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During the year a total length of 25 miles 34 chains was opened for traffic. The following table contains particulars of the sections: —

Appended hereto is a coloured diagram showing the length of railway opened each year since the commencement of the public works. Kawakawa-Grahamtown . The extension of the line southwards from Kawakawa is nearly completed up to 12 m. The three miles 12 to 15 m. are about half completed, and a start will shortly be made with the platelaying. Whangarbi-Kamo Extension. The extension of this line from 14 m. 57 eh. to Hukerenui at 16 m. has been completed, and was opened for traffic on the Ist March last. Plans for the extension of the line from the wharf at Opau Station across the Whangarei Eiver to Grahamtown are being prepared. Helensville Northwards. Tahekeroa Section (46m. 36ch. to 49 m. 54ch.; length, 3 miles 18 chains). —This section has been completed, and was opened for traffic on the 19th December last, being finally completed in March last. A telephone-line has been erected between Kaukapakapa and Tahekeroa Station. Komokoriki Section (49 m. 54 eh. to 56m. 30 eh.; length, 6 miles 56 chains). —The formationworks on the portion of this section between 49 m. 54 eh. and the tunnel have been nearly completed, and the rails have been laid over a portion of this length. The tunnel has been excavated to full size for a length of 8-J- chains at one end and 2-J chains at the other ; the length of the tunnel is 22-J chains. An incline, worked by a stationary engine, has been made over the tunnel ridge for transporting materials. Good progress has been made with the formation-works between the tunnel and Ahuroa. A contract has been let for the supply of 1,000,000 bricks for lining the tunnel, and about one-quarter of this number has been made. Paeroa-Waihi. Length, 12 miles 40 chains. —The formation on the first four miles up to Karangahake Station is finished ready for platelaying, which will be started shortly. The tunnel has been excavated at the west end for a length of 161 lineal yards, of which 76 lineal yards have been lined, and 106 lineal yards have been excavated at the east end. The tunnel is 1,190 yards long. Beyond the tunnel the works are partly done up to 6 in. 6 eh. A contract for the erection of a combined road and railway bridge over the Ohinemuri, to give access to the Karangahake Station, has been let to Messrs. J. and A. Anderson, of Christchurch. Gisborne-Karaka. The line has been formed from the starting-point at the Gisborne Wharf for a length of nine miles, and the rails linked in for the same distance. The formation is partly done for three miles and three-quarters further up to 12 m. 60 eh., and the bridges and fencing have been finished up to 12 m. Contracts for the erection of an engine-shed and two cottages and for timber for bridges have been finished ; others for the erection of Gisborne and wayside stations and the supply of ironbark timber are let. North Island Main Trunk. North End. Mokau-Poro-o-tarao Section (34 m. 43 eh. to 49 m. 7 eh.; length, 12 miles 43 chains). —The maintenance of the whole of this section was done by this department until April last, when the greater portion up to the north end of the tunnel was taken over by the Working Eailways Department. The tunnel and the line south of it are still being maintained by this department. Ohinemoa Section (49 m. 19 eh. to 62 m. 48 eh.; length, 13 miles 29 chains). —A large amount of work has been done on this section during the past year. The formation has been completed and the rails linked in up to 57 m., and ballasting is in progress. There has been considerable trouble from slips, especially at 51m. The earthworks from 57 m. to the end of the section are well on towards completion. Ongarue Section (62 m. 48 eh. to 76 m. 55 eh.; length, 14 miles 7 chains). —Work on this section was begun in November last, and the whole section is now nearly all under construction.

Railway. Section. Length. Date opened for Traffic. Otago Central Waitaki-Bluff Midland Eailway Helensville Northwards Kawakawa-Grahamtown Ranfurly-Wedderburn Inch Valley-Limekilns Jaokson-Otira Makarau-Tahekeroa Waiotu-Hukerenui M. oh. ... J 8 29 ... J 2 29 ... I 10 12 ... ! 3 18 1 26 1st June, 1900. 11th June, „ 13th Nov., „ 19th Dec, „ 1st Mar., 1901. Total ... ... j 25 34