The old bridge between the Ferry-house and Clive is broken down from decay, and here also a new Bridge will be required. If the present site for the Ferry is made permanent, the road will have to be continued from the old Ferry-house to the new one.

The road across the hills between the Meanee Flats and Puketapu has been made, and a Bridge over the Ware-rangi, with approaches, formed. The party are now cutting drains where the line runs through raupo swamps, and preparing to lay down the necessary culverts; but through those flats the Road will not bear winter traffic unless it be metalled. The building of the culverts along the flats was contracted for by the native Karauria last winter; but, after promising to do it for several months, he finally gave it up. Between Puketapu and Mr. Breingan’s a side-cutting has been completed, and a stream bridged, with the approaches filled up. For continuing a dray Road by this route, but little more would be required till after passing Mr. Grey’s flats beyond Pekapeka, from which to the top of the Patoka, the ground is hilly and broken.

The Road from Petane to the Pohui bush is open for drays, and as the approach to the Petane bridge is now complete (all but metalling) Timber can be brought to Napier. Near Messrs. Richardson & Co’s sheepyard the river is encroaching on the Roadway, which latter will have to be cut further into the hills. And there are some abrupt descents which require cutting away, and a few culverts built, when the Road will be, if not a good one, a fair dray road throughout. There is a stream running through the bush at Pohui capable of working a saw-mill, which, if started, ought to supply much of the timber required at Napier for some time to come.

At the present season, the Road to Mohaka is in a good state; but in winter is most difficult to travel over. I should advise the abandonment of the present line on the Eastern side of Mocangiangi, and forming a new one. There are also parts of the track between Waikari and Mohaka requiring improvement. The track from Mohaka to the Wairoa passes for its entire length through native land, and it is doubtful if any but Maories would be allowed to work at its improvements. It is in a very bad state. The Road from Mohaka to the Tauranga bush has been commenced, and the first section completed, and when the present contract is finished, the greater part of the flats will be brought into communication with the harbour, instead of running along the hill tops from the flats. I would recommend heading and crossing the gully as far as Mr. Allan’s, as another section, and by this means a good cart road, would be secured to the Inland District with a moderate additional outlay. The road along the hills will be expensive, and never can be a good one.

I found the sum placed on the estimates last year quite insufficient to bridge the creeks between Porangahau and Tautane, and therefore no steps have been taken in carrying out this work.

On comparing the difference between works executed by the Government by day labour and by Contractors, I find it at least 30 per cent. in favor of the latter, although their labourers receive higher wages, and I would ever advise adhering to the contract system, as the best means of obtaining value for the Province, and enabling the good workman to obtain full value for his labour.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Your very Obedient Servant,

THOMAS GILL,
Provincial Engineer.

RETURNS OF CATTLE SLAUGHTERED in the NAPIER DISTRICT, from 1st to 31st DECEMBER, 1861, (inclusively).

WILLIAM LANGFORD,
Inspector of Slaughter-houses.