t>.—l.

64

Surveys of New Lines, Land-plan Surveys, etc. The permanent survey of the Helensville Northwards Railway has been extended from 69 m. 20 oh. (Wellsford Station) to 76 m., near the Topuni Bridge on the West Coast Road, and a survey party is now at work extending it to Kaiwaka, and past the quarry at the Bald Hill, near Pukekaroro Mountain. A preliminary survey will then be run on through Maungaturoto to McCarroll's Gap and northwards. During the latter part of the year a trial line has been run from Mamaku, on the Rotorua line, towards Te Puke, and about 26 miles have been su>veyed. The further exploration of various routes and some trial lines have been undertaken between the end of the located line, 26 miles from Gisborne, to the Motu, and on to Opotiki. The flying survey of the route via Neil's Valley Road, or the Waihuka Stream, to Motu, and then down the Pakihi to the Waioeka, and on to Opotiki—in hand last year —has been completed. It is very rough country from Motu down the Pakihi, but short and fairly direct, and an expensive line could be made that way. The longer and more southerly route via the Wharekopae, Koranga, and Waioeka Streams was then examined. It has, and in fact all routes have, to rise quite 2,000 ft. to get over the Motu Tableland. This route proved much longer, and quite as rough as the Pakihi route. Another route from the saddle on the Waihuka, or first route, was tried across into the Koranga, and then to the Waioeka ; but it was impracticable. Another route, coming down the Motu from the first or Waihuka, and getting into the Whitikau, was tried, and seems feasible. As it seemed clear that the best way up to the Motu from the south was by the Waihuka Valley the survey party has since been employed running a trial line there, with steeper grades to reduce the cost. This is turning out satisfactorily, and, I anticipate, can be adopted. On the North Island Main Trunk Railway a land-plan survey from 107 m. to 116 m., including the Spiral, is in hand by contract; the next section to 91 m. will be let immediately. Three routes have been tried for a branch railway-line to connect Opunake with the New Plymouth - Wellington line, and full reports and estimates made of them. A trial survey of a deviation of the railway-line to go from Domett Station through the Mackenzie Township, and to join into the old line, is now in hand. The land-plan survey of the Westport-Inangahua Railway line is in hand. The survey of the route for the long tunnel through the main range at Arthur's Pass on the Midland Railway has been continued, and nearly completed. Also considerable surveying has been done to ascertain what water is available or power-generation for working this tunnel. A survey was made of the Taramakau overflow near Inchbonnie Station to determine the encroachment. The location of the Catlin's River Railway Extension has been carried to Table Hill, about 32 miles. The Gore-Waikaka Railway, about 12| miles long, was located, and working-plans nearly completed. The permanent survey of the Lawrence-Roxburgh line was extended from 27 m. to 31 m. A flying survey was made of a projected railway from Balclutha to Tuapeka Mouth, and reports sent in of three alternative routes. Surveys have been started in connection with the irrigation of the Maniototo Plains from the Upper Taieri; also for the irrigation of the Manuherikia and Ida Valleys. However, the winter came on, and, owing to the heavy falls of snow, work in the field had to be discontinued til; milder weather set in. A considerable amount of information has been obtained ; but the country is rougher than anticipated.

Sleepers. Sleepers purchased and delivered during Year ended 31st March, 1907.

Road-bridges, etc. The contract let for the road-bridge over the Motueka River at Alexandra's Bluff is getting on slowly ; all the piers|are!jcompleted, but none of a considerable quantity of the timber for which was condemned, and has not been replaced. Nothing has been done for the la t six months. Big Wanganui Bridge at Hendy's Ferry. —Plans and specifications have been prepared for this bridge, ready to call for lenders. Taramakau Road Bridge. —The contract for this bridge has been completed ; but the approaches which were being done afterwards have not been completed yet.

Di-trict. c "3 3 erf s Is §1 |.si Total. Auckland Greymouth Westport Hunterville Dunedin Wellington 35,770 15*,873 6,956 1,703 6,216 424 36 18j 544 83,902 2,367 44,113 86,305 18,544 15,873 9,598 3,079 2,524 2,642 555 58,599 1,703 6,216 2,984 18,544 83,902 2,642 555 2,367 177,512