8.-l

114

Forest-conservation. As the forest in the Waimarino and other blocks lying between the Murimutu Plains and the Wanganui Eiver near Taumaranui occupies country that is adapted to forest growth more than to ordinary settlement, owing to inferior quality of soil and rigorous climate, and as this forest is extensive enough to afford a permanent revenue for the railway, steps should be taken to insure its being worked on systematic lines, and provision made for perpetuating the forest by compelling the replanting of all areas cut out with suitable quick-growing trees. I have, &c, R. W. Holmes, The Bngineer-in-Chief, Wellington. Eesident Engineer.

Tables op Distances between Wellington and Auckland. Via Central Line.

Via Ngaire Route.

Prom To Wellington. To Auckland. Intermediate Distances. M. oh. M. ch. 426 39 310 5 287 45 276 45 265 25 241 5 231 5 206 2n 173 48 158 0 151 40 146 68 134 35 100 0 M. oh. Wellington Marton Junction... Mangaonoho (end opened line) Mangaweka (end completed formation) Taihape (end works in progress, south end) Waiouru (summit, Murimutu Plains) Waione (lowest point between summits) Waimarino (summit of long grade from Wanganui Eiver) Taumaranui (bottom of long grade from Wanganui Eiver) Kawakawa (point of junction, Ngaire route) ... Waimeha (end works in progress, north end) Poro-o-tarao (end opened line) Mokau (point of junction, Awakino route) Te Awamutu Auckland New Plymouth ... 116 34 138 74 149 74 161 14 185 34 195 34 220 14 252 71 268 39 274 79 279 51 292 4 326 39 426 39 252 0 116 34 22 40 11 0 11 20 24 20 10 0 24 60 32 57 15 48 6 40 4 52 12 33 34 35 100 0 445 0

From To Wellington. To Auckland. Intermediate Distances. j Wellington Marton Junction, central line Eltham Junction Strathmore Township Wangamomona Township... Head Wangamomona Valley (heavy work begins) Waingarara Junction, Waitara route, and commencement rough country Coal-seams, Tangarakau ... Heao (end rough country)... Mangaroa (end heavy work) Nihoniho, on Ohura River Kawakawa, junction with central line Waimeha (end works in progress) ... Poro-o-tarao (end opened line) Mokau Junction, Awakino route ... .... Te Awamutu Auckland New Plymouth ... M. oh. 116 34 216 0 238 15 257 13 264 0 270 20 M. oh. 477 5 360 51 261 5 238 70 219 72 213 5 206 65 M. oh. 116 34 99 46 22 15 18 78 6 67 6 20 278 0 288 0 290 0 299 20 319 5 325 45 330 17 342 50 377 5 477 5 252 0 199 5 194 5 187 5 177 65 158 0 151 40 146 68 134 35 100 0 7 60 5 0 7 0 9 20 19 65 6 40 4 52 12 33 34 35 100 0 296 0