E.—3

34

The Waipukerau contract, of about 5 miles in length, including the bridges over the Waipawa and Tuki Tuki Rivers, is let to Mr. D. Ross, who has commenced work. A further contract for a tramway 14 miles long has been let to Messrs. Allan. Wellington to Masterton. The first section, of 8 miles, was opened for public traffic on 9th April. The formation of the second section of 6 miles was creditably finished by Mr. McKirdy, and the plate-laying was let to the same contractor, who has also the contract for the " River Section/ 5 miles in length, including a bridge over the Hutt River. This work is being energetically pushed on. The Mungaroa section, 8 miles, is also let to Mr. McKirdy, who has begun work. This is the first contract in the mountain division of the line, where the ascent of the Rimutaka Range begins. The next section, of 6 miles in length, is being advertised for tender. The Summit contract, about a mile in length, includes a tunnel 630 yards long. It has been let to Messrs. Collie, Scott, and Wilkinson, who have, however, done < little more than preparatory work. The total distance from Wellington to the end of the Summit contract, is 35 miles. From the summit the descent into the Wairarapa Valley will be made by an incline of 2\ miles in length, with a fall of 1 in 15. The special engines and centre rail for working this incline have been ordered from England. The surveys are completed as far as Featherston, and working drawings are in hand. The contract time for completion of the work now let is July, 1876, and by the end of the same year the rails may be expected to be laid to Featherston. In setting out this line the radius of the sharpest curve has been increased from 3 chains to 5 chains ; of course at a great increase in first cost, but with a more than corresponding increase in the efficiency of the line. Greymouth to Brunnerton. The formation of this line is let to Mr. Hungerford, who has carried on the work at a satisfactory rate; but owing to slips which have occurred, the contract is not yet completed. Steps have been taken to carry the line across the treacherous ground, but there will necessarily be delay. The bridge across the Grey River at the Gorge is under contract. It is a suspension bridge of 300 feet clear span. Westport to Mount Rochfort. The first section of this line from Westport to Fairdown is advertised for tender. As soon as it is completed, stone will be brought for the protection of the banks of the Buller River, which are being washed away, to the great injury of the town. Without such protection it would be impossible to carry on the large export of coal which will arise as soon as means of conveying it from the mines to the port are available. Nelson to Foxhill. The formation of 13 miles is complete: the remainder of the work is let, including the bridges over the Wairoa and Eighty-eight Creek, the ironwork of which has arrived from England. Picton to Blenheim. The work on this line is progressing well except the bridge work, which is behindhand. Slips have occurred in some of the cuttings, which are causing delay. Addington to Rangiora. Opened for traffic before the beginning of present year. Rangiora to Kowai. This work is in the energetic hands of Mr. E. G. Wright, as contractor. The whole of the piers for the Ashley Bridge are completed, and 18 spans, of 60 feet each, erected out of the total of 50 spans ; the timber and iron for the others being delivered. The Kowai Bridges are also in hand, and about 5 miles of formation completed. BRANCH RAILWAYS. Rangiora to Oxford. —The first length of 7 miles is completed. The remaining length is under contract. Kaiapoi to Eyreton. —A contract has just been entered into for this work. Rolleston to Malvern. —The plate-laying for the main line is complete, or nearly so. The White Cliffs Branch is nearly complete up to formation level; and contracts for platelaying will be at once entered into. Racecourse to Southbridge. —The formation for 22 miles out of 26 is complete, and the contract for platelaying has been advertised.