D.—1.

13

During the year a total length of 53 miles 12 chains of railway, as shown in the following table, was handed over to the Railway Department for general traffic : —

Kaihu Valley Railway. The construction of the extension of this railway beyond 19 m. 22 ch. to 23 m. 70 ch.— A miles 48 chains in length—was commenced last November; formation-work is now in hand up to "21 m. A quarry has been opened up at 19 m. 47 ch. to supply stone for concrete and ballasting. Rails have been laid up to 19 m. 38 ch. Kawakawa-Hokianga Railway. Okaihau Section (16 m. 25 ch. to 25 m.). —The formation of service-road between Kaikohe and okaih.au was completed and 2J miles of metalling done. The formation of railway has been completed up to 18 m, 64 ch. under the co-operative system. A contract is in progress for the formation, including tunnel, of the line between 18 m. 64 ch. and 19 m. 44-ch. Beyond this point the work, has been put in hand as far as 21 m. Whangarei - North Auckland Main Trunk Railway. Kioreroa Contract (0 m. to 4 'in.). —A contract was let for formation-work and construction of bridges on the first 4 miles of this line. All the culverts are in, but there still remains a good deal of earthwork to do, principally on the long banks. Sonic of the material for the bridges' is on the site, and a start has been made on the construction of one of them. Oahleigh Section (J/.m. to 7m. 60 ch.). —Co-operative contract parties are at work on the formation of this length, including the Oakleigh Station yard, which is almost completed. A contract has been let for the erection of a wharf opposite Oakleigh Station, to enable rails, sleepers, etc., to be delivered on the works. Most of the material for wharf is now on the ground. Two platelayers' cottages and the permanent goods-shed have been erected at Oakleigh Station. Tauraroa Section (7 m. 60 ch. to 15 m. Och.). —The whole of the earthwork is now in hand, and should be completed by the end of January next. It is expected that platelaying will be started before Christmas. The formation is in hand of Mangapai and Tauraroa station-yards, also a siding from Tauraroa Station into the ballast-quarry close by. This quarry was tested, and found to contain a large quantity of good stone, so a crushing plant is to be installed. A platelayer's cottage is now being erected at Tauraroa Station. North: Auckland Main Trunk Railwa-s Kirikopuni Section (118 m. ]fi ch. to 115 m.). —A start has recently been made on the section of the North Auckland Railway, starting at Pukehuia Station, where the line strikes the Wairoa River, and working southwards. The clearing and formation-work'are now in hand from 118 m. 40 ch. to 117 m. 15 ch., including the forming of Pukehuia Station yard. A service tram-line is shortly to be laid to 115 m. 72 ch. to permit of the construction of the 25-chain tunnel at this point being undertaken. Otamatea, Section (81m. 30 ch. to 88'in. 75 ch.). —This section was completed and handed over to the Railway Department on the Ist August, 1914. Bickerstaffe Section (88 m. 75 ch. to 88 m. Iflch.). —The formation, including the Biekerstaffo and Maungaturoto tunnels, has been completed. Extensive slips in banks at 86 m. 17 ch. and 86 m. 37 ch. delayed platelaying for some time, but now the railhead is at 88 m. 40 ch. just beyond Maungaturoto Station yard. On account of the treacherous nature of the country it was found necessary to strengthen the north end of Bickerstaffe Tunnel. Metal for concrete and ballast has been constantly supplied from the Hoteo quarry. The ballasting is completed to north end of Bickerstaffe Station, and the first lift has been put on up to Maungaturoto Station. Station buildings have been erected at Bickerstaffe, and tenders are being called for those at Huarau and Maungaturoto. Paparoa Section (88 m. 1/0 eh. to 92 m. 16 ch.). —Most of the earthworks are in a forward state up to 90 m. 30 ch. Extensive slips have occurred in several of the cuttings, and are proving troublesome at the approach cutting to Huarau Tunnel. These cuttings are now in hand, and a drive has been commenced at south end of tunnel.

Plan Mileage. Railway. Section. Length. Date. M. ch. M. oh. 81 30 to 83 75 31 25 „ 43 75 North Auckland Main Trunk East Coast Main Trunk (Gisbornc-Motu) Midland Lawrence-Roxburgh Otamatoa Rakauroa and Matawai .. M. ch. 2 45 12 50 1 Aug., 1914. 2 Nov., 1914. 21 40 „ 42 25 29 33 „ 34 69 Cass to Arthur's Pass Beaumont (Puketiro . . \ \ Papatowai . . I (Tahakopa .. ) 14 65 5 36 1 July, 1914. 15 Dec., 1914. 21 8 „ 41 64 Oatlin's-Waimahaka 17 56 1 Feb., 1915.