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for horse conveyance as far as Eperaima, at least during the greater part of the year. Very heavy expenses have been incurred on this line in repairing and securing the deep side cuttings north of the Eperaima bridge, which had suffered severely from the earthquakes of last year. One of the bridges between Eperaima and Porangahan had likewise to be renewed. Some of the new cuttings near Eperaima should be metalled; several of the bridges and culverts near Motaitura require repairing, and a man will have to be kept on the line during at least eight months for the purpose of maintenance.

£300.
£150.

Total probable cost,—
£450.

A new line should be made along the foot of the leading range, which will only require about 1 ½ miles of side cuttings and eight small bridges, the cost of which will not exceed £400.

The sum of £150 should be allowed for maintenance of road.

PATANGATA TO TAMUMU.

Four bridges and several side cuttings have been made on this line, and two bridges are in progress under contract. Two more bridges and about 15 chains of heavy side cuttings are required to complete this line, the expense of which will be £120.

WAIPAWA TO RUATANIWHA.

This line has been maintained in very good order during the past year and will only require about £40 for maintenance and some further improvements.

PORANGAHAU TO WAINUI.

Two bridges have been made in the valley of the Mangamairi to avoid Cook’s Tooth, and two more on that of the Wainui, to avoid the shingle beach south of Tautane, and the crossing of the mouth of the Wainui, which was frequently dangerous on account of its unsafe bottom. Arrangements have been made for the maintenance of the crossing of the Mangamairi, so that, with the exception of times when the Porangahau river is impassable by floods, this line will be open. About half a mile of side cuttings and two small bridges should be made along the banks of the Mangamairi (expense £36), and three small bridges and 1 ½ mileside cuttings along the Wainui (cost £50.)

Total, £86.

WAIPUKURAU TO RUATANIWHA.

This line is quite practicable and in good order, and will require about £30 for further improvements and maintenance.

MIDDLE ROAD.

From Mr. Reynolds’ house at Havelock (by Mr. Foster’s, Ngawakatatara) to Patangata; distance, 21 miles. The road has been widened in many places between Ngawakatatara and Patangata, and has been kept in thorough repair throughout the year. During the greater part of the year two men have been employed in removing slips, and in clearing the water-tables, which are constantly being filled up by the sheep from the southern division of the province being driven generally by this road to Napier. The works most required on this road are side-cuttings round the steep hills near Mr. Foster’s homestead, which can be effected, inclusive of metalling, for about £250. Indeed, this work is very necessary to make the road available for horse drays, as the steep hill south of Ngawakatatara can be avoided during the summer season by crossing the Tukituki, and using the old track to Patangata.

Should the means be available, I beg to recommend again that the portion of the present line near Ngawakatatara be abandoned, and that instead of descending to the river flat, and rising again to the high table land (which makes the road unfit for horse traffic), a new line should be made along the foot of the leading range.

£250.

TAUPO ROAD.

This comprises the line from Tareha’s bridge (by the Meanee bridge, Puketapu, Pekapeka, and Patoka) to Waipuna, a distance of 34 miles. Very little outlay had been incurred prior to the present year upon this road north of Puketapu, but it became in the first place necessary to improve the line between Puketapu and Pekapeka for the supply of the Defence Force stationed at the latter place; and, subsequently, when the Pukititiri block had been selected for a military settlement, and barracks were erected at the Patoka, the road had to be extended to that point. About 20 chains of the portion between Tareha’s bridge and the Meanee bridge have been metalled; about 1 ½ miles on the Meanee flats have been formed and 22 chains metalled; 48 chains have been formed, and a portion of it metalled at Puketapu. About 2 ½ miles of heavy side cuttings have been made between Puketapu and Pekapeka, and about 6 ½ miles between Pekapeka and Patoka, some of them above 20 feet in height. The whole line to the Patoka barracks is now open, but the new cuttings, and especially the fillings, are, as must be expected, in the first season, very soft. I feel confident that after the wintertime the line will be in perfect order. Two men should be employed during the wet season for the purpose of repairing the unavoidable earthslips, and generally maintaining the line. A new bridge is required in place of the present Tareha’s bridge—