metalling ninety chains of road at Hawksbury Township. About three-fourths of this contract was finished at the commencement of the half-year. The whole contract was completed in May.

2nd. Munro and Ritchie—Forming seventeen and a half chains of road near Pleasant River.

Some small contracts for building culverts have been completed.

Day Labor.

No regular road parties have been organised on this section. Surface men have been scattered along the road throughout the six months.

Remarks.

Of this section, nearly ten miles in length, ninety chains are metalled, and about a quarter of a mile more formed, the remainder of the road being entirely untouched. The greater portion of this section should be formed.

Two bridges have been built over Pleasant River by Mr. Palmer.

Expenditure.

Contract 1 ........................ £1000 0 0
" 2 ........................ 80 0 0
Wages to laborers and surfacemen .... 198 1 0
Tools, repairs, &c. .............. 17 10 0
Pleasant River Bridges .......... 965 12 3

Total expenditure .............. £2261 3 3
Unexpended balance ............. 238 16 9

Amount of vote .................. £2500 0 0

SHAG RIVER TO OAMARU.
(Sub-Inspector Stranchon.)

Contracts.

1st. Allan Henderson—Constructing twelve culverts about two miles south of Hampden Township.

Several private contracts have been completed:—

1st. D. Gardiner—Two culverts, about two miles south of Oamaru.

2nd. Elder, Bros.—Side cutting at same place, about 800 cubic yards.

3rd. M. Dillon—One culvert at same place.

Day Labor.

About one mile of road has been formed and a large embankment thrown across a swamp two miles south of Hampden township. At Hampden township a quarter of a mile of road has been formed, and a wooden culvert erected, between this and Otepopo. Six sidings have been cut.

About two miles south of Oamaru, at Awamoa and Mann’s Gully, half a mile of road has been formed, involving some heavy cutting and banking. The average number of laborers employed on this section has been thirty; rate of wages, 8s. per diem.

Remarks.

No portion of this section has been metalled, nor is the traffic sufficiently great to warrant it. From Shag River for six miles northwards the road should be formed; also one mile near Otepopo should be formed. Instructions have been given to Sub-Inspector Strauchon to proceed with this work. Two bridges have been done on this section by contract; as they do not come under this department, particulars are not given.

Expenditure.

Contract—Allan Henderson 228 3 1
" D. Gardner .... 58 11 6
Elder, Bros. (not yet paid) 70 0 3
M. Dillon .................. 30 17 0
Wages to laborers and surfacemen .... 784 11 3
Tools and repairs ........... 18 5 6
Expenditure incurred in bridge under heading Shag River to Oamaru. 2700 18 10

Total expenditure ........... £3821 7 2
Expenditure in excess ........ 1321 7 2

Amount of vote ............... £2500 0 0

OAMARU TO WAITAKI.
(Sub-Inspector Stranchon.)

Contracts.

1st. Elder, Bros.—From landing-place at Oamaru, one mile northwards, forming and gravelling road. Half of this contract was finished on 1st April; it is not completed.

2nd. Elder, Bros.—From termination of last contract to town boundary, 46 chains of road formed and gravelled.

3rd. M. Dillon—Forming road and cutting ditches from town boundary to Boundary Creek, a distance of three and a quarter miles. In this contract it was necessary to fill up several swamps.

Day Labor.

An average number of four men has been employed during the last three months, chiefly as surfacemen, at a daily rate of 8s. per diem.