Ci.—i

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APPENDIX No. 3.—EOA.D-CONSTEUCTION, ETC.

EXTEACTS FEOM EEPOETS OF CHIEF SUEVEYOES AND OTHEES ON EOAD CONSTEUCTION AND MAINTENANCE FOE THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st MAECH, 1899. AUCKLAND. Ahipara-Herekino. —This is the only dray-road into the Herekino Village Settlement. It passes nearly all the way through Native land, and is an expensive road to maintain. During the year it has been maintained throughout, and about a mile and a half was widened and 12 chains metalled. Awanui-West Coast. —With this grant the Mongonui County Council have improved five miles of road, and repaired the Awanui Bridge. Kaeo-Whangaroa. —The Whangaroa County Council have with this vote constructed about a quarter of a mile of road, and are going to build a new bridge across the Waikoura Stream. Kaitaia-Ahipara. —Bepairs have been made to this road by renewing culverts and "pipeclaying " extending over about two miles, the work having been carried out by the Mongonui County Council. Mangatoetoc Road. —This is a connecting road between the Victoria Valley Main Boad and the present Great North Boad. The Mongonui County Council repaired it throughout, the work being done by co-operative labour. Maungataniwha. —The vote was expended in giving access to the Maungataniwha Block, and about two miles of bridle-track were constructed connecting it with the Great North Eoad at Peria. The bridle-track through the block itself was also improved and maintained. Mongonui County Roads. —About a mile and a half has been improved and ten miles maintained by the Mongonui County Council with this grant. Mongonui Parish-Awanui (Main Road). —A considerable length of metalling has been done, and six bridges rebuilt. All the culverts have been renewed or repaired, and the whole length—about thirty miles—has been kept in good order. There is still a considerable length of the road which should be re-formed and metalled. Takahue-Herekino Road, which connects the Takahue Village Settlement with that of Herekino, is about ten miles in length, and has been constructed into a bridle-track 8 ft. wide throughout. It opens up a considerable amount of Crown land suitable for pastoral and fruit-growing purposes, and will be a part of the main road connecting Herekino and Whangape Harbours with Mongonui. There is yet one bridge of about 60 ft. span to construct over the Uwhiroa Stream, and several fillings and embankments to be made. During this year one bridge was built and the road maintained and improved. Victoria Valley to Main Road. —The total distance from Victoria Valley Post-office to where this line will join the Great North Eoad at Peria is about eight miles and three-quarters. About seven miles have been formed into a dray-road, one mile is now under construction, and threequarters of a mile has yet to be made, and all the culverts and bridges yet to construct. When the Takahue-Victoria Valley Eoad is surveyed and made, thus joining the Herekino-Takahue Eoad with this road, it will be the main line connecting the Whangape-Herekino Harbours with Mongonui. Victoria Valley-Kaitaia. —The Mongonui County Council have expended this grant in improving about seven miles of the road by repairs to bridges and culverts, and metalling about a quarter of a mile of road. Kaeo-Waimate. —This is really a portion of the Great North Eoad. The vote was spent by the Whangaroa County Council in metalling and the construction of one bridge, the work being confined to the road through the Kaeo Valley. Kaeo Parish and Mongonui Parish (Main Road). —A considerable length of deviation had to be made on this line, and most of the vote has been and is being expended in the construction of these deviations into al4 ft. road. It is the only part of the Great North Eoad not yet available for wheel traffic. There are still several miles to construct before it will be available, but I trust with next year's grant to see the formation completed. Whangaroa Coast Road. —Specifications for works to be undertaken by the Whangaroa County Council in this road have been approved of. They consist of the construction of several small bridges, and widening embankments 30 chains long. Whangaroa County Roads. —The Whangaroa County Council have expended this grant in repairs and metalling. Hukerenui-Kaeo Parish (Main Road). —Most of this vote has been expended in improving the road between Kaeo and Waimate, so as to make it safe for wheel traffic, but there still remains a considerable length of road to both construct and improve between these two places. From Waimate to Kawakawa it is in good order, and is being looked after by the Bay of Islands County Council. From Kawakawa to Hukerenui is being improved and maintained by this department out of the grant; but I am not pushing works on this point, as there is still a considerable quantity of timber being carted over it. Main Road, Lot 2, Block XIV., Hukerenui. —The balance of this authority has been expended in improving the road, which is really a part of the Bamarama Valley Eoad.