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whole subject to the Chairman of the Board. The river is now practically clear of snags for a width of 80ft. throughout, and when the groins now in hand are completed the navigation up to forty miles will be unimpeded for any boat up to 18in. draught, and above that distance, except for perhaps two months in the year, there will be nothing to stop a steamer of such draught. The Conservators Board will require to make further improvements at four or five rapids before the river can be said to be navigable at all seasons for steamers of 18in. draught. If the river were made capable of unobstructed navigation to Taumaranui at all seasons for steamers of this draught it would give an immense impetus to the up-river settlements ; but even to Pipiriki it will have a very beneficial effect on settling the Waimarino Block. G. T. Muebay, Eoad Surveyor.

HAWKB'S BAY. Ormond-Opotiki. —£272 Bs. 6d. has been spent in maintenance since 30th June last. Sixty miles of this road is through the forest known as the Motu Bush. It is felled a chain wide, and a horse-track formed. Three maintenance-men are constantly employed upon it, clearing fallen timbes, repairing culverts, and generally improving the track. Last winter two extra hands had to be taken on for a time to assist in clearing the slips that had blocked the traffic. Drays can now be taken to within 5 miles of the bush, 36 miles from Gisborne, and contracts are let for the widening of another 3-J-mile section. It is an important road, forming the main one to 40,000 acres of Crown land, which is being rapidly settled, and it would be a boon if a vote of one or two thousand pounds could be procured for continuing the widening for wheeled traffic. Tautane-Weber. —The only work under this vote has been the completion of two important bridges, one of 55ft. span over the Rhone Creek, about three-quarters of a mile from the Weber Village; the other of 41ft. span over the Crooked Creek, on the Danevirke-Wainui Road, four miles from the village. £372 12s. 2d. was paid on account of these two bridges. Miscellaneous and Engineering. —£279 Is. has been paid on account of Messrs. Hallett and Laing's contract for the engineering survey of 54 miles of the roads Frasertown to Waikaremoana and Wairoa to Mahia. The cost of the survey was the Government's contribution, the County Council raising a loan for the purpose of forming them. The first-mentioned section benefits the Crown land near Lake Waikaremoana, and the Mahia Eoad that at Nuhaka North. Tauranga-Napier Road (Tempo Boad). —Fifteen miles and a- half of deviation is being made to avoid the numerous crossings of the Esk River, and the bad hill near Kaiwaka. It commences at Marshall's Flat, and rejoins the old coach-road at Moore's Gate, near Pohui. The Government has agreed to assist the County Council in the construction to the extent of £2,500, £1,600 of which has been handed over to that body on account of works completed or in progress. Contracts have been let for 11-J miles, the greater part of which has been finished. The cost of the work will be far in excess of the grant. Thomas Humphries, Chief Surveyor.

WELLINGTON. Mangaiohio Boad, with which may be considered the votes for Kaimanuka-Bawhitiroa, Wai-totara-Omahine items (51, 59, and 71). —Mr. Bristed prepared plans and specifications of 6 miles 15 chains of horse-road, Mangawhio to Waitotara River, contracts for which are nearly finished. Four miles and a half of the continuation of this road up to the Taranaki District, via Waitotara River, has also been engineered, and is now ready for contract, the expenditure on construction for the period being £486. Puketoi Boads. —Mr. J. D. Climie prepared plans and specifications, together with an engineering survey of 1 mile 48 chains, of the Makuri-Aohauga Road. Two contracts, comprising 2 miles 43 chains, of the Holmes-Warren Road were completed for dray-traffic. Mr. King prepared a further length of 2 miles, which is now in progress ; and a further continuation of 6 miles has been surveyed and levelled by Mr. Hughes, tenders for which could be called for at any moment. Mr. Greville, as well, has 4 miles nearly completed, and other portions are in hand. Kaiioliata Valley Boad. —Work under this vote has been confined to an expenditure by Mr. Sheep Inspector Drummond of £23 for sowing with grass roads and bush over which fires had previously run. Pohangina to Oroua. —2 miles 20 chains of Branch and London's road was completed for horse-traffic at a cost of £241. Mr. Lowe laid off and prepared plans and specifications for an additional length of 2 miles 57 chains, which is now in progress. Boad, Oroua Biver : Subsidy, £1 for £I. —The Kiwiteaßoad Board spent £50 in making 1 mile 15 chains for dray-traffic. Otamakapua Boads. —The Kiwitea Road Board have completed the following works—namely, 2 miles 56 chains of the Tapuae Road for horse-traffic, the Government contributing to the extent of £300. Pukerimu Boad in the same manner for 1 mile and 41 chains, the subsidy from Government being £194. Whare Boad for a length of 2 miles and 26 chains was constructed for dray-traffic, the Government grant being £160. Otaki to Foxton Boad. —Fifty-one chains of metalling was completed by the Horowhenua County, the Government assisting to the extent of £156. Miscellaneous and Engineering. —The Taratahi-Carterton Road Board formed for dray-traffic, 1 mile and 40 chains, the Government contributing £300.

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