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M. oh. Track below Lake Ada ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 From landing aboA7e Lake Ada to beech huts ... ... ... 5 40 Beech huts to Sutherland Waterfall ... ... ... ... 1 10 Beech huts over saddle to Mintaro hut ... ... ... 4 60 - Mintaro hut to Half-way Camp ... ... ... ... 6 40 Half-way Camp to Te Anau Lake ... ... ... ... 6 60 Total ... ... ... ... ... 26 50 Of the above, the track below Lake Ada is narrow, and should be widened and improved. The remainder of the tracks in Arthur Valley are in fair order for pedestrians, including the track up the Roaring Creek to McKinnon's Pass. This is not a " pass "in the ordinary acceptation of the word, but a rough hog-backed ridge, clear of bush, along Avhich the track is marked by guide-poles for about a mile. The descent into the Clinton Valley is very steep, and too narrow for a permanent track, This, and the upper part of the track in the Clinton Valley, about four or five miles in all, should be widened and improved. The remainder of the track to Te Anau is fairly good, with the exception of tAvo rocky bluffs which require some rock-blasting to avoid a steep climb on both sides. The track in the Clinton Valley requires the erection of three huts for the use of tourists—namely, one at Te Anau, one at Half-way Camp, and one at Lake Mintaro. This track cannot be said to open up Crown lands, except to a small extent; but I have no doubt, if the tourist traffic increases, there will be a demand for a few small holdings, both in the Arthur and Clinton Valleys. Maniototo County. —The first item, "Roads in Blocks XL and 111., Gimmerbum," is given in the report of the County Engineer; but I have no advice from your office of the money (£100) having been advanced. In reference to the work done by the Waihemo County, the tAvo sums of £73 and £227 make up the £300 voted by the Government; but the £85 lis. was obtained out of land revenue, and also spent on the road. The two items, " Wakari to Waitati Eoad," and " Eoad up Leith Valley to Blueskin," are for £50 each, and were granted as subsidies of £1 to £1 to the local bodies interested. The improvements on the road up the Leith Valley are completed, but Ido not know if anything has been clone by the Waikouaiti County on the other side of the saddle. The other items in the schedule do not call for special remark, with the exception of the Catlin's-Wai-kawa Eoad through Block VIII., Glenomaru, on the north side of Catlin's Lake, and through Block 111., Woodland, on the south side. This was cleared and made partly by the "unemployed" and partly by contract. A good deal of heavy cutting was required, and where the ground was level it was generally swampy. C. W. Adams, Chief Surveyor.

Particulars of Road-improvements, &c., to open up Crown Lands in Otago during the Year ending 30th June, 1890.

Total amount paid to local bodies out of land revenue for the year, £5,210 16s. sd.

SOUTHLAND. No. 1 Road, Waikaka Siding to Waikaka Town.- —Mileage formed, &c, 3! miles; acreage rendered better accessible, 5,000 acres. This work consists of 204-f- chains of combined formation and gravelling ; also 1,400 cubic yards of gravel, which was laid down in places where it was most required. One 10ft. bridge was jilso built, and five culverts were constructed. The work is situatedon the main road up the Waikaka Valley from Waikaka railway-siding, near Gore. The roadls an important one, and at the upper end taps a certain amount of Crown lands of mixed character, No. 2 Road, Riversdale to Switzers. —Mileage "formed, See., 3! miles; acreage rendered better accessible, 5,000 acres. This w7ork consists of 275 chains formation and gravelling, Avith 3,225 cubic yards of excavation and five box culverts.

Name of Road. Mileage improved. Area of Land benefited. Pembroke to Matukituki Jetty and track, Manuka Island, Lake Wanaka .. Track, Milford Sound to To Anau Lake Roads in Blocks XI. and III., Gimmerburn Roads in Block VI., Maniototo .. Run 210, Deepdell Wakari-Waitati Road .. Road up Leith Valley to Blueskin Roads to open up blocks in Glenkenich Roads in Block VI., Rankleburn Kelso-Waikaka Road Glenomaru-Owake Roads Road in Block I., Woodlands Catlin's-Waikawa Road Catlin's River bridge Main road in Block IV., Woodlands Totals M. ch. .. I 1 53 '.'. 3(1X .. 0 34 .. ! 1 0 0 54 .. j 5 13 '.'. .1 15 .. | - 18- .. 2 74 1 20 .. 2 0 .. 3 40 - j *J° .. ! 55 41 I I Acres. 50,000 300 3,400 1,200 9,114 15,374 543 •1,500 2,000 2,000 900 5,000 3,720 95,051