ROADS AND BRIDGES REPORT.

Report on the Roads and Bridge Work, done during six months ending 31st. March, 1862.

Dunedin to Taieri Ferry, distance 23 miles.

Five miles of this road were already metalled, as far Abbot’s Creek, the remainder, excepting three miles, has been contracted for with various contractors, who have the work in progress.

Taieri Ferry to Clutha, distance 34 miles.

The road-works have mainly been carried on between Tokomairiro and Taieri Ferry, seven miles have been contracted for, to be metalled. Formation and repairs have gone on 8 or 10 miles.

Clutha Ferry to Mataura, distance 50 miles.

Men could not be got in the commencement of the season; for two months a road party has been engaged in repairs.

Dunedin to Waikouaiti, distance 30 miles.

About four miles of metalling a horse track has been executed, and road parties have been engaged to form the road throughout.

Waikouaiti to Oamaru, distance 40 miles.

Five bridges are in course of construction, about 1½ miles of metalling at Hawksbury is in progress. On the northern portion, labor could not be obtained till lately.

Oamaru to Waitaki, distance 15 miles.

Two miles have been contracted for, to be formed, and a bridge over the Boundary Creek is in course of erection.

Saddle Hill to West Taieri, distance 10 miles.

The draining of the road is in progress, and a contract for forming and metalling 1¼ miles has been entered into. The works on this road have been delayed in treating for right-of-way through private property. The right-of-way is not yet obtained through Mr. Turnbull’s ground.

West Taieri to Interior.

About 1¼ mile has been contracted for on the ascent from the plain to the ranges, called “Roy’s Cutting”; the road has also been improved in various places as far as Campbell Thomson’s by road parties.

Clutha Mouth towards Interior.

Contracts for this road were called for without success; since then, road parties have been engaged in opening up the line.

Oamaru to Interior.

No labor was obtainable there till lately; now road parties are employed upon it.

Dunedin to Portobello.

About 1¼ mile has been contracted for, to be formed and metalled, and the bush line is being surveyed and laid out.

Several parties have been engaged in improving the line in various places, and in opening up the shorter line by Round-hill.

Tokomairiro to Gold-field.

Dunedin to West Taieri.

Road parties have been engaged on repairs at various points, and contracts have been taken for metalling 70 chains.

North East Valley to Timber District.

Thirty chains have been contracted for, for metalling, and formation has been extended by daily labor.

North East Valley to Port Chalmers.

About 2½ miles have been contracted for, for forming and metalling a horse-track, now nearly ready.

West Taieri Bridge.

Iron suspension bridge ordered from Britain; contracts for masonry were called for but owing to high rates, not accepted; in the mean time a punt is nearly ready to place there.

Lower Taieri Bridge.

A contract has been entered into for the construction of a wooden bridge.

Lovell’s Creek Bridges.

In course of construction.

Clutha Punt and Gang-ways.

Little has been done, owing to misunderstanding with Ferry lessee.

Waitahuna Wire Suspension.

Owing to high rate of tenders, a wooden dray bridge was substituted, and is in course of erection.

Silver Stream Bridge.

Proprietor of ground (Mr. Gibson) objects.

Waikouaiti Bridge.

Surveys and sections taken for a dray bridge.

Shag Valley Bridge.

Awaits wire from Britain.

Otepopo Bridge.

Awaits wire from Britain.

Kakanui Bridge.

Awaits wire from Britain.

Waipori Bridge.

Is being constructed by daily labor.

Stoney Creek Bridges.

In course of construction under contract.

Oamaru Town to Port.

A contract for metalling one mile is in progress.

Road from Inch Clutha across Swamp.

Little has been effected on this, owing to the proprietors objecting to the available line being constructed.

West Taieri to Tuapeka.

Road parties have been engaged in improving the line in various places.

WORKS FOR WHICH NO PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE.

Moray-place Works.

A large quantity of earth has been removed, and the adjacent streets brought to the required levels in the early part of the season by immigrants, and latterly by prison labor.