89

C—l

Whitcombe Valley Track (Kokatahi). —This is a continuation of the Hokitika Valley Eoad, and was benched out 18 in. wide last year up to Price's Flat. The sideling for about three miles below Price's Flat has suffered very much from landslips, and nearly the whole of this work will have again to be gone over, as it is almost impossible to get along in its present state. I have now a survey party, under charge of Mr. C. E. Douglas, running road-grade from Price's Flat to pass (8 mile 40 chains), and so far as they have gone the country is most difficult and bad to get through. They have been obliged several times to return and bring up a new grade to clear bluffs or badstanding country which I know existed between Price's Flat and Cave Camp; but from what I have seen of the place Ido not anticipate any difficulty in the last four miles. After the grade is run through I intend to bring the party down to clear out and make good the 18 in. benched track, as at the present time, owing to the condition of the track, provisions are very difficult to bring up. When this is done the benching 18 in. wide will be gone on with from Price's Flat to pass, a distance of eight miles and a half. The wet weather we have had for the past six months has greatly retarded this work; and even after the rain ceased it was impossible to ford some of the larger mountain-streams for at least a couple of days. The work is, however, being pushed ahead as much as possible under the circumstances. Woodstock-Mahinapua. —The work consisted of the filling-in of ruts and of new culverts, and the road is now finally completed. It is found to be of great service to the farming and mining community. I have handed it over to the Westland County Council. Waitaha-Kakapotahi. —This work is held over pending completion of survey; there has been no expenditure. Hokitika-Christchurch Road. —This road extends from Kumara Borough boundary to top of Arthur Pass, being a distance of forty-two miles; and its ordinary maintenance during the past year has in no way decreased. The extraordinary expenditure has been increased, on account of the damage done by recent floods, but more especially by those on the 30th and 31st January last, which brought down large slips, carrying away the road at different places in the Otira Gorge and above and below Kelly's Creek, along the steep sideling there. To effect the necessary repairs a considerable number of extra men had to be employed. I have also had to increase the number of maintenance-men upon the Otira sections, as the slips were too numerous for the ordinary number. The flood of January last scoured away part of the north approach to the lower gorge bridge, which dropped down about 12 in., and to secure it for the future I have had a foundation of concrete built up, which will now resist any scour. This alone will cost £120. I also contemplate building a concrete wall at the bluff beyond the upper bridge, as our timber-work at that place is continually being swept away; cost, £170. Three deviations on this road are very necessary works, which should be taken in hand so soon as funds are available. The first is at Peg-leg Creek, where the present grade is 1 in 6, the proposed grade being 1 in 13, besides doing away with a ford that gives a deal of trouble in wet weather, as it is continually getting scoured out. The second deviation is at the moraine; the present road skirts along near the top of the moraine, and the road may be carried away at any time; besides, the grade at the place is very steep, being lin 8, and by the proposed deviation the grade will be lin 14f. The third deviation is at Eangariri Flat, where the Teremakau Eiver is encroaching very fast upon the present road, and, as matters stand now, the road is under water after a small fresh in the river. The proposed deviation will be expensive, as three parts of it is along a steep rocky sideling, which cannot be avoided. The road throughout the entire distance has been exceedingly well kept, and reflects credit on Mr. Mcintosh, when the heavy traffic that has been passing along it between Jackson's Eailway-station. and beyond Kelly's Creek, by cartage of material for Midland Eailway construction, is taken into consideration. The bridges and culverts along the road are getting worse for wear, and are very much in need of a coat of tar, which work should be taken in hand at once. It is also necessary that a roadman's cottage be erected at the bottom of Otira Gorge, which would accommodate, say, ten men, as extra hands are continually required to clear slips in the gorge and snow on the pass. At present they have only the hotel to stay at, which is not suitable for labouring-men, besides being expensive. An iron stable is also necessary for holding three horses. Contingencies and Engineering. —The expenditure took place upon the Arawata and Jackson's Valley Eoad. At the crossing of Clark and Potter's Creeks one of the bridges was renewed, and, as the bridge over the other had decayed, a good ford was made, which is very suitable for all traffic on that road. Stillwater Bridge. —Of the amount authorised to the Brunner Borough Council for construction of the above work nothing has been spent. Hungerford's Bridge. —The sum of £350 has been expended upon repairing this bridge, the work having been done satisfactorily under the supervision of the engineer to the Westland County Council. Little Waitaha Bridge. —This work has not been taken in hand yet. Waitaha Bridges. —This expenditure is held over, pending survey. Teremakau Traffic-bridge. —The repairs to this bridge are proceeding under grant to Westland County Council. Westland Ferry-service. —On behalf of the Westland County Council, I have certified to the sum of £132 for assistance to carry on above service, which has been efficiently carried out over rivers and streams between the Mikonui Eiver and Arawata Eiver, a distance of 175 miles. Flood-damages to Roads and Bridges (to Account). —An amount of £725 was expended in repairs to road through Otira Gorge, rendered necessary by flood-damage on the 30th and 31st January. £277 was also expended by the Westland County Council on repairs to roads throughout the district. Stable, Paringa to Haast. —The erection of above stable at a point about half-way (the day's journey is forty miles) has supplied a great want, as, in case of being stuck up by flood, horses have now shelter for the night. 12—C. 1.