C.—l.

APPENDIX lII.—ROADS.

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF CHIEF SURVEYORS AND OTHERS ON ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st MARCH, 1900.

AUCKLAND. Kaeo-Whangaroa.—The Whangaroa County Council have widened and formed about a mile of road to a width of li ft. across a mud-flat, thus shortening and much improving the road. There yet remains about three miles of road to be widened, where at present it requires very good driving to get along with a trap. The works were carried out through the Whangaroa County Council, and consist of the formation of bridge-approaches. Beach Road at Mongonui.—Where the old wooden retaining-wall has broken down the Mongonui County Council have been renewing it, and at the same time widening the turns to improve the road. Works are still in progress. Oruru-Hikurangi.—This road gives access to a considerable area of Crown lands, and during the year about a quarter of a mile of bridle-track 8 ft. wide has been constructed. Mongonui-Taipa-Aivanui.—Th.e Mongonui County have widened and improved a considerable portion of the road between Mongonui and the bridge at Taipa, and have let a contract for general repairs from that bridge to Awanui. This road, owing to steep gradients, can never be made more than a bridle-track without a considerable number of deviations. Awanui-Hohoura Road.—General repairs, and more particularly the portions where the line crosses swamps, have been made to the road by the Mongonui County Council. Mongonui Parish-Awanui Parish. —About two miles of this road has been re-formed and part metalled, and four bridges rebuilt. There is yet, however, a considerable portion unmetalled, and consequently the maintenance is costly. Awanui-Waiharera-Kaikino Road.—The Mongonui County have improved about two miles of this road, which gives access to a considerable number of sections now taken up along the east coast. Victoria Valley to Main Road. —The total distance from Victoria Valley Post-office to the junction of this line with the Great North Road is eight miles and three-quarters. The formation has now been made throughout with the exception of the bridges and culverts, and the construction of some of these are now in hand. When the Takahue-Victoria Valley Road is made this road will be a part of the main line connecting the Whangape and Herekino Harbours with the Mongonui Harbour. Victoria Valley-Kaitaia.—Under my supervision the Mongonui County Council have expended this vote in metalling a considerable length of the road with shingle. The work was well and economically done, and there is no doubt that when the Victoria Valley to Main Road is completed a very considerable portion of the traffic will be diverted from the present Great North Road along this line. Takahue-Herekino.—This is a part of the main road between the Herekino and Mongonui Township, and was formed into a bridle-track a few years ago. During the year it has been widened in places sufficient for wheel traffic, but it will at least require another £5OO expended on it for constructing bridges and general improvements before it will be safe for winter traffic. It opens up a large area of Crown lands. Kaitaia-Ahipara.—Repairs to culverts and bridges, some metalling and road-formation, have been done to this road by the Mongonui County Council. There yet remains a considerable portion of the line which must be metalled to keep the road fit for wheel traffic during the winter. It is at present a portion of the only cart-road into the Herekino Settlement. Awanui-West Coast. —Works have been carried out under the direction of the Mongonui County Council in improving this road, about 13 chains having been formed. Mangatoetoe Road.—About a quarter of a mile of this road is being improved and metalled, the works being carried out through the Mongonui County Council. The road gives access to a good many settlers, and connects the Great North Road with the Victoria Valley to Mam Road road. Ahipara-Herekino.—ls the only dray-road into the Herekino Village Settlement, and, as it has to carry a considerable amount of traffic, it becomes almost impassable during the winter months. The road-line passes nearly all the way through Native land, and is expensive to maintain. During the year about a quarter of a mile has been improved. Takahue Village-Victoria Valley.—Mr. G. G. Menzies has made an engineering survey of this line a length of about three miles and a half, and has constructed about a mile, near the Takahue Village. The road will form the connecting-link between Herekino Village Settlement and Mongonui Township. It is easy of construction, easily metalled by gravel from river, and will require only one bridge of any size, and that not until the traffic largely increases. Oruru-Fern Flat-Mangamuka.—This is the most direct road connecting Hokianga and the Bay of Islands Counties with Mongonui. During the year the Mongonui County Council have been doing general repairs to it. The line will require to be regraded before it can be made into a cart-road, as the present grades are far too steep. Maungataniwha.—During the year a mile and a half of bridle-track has been widened to 12 ft., and two miles and a half improved. This road connects the Maungataniwha Block with the Great North Road at Peria.

45