumbe has had charge of the works. Whaingaroa to Waitetuna. —During the season 110 chains of bridle-road, 6ft. wide, have been formed, and 181 ft. of bridging constructed, including an 85ft.-span bridge over the Waitetuna Eiver. A junction with the Baglan-Whatawhata coach-road has been made, completing the communication therewith from Huntly (and also Ngaruawahia, through the Akatea branch). A portion of the old track used by the settlers on the northern side of the Waitetuna Eiver of about 60 chains has been worked in as a makeshift for the present. This portion, however, requires forming as side cutting in order to complete the grading throughout. Mr. Grut has been in charge under Mr. Fairburn's supervision. Kawhia to Alexandra. —During the portion of the season ending the 30th April a surface-man was kept on this road. The punts at the Oparau Ferry have been repaired by fresh caulking ; and the Whatiwhatihoe Bridge has been wedged and screwed up, and its approaches repaired. Mr. Fairburn has been in charge. Puriri to Tairua. —During the season 4 miles of forest have been cleared 1 chain wide, the road along the same length formed 6ft. wide, and a total span of 164 ft. of open culverts put in. The work which had been suspended during the autumn has lately been resumed, and tenders have been called for two contracts, comprising 40 chains in all. About three quarters of a mile of formation in addition to that already completed will reach the saddle on the main range, when the work done will begin to be useful for purposes of traffic, though not nearly so much so as if continued about 2 miles still further on, or 2f miles in all beyond present formation. Mr. A. B. Wright is in charge. Tβ Aroha Drains. —Since the date of last years report 4-| miles of drains have been made of an average depth of sft., and 60ft. of bridging constructed. The work has been performed by village