D.—l

56

During the financial year a total length of 31 miles 62 chains of railway was opened for traffic. The following contains the particulars of the sections : —

Appended hereto is a coloured diagram showing the lengths of railways opened each year since the commencement of the public-works policy. Kawakawa-Grahamtown. Section 7m. 16 eh. to 15 m. southwards from, Opua Wharf; about 8 miles long. —The works on this section have been maintained during the year: the slips on the last half-mile are still giving trouble, but it is hoped that they will soon cease. The earthwork on the 4 miles from 15 m. to 19 m. are in progress, and are well advanced towards completion. On the first 2 miles material for the small bridges is being delivered. Hukerenui—Towai Section (16 in. to 21m. 1.82 eh. from Kamo; length, 5 miles 1.82 chains). -—Some progress has been made with the earthworks. Work has been in progress on the earthworks on the extension from Whangarei to Grahamtown. There is yet, however, a considerable amount to do, and some of the ground is very unfavourable for railway formation. Helensville Northwards. Woodcocks - Kaipara Flats Section (56 m. 70 eh. to 59 m. 75 eh.; length 3 miles 5 chains). — The line was opened for public traffic up to end of this section on the 17th October last. Kaipara Flats- Tauhoa Section (59 m. 75 eh. to 62 m. Iβ eh.; length, 2 ■miles 1/.5 chains). — Good progress has been made with the earthworks, the small bridges are being built, and it is hoped that the works on this section will be completed and fit for traffic by the end of this year. Hoteo Section (62 m. Jβ eh. to 66 m.; length, 3 miles Iβ chains). —The earthworks are about half-finished. The tunnel at 62 in. 70 eh., 565 yards long, is about half-pierced. A contract has been let for the erection of three bridges over the Hoteo River. Wells ford Section (66 m. to 69 m. 20 eh.; length, 3 miles 20 chains). —A start has been made with the earthworks on this section. Paeroa-Waihi Railway. This branch line, 12J miles long, was finished during the year, and opened for public traffic on the 9th November last; but a considerable amount of goods traffic was carried over the line before it was formally opened. GISBORNE-ROTORUA RAILWAY. Ka/raka Section (12 m. 65 eh. to 17 m. 70 eh.; length 5 miles 5 chains). —Though opened last year for public traffic, a considerable amount of work has since been done in completely finishing the line. Waikohu Section (17 m. 70 eh. to 23 m. Jβ eh.; length, 5 miles 50 chains). —Good progress has been made with the earthworks; and the Karaka tunnel, near the commencement of the section, is pierced for about half its length. Timber is being procured for the small bridges, and a contract will be prepared for the three larger bridges at the end of the section. North Island Main Trunk Railway. North End. Some additional work has been done in the Taumarunui Station yard. TaMmarunui Section (76 m. 55 eh. to 83 m. 23 eh., Te Awamutu chavnage; length, 6 miles IfB chains). —This section was fenced during the year. The station buildings at Piriaka have been finished. A considerable amount of work has been done in removing slips. Whakapapa Section (129 m,. to 119 m., Marion ehainage; length, 10 miles). —The works have been finished on this section during the year; the ballasting being finished in December last. A considerable amount of work has been done in widening cuttings and removing slips. Some fencing is now being done. Owhango Section (119 m. to 111 m.; length, 8 miles). — Very good progress has been made with the works on this section: the rails are laid and the line ballasted and in use for goods traffic for the first 3 miles to Oio Station; and the earthworks are well advanced towards completion on the remaining 5 miles, and it is expected that the rails will reach Raurimu, 111 m. 30 eh., by the end of this year. Mnkaretu Section (111 m. to 10J/.m.; length, 7 miles). —The earthworks on this section have made considerable progress, and the longest of the tunnels on the spiral has been started, and about 6 chains in length has been driven and some lining done. Drives are being put through some of tEe larger cuttings to enable a number of faces to be worked simultaneously, and so expedite their completion. The bush-work is practically finished.

■isborne-Motu Lelensville-North wards ... if aikato-Thames ... [elensville-Northwards ... I Kaiteratahi-Karaka ... Ahuroa-Woodeocks ... J Scargill-Bthelton ... I Paeroa-Waihi ... Woodcocks-Kaipara Flats M. oh. 5 5 2 41 8 51 12 40 3 5 13th April, 1905. 18th May, 1905. 3rd November, 1905. 9th November, 1905. 17th November, 1905.