C—l

80

but through the dilatoriness of the contractors the work of construction has only lately been commenced. Tiraumea River Road, Pa Valley. —This road is formed 6 ft. wide through undulating country for a distance of 1 mile 72 chains, and is at present in a very bad state. This is owing to the fact that in the early part of the season no funds were available for maintenance The only work done during the year has been an engineering survey of 1 mile 14 chains. A contract to form 31 chains to connect with the Tiraumea Valley Eoad has been let, and the work has now commenced. Pahiatua Railway-station (Repairs, £1 for £1). —A sum of £200 was granted to the Pahiatua County Council, £1 for £1, for the purpose of effecting repairs and improvements to the Station Boad and bridge at Pahiatua. After being graded and cleared the road has been widened from 14 ft. to 33 ft. for 66 chains, four culverts have been laid, and 50 chains of drains cut. The bridge over the Mangatainoka Eiver consists of seven 70 ft. truss spans, and has been sheathed with light planking to preserve the original decking from wear. When these improvements are completed a good substantial road will connect the Township of Pahiatua with the railway-station, over which considerable traffic now passes in feeding the railway. Bridge Road to Makakahi. —10 chains of metalling, 24 cubic yards to the chain; embankments, 3 chains ; fascining, 10 chains ; and maintenance of 1 mile 10 chains, are the details of the work done. Besides this, three single-span plain bridges have been erected, 10ft., 28ft., and 30ft. respectively in length ; also, one single-span truss bridge, 40 ft. long, has been constructed. These bridges have absorbed upwards of 25,000 ft. of timber. This dray-road, which has been constructed 18 ft. wide through a level country for about three miles and a half, is reported to be in very good condition. The road leads from Konini Village, on the main road, to the Makakahi Eailwaystation. Tutaekara-Nikau. —Engineering survey is at present being carried on, and when completed the work of construction will immediately commence. Nikau-Omata. —A recent authority to expend £100 on construction having been issued, instructions have been given to proceed at once with the work. McKenzie Special-settlement Block (Tutaekara Railway-station).- —Authority to expend £150 has only just been received ; consequently, nothing has yet been done. Mangatainoka (Tutaekara Crossing). —Contracts for providing the timber for this bridge have been let and the iron under-chords obtained. When completed the bridge will consist of a single 120 ft. truss span, with the under-chords resting on ironbark piers. Tutaekara Village Settlement. —On the 25th August last £75 was granted to the Pahiatua County Council for construction of Takawa Street and the road east of the main road. The roads mentioned pass through flat swampy ground, and the work'done consists of the grading, clearing, and formation of 25 chains, the insertion of four culverts (96 ft. in length), and cutting 20 chains of drains. One progress-payment has been made, leaving a balance to the credit of the local body for expenditure on further work. Hukanui-Masterton Special Settlement (Road through Native K2 Block). —This road passes through level country, densely covered- with heavy timber, which has been felled and cleared for 1 mile 54f chains. 1 mile 15 chains has been graded and pegged, and two formation contracts were prepared and let as soon as funds were available. This road will ultimately be of great service to the settlers. Mangatainoka River (Newman-Stirling). —ln January last £200 was authorised for expenditure, but no work has yet been undertaken. Plans, however, are to be prepared as soon as the sections are taken. Hukanuir-Kakariki Road (leading to Kakariki Special Settlement). —The following work has been done on this road during the year : Scrub felled and cleared, 78 chains ; formation, 14 ft., 16 ft., and 18 ft. wide, 78 chains; six culverts, of a total length of 168 ft.; 70 chains of embankments formed, 153 chains of drains cut, and 1 chain metalled at 20 cubic yards to the chain. A metalling contract has been let, which will be accounted for during the next financial period. This dray-road has been formed through level cleared country for about three miles and a half, and is in a very good state of repair. Waiwera Roads. —ln December last £240 was authorised to be expended on construction of roads in the Waiwera Block, but nothing has yet been done pending the completion of the engineering survey. Mangatainoka River (Hamua). —£300 was recently authorised to be expended on the construction of this bridge, and plans will be prepared as soon as the sections are taken. Newman-Stirling Road. —The £300 granted to the Eketahuna Eoad Board in March, 1898, has been satisfactorily expended by laying 1,602 cubic yards of metal on those parts of the road where most urgently needed, and other general repairs made. West Road (Kakariki Special Settlement). —The only work done during the year has been felling and clearing 55 chains of the road-line. The road lies through undulating and swampy country, and is so wet as to be unfit for traffic during the winter months. As, however, funds have been authorised for expenditure, it is intended to have the road graded and culverts laid to release the swamp and flood-water. Mangaone Road (Norling's), Tiraumea North. —2s chains of metalling has been done on this road by the Eketahuna Eoad Board, being the completion of work commenced during the last financial year. This has exhausted the sum of £200 granted to that local body on the 16th January, 1897. Bowen s, Hastwell. —£lso has been authorised to be expended on this, and the work of construction will commence immediately upon the completion of the engineering survey. Tawatahia Road. —£2so having been authorised for expenditure on this road, an effort was made to start the work; but it was found to be too late in the season to commence operations. Eketahuna-Alfredton Road. —The grant of £50 to the Wairarapa North County Council has