75

C.—l

Waihi Falls (Pahiatua No. 3). —Work was commenced on this road in July last, when 120 chains of engineering survey was effected. Since then 55 chains have been formed 6 ft. wide, and five culverts, of an aggregate length of 87 ft., have been laid. This road passes through rough bush country, and, besides benefiting the surrounding settlers, will probably be much used during the summer by tourists visiting the falls on the Waihi Eiver, which are very picturesque. Suspension-bridge Road. —The work on this road comprises If chains of bushfelling and clearing, 23 chains of 6 ft. formation, and the excavation of 248 cubic yards of rock. A suspensionbridge for foot-passengers and sheep traffic over the Akitio Eiver is at present under construction, and when completed will be of great convenience to the settlers on the eastern side of the river. For the benefit of those settled down the river a 6 ft. track has been cut round the papa cliff near the bridge, but it will be necessary to clear the bush and effect some side-cutting along the river before the bridge will be of any use to them. Waihi-Akitio Road (Pahiatua No. 3). —Besides the grassing of 71 chains of this road nothing has been done but maintenance, which has caused the removal of 632 cubic yards of slips, 3f chains of corduroying, 1 chain of drains, and the insertion of three culverts, of a total length of 27 ft. Some portions of the road have caused a little trouble from liability to slip, but the greater part is on sound sideling ground. The distance maintained is 4 miles 40 chains. Akitio Road (Pahiatua No. 3). —During the year 167 chains of this road has been graded and pegged, 1 chain of bush felled and cleared, 136 chains formed 6 ft. wide, 2 chains of corduroy laid, 82 chains of drains cut, 13 chains of embankment formed, and one mile of the road laid down in grass. Two bridges have been constructed, 23 ft. and 12 ft. long respectively, with a 6 ft. roadway; and forty culverts, of various dimensions, and a total length of 587 ft., have been laid. The maintenance of two miles and a half has caused the removal of 551 cubic yards of slips, and the excavation of 10 cubic yards of rock. The road connects the Mount Arthur with the Kawakawa, Waihora, and Kaituna Eoads, and, owing to passing through swamp and soft papa country, it is difficult and costly to maintain. All bridges and culverts are in excellent order, but, in consequence of lack of funds, the road itself is barely passable for horse traffic. Pukewhinau Road. —This road branches from the Alfredton-Weber Eoad, and provides access to three sections in the Akitio Improved Farm; and since last year, when I reported an engineering survey of 72 chains, 44 chains of bushfelling and clearing has been done. Mount Arthur Road (Pahiatua No. 3). —A considerable amount of work has been done on this road during the year, including 34 chains of bushfelling and clearing, 83f chains of formation 6 ft. wide, 4f chains have been widened to 6 ft., If chains of corduroying laid down, 7 chains of drains cut, 17f chains of embankment formed, and twelve culverts of the following dimensions laid: Eight 12 in. by 12 in., one 18 in. by 14 in., two 18 in. by 18 in., and one-24in. by 24 in., of an aggregate length of 192 ft. Maintenance of 2 miles 40 chains has involved the removal of 1,647 cubic yards of slips and the clearing of 283 chains of water-tables. A rough timber bridge of 40ft. span has been thrown over a creek about three-quarters of a mile from Makukupara, which, being only 6 ft. in width, is only available for horse traffic. A substantially built bridge of a 54 ft. span, with two land spans of 20 ft. each, making a total length of 94 ft., has been erected over the Makukupara Stream, to connect with the Alfredton-Weber Eoad. It is built of heart of totara on driven piles, and may be depended upon to bear all possible traffic for many years. It is now so near completion that the approaches are being filled in. This road traverses the Akitio Improved Farm, and requires about 40 chains more of construction to complete it through that settlement. It has been of great service to the settlers in enabling them to procure provisions as well as providing an outlet for their produce. The benefit would, however, be greatly increased if it could be opened for wheel traffic, as that would in all probability lead to the establishment of a creamery, to which they could then cart their milk. The whole of the road is well culverted, and is at present in fair condition, but, owing to the siding formation being mostly on papa rock, it is always subject to slip, and is consequently expensive to maintain. Kawakawa Road (Pahiatua Nos. 2 and 3). —This road intersects for some distance the Akitio Improved Farm, and has been maintained for a distance of 1 mile 40 chains. The other work done has been 47 chains of bushfelling and clearing, 65 chains of 6 ft. road formation, clearing 489 cubic yards of slips, and excavating 106 cubic yards of rock. Fifteen 12 in. by 12 in. and one 12 in. by 18 in. culverts, of an aggregate length of 162 ft., have been laid. These culverts are mostly built of hewn logs, and, being laid on a papa bottom, stand exceedingly well. The felling and clearing is now carried to the junction with the Kaituna Eoad, and the formation will be put in hand when the engineering survey is done. Waihora Road (Pahiatua Nos. 2 and 3). —This road, which passes through Pahiatua Nos. 2 and 3 and a corner of the Akitio Improved Farm, has been engineered for 143 chains, and bushfelling and clearing for 200 chains. At present there is in operation a contract for felling and clearing 60 chains further. Kaituna Road (Pahiatua No. 2). —The following work has been done during the year: 45 chains of scrubfelling and clearing, 167 chains formation 6 ft. wide, 40 chains of stumping, 6 chains of drains cut, and 14 chains of embankments formed. Thirty-three culverts, 384 ft. in length, have been laid. Maintenance has extended over three miles and a half, involving the clearing of 301 cubic yards of slips and the excavation of 49 cubic yards of rock. The culverts are in very good condition, and the road in fair order. Waipatukaka Road (Pahiatua Nos. 1 and 3). —The formation of this horse-road has been extended 49 chains, and eight culverts, of an aggregate length of 102 ft., laid. 13 chains of drains have been cut, and 2 chains of embankments formed. In maintaining 1 mile 50 chains, 54 cubic yards of slips have been removed and 43 cubic yards of rock excavated. At present there are two contracts in operation, one for supplying a large quantity of timber for culverts, and one for continuing the 6 ft. formation another 38 chains, and when completed the road will be open for