D.-l

VI

The surveyed line of the railway in the neighbourhood of Eaetihi is about seven miles distant from the Eaetihi Township. The Department has been urged to deviate the line so as to pass through Eaetihi; but, as it is desirable that the Main Trunk Eailway between Auckland and Wellington should be constructed by the shortest and most direct route, I could not recommend the proposed deviation. A trial survey will, however, be made to ascertain the cost of connecting with Eaetihi by means of a branch line, which branch line could ultimately be extended to Pipiriki if thought necessary. The construction of the service-road to connect the works at the Auckland and Wellington ends will also be proceeded with during the ensuing summer. The expenditure on the North Island Main Trunk Eailway last year amounted to £154,436—name1y, £136,372 out of the ordinary construction vote, and £18,064 out of the vote for permanent-way materials. A larger expenditure will be required this year, and a vote of £300,000 is therefore asked for. Blenheim-Waipara. Formation-works have been resumed at the north end of this line— namely, on the section between Seddon and Flaxbourne. The work having only recently been commenced, no great progress has yet been made. At the southern end considerable work has been done, and but for the unusually wet weather experienced the line would ere this have been opened for traffic to Hurunui Station. 1 fear it will now be impossible to open it until about the Ist October. Work in the Hurunui Gorge is in hand. Tenders for the station buildings at Westlands have been invited. This station will be upon the Cheviot main road, and I hope to be able to have the railway to that point opened for traffic at a reasonably early date. Last year's expenditure totalled to £23,195, and for the current year (to meet the cost of works at both ends of the line) a vote of £45,000 is proposed. Midland. At the Nelson end the rail-head has been advanced to within half a mile of Tadrnor, and the ballasting is in progress, so that we should be in a position to carry goods to Tadmor at an early date. A further section of this line, 10| miles in length, was authorised in the Eailways Authorisation Act of last session, and formation-work thereon has been started. At the Eeefton end considerable work has been done. A combined road and railway bridge has been built over the Waitahu Eiver; and a similar bridge over the Inangahua, at the landing, has also been finished. Progress has been made with the earthworks, especially on the embankments approaching the Waitahu Bridge. At the Otira end a contract has been let for the bridges over Goat Creek and the Eolleston Eiver, and a start has been made with the earthworks. The surveys for the permanent location of the summit tunnel at Arthur's Pass are now well advanced. Honourable members will realise that a work of the magnitude of the Arthur's Pass tunnel demands much more accurate survey than is ordinarily required in railway undertakings. In view of the special nature of this tunnel and the plant that will be required to carry it out expeditiously, the Government has determined to invite tenders for its construction. While the surveys are going on, all necessary data is being obtained for the utilisation of a water-power plant to generate electricity for use in working the traffic on the tunnel section of the railway. At the Springfield end good progress has been made. The line as far as Staircase Gully is regularly used for the conveyance of goods; the Staircase Gully Viaduct is in course of erection, and making good progress ; the formation between Staircase and Broken Eiver is well advanced ; the piers for the Broken Eiver Bridge have been begun ; and the earthworks between that point and Sloven's Creek are in hand. A service-road is also in course of construction between Broken Eiver and the Cass.