The cuttings between Hakowhai and Peka Peka, and likewise those between Peka Peka and Patoka, which had suffered considerably from the floods, have been thoroughly repaired of late; but some provision will be required for their maintenance during the winter.

Waitangi Bridge to Havelock.

The portion of road between Waitangi bridge and Ngaruroro bridge has been gravelled, and the metalling of the whole line between Ngaruroro and Havelock, six and three-quarter miles in length, is now in the hands of four different contractors, and should be completed within two months. This line, like all newly-gravelled lines, is rather heavy at present, but I feel satisfied that the winter traffic will leave it in excellent order. Two bridges have been built on the new line, near Wahaparata, and one at Havelock.

Havelock to Waipawa.

The new line, between Louisa creek and Long bridge, and all the natural pieces thence to Waipawa, have been formed. About two miles have been metalled, and the metalling of the rest, with the exception of 1½ miles in detached portions, is in the hands of contractors, and should be completed in about two months. All bridges on this line have been lengthened, thoroughly repaired, and provided, where required, with hand-rails; and all culverts have been renewed, where necessary, so that the coming spring should find the road from Waitangi to Waipawa complete.

Waipawa to Waipukurau.

About two miles, including all the bad pieces, have been formed, and the greater portion is now under contract for metalling.

The crossing of the Waipawa and Tuki Tuki should be protected by groynes, which will be rather expensive at the Tuki Tuki, but should be undertaken, as it is generally considered the most necessary work on the south road. These structures are, as a rule, rather precarious, but I believe that an effective one can be erected for £110, which will withstand the floods.

Waipukurau to Eperaima.

A substantial bridge has been erected at the Motuotaraia Bush; the formation of the road through that bush is now progressing under contract, and the worst portion of the road, near Arlington, and north of Motuotaraia, is now being formed.

The flooring of the Eperaima bridge requires renewing this summer—the present joists and floor planks (white pine) being decayed, and will be unsafe after this winter.

Eperaima to Porangahau.

A new line of road to the centre of the Porangahau flats is now under progress, which will shorten the distance for dray traffic about three miles. The amount voted for this road will complete the most necessary cuttings to the Porangahau flats, but at least £100 will be required to form the road through the swampy parts of the flats, and to improve the line.

Porangahau to Southern boundary of the province.

This line has merely been kept in repair, as the vote was insufficient for a substantial bridge over the Mangamaori, or even for making the necessary cuttings and bridges for a dray road to the leading range. To make a passable road would require at least £300.

Middle Road.

The maintenance of this road has been rather expensive this year, as the Patagata bridge (which had suffered greatly by the late floods) had to be rebuilt, many culverts renewed, and heavy side cuttings made near Ngawakatara, where the Tuki-tuki had eaten away the flat over which the road passed. As the river has the tendency of encroaching still further upon the flat upon which the Ngawakatara native settlement stands, the height of shingle accumulated on the eastern portion of the river bed forcing the stream in that direction, there is very little doubt that ere long the remaining portion of the flat will disappear, and stop the traffic in that direction. As a new line has been surveyed, avoiding the unnecessary dip to Ngawakatara, and clear of the river, I shall report upon it separately.

About 15 chains over low ground, in three detached pieces, between the Havelock suburban sections, should be gravelled, and the old metalled portions from the Havelock town boundary to Mr. Forster’s, should be remetalled, in addition to the works necessitated by the proposed deviation of portions of the road.

Road to Hampden by Omahu.

A bridge has been built over the Mill stream at Omahu, the native bridge over the Mill-race has been refloored and provided with handrails, and the side-cuttings to Gwavas have been in several places cased and improved.

A bridge, about 60 feet long, is required over the Wattle, on the new line through the native cultivations, which will save more than half a mile of bad road at the base of Puketapu Hill, and the cuttings at the Manga-o-maku should be widened and eased.

Road to Kereru.

This line has been completed this year, and, the cuttings being principally of dry clay and gravel, it will require very little for maintenance. About £25 should be expended in repairing the old cuttings at the Kereru bush.

Petane and Pohui Bush Road.

About 35 chains of the Petane beach road have been made with clay, and a light coat of shingle, which will stand light traffic; and the river line to Pohui, which had silted from the May floods, has been thoroughly repaired. The portion of the beach line remaining in the natural state (about 73 chains) should be clayed like that done this year, and the old shell road should be repaired, for which purpose a sufficiency of shells are at hand.

Mohaka Bridle Track.

This line has not only been maintained in good order, but some additional cuttings have been made.

Liberal allowance should be made for maintenance, as, since the steam communication has ceased to Te Wairoa, the overland traffic has greatly increased, and large numbers of sheep passing on it on their way to the Poverty Bay district, are very destructive to the side-cuttings with steep faces.