portion has been done by Native labor at day-work, and it will be metalled before the coming winter, provided Natives can be found to undertake the work at reasonable rates. The whole of the old metalled road between Poukawa and the Puki Puki, and through the Te Aute Bush has received a good coat of metal, and some spare metal has been stacked at the sides of the road, so that those portions will be kept in good order at very trifling expense during the next eighteen months. The men are now employed re-metalling the old road through the college land, after which they will proceed to the road from Waipawa to the Ruataniwha, which requires thoroughly repairing before the coming winter. The only new work on this road is a culvert bridge over a swampy creek near the Waipawamata, which is now progressing under contract.

On the Porangahau Road about 65 chains in different pieces, at and near Pukikura are now in the hands of contractors for forming and metalling, and there will be sufficient means available for a small piece of plank-road through the Bush near Motuotaria. When those improvements are made, I feel confident that one man permanently employed will be able to keep this road open during the coming winter, although we must be prepared for very heavy slips on the steep cuttings, of which the large suncracks are a sure indication.

On the road from Porangahau to Tautane, arrangements had been made with the natives of Porangahau for the delivery of the timber for a bridge over the Manga Mairi, but they were unable to furnish it of the required dimensions. The natives of Eparaima have now been communicated with respecting the timber, and as they seem inclined to come to terms, I hope that the bridge will be built before the coming winter; but I fear that the amount voted for the purpose will prove insufficient, the cartage from Eparaima having not been calculated upon.

No new works have been undertaken on the Middle Road, but it has been put in thorough repair, has been widened in some places, and several culverts have been built. It will require the constant employment of one man during the winter to keep it open.

On the road from Patangata to Wautukai bridges over 3 very steep gullies are nearly completed, and cuttings leading to the Tuki Tuki are under contracts.

The side cuttings and other improvements required on the dray road from Wautukai to Edenham are likewise contracted for, and will in all probability be completed within 2 months.

On the road from Waipukurau to the Ruataniwha seven culverts and small bridges are now in progress, under contract, and a dray cutting has been made down the steep bank of the Tukipo river.

On the Taupo Road about 55 chains have been metalled, and a large drain has been dug to carry off the water caused by the occasional flowing of the Tutaekuri. Besides this, the lowest portions of the natural road through the Meanee flats have been formed preparatory to their being metalled, and 2 large culverts are now in course of erection at the Puketapu flats. This road will be practicable during the coming winter, but a good road must not be expected before it is protected against the inundations of the river, which can only be effected by a substantial embankment.

The Petane Road has been kept in good repair, a man having been stationed there during the winter. Several culverts have been built on the portion to Petane valley, and about 20 chains of side cuttings with 2 culverts have been made between Munn’s Point and Atkinson’s. A small bridge near Mr. Isaac M’Kain’s is now in progress, under contract; and about 10 chains near the school house, and 5 chains between Mr. Stevens’ and Munn’s Point will be formed and metalled as soon as contractors can be found for these works.

On the road from the Kaiwaka to the Pohui Bush about 40 chains of side cuttings will be undertaken as soon as the natives of that neighbourhood, who are now otherwise employed, are ready for it.

On the bridle track to Mohaka, several bridges and about 50 chains of side cuttings have been made between Tipenui and Mohaka, but nothing has been done between Tongoio and Tipenui, although improvements are very much wanted on that portion, especially at the Waipatiki and the Waipapa Creek. The natives through whose property the road runs have repeatedly been offered employment in repairing it, but they refuse to work or allow others to do so, unless at least 40 of their men were employed at the rate of 6s. per day. As not more than 10 men can work to advantage on a narrow bridle track, nothing has been done, and I fear that road will become almost impassable and even dangerous during the next winter.

On the bridle track from Mohaka to the Wairoa the native contractors have nearly completed about 200 chains of side cuttings, and 7 bridges over the worst creeks, which is all that is required on this line.

On the road from Mohaka to the head of the Mohaka Flats about 120 chains of side cuttings and 3 small bridges are now in progress, under contract. On my next visit to that neighbourhood I will mark off the line of road across the Kiwi Creek to the Taupiri Bush and the Mangaharuru, and I hope to get sufficient work done this season to open up this district.

On the road from Aorangi to the Kereru Bush about 12 chains are now being cleared through the little Kereru Bush preparatory to further improvements.

The clearing of the Mangaone River is now progressing favorably. Some delay has been caused by the Natives striking work, but at present they work well, and seem to be contented. The principal impediments will be removed by the middle of March.