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for one landing stage, and on the
15th August last three tenders were
received, the lowest being £3083 15s. 5d.,
and the highest £5000. These tenders
were made at the time the Dunstan (Gold
Field was announced, and as I considered
them far too high, I suggested that their
further consideration should be postponed
for one month. On the 17th October, 7
fresh tenders were received, the lowest
being £2035 2s., and the highest £4557
10s. As the lowest tender was £45 14s.
under the estimate I finished on the
23rd July last, I have recommended its
acceptance.

I would suggest the advisability of
placing a sum, say £8000, upon the esti-
mates for the completion of the works
above described, and also for the erection
of a fixed 10-ton Crane for heavy goods,
say £400.

Battery-street Pier.

This pier was originally proposed to be
1225 feet in length, by a width of 66 feet
at the top, and to be constructed of earth-
work, protected by rough stone walling,
which was again protected by fender piles,
the fender piles being secured by land ties
and short piles. The Contract for the
work was let on the 4th March to Mr.
John Barnes, for the lump sum of £6400,
to be completed in 6 months. The method
of construction adopted in the formation
of this pier seemed to me objectionable for
many reasons, and I proposed the substi-
tution of a sloped bank, faced with rough
blue stone pitching, so as to withstand the
wash of the waves.

This plan of construction is calculated
to last as long as the stone will endure,
and does not prevent the erection of land-
ing stages or warehouses along the sides
of the pier. In reporting on the plan of
the proposed extension of the Town, I
shall have again to refer to this pier.

The total cost of the work executed to
the 30th September last, is £2453 8s. 6d.,
and the total length completed 600 feet,
leaving a balance of £3046 11s. 6d. to
finish 625 feet of pier, culverts and
metalling. The Contractor for this pier
is very considerably behind his time. He
has, however, had to contend against very
severe weather. A difficulty in obtaining
labor, and the alteration in the method of
construction have also caused some de-
rangement of his plans. Nevertheless, I
do not think that as much energy has been
shown as might have been under the cir-
cumstances.

Stuart-street Jetty.

The erection of this Jetty was com-
menced in the latter part of 1861, and the
system pursued has been to sub-divide the
Contracts as much as possible. For in-
stance:—1861, F. M'Ivor, Cartage of
Piles, 1862, Jan. 9, John Barnes, driving
piles; do. do. 16, John Bullock, sup-
ply of red pine timber; Feb. 24, F.
M'Ivor, supply of piles; June 5, F. and
W. Stone, supply of iron-work. Day labor,
framing and construction.

It was proposed that the total length of
the pier should be 1100 feet, but no plan
was prepared. The whole expenditure on
the work to the 30th September was
£3763 15s. 4d., or at the rate of 3s. 9d.
per superficial foot, and considering the
very superior manner in which the work
has been performed, both with respect to
material and workmanship, as compared
with the Jetty-street Jetty, which cost 3s.
6d. per superficial foot (without the ad-
ditional layer of planking), I consider
the work has been economically carried
out.

The system of sub-dividing work among
various Contractors is objectionable. If
one Contractor fails, the others are often
brought to a standstill, and the Govern-
ment loses control over them.

For some time the progress of the works
on this Jetty was satisfactory, but the
Contractor for supplying the piles was
unable, in consequence of bad weather,
&c., to furnish the required quantity, and
as a necessary result the Contractor for
driving was stopped. The length of site
on which piles have yet to be driven is
410 feet, and I estimate a further sum of
£3235 will be required to finish this work.

Pelichet Bay Jetty.

A Contract for the extension of the
Jetty at Pelichet Bay for a distance of
660 feet, was entered into with Messrs.
Hill and Barfly on the 11th January last,
and was completed on the 12th April.
The structure is of the slightest possible
character, being intended merely for small
boats and passenger traffic. The total cost
has been £2029 10s. 3d.

Port Chalmers Jetty.

A Contract for the extension of this
Jetty for a distance of 100 feet was
entered into with Mr. G. M. Aldrich on
the 15th January last. The final certificate
was granted on the 15th July. Contract
sum £473. Extras, £172 16s. 11d.
Total cost, £645 16s. 11d.

Waihola Jetty.

A Contract for the erection of a Jetty
was entered into with Mr. Robert Bell, on
the 15th January last, and the final cer-
tificate was granted on the 21st April.
Contract sum, £450. Other expenditure,
£33 5s. Total cost, £483 5s.