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Road through Manawatu Bush.

This line, measuring from its entrance at Takipau to the boundary of the Province at Ahua-Turanga (35) thirty-five miles, is now completed, with the exception of a small portion at the upper end, which will be out of hand at the end of this month. The road has been cleared to a width of (40) forty feet, the stuff has been piled up at the sides so as to form a stock-proof fence, and bridle track cuttings and bridges have been made wherever required.

After a year or two, when the sun and air have consolidated the ground, and especially when by burning off the stuff piled up now at the sides, has increased the clearing, this line will make, with a moderate outlay and slight deviations in a few places, a good dray road.

Some provision should be made for maintenance of this road, as it will be necessary to employ at least twice a year a couple of men to clear away the fallen timber.

Taipo Road.

From Meanee Flats by Redcliff to Puketapu. About 20 chains of side-cuttings and a considerable length of drains into the Tutaekuri have been made here. About 30 chains of old line require metalling, and a small bridge is required at the northern end of Mr. Dolbel’s property. Upon the portion between Taipo and the Meanee road I have separately reported.

Ngaruroro Bridge.

About 350 trees for piles and stringers have been purchased in the Rakawa and Te Aute Bush of the natives, and the contractors are progressing with their preparation. As the planking has likewise been contracted for, it is probable that all the necessary materials will be upon the ground in November, and that the bridge will be up in February next.

A road had to be made from Poukawa into the Rakawa Bush, which, although expensive, will save more than its cost in the carriage of the timber. The timber having been purchased very reasonably and the contracts for preparing it being likewise at a moderate rate, I feel confident that the total cost of the bridge will not exceed the original estimate, viz. (£4,000) four thousand pounds sterling.

Of the several smaller lines of road not mentioned here, for which money has been voted, viz., the road connecting Clive with the Ngaruroro Bridge, and a bridle-track from Pourerere to Middle-road, are being proceeded with now, but the bridle-track over Uriti Hill has not been commenced, as the natives of Nuhaka and Te Mahia, who had undertaken to do the work, were in the field against the rebels.

Several new lines are urgently required, viz.:—

1. From Waerangi to Petane,
   the route for stock travelling from the southern portion of the Province to the land lately opened up along the coast north-east of Napier, which will be almost impassable during the winter and spring, owing to the swampy nature of the Wareponga Valley, unless some (4) four culverts, about (15) fifteen chains of formation, and some side-cuttings are made. As only a bridle path is required for the present, an outlay of (£80) eighty pounds will be sufficient.

2. From Arlington by Tauraekaitai to the head of the Mangapoaka. This line is necessary for Messrs. Redward, Hamilton, and Fleming. A bridge is required over the Tauraekaitai, several culverts, and on an aggregate about 70 chains of road cuttings; the principal portion on the steep hill north of Mr. Fleming’s. Estimated cost (£160) one hundred and sixty pounds sterling.

Survey of Roads.

The Te Aute-road, as far as Waipawa, the Middle-road to Patangata, and the Taupo-road to Pekapeka, have been traversed and mile-posts are now being fixed on those lines. The road surveys, at least of the main lines, should be completed this year and even extended to the side lines if possible, as the present uncertainty respecting roads is exceedingly vexatious to land owners; but this would require the undivided application of a Surveyor for at least twelve months.

CHARLES WEBER,
Provincial Engineer.

Napier, 12th June, 1866.