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done. The rails are laid for the first mile, to the north side of the Grey River. The Blackball and No. 1 Ford's Creek Bridges are in hand, and Soldiers' Creek will be put in hand immediately. The station-yard at Blackball is being arranged. Greymouth-Hokitika-Ross Railway. 24 m. to 38 m. 35 eh. —The first portion of the line to Ruatapu Station, near Lake Mahinapua, at 31 m. 10 eh., was finished early in the year, inspected and opened for goods traffic in July, and for passengers on the 9th November, 1906. The formation of the rest of this line is nearly completed. Some six small bridges and a larger bridge over the Totara River were let by contract early in the year, but owing to great delay in procuring the timber they are still unfinished. The rails are now 'aid to 34 m. 60 eh., and the ballast is on for nearly all this length. The buildings have been erected at the wayside stations, and a contract is being let for those at Ross Station. Otago Central Railway. Omakau to Chatto (7 miles 36 chains in length). —The construction of this section was in an advanced state at the end of last year. It was completed, inspected on the 14th July, 1906, and handed over to the Railways Department, who opened it for traffic about a fortnight later. Ghatto-Alexandra (10 miles 39 chains in length). —The bridge over the Manorburn Creek, and the steel-girder bridge over No. 3 crossing of the Manuherikia River, have been finished, the station buildings erected, and the line laid and ballasted. It was i xamined on the 15th December, 1906, and handed over to the Railways Department, and opened for traffic a few days after. Alexandra-Clyde (5 miles 45 chains in length). —This length has also been formed, the bridge'over the Waikerikeri built, the rails laid and ballasted, and station buildings erected. It was examined on the 27th March, 1907, handed over to the Railways Department, and opened for traffic a few days after. Clyde is 134 miles 77|- chains from Wingatui Junction. Milton-Lawrence-Roxburgh Railway. 22 m. to 35 m. 15 eh. —From Lawrence to Evans Flat, 4 miles in length, the line, which is chiefly embankment, is nearly all formed, including the Evans Flat Station-yard. From Evans Flat to Big Hill, 3 miles 25 chains in length, the first 2 miles are about three parts and the rest about half done. From Big Hill to Beaumont Station is 5 miles 70 chains. The earthworks are very heavy on the first 3 miles of this section. So far nothing has been done but to commence some approach cuttings to the tunnel. Beaumont Station will be situated on the east, or left, bank of the Clutha River, where first reaches it. Catlin's River Railway Extension. 21 m. 60 eh. to 25 m. 60 eh. from Balclutha.- —A section of about 4 miles in length is in hand from the Catlin's Railway-station. Bushfelling and clearing are completed. Formation is completed to Houipapa Station, thence to the end of the section it is about two-thirds done. The bridge over the Catlin's River is completed. Platelaying is finished to Houipapa Station. A quarry is being opened for the purpose of obtaining stone to crush to make ballast. Seaward Bush Railway Extension. Waimahaka-Tokanui Section (24 m. 50 eh. to 32 m. 40 eh.). —The bushfelling has been done on the whole section. From 26 m. to 28 m. 70 eh., the heavy work of the section occurs. It has been put in hand first, and it is about half-completed. The lighter work at the Waimahaka and Tokanui ends can be completed afterwards and by the time the heavier parts are finished. GtOre-Waikaka Railway. About 12 miles 50 chains in length. —This line begins at the Waikaka Siding, about 43 miles from Invercargill, on the main line to Dunedin. It runs through flat and easy country all the way till just as it reaches Waikaka, where it rises considerably on the last 2 miles. Some fencing, culverts, and about half of the formation on the first 9 miles have been done. The bridges have not yet been started. Platelaying will soon be commenced. RIVERSDALE-SwiTZERS RAILWAY. The line from Riversdale to the Mataura River, about 2 miles in length, has been relaid on the old formation made some years ago. During the year the extra flood-openings, two on the Riversdale side, and four on the north side of the Mataura Bridge, which was previously built, have been constructed ; and the banks connecting them are now nearly complete. Just beyond the Mataura River the small station-yard at 3m. 20 eh., Waipounamu, is being formed. No fresh work has been done beyond this yet; but the old formation done some years ago extends for another 3 miles or more. Orepuki-Waiau Railway. Waihoaka Section (40 m. 16 oh. to 48 m. 19 eh.) (Waiau River Station). —The line is cleared all the way. The formation, fencing, and culverts are just on completion to Te Tua Station, a distance of 3J miles ; beyond that very little has been done. The rails have been laid, but not ballasted, for about 3 miles. The formation, which is lighter than that done, will be pushed on, and rails laid to enable ballast to be obtained near 46 m. Timber is being obtained for the bridges over Saddle Creek, Holly Burn, and Camp Creek. /