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the large embankment forming the western approach, with the result that the embankment was carried away, the abutment sill of the bridge was undermined, and the sills, studs, and caps of the abutment were carried away. The bridge was so strongly built that even after the studs were gone the stringers and decking of this 30 ft. span remained intact. The other 30 ft. span was not damaged. Nearly all the timber and ironwork is saved, but, in view of floods such as this again occurring, it would not be safe to replace the 30 ft. span and embankment. Two 50 ft. or 60 ft. spans will now be necessary. Meanwhile a good ford, with metalled approaches, has been formed there, and will suffice for a few years. On the Mangaitoroa Stream, another tributary of the Mangawhero, there was no damage done beyond several large slips on the Waipuna sideling. In the matter of damage to bridges in the lower Wangaehu the amount is much greater. A wire bridge was being erected across the Wangaehu, just above Mangamahu; about £10 damage and loss of material was suffered. The site is now abandoned, owing to the length of span now necessary, in view of such floods. , The bridge across the Mangamahu Greek was severely strained, and would have undoubtedly gone but for the fact that waters of the Wangaehu backed up past the bridge. The water was 2 ft. over the decking of this bridge. Messrs. Ellis and Eobinson's wire sheep-bridge just below Mangamahu was carried away all except one wire. A cage is now working there. The service-bridge erected at Mrs. McDonald's out of special rate was entirely destroyed. It consisted of one 80 ft., one 30 ft., and one 10 ft. span, and cost £470; most of the timber of the 30 ft. span was saved. The bridge disappeared during the night, but was undoubtedly carried away by the piers of the 80 ft. spans being broken by the impact of floating logs. It will probably have to be replaced —either as a high-level wire-bridge or a low-level beam-bridge. The bridge across the Wangaehu above Poison's, with decking 27 ft. above water-level, was slightly damaged by floating timber. The piers stood well. The water here rose about 21 ft. The Mangawhero, as before stated, was in much higher flood : the wire sheep-bridge across it at Aberfeldy was washed away. It was about 40 ft. above ordinary water-level. The bridge across the Mangawhero at Poison's was completely washed away except one small land span. It consisted of two spans of 55 ft., one of 20 ft. 6 in., and one of 18 ft. 6 in.; width of roadway, 12 ft.; contract price, £901 6s. Bd. All that is now left is the 20 ft. 6 in. span and a dolphin above central pier. A temporary structure of white-pine, 10 ft. above water-level, is now being erected as a low-level bridge ; cost of labour only, £75. The old bridge-decking was about 29 ft. above water. The river at present is being crossed at a ford at the junction with the Wangaehu. It is proposed to build a new bridge here, with 80ft. central span, and considerably higher than the former level. The Kauangaroa Bridge had a severe shaking, but stood the test. It was somewhat relieved by the water overflowing the Native settlements to the east. The traffic-bridge at Lower Wangaehu, above the railway-crossing, was completely destroyed except one small land span. It consisted of two 78 ft., one 30 ft. 6 in., one 26 ft. 6 in., two 27 ft., and one 25ft. spans; total length, 292 ft. The 25ft. span is the only part left, though a considerable quantity of timber has been saved on the beach. The bridge was built about 1864, and was recently condemned by the Bangitikei County Engineer. Traffic is now being carried on by means of a punt and wire rope. Proposals are now being considered to erect the bridge in 80 ft. spans on ironbark piers. It will probably cost about £2,800. The railway-bridge a few chains lower down, consisting of five 60 ft. spans and several land spans, was also damaged—one pier being knocked downstream bodily about 18 in. The flood-level was 5 ft. 9 in. below rail-level. In this river-basin four traffic-bridges and two wire bridges were completely destroyed, and four traffic-bridges damaged. The area of the river-basin is 820 square miles. Turahina Biver. This river also was in the highest known flood. The rainfall at Euanui for the period was 1013 in., 7 in. being recorded in one day. Area of basin, 340 square miles. At the point where the Mangamahoe Eoad crosses the Turakina Eiver the water was 10 ft. 9 in. above ordinary level, and that was just above the fall, consequently the speed was very great. At places where the current was less rises of 18 ft. and 20 ft. were recorded. The heights of the flood at the Mangamahoe and at the concrete fords have been marked by pegs connected with permanent marks, as per instructions 16331, of 13th May, 1897. No bridges were damaged or washed away on this river. The concrete of the ford above Duncan's was broken over an area of about 12 ft. by 5 ft. It has been replaced. The ford was crossable again two days after the flood. A large number of slips were brought down on the newly formed tracks and roads on the upper river and in the Pohonuiatane and Tekapua Blocks, but they have now been mostly cleared away. A large washout occurred at the five-mile creek on McLean's section, Turakina Valley Eoad. The culvert has been lowered and the filling again made up. With the exception of a small amount of erosion on some of the silty flats, no damage of consequence was done to property. Bangitikei Biver. By far the most destruction was wrought by the floods in this basin—the river rising to a height never previously thought of. At Erewhon, the only recording-station on the upper river, the rainfall was 8-12 in.; but to produce the flood that did occur the rainfall must have been much heavier, for at Mangaweka Bridge site, by actual observation and calculation, the amount of water actually running off the country at the height of the flood was equal to x%in. an hour, or 7'2in. in one day. The Mohaka and Ngarururo Eivers, both rising in the same locality, were also in tremendous flood.