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and then 1 1/3 miles in the bed of the Kaiwaka
Creek, whence it rises by an extensive side-
cutting to dry table land. The cuttings at
the Kaiwaka Creek, being in sandy clay,
have suffered very much of late from heavy
slips, for the removal of which I will try to
arrange on my visiting that part next week.
From the Kaiwaka cutting to the Pohui
Bush (about 8 miles) the natural features
are favorable for a road, and I think an out-
lay of £200 upon the present road will make
a good summer road. The cheapest way to
make the Pohui Bush available for the Na-
pier market is, in my opinion, by clearing
the River Esk, which is naturally well
adapted for rafting, of large stones and other
obstacles, which can be done for about £180.
Drays will then bring the timber to the
junction of the Kaiwaka Creek with the
River, whence it can be rafted to the Spit.

Between Pohui and Tarawera, our Auck-
land mail road, the Natives have contracted
for the erection of 6 bridle-track bridges, for
the clearing and widening of some old side-
cuttings, and for the clearing of the bush
track from Te Harota to Taurangakumu,
which they report as completed, and which I
will have to visit next week. To make this
track quite good, it will require about 120
chains of side-cuttings at Titiokura and Tau-
rangakumu, which I propose deferring for
some months, the latter mound being now
covered with snow.

The Mohaka River, at the foot of Titio-
kura being dangerous to cross even after one
day\'s rain, I beg to suggest the desirability
of making arrangements with the Natives of
Pohui or Te Harota for keeping a canoe
there.

On the Bridle Track to Mohaka no new
work has been completed during the last six
months, but there are now between Waikari
and the Mohaka three small bridges and
about 36 chains of side-cuttings in progress
under the hands of a contractor. Some por-
tions between Tonghoio and Tipenui require
repair, but the Natives are unwilling to un-
dertake the necessary work at reasonable
rates and object to the working of Europeans
on their lands. I propose to execute during
the coming spring about 160 chains of side-
cuttings in different pieces extending over
the whole line, and to alter the present track
in a few places, it being worn out to such an
extent, that it will be cheaper in many in-
stances to make new cuttings than to repair
the old ones.

On the Mohaka dray road the cuttings
in clay banks, which had been obstructed, as
everywhere else, by slips, have been cleared,
and arrangements are made now for their
maintenance. This road will have to be
extended, as soon as the weather permits of
it, further up the river flat, to meet the
wants of the settlers in that locality, who
only can at present by a most circuitous
route even on horseback reach their shipping
place; all produce having to be sent in canoes
down, and all supplies in the same precarious
way up the river.

The natives Toha and Paul have not yet
completed their contract for the bridle track
between Mohaka and Wairoa, but I hear
they are inclined now to proceed with it
properly; but in the meantime travellers are
put to great inconvenience.

On the Town Roads portions of Waghorn-
street, Shakespeare-road, Carlyle-street, and
Milton-road have been put in repair, and
two large culverts have been built at Shake-
speare-flat and in Carlyle-street; but all
those roads require further outlays before the
end of the winter. I beg leave to bring here
to your Honor\'s notice that I consider the
amount (£200) available for the mainten-
ance of about four miles of town roads for
twelve months as quite insufficient. The
official reports of Victoria show, that during
the year 1860-61 the expenditure for main-
tenance of the main roads has averaged
£212 per mile, and this with the rate of
wages at 5s. 6d. and of cart hire at 12s. per
day, and with metal (basalt) much superior
to ours. I do not think that our town roads
can be kept in proper repair at less than
£350 per annum.

Besides the repairs above mentioned a
portion of Coote-road and Brewster-street
have been made, the Provincial Government
giving grants in aid, an approach has been
cut from Shakespeare-road to the hospital,
and Milton-road has been made accessible
from Battery-road. In progress under con-
tract are now three chains of Waghorn-
street, rendered necessary to form the ap-
proach to the public landing place, and five
chains of stone wall, to replace the fence
destroyed during the late fire.

The Public Buildings completed during
the past half-year are the new Gaol, which
is in occupation since June, and the Observa-
tory, including the erection of mast with
necessary fittings and the fencing in of the
ground belonging to it.

Under the head of Harbour Improvements
have been completed—

1. The contract for the erection of 96 feet
   of pile breastwork (commenced last
   year.)
2. 200 feet of the old breastwork have been
   secured by a rubble bank in the back.
3. About four chains of stone wall have been
   erected, to prevent the further washing
   away of the reserve on which the boat-
   house is erected.
4. A new Engine-House has been erected on
   board the Steam Dredge, to protect the
   whole of the machinery.
5. The Punts belonging to the Steam Dredge
   have been thoroughly overhauled and
   repaired.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
CHARLES WEBER,
Provincial Engineer.

To His Honor
the Superintendent,
Napier.