D.~ 1

36

The following table shows the depths on the Grey bar for each month of the year :—

The difference of level of high-water at springs and neaps is 24ft. Mokihinui. A contract was entered into in February for deepening the inner bar of the Mokihinui Eiver. This will facilitate the passaga of vessels to the wharves, which are situated about a mile up the river. The work is well in hand, and should be finished in June. EOADS AND BEIDGES. The general administration of roads and bridges passed into the control of the Survey Department in January; but, as the Public Works Department had charge of them till then, and as it has still charge of certain works, it is considered desirable to include them in this year's report. Auckland District. Mangare Bridge.— Work was commenced under the Eepairs Contract No. 2 in May, and finished in November. Panmure Swing-bridge. —Some small repairs have been executed during the year. Boad on West Side of Waipa. —The survey having been finished early in the year, the Karamu Contract, 3 miles 16 chains, was let and the works completed in January. Boad from Kawa Bailway-station to Waotu. —A bridge has been built over the Waikato, and a survey made with a view of improving the approaches. Otorohanga-Te Kuiti Trctcks. —These small tracks were finished in June. Katikatir-Te Aroha Track. —This has been kept in fair order for horse-traffic, a few slight repairs only being necessary. Oxford-Botorua Boad. —Nothing more than the usual maintenance was done. Stone-breaking. —Work for the unemployed of Auckland has been found in stone-breaking, and up till the end of December eighty men were on an average engaged at this work. General. —Eeports were made on the Waipa-Kawhia Eoad, and the Mangakowhai and Mangapu Bridges. Bay of Plenty and Napier. Tauranga-East Cape. —lmprovements have been continued on the various sections of this road and its branches, and all were maintained in a good state for traffic. Opotiki-Ormond Boad. —The maintenance of the 44 miles from Opotiki to Motu lias been attended to, and the road kept in a fair condition for horse-traffic. Tauranga-Napier Boad. —This road has been well maintained, and more than the usual amount of improvements undertaken. Contracts are in progress for the renewal of the Mangarewa and Ohaupora Bridges, with substantial timber superstructures on masonry abutments, while contracts for the new Parsons's and Catten's bridges were completed. In the Mangarewa Gorge some two miles of the road has been cleared of rock, which was used in improving other portions. On the southern section a large number of culverts have been put in or renewed, and embankments protected. Branch Boad to Botomahana.— -The contractor has made very little progress with the work on .the 4 miles between Pariheru and Botomahana. Wanganui District. Tiraumea Bridge. —This bridge, after considerable delay, is now approaching completion. Manawatu Gorge Boad. —Beyond the removal of slips and gravelling repairs there has been hut little to do oh the road. It was maintained in good order for the heavy traffic caused by the railway-construction.

Mean Depths on Bar at High water, taking Averages o] Three Days at each Springand Neap-tide. Mouth. Spring-tides. Neap-tides. April May June July August September ... October November ... December ... 1888. Ft. 19f ■ 17i 18f 20 19 18} 23 22* 20} Ft. 18| 16 18} 19*. 18| 17} 18} 18} 19} 1889. 19* 201 22 January February ... March 20 19 21| Means for the year 20 18|