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APPENDIX H. ANNUAL KEPOET ON BAIL WAYS BY THE ENGINEEB-IN-CHIEF. The Engineee-in-Chief to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Sir,— Public Works Office, 31st March, 1888. I have the honour to submit the following report on railway works executed and in progress throughout the Colony during the year ending 31st March, 1888 : —

Abstract. The following table shows the expenditure and liabilities on Government railways in New Zealand up to the 31st March, 1888: —

A total length of 29 miles 4 chains has been opened during the year—11 miles 41 chains in the North Island and 17 miles 43 chains in the Middle Island. The details are as follow, viz.:—

Attached to this report is a coloured diagram showing the length of railway opened each year from the commencement of the Public Works. AUCKLAND DISTEICT. Eailwat from Helensville Northwaeds. Eaipara Contract (4 miles 12 chains Formation, extending from Helensville up the Kaukapakapa Valley).—This work, after being nearly completed, was abandoned by the contractor on the 4th February ; but arrangements were made for its completion under another contract, which is now being carried on. 6—D. 1.

Name of Railway. Total Length of Railway or Section. Open for Traffic. Expenditure to 31st March, 1888. Liabilities on 31st March, 1888. Kawakawa Whangarci-Karno .. Helensville-Northwards Kaipara-Waikato, with Branches Waikatc—Thames .. Morrinsvillc-Rotorua Wellington-Napier and Palmerston North Wellington-Foxton .. Foxton-Waitara North Island Slain Trunk Nelson-Roundell Greymouth-Nelson Creek Greymouth-Hokitika Westport-Ngakawau Pioton-Hurunui—Pioton-Awatere Section „ Red Post Section .. Ilurunui-Waitaki, with Branches Oxford-Malvem Waitaki to Bluff, with Branches Otago Central—Chain Hills-Blair-Taieri Section Invercargill-Kingston, with Mararoa Branch .. Western Railways Preliminary surveys Miscellaneous Stock of permanent-way and rolling-stock on hand M. ch. 7 41 9 20 110 0 172 36 62 55 73 36 230 22 M. ch. 7 41 6 52 £ s. d, 90,068 17 8 09,721 9 9 0,160 10 0 1,373,862 11 11 201,482 3 0 211,415 4 7 1,703,780 17 3 41,797 11 7 1,403,04] 5 5 265,911 12 5 177,078 7 1 211,073 7 5 09,388 13 6 222,894 0 11 228,958 15 11 39,033 14 4 2,487,943 6 7 59,210 11 0 3,375,410 12 0 406,734 13 11 318,244 10 2 223,762 11 2 54,464 11 10 10,336 19 11 105,071 13 10 & s. d. 151 1 30 55 41 60 181 07 14,115 16 1 1,794 15 2 3,345 10 10 18,407 16 2 09,502 8 5 286 9 7 1,953 7 10 59,835 12 6 202 63 216 0 52 0 16 3 24 0 19 63 34 40 9 50 ' 474 41 11 44 500 60 37 0 117 4 57 56 197 60 25 61 22 73 7 69 19 19 17 73 9 50 429 30 11 44 434 8 25,320 19 6 4,481 7 9 2,398 18 7 97 44 57 56 11,453 15 8 24,539 11 6 176 9 10 30 0 0 50 0 0 23,883 15 0 Total 2,498 74 1,750 63 13,357,448 13 8 261,576 14- 5 Provincial Govebnment Lines. Canterbury (lengths included above) Otago 731,759 0 0 372,522 2 5 Grand total 14,401,729 16 1 261,576 14 5

Railway. Section. Length. Date o£ Opening. Torth Island Main Trunk .. jivingaton Branch leaward Bush Branch .. Otorohanga to To Kuiti .. Windsor to Livingston .. ! Waimatua to Mokotua.. M. ch. 11 41 2nd December, 1887. 11 75 10th August, 1887. 5 48 16th January. 1888.