1.—6.

Starting from Stratford, the line runs through ilat country as far as the Toko Hiver, about seven and a half miles. There is a descent of about 400 ft., owing to Stratford being situated on the slope of Mount Egmont : this gives a general grade of 1 in 99, but, owing to sundry depressions, 1 in 50 will proba-biy be required for -dioil distances, making the balance flatter. Between 7i and 10 miles the line passes over a low ridge which separates tins Toko and Makuri Bivers : 1 in 66 or a natter grade can be employed here. At 3i miles the Kakouri River is crossed. Before proceeding further, I wish to draw your attention to the position of Stratford with regard to the general direction of the line beyond 10 miles. It will be seen that the line takes a large. Lend at 10 miles, Stratford being situated 100 far to the north, so that a more suitable position for the junction station would be, about two milts south of Ngaire, where a good station-site can he obtained. This would save about six miles on the through line between Wellington and Auckland. ' though the actual length to be constructed would bo the same; it would also save a considerable portion of the rise and fall to and from Stratford. I have uot been over the country between Ngaire and 10 miles, so I cannot say that the alteration would sa\e any expense. lam nearly certain the line could be constructed this way, so I draw your attention to the direction, aa I consider it quite worth running a trial line through. The line from 10 to 12£ males follows up the Makuri Valley; grades nearly level, and cross section flat. The'construction irmn SlrtUfoi'd Ui this point will be very easy. At 121 lnilt-rt the line, commences to ascend with a 1 in 66 grade to Hi miles, where the ridge between the Makuri and Mangaotuku Hiver* is passed through with a tunnel 10 chains in ougth. The line then descends to 16 miles with alin 66 grade. The work of construction, with the exception of tunnel, will be moderate. The tunnel at this place could be dispensed with by running long grades of 1 in 50 and rising to top of ridge, thereby lengthening the sideling work about a mile on . each side, making the works, over craws gullies very much heavier, probably costing more, and rising an unnecessary height of about 130 ft. From 16 to 28 miles the line follows up the M;nigiiotuku Valley ; cross section Hat, grades easy, and work of construction light. The creek might have to bo bridged in a few places to straighten the line. Between 2fi and 82 miles the lino ascends with a 1 in (!(> grade, passes through a ridge with 5 chains in length of tunnel, and descends to the Makatiu Valley with alin 66 grade. A tunnel is shown here for similar reasons to preceding one. The work of construction along sidings will be moderate. From 32 to 34 miles the line follows down the Makatiu and up the Pohokura Valley; cross section level, and construction easy. From 34 to 3o', miles the line rises with lin 50 grade to a tunnel IG chains long, through the Patea-"Wangamu watershed. This tunnel cuts 300 ft. oil' ridge, and is actually necessary. It then descends with a grade of i in 60 to 89 miles. This grade is shown lin66 on section, but it might bo found advisable jo employ a 1 in 50 grade to lesson cost of construction. From 34 to 39 miles the construction-works will be heavy, principally on account of steep Cross section and deep cross gullies. Between SI and !i(i miles an alternative line was explored lo endeavour Co slioi ten the distance, and save fall and rise ; but it would require an additional 2u chains of tunnel, and much heavier work throughout, and lb alto jel i ir i apFaetioable. From 39 to 42^ miles die line follows up the Wangamciuona. Valley : cross section level, and construction-works easy. The Wangamomona will probably require crossing a few times to straighten line. From 42£ miles the line rises with a 1 in 50 grade bo ■! !.', miles : bhis grade may probably be eased. At 44| miles a short tunnel i chains in length is required, but it may be found advisable to lengthen it to ease work on the preceding grade. Between 44.', and -isi miles the line runs along r-ideliug ground without cross spurs—grade level; - then through a 6-ehain length ol tunnel. Falhng then to -ii'ii miles, with alin 66 grade (but a 1 in 50 grade nan possibly be required), the line run* level alorg sideling io 47J miles ; work moderate. From 47-J- to iJO-f miles the lino rises with a 1 in 50 grade to a tunnel 6 ehamsin length through a ndge, and falls with another lin 50 grade into the Waingangara Valley. This portion will require rather heavy constvuetion-works. It then continues down the Waingarara Valley, with easy grades - and work, to its junction with the Tangarakau at 51 miles. From Stratford to about 12 miles the character of the country is flat, being on the slope of Mount Egmont, and consisting of volcanic earths. The rivers are very rapid, with boulder-beds, with a low terrace on each side, forming the river valley. At about 12 miles the character of the country changes altogether, the volcanic earJis giving place to paint rock and clay liable to slips in places : the rivers, ai'ler a vapid descent for a short distance from their sources, run very slowiy, the fall in them being by short rapids or low falls, with long reaches of comparatively still water between. The valleys arc narrow at bottom, and are formed by ranges of lulls with sharp ridges, ranging in height from 800 ft. to 800 ft. above the valleys : this style of country continues to the Tangarakau liiver, at 51 miles. From 51 to S7| miles the line continues up the Tangarakau Gorge with an easy grade, a con eiderable distance being saved by rutting oil two long bends by passing over low saddles, as shown on section. On each side of tin" Tangarakiiu River there are from 2 to 10 chains of easy sideling ground, then a, perpendicular cliff of ai.,ont bW i^ei, in height oi i.-oj'it r-.si-k, i.nd side!ing gnan dup to a height varying from 600fC to'"l,OOOft. above river. The tops of the ridges are generally covered with black-hire h, all l-'rt/jtts insect, with good barrels. The piece of eomp;:rai.ivch -llat ground along base of cliffs will enable the lino to he constructed without < xceptional work or sharp curves. It will bo necessary to bridge the river in three, and possibly in five, places.

99