286

ROAD WORKS.

REPORT OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER TO HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.

SIR,—I do myself the honour of reporting on the progress of Road Works during this last season, in order that your Honor may have early information of what has been done, with the view of considering the measures for the coming season.

At this time, works beyond the neighbourhood are in abeyance, owing to the inclemency of the weather and the softness of the ground preventing labour of any kind being beneficially employed. This state of matters exists till the middle of September, at which time it would be desirable that I be put in possession of your Honor’s instructions as to the various works of the coming season.

It takes some time to organize parties and forward them to their various stations; so when this can only be effected late in the summer months, as was the case last year, the road parties are overtaken by the coming winter, when their works must be abandoned unfinished.

This has been much the rule this last season in regard to roads in all directions, from which not only much public inconvenience has been felt, but much of the labour of our road parties has been laid out to disadvantage.

The accompanying abstract of expenditure will show a total vote for Roads of £20,050, of which £6,986 8s. 4d. only has been expended. The separate items I will notice in order.

1st, Metalled Road to Saddle Hill.—This road has been completed only for a distance of two miles from the Jetty, its further progress being impeded owing to the want of labour.

2nd, Metalled Road at Invercargill.—This road (combined with 19th) has had a party of men sent specially for its construction. The distance completed from the landing is 1½ miles gravelled, and about 3 miles formed.

3rd, Dray Track from Dunedin to Invercargill.—This track was to be done in settled districts by contracts—beyond by hired parties. Three parties of four men each were at once forwarded to their stations, and have completed the most essential portions of the communication by cutting side-ways, and bridging gullies and creeks. In settled districts, the works were delayed till February, in order that opportunity might be given to settlers to contract for the same.

4th, Metalled Road to Town Belt.—This road is combined with the 17th, for both of which £3,500 was voted, and £2,889 14s. 2d. has been expended. With the exception of a short distance near the Water of Leith, the whole has been completed, the scarcity of labour preventing the completion.

5th, Metalled Horse Track from North-east Valley to Port Chalmers.—This line required survey and purchase of lands before expenditure could take place, as it mostly runs through private property. Plans and estimates are now laid before the Government.

6th, Town Belt to Head of North-east Valley.—This road has been extended three miles from the Jetty, with one break left uncompleted from the want of labour.

7th, Metalled Horse Track from North-east Valley to Blueskin.—This line was subjected to survey, but has not yet been commenced.

8th, Horse Track to Oamaru.—Several hired parties have been engaged on this track, principally at Waikouaiti in carrying out arrangements with Mr. Jones, who consented to the intersection of his property by the road.

9th, Invercargill and Riverton Horse Track.—Two parties are now engaged in forming this track.

10th, Invercargill and Campbelltown Horse Track.—This has been found to proceed over very difficult, swampy country. Its partial construction across the Mokomoko Neck has been sanctioned, but not commenced with for want of labour. With expected arrivals of immigrants, it is intended to forward a party for this line.

11th, Abbott’s Creek to North Taieri Dray Track.—This line required to be surveyed and purchased from landholders before any expenditure could take place. The purchases have not yet been completed.

12th, 13th, and 14th, Pastoral Roads.—No expenditure has taken place. As to this subject, I would desire to