D.—l

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as a similar contract for the Mason section, to be finished in June. Tenders have been invited for repairs and metalling of the Greenhills, Charwell, and Quail Bange Sections—as also for culverts, repairs, and metalling of the Whales-back sections—to be completed in November. The above is all the work remaining to bo done on the Kaikoura-Waiau Eoad, which should be completed right through by December. _ Upper Waiau Boad Bridge.— This contract was let on the 28th July, 1885, the date for its completion being April, 1887. The superstructure and piers will be of wrought-iron, resting on concrete foundations ; the central span is 150 ft., with two side spans of 75ft. each. A good deal of work has been done towards the formation of the approach-roads, mostly m rock ; the excavations for the pier foundations are in hand, and cement is arriving on the ground. Belief Works under Grants in Aid.— At the Christchurch Drainage Board reserve at the Sandhills sixteen acres of land have been levelled for irrigation; a considerable amount of work has also been done here in making roads, cutting races, grubbing up scrub, fencing and trimming live fences, &c, over an area of about 420 acres. A good deal of clearing and planting has also been done on the Corporation reserves m the neighbourhood of Christchurch, and in Hagley Park. OTAGO DISTEICT. Haast Pass Track. —ln December, 1885, a party of men was despatched to Jackson's Bay for the purpose of forming and clearing and putting in good repair the track from the mouth of the Haast Eiver to the Haast Saddle, about sixteen miles distant from the head of Lake Wanaka. The length of the track to be operated on is about thirty-five miles, and it is hoped that by the end of May the whole length of the track will be placed in a good state of repair. Completion of Boad from Maori Kaih to Taiaroa Head Lighthouse.— This work was finished Bridge over Taieri Biver Contract.— This work was let on the 9th January, 1885, to be completed on the 9th October, 1885. The soft nature of the foundations has given great trouble, and additional means have been resorted to to make them safe. "Up to date the cylinders have been sunk in piers Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 ; those in 5 are now in hand. The south abutment is completed, and the north abutment is in hand. None of the superstructure has yet been erected. Beaumont Bridge, over Clutha Biver.— -The contract provides that the work shall be completed by the 23rd July, 1886, and includes the supply and erection of the superstructure, which is of iron. The material did not arrive in the colony by time specified ; but the contractor has conveyed it to site of bridge, and has erected workshops and machinery there, so that good progress may now be expected. . . „,.., Boxburgh Suspension-bridge Contract.—The date of completion for this work is the 20th September, 1886. The contractor has conveyed the wire cables to the site, and has made a start with the work. . Cromwell Bridge. —The state of this bridge was reported on in December, 1884, since winch time the work has remained in abeyance. It has lately been handed over to the county to Improving Tracks, Steivart Island.— Plans are being prepared for this work, with the view of letting it in petty contracts. Forest Hill Tramway.—Contract No. 2, 5 miles 4 chains. This contract was completed on the 16th October, 1885, the first contract, 5 miles 21 chains, having been completed for some considerable time previously. Arrangements for working it have not yet been made. BUILDINGS. Auckland. Extensive alterations have been made in the Chief Post and Telegraph Office here; they were completed in July. Numerous alterations and additions to the Lunatic Asylum have also been executed at a recent date. , , New Prison.-Fair progress has been made with this work during the year. The whole of the foundations of the work authorized at present are completed, and the walls are up 6ft. to 16ft. high, in some places ready to receive the wrought-iron beams and joists for the first floor. A 4-ton crane has been erected in the quarry, and a 1-ton crane has been ordered for setting stonework on the building. Old Gaol. —Eepairs to drainage have been executed. Telegraph-station, Katikati.— Additions and alterations ; contract completed in September. Post and Telegraph Office, Te Awamutu. — Additions and alterations; contract completed in Post and Telegraph Office, Opotiki. —Additions; contract completed in February. New Police-station, Ngaruaioahia.— Contract in progress. Courthouse and Post-office combined, Mercury Bay.— Contract now advertised. Additions to Police-station, Mercury Bay.— Contract now advertised. General repairs and maintenance to all the other public buildings have been attended to. Wellington. Mount Cook Prison.— The works at the new prison have progressed fairly well during the year. In. order to provide some accommodation at an early date for convicts, most of the work has been concentrated on the south wing. An average of about seventy convicts has been engaged on the work During the year 1,361,000 bricks were made and burned. The progress of the work may be judged from the statement that the south wing is completed to an average height of 23ft., 7 —D. 1.