D.—l

V

is consequently desirable to have a further section authorized during the present session, and provision for this will be made in the Railways Authorization Bill. It is also proposed to put in hand a section of the line becween Waihi and Tauranga—namely, from Waihi to Athenree; also a westerly extension of the line already in course of construction, near Tauranga, as far as the right bank of the Wairoa River, a length of about eight miles. Provision for these extensions will be made in the Eailways Authorization Bill. On the Gisborne-Motu division of the railway a very large amount of work has been done. I mentioned last year that ballast-trains were being run as far as the Otoko Viaduct, but that they could not proceed beyond that point pending the completion of that structure. To enable rail-laying to be proceeded with, a cable-way was constructed across the Otoko Gorge, and by this means a locomotive was transported to the farther side of the river, and platelaying carried on for an additional four miles and a half. The viaduct is now nearing completion, and as soon as it is available for traffic ballasting can proceed for a considerable distance ahead. A very large amount of work has been done on the Eakaaroa and Matawai sections, and the formation now extends considerably beyond the Summit at 41 miles—namely, as far as the 43-mile peg. I mentioned last session that the expenditure during the previous financial year had been by far the largest on this line since the works were started, hut during last year the amount was even larger. In the Eailways Authorization Bill, 1910, provision was made for the construction of a section of the line from G-isborne towards Napier, and since its authorization a considerable amount of survey has been done, and during the present year it is proposed to put formation work in hand. It is intended this year to ask the House to authorize a section of the line from Napier towards Gisborne, and in anticipation of this being approved a surveyor has been sent to undertake the location of the first section. The expenditure on the different divisions of the Kast Coast Main Trunk Railway during last financial year was as under:— £ Tauranga-Paengaroa ... ... ... ... ... ... 15,292 Gisborne-Motu ... ... ... ... ... ... 68,668 Napier-Gisborne ... ... ... ... ... ... 131 For the current year the following votes are proposed: — £ Waihi-Tauranga ... ... ... ... ... ... 15,000 Tauranga-Paengaroa ... ... ... ... ... ... 30,000 Gisborne-Motu ... ... ... ... ... ... 85,000 Napier-Gisborne — North end ... ... ... ... ... ... 15,000 South end .. ... .. ... ... ... 20,000 Stbatfobd - Main Trunk. Very good progress has been made with the works on this line. The section between Huiroa and Te Wera was opened for traffic on the'2oth June, 1910, and the further section to Pohokura is finished, but is being rebained by the Public Works Department in consequence of its being required in connection with the construction of the next section. Goods and passengers are, however, being regularly conveyed not*only to Pohokura, but to the foot of the Whangamomona saddle on the next section, so that the settlers are reaping the benefit of railway communication. The Whangamomona Tunnel, which is over 30 chains in length, is proceeding satisfactorily, tbe bottom "headings" having already met, and enlarging to full size and lining is now being pushed on. Clearing and fencing on the Tahora section have been commenced, and the location survey of a further extension is in hand. Survey-work has also been in hand for some time at the eastern end of the line, and construction operations will be undertaken as soon as a section of convenient length has been finally located. The expenditure on this line last year amounted to £76,234, and for the current year I am asking for a vote of £100,000.