REPORT UPON ROADS.

Napier, June 3, 1864.

Sir,—In compliance with your Honor’s instructions I have prepared the subjoined general report upon the roads of this province, pointing out at the same time the works which, according to my opinion, should be undertaken in the approaching year.

During the past financial year (of 15 months) considerable improvements have been made, not only on the established lines of road, but several new lines have been opened up, partly under the principle of grants in aid. Those are—

1.—The Taupo road from Pekapeka to Waipuna, to give access to the barracks at Patoka, and to the intended military settlement at Pukititiri.

2.—The line from Petane to Pekapeka, to connect the Taupo road with the Petane district, and to have a line of communication with Pukititiri in times of floods in the Tutaekuri river.

3.—The line from the Meanee flats by the banks of the Tutaekuri to the Taupo road at Puketapu, to connect the settlers on the Tutaekuri with Napier without crossing that river, and to avoid the (for horse carts) rather steep cuttings on the Taupo road north of the Meanee flats.

4.—Aorangi to the Ruataniwha.—This line will reduce, for the settlers at Hampden, and the northern and north-eastern portion of the Ruataniwha, the distance to Napier by 8 or 12 miles.

5.—Mohaka to the Kiwi creek, to open up the flat country north of the Kiwi, and to give access to the Maungaharuru districts.

6.—Bridle track from Mohaka to the upper Mohaka, to connect the settlers along the Mohaka river with their shipping port.

It will be clearest to describe the different lines of road separately, viz. :

CLIVE ROAD.

From the ferry at Waitangi to Clive. The whole of the line having been metalled previously, no new works have been undertaken thereon. The portion between the Muddy creek and Clive requires new metalling. Probable expense for this and for general maintenance, £50.

CLIVE TO HAVELOCK.

From Clive through Havelock to the Waitahora, 54 chains of this line have been formed and metalled during last year. At Havelock a small bridge has been built at Mr. Dahvers’ farm, and one at the Wahaparata mill-stream—the old one having been found decayed. Considerable outlay has further been incurred on repairs of the bridges at Wahaparata, Louisa Creek, and Waitahora, especially on the last two, by securing the approaches against their being damaged by sheep. About 40 chains between Clive and Havelock, in portions that are very wet during the winter, should be formed and metalled, cost £240. Maintenance of present road, £60.

TE AUTE ROAD.

From the Havelock road by Waipawa to Waipukurau, measuring 31½ miles in length. A large amount of work has been done during the past year on this line, viz.,—About 1½ mile has been metalled through the swampy ground between Waitahora and the Pakipaki; 1½ miles at Te Matai; 1½ north of Poukawa; ½ mile through the College land; 1½ mile at Kaitkora; and ¾ of a mile between Waipawa and Waipukurau. Besides this, the road through the Te Aute Bush has been considerably widened, and a large quantity of spare metal has been stacked on many portions of the road.

Of the Te Aute road there are at present 24 miles metalled, 1 mile is under contract for metalling, and only 6½ miles remain in the natural state, one half of which is between Waipawa and Waipukurau. During the coming financial year I would recommend the forming and metalling of one mile in different pieces between the college land and Waipawa, and one mile between Waipawa and Waipukurau. The remaining portion, being over very dry soil, can be left without much inconvenience in its natural state.

The vote of the Provincial Council has been greatly exceeded on this road on account of the natives of Poukawa and Pakipaki having had contracted very early last year for the forming and metalling of large portions of road, which contracts I did not bring into account in my last year’s return, as it appeared from the unsettled state of the natives very unlikely that those contracts would ever be carried out. However during the year those natives not only commenced, but generally carried on their operations with great energy, and completed their contracts. The amount required for the proper maintenance of the Te Aute road for twelve months is £800, and for the proposed new works, £850.

PORANGAHAU ROAD.

From Waipukurau, by Eperaima, to Porangahau; distance, 26 miles. On this line about 1½ miles have been formed and metalled at Pukikura, and heavy cuttings have been made between Motuotaraia and Eperaima on the line selected by my predecessor, so as to avoid the steep hills which made the road utterly impracticable for horse carts, and very nearly so for bullock drays. The road is now practicable