C.—l.

connecting it with the Tuakau-Raglan Road will be another line through Native land a few miles further south than the one partly formed into Block I. Awaroa No. 2 Block.—About 30 chains of road has been constructed through the blocks connecting the Churchill-Glen Murray Road at Barton's with Awaroa Block XT. Road, which gives access to the steamer-landing, Awaroa, to which steam-launches go from Waikato. Waipa (Sections 33 to 122). —About three-quarters of a mile of road has been constructed to give better access between the sections mentioned and the road to the Kerikeri Landing. Paekotare Block.—About two miles of road was roughly formed through this block, which has been opened up by the road known as Rangiriri Blocks X. and XI. Te Aroha Domain Board.—The expenditure of this vote through the Domain Board was for general repairs to the hot-water pipes supplying the baths. TaheJce-Otaua.—Works are in progress to make 20 chains of road from the Taheke Settlement towards the Otau, and in repairs to the road already formed through the settlement. Old North Road.—The small balance on this vote was expended on constructing 3 chains of road near Waipu. Topini-Maungaturoto.—A quarter of a mile of road was formed near Kaiwaka and half a mile near Maungaturoto, this being a portion of the Great North Road. There is very little metalling done between Topini and Kaiwaka, and it is only half metalled between Kaiwaka and Maungaturoto. Further outlay is urgently needed to make the road safe for winter traffic. Warkworth-Wellsford. —A portion of the Great North Road, over which there is more traffic than any other portion of the road. The vote has been expended in maintenance. There are several places where widening is urgently required, as at present it is impossible for two vehicles to pass. Fern Flat Village Settlement.—A road connecting Fern Flat with the Great North Road through the Oruru Valley, 13 chains, has been widened, and one 50ft. bridge erected, and the road maintained throughout. Tokatoka Swamp. —A sum of money was expended in enlarging the Inspector's house. The additions consist of two rooms and a verandah. Swanson Village Settlement. —Ten chains of road were made through the settlement, to give better access to settlers. Okauia Estate Roads.—This balance was expended, in conjunction with the Te Aroha-Rotorua Road through Okauia Block, erecting a bridge over the Waitearike River of 140 ft. span. Rangiatea.—Half a mile of cart-road was made across the railway-line to connect the section with Te Aroha Main Road. Repairs to Soldiers' Graves.—The land and vicinity of the graves has been cleared, the graves tidied up, and fences repaired. Opouriao. —To give better access to settlers three-quarters of a mile of road was formed into a dray-road. General. Two hundred and twenty-eight plans and specifications of works undertaken by County Councils, Road Boards, and Drainage Boards have been checked and corrected where necessary, and in a number of cases plans and specifications were made for works by the department for these local bodies. There were 296 co-operative contracts completed during the year, and fourteen contracts were let for large bridges and wharves. Seven Inspectors and three overseers have been in continuous employment, and others were employed as occasion required, in superintending and laying out of works. Gerhard Mueller, Chief Surveyor.

AUCKLAND CENTRAL. Tuakau-Raglan.—A portion of this road has been greatly improved, 4 miles 73 chains having been widened to 14 ft., and ten pipe culverts put in, totalling 214 ft.; but further works must be undertaken on the remainder of the road before it will be in good order for wheel traffic. Raglan-Waipa.—With the £2OO granted the Raglan County Council have done some good work in widening 77 chains from 9 ft. to 18 ft., building one bridge of 12 ft. span, putting in two pipe culverts, totalling 40 ft., and metalling 27'65 chains. Waitetuna-Whatawhata.—£3oo was authorised to form the proposed new road between Waitetuna and Whatawhata, which would avoid the steep grades over the mountain on the old RaglanWaipa Road, and also shorten the distance considerably; but as the sum voted was insufficient to carry out the work, I thought it advisable to wait until more money was available; consequently nothing has been done. The engineering survey of this will be put in hand as soon as possible. Waitetuna-Kauri.—The engineering survey of this road is completed. Nothing has been done towards forming it; but I hope to put the work in hand early next spring. Waitetuna-Aotea.—This road is now open for dray traffic as far as the Pakihi Stream, and has been very much improved during the year. 7 miles 55 chains have been widened from 6 ft. to 12 ft., 18-J- chains of drains have been cut, one bridge of 27 ft. span has been erected over the Pakoka River, seven culverts, of a total length of 126 ft., have been put in, and 15 chains of metalling done. Baglan-Ruapuke. —The Raglan County Council have the authority to expend this grant, but up to the present nothing has been done, I believe, on account of claims for compensation, &c., not having been settled. Main Road to Blocks VII. and IX., Karioi.—Nothing has been done to this road, as the authority to expend the grant has not yet been received.

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