75

D.—l

Ota«o Central Railway. Clyde to Cromwell. —Survey-work was commenced on the 23rd April, 1914. The trial line has been run to the Half-way House, 7 m. 10 cli., and permanent line set out for 2 miles 9 chains. Winton - Heddon Bush Railway. Trial lines have been run between Heddon Bush and Winton, and Wright's Bush and Waianiwa, respectively. GORE-HEDGEHOrE RAILWAY. A reconnaissance survey was made here, and rough estimates prepared. Wyndham-Mokoreta Railway. Trial surveys are in progress in connection with this proposed line. ROADS AND BRIDGES. On the Te Kuiti - Awakino main road some work has been done in connection with a deviation in the Awakino Valley, and a number of men are still at work. On the Ohura Road a considerable amount of metalling has been done, besides maintenance-work and various improvements. The Opotiki-Motu main road has been further widened and improved. Maintenance-work has been heavy, owing to floods and washouts. The Mangapoike Valley Road also suffered severely, and efforts are now being made to render it passable in time for the wool traffic. The Kohatu-Westport-Reefton main road has been under maintenance throughout, and a considerable amount of metalling has been done. A new bridge over Blackwater Creek is in course of erection, and plans, &c, are being prepared for the renewal of sundry other bridges. The main road between Arthur's Pass and Waiho, in Westland, 161 miles in length, has been maintained and improved, about 39 miles being metalled ; four-mile Creek and Shenandoah Creek bridges renewed, road patched with metal, slips removed, &c. On the Canterbury side the road has been maintained for a distance of 20 miles. The Blenheim - Hope River Road has been surveyed for a distance of about 18 miles. The formation of tne Conway Gorge Road through Block X, Hawkswood Survey District, is in hand, about 46 chains having been formed out of a total length of 145 chains, half of which comprises very heavy work. A few of the principal bridges, &c, are mentioned briefly below : — Tokatoka Swamp Slop-banks, Drainage, and Tramway. —Stop-banks have been raised and protective works carried out at various points. The tramway has been extended a distance of 25 chains, and the 15|- chains required to complete will be constructed shortly. The line and formation have been maintained during the year. Warkworth Bridge. —The Warkworth Town Board has erected a new ferro-concrete superstructure on the existing concrete piers and abutments at the Mahurangi River crossing near Warkworth. Mangere Bridge. —The Mangere Road Board has let a contract for the construction of a new ferro-concrete road-bridge over the Manukau Harbour between Mangere and Onehunga, and the work is proceeding briskly. Piako River Bridge (Paeroa to Tahuna Road). —The Ohinemuri County Council has let a contract for the erection of a bridge on the Paeroa-Tahuna Road, comprising one 51 ft. span and two 21 ft. spans, on timber pile piers. Waihou River Bridge (between Puke and Junction) .-. —The Ohinemuri County Council has let a contract for the erection of this bridge, and the piles have been driven, but steamers have difficulty in negotiating the swing span and have damaged the bridge. Work has therefore been suspended pending a decision as to the steps to be taken to obviate the difficulty, which is due to the swift current and a bend immediately above the bridge. Puniu River Bridge. —The Department has let a contract for the construction of a bridge over the Puniu River, in the Wharepuhunga Block. Waipa River Bridge (Pirongia). —The erection of this bridge has been satisfactorily completed, under the supervision of the Waipa County Council. Taumatatotara Block. —A large amount of road-formation has been carried out in the northern portion of this block, besides bush-work, &c. Wharepuhunga Block. —About 11 miles of road-formation has been done here, in addition to clearing and stumping, &c. Rangiriri Bridge (Waikato River). —Tenders have been invited for the erection of this bridge, which comprises three spans each 120 ft, and thirty-three spans of 25 ft., on reinforced-concrete pile piers. Waitara River Bridge (Waitara).— Under the Waitara Harbour Board a ferro-concrete and steel bridge, 240 ft. long, has been erected. Patea River Bridge (Rawhitiroa Road). —A reinforced-concrete bridge, comprising two 60 ft. spans, has been erected by the Eltham County Council. Wanganui Town Bridge (Dublin Street). —This bridge has been completed, and is under maintenance by the contractor. Opawa River Bridge (near Blenheim). —A quantity of plant and material has been ordered for this bridge—a ferro-concr te structure 560 ft. long —and the preliminary work is in hand at the site. Akitio River Mouth Bridge. —This bridge, comprising two 100 ft. and five 25 ft. spans, has been completed. Aohanga River Bridge (Lookout). —The erection of this bridge is in hand. It consists of one 100 ft., one 41 ft., and five 25 ft. spans. Aohanga River Bridge (Waterloo). —This bridge, consisting of one 100 ft., one 41 ft., and four 25 ft. spans, is in course of erection, piles having been driven for three piers.