D.-No. 6.

&2}f^l Fe I bruary freshets. More than nine-tenths of the work are now completed, and have cost ±2,455 2s. Bd., the estimate for the whole being £2,700. EOADS IN NELSON SOUTH-WEST GOLD FIELDS. (A. D. Dobson, Provincial Engineer, in charge.) The object of the works undertaken in this district is to connect the Valleys of the Buller and the Grey with a mam trunk line of road laid out in such a way as to serve the principal centres of population and utilizing and improving what had already been done in this direction. Commencing at the north end at the junction of the Inangahua Eiver with the Buller, it proceeds up the valley of Inangahua and over the intervening saddle or watershed line into that of the Little Grey passing Keeiton (which is situated on or near the watershed) on the way, thence down the Little Grey Valley and crossing the Grey near the junction of the latter, proceeds across the intervening flat land to the Ahaura township, situated a short distance up the river of that name. The road joins the rivers -Buller and Grey at points to which supplies of all kinds can be brought up those rivers by means of cargo-boats built expressly for the trade. For convenience of description the work will be divided into sections, viz., the Inangahua Eoad reaching from the Buller to Eeefton—and the Grey Eoad, from Eeefton to the Ahaura Inane/alma Boad.— Section 1, from Buller to the ferry crossing the Inangahua, five and a half miles of which three miles thirty chains are under construction in four contracts, but progressing slowly on account of the difficulty of getting an outfall for the water of a swamp through which the road must run. Sections 2, 3, and 4 are progressing favourably, and the work is well done. The cost of the work under contract will be £2,G02, or about £600 per mile; in addition some heavy cuttings to the river banks and a short bridge will bo required, costing probably £600 more. Section 2 : Six and a half miles, in six contracts, £3,600. The work on this has been much delayed by bad weather and other unavoidable causes. The main part of the work is done, but the metalline over two swamps will occupy a considerable time, on account of the distance of haulage Section 3 : Three and a half miles, in four contracts, £2,880. This work is nearly completed and the contractors are pushing it on vigorously. Section 4,; About four miles-from "Waituhuto Eeefton—in four contracts, £2,880. The work on this will commence at once, the contracts having been just let. Beefton to Grey.—Section 1: Seven miles—Eeefton to Plain near Mai Mai. This is beins executed by cay labour (about 200 men), the contractor having entirely failed to carry out his contract Ihe work will be pushed forward as rapidly as possible. Section 2 lies entirely through open ground; and although the road will eventually require to be tormecl and metalled, drays can work at present on the natural surface of the ground Section 3 : Along this, the river bed and part of an old track is used by the drays but the road must be formed as soon as possible, particularly through about five miles of bush, swampy in part .Probable cost of this section, £3,000. ~J - ' Section 4i: This includes the improvement of the existing road between the Little Grey junction and the Ahaura, and its cost was estimated at schedule prices at £1,170. The work required was'the levelling of the steep gradients ; the forming and metalling of that part between Lardi's and McNiePs and thence to the Little Grey. ' _ The amount above named will be increased by about £500 by reason of a greater amount of traffic being thrown on to the road, consequent on the completion of some cuttings by the Provincial Govern ment. The goods are now landed at the Ahaura instead of Totara Mat, and will be carted over the road m question. This will necessitate the metalling of many parts not before provided for Ihe cost of all the roads in this district will be, it is feared, thought high; but this follows naturally on the execution of so much work being required in a limited time, coupled with the unfavourable nature of the season. It is estimated that to complete the road for through traffic the following works will be required :— Grey Eoad, section 3, estimate ... ... g qqq q A Cutting at Sandstone Bluff, Inangahua ... ... '300 0 0 Punt, &c. ... ... ... ... 250 0 0 Side-cuttings near Inangahua Junction ... ... 500 0 0 £4,050 0 0 Tenders were called for the construction of the punt required at the crossing of the Inangahua ; but only one was received, and, being too high, was declined. It is hoped, however, that satisfactory arrangements will be made shortly for the establishment of this ferry, as an eligible offer has since been received. Some difficulty will be experienced in getting good approaches, with reasonable gradients, to the punt-crossmg; and the cuttings, it is expected, will be heavy. Summary.—The cost of the works in progress may be stated approximately as follows, viz. -.— ,-,,,. £ s. d. Contracts in progress ... ... ... 13 632 15 0 Day-labour and piecework ... ... ... 5.320 0 0 Paid to surveyors, overseer, labourers, &c. ... '353 3 0 ■p.. , , ... , £19,310 18 0 XiStimate of remaining works ... ... .... 4 050 0 0 £23,360 18 0

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THE ASSISTANT ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF.