1.—6.

From 166 to 175 miles the country consists of long flat valleys, with low hills between them, with bush clumps ; the open land is grass or fern, of moderately-good quality. There are 5,000 acres on the west and 5,000 acres on the east of the line, a third would be arable. I should class this as land which should be held in blocks of four or five hundred acres. From 175 to 194 miles (Mangapu) on the west there are 92,000 acres within ten miles of the line. I estimate two-thirds open and one-third arable. It is mostly limestone country, of very good quality; dotted over it are many Native villages and cultivations; wheat and oats are grown, and also maize and hops. The river, which has little fall, is the high road of traffic with the towns outside. On the east of the line there are 84,000 acres of land, of which four-fifths are open and one-fifth arable. This block is mostly good, and what little forest land there is is generally kahikatea and pukatea. From 194 to 212 miles on the west, within ten miles, there would be 96,000 acres; beyond this the traffic would work to Kawhia Harbour. The land is chiefly open and good soil, with some considerable swamps. About half would be arable, the rest good pastoral country. Fern is the general growth. There are many Native settlements and cultivations; wheat and all kinds of crops are grown. On the east, within ten miles, there are 74,000 acres, mostly open fern land, of good quality. One-half of this would be arable and the rest good pastoral land. There are also several Native villages and cultivations on the block. I have, &c, The Chairman, Main Trunk Line Committee, John Eoohfoet. North Island.

ESTIMATE HANDED IN BY MR. JOHN ROCHFORT. Central Route.-Summary Estimate, Ten-mile Sections.

4—l. 6.

25

Miles. Item. Amount. Total Amount. :| Miles. Item. A™»»t- aSSS*. M £ 1-10 Morton to Hautapu — Bush-cutting Earthworks Bridging Masonry culverts Wooden culverts Pipes Road alteration Permanent-way, stations, &c. 114 5,287 1,065 460 3 129 i 53 ! 30,000 j 11-20 Turangarere to Hautapu — continued. Bush-cutting Earthworks Grading Bridging Masonry culverts Permanent-way, stations, &c. 499 4,342 15,100 2,600 285 30,000 : 52,82G i 37,711 11-20 Bush-cutting Earthworks Bridging Masonry culverts Pipes Permanent-way, stations, &c. 2,980 2,208 900 273 36 30,000 21-24j Bush-cutting Earthworks Grading Tunnels Masonry culverts Permanent-way, stations, &c. 357 1,203 20,200 5,121 1,210 13,500 36,397 Bush-cutting Earthworks Grading .. ■ Viaduct, Makohino Masonry culverts Stream diversions Permanent-way, stations, &c. 47,591 21-30 1,092 848 24,800 7,740 214 ! 8 30,000 Total .. 151,230 Grading .. .. . .'• Permanent-way, stations, &c. 49,100 I 42,000 J 64,702 1-10 Turangarere to Waimarino — Earthworks Grading Bridging Masonry culverts Wooden culverts Pipes Permanent-way, stations, &o. 7,804 1,600 800 457 64 137 30,000 31-44 91,100 229,910 Total 40,862 1 1-10 Turangarere to Hautapu — Bush-cutting Earthworks _j,. Grading"*".. Bridging .. .. — "*E» Masonry culverts Pipes .. Permanent-way, stations, &c. G2 662 19,600 400 80 9 30,000 11-20 Earthworks Grading Bridging Masonry culverts Wooden culverts Pipes Permanent-way, stations, &c. 5,003 7,200 1,625 671 34 54 30,000 50,813 44,587