C—6

28

Summary of Road-work executed in the Taranaki District under the supervision of the Survey Department, 1889-90.

WELLINGTON. Taumaranui-Karioi, Ohakuuc-Pipiriki. —These roads have been maintained by a small gang under Mr. Nicol, supervised by Mr. G. T. Murray. The work done comprised felling and clearing the bush, forming 6ft. in width in the worst pfaces, repairing and placing culverts, and maintaining the whole length of 85 miles, at a total cost of £470 6s. These roads intersect and open up the Waimarino, Atuahae, and Eangataua Blocks, benefiting an area of about 200,000 acres of Crown lands. Wanganui-Murimoiu, Field's Boad. —The bush was felled along 6 miles of this road 1 chain to 2 chains wide ; the felled bush was burnt off, and the area sown with grass-seed as usual. Culverts were renewed to a great extent throughout, and the formation widened and improved in many places. Of the 65 miles comprised in this road, 25 are available for dray-traffic, and the remainder consists of a bridle-road about 6ft. in width. The cost for the year was £384 9s. Id. This road leads to the remote Crown lands in the Eangataua and Waimarino Blocks. Napier to Karioi, Moawhango to Waitangi Section. —A small contract was let to improve the road at Tikirere sideling, near Moawhango, at a cost of £18. Plans and specifications Avere prepared by Mr. G. T. Murray for 11 miles between Moawhango and Waitangi, for which tenders have been invited. When the works comprised in these contracts have been completed, Karioi will be accessible from Napier by dray and coach. The expenditure for the year was £37 ss. 7d. This road connects Hawke's Bay with the Waimarino, Eangataua, and other Crown-land Blocks. Hunterville to Turangarere. —Mr. G. T. Murray surveyed and prepared plans and sections for a distance of 1 mile 14 chains, and Mr. Charles Field and party were employed on this road between Poukiore and Pawerawera. The Avork consisted of dray-road formation, 18ft. in width, over a length of 1 mile 11 chains. The party also felled, stumped, and cleared 3 miles 15 chains, formed 20 chains near Makohine, and repaired the Avhole length of road, at a total cost of £800 9s. This road also leads to Waimarino and other Crown lands. Wanganui to Murimotu, Hales's Boad. —The only work carried out on this road with funds proA 7ided by the Crown consisted of 57! chains bush-felling and horse-road formation. The work was under the direction of and carried out by the Upper Wangaehu Eoad Board. The amount advanced by the Government Avas £100. This road served 20,000 acres of Crown lands in the Maungakaretu Block. Ngutuera Boad. —The Government advanced to the Waitotara-Momohaki Eoad Board £400, which the Board expended in constructing a dray-road, from 12ft. to 16ft. in width, for a distance of 3 miles 30 chains. This road leads to about 10,000 acres of Crown lands in the Omahine-Wai-totara Block. Mangaivhio Boad. —Mr. Murray executed the engineering survey, and prepared plans, sections, and specifications for 5 miles of this road: the work«to comprise bush-felling, stumping, clearing, and formation for a horse-road. Tenders were called for, without resulting in a suitable offer. Steps are being taken to obtain fresh tenders. This road is a continuation of the Ngutuera Road. The cost for the year was £40 13s. 6d. West Waitapu and Otamakapua. —Mr. Charles Field and party executed the following works: Rangitikei Valley Road, felling, stumping, and clearing 174! chains, and the formation 6ft. in width on 132 chains on the same length, at a cost in all of £350 13s. The Mangatutu Road was repaired at a cost of £15 6s. Mr. Murray executed the engineering survey and prepared plans and specifications for 3 miles of the Tapuae Road, for which tenders are being invited. The total cost of these three works was £383 Is. 6d. These roads served about 20,000 acres of CroAvn lands in the Otamakapua Block.

Roads ( proved. .otistructed, imor maintained. or. S3 . -3 — 3 'u ° ° «.g« o a a -s a _o «; d _ o a ~&, . rH a—* c. o O ■? s a" o a> > S Name of Road or AA 7ork. •a a _ o 0-rj . d ctj§ w _ 1= i • a a a ■Sg 3h?° X rX 80 18 Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges,— Miles. Junction Road—completing contracts ; also 3 miles of 5-5 surfacing, removing slips, &c. Miles. Miles. Miles. Ft. Acres. Ft. 82 ! 41 43 45 147-49 48 50 51 52 Roads to open up Lands before Sale, — Pukearuho to Mokau—repairs to bridges and surfacing 16-5 Roads east of Stratford .. .. .. .. j 2-0 Eltham Road —bridges .. .. .. ,. j Rotokare and branch roads, and Inland Mokoia— felling East and Wawiri Roads—felling .. .. Mokau Perry, acros Mokau River .. .. .. i Pukearuhe Inland-Mimi Road—formation, culverting, I 0-0 bridging Egmont Road, tourists' route to Mount Egmont Warea-East Road—felling 30-0 12-5 2-1 .. LI.., i .. '.'. .. 83-6 1 .. 9,600 .. L .. .. 6,000 .. j 1 .. ..! .. 7 i'e 4-15 4-15 ! 1 83-6 9 15,600 16-2