bottom, and the ditches filled up to form part of the footway.

Channels or gutters have also been formed to carry off the surface water; much difficulty appears to have been experienced in this work, owing to the very level nature of the ground, but from the late heavy rains the works were thoroughly tested, and have realised the fullest expectations.

About 2,640 yards of footpath, 10 feet wide, have been formed, the gravelling of which is being proceeded with.

Much inconvenience is experienced from the soft and very sloppy state of that portion of the Main Road lately formed by the Government, between the originally macadamised part of the newly formed footpaths.

Besides the works on the main street, the side streets have had some attention, by way of drainage, formation, &c.

By an examination of the well kept accounts of the Corporation, I find a sum exceeding £900 has been expended on public works.

The Walton District are improving and forming the Main District Road, leading from Main South Road to Ocean Beach Road. This line of road is one of importance, as it forms a portion of the Main line through Brighton to the Taieri mouth, along which a large tract of country has been brought into cultivation.

The West Taieri District Roads are in anything but good order, owing to there not having been an assessment last year; but much is promised during the year just commenced.

The Owhiro District have in hand the metalling of 50 chains of road, besides a cutting of some 1,400 yards. This work was nearly contracted for to be completed by May, is not yet done.

The formation of the West Taieri Road, through the Waipori District is approaching completion; this work, though late in the year for such to be done, was absolutely necessary, as the old road was in a very bad and dangerous state. The work is being well carried out under the supervision of the Local Board.

Stone culverts are also being built on this line of road.

The bridge over the Lee’s Stream will be completed in a few days.

It is in contemplation to metal that portion of the West Taieri Road now being formed between Fulton’s Bush and the Church.

The Waipori District raised, by rates during 1865-6, £356, upon which Government paid £175 as a subsidy.

The Bridge over the Waipori River and in the Clarendon District is being proceeded with—it is to cost £350. This Bridge, when completed, will be of very great service to a large district. There is here an excellent site which could, by a small outlay, be made available for the shipping of grain and produce, and the landing of goods for the up-country diggings.

The contracts for two other small Bridges in this district have been taken—amount £125. These are also on the Main District Road in continuation of the West Taieri Road.

This line of road is to be continued through the Waihola West District, towards the head of the Waihola Lake; it is in contemplation too, to some extent, deviate from the originally surveyed line for a better one—negotiations are now pending with owners of land for this purpose.

In the Milburn District much work has been done; several culverts are being built, ditches cut, and roads formed. The works are being well carried out under the supervision of the Local Board.

In the Helensbrook District much zeal has been displayed in public works.

The western portion of the Main District Road originally impassable from swamp and surface water, has been formed and made practicable; a good and substantial bridge of 45 feet span has been erected over the North Branch of the Tokomairiro River (Waiputi), and one of 12 feet span over the Waiome; the whole extent of the road much improved during the year, between 70 and 80 chains of a wide ditch have been cut, which partly forms a new course for the Waiome. Seventy two chains of 5 feet drain to carry off surface and back water have also been cut; by these works the flooding of the road and lands adjoining is, to a great extent, prevented, which hitherto in cases of heavy rains was inevitable. Ten culverts have also been built. The district have also in hand the building of a foot bridge over the Carron Creek, span 26 feet.

The road through Glencarron is the one upon which the sum of £200 voted by the Provincial Council is to be expended. This line of road will be one of great importance to the district and locality generally, it leading to the newly discovered coal field of Glencarron, as well as giving an outlet to numerous settlers who have hitherto had no means of access to their properties, except through private lands; it also opens up a considerable portion of unsold land, and is the road to the Akatore bush, the principal one in use in the locality.

All the works in this district have been supervised by a committee of the Local Board, and are well carried out. The books and accounts I found in very good order and systematically kept.

The Milton Road Board have not done much in improvements of a permanent nature; but, with the assessment for the new year and the Government aid, works of importance are to be immediately got in hand, under the supervision of Mr. Jas. E. Brown, who has been appointed by the Local Board District Surveyor.

The Hillingdon Road Board have not, consequent on the hitherto bad approaches to the settled parts of the district, been able to do much; but, by the private enterprise of Mr. John Noble, and other settlers, these approaches have been improved, and works of a permanent nature are to be carried out during the coming season.

In the majority of the other districts visited the improvements are but of a temporary nature, but these, together with those above enumerated, purpose, with the rates to be raised and the Government aid of £2 to £1, taking in hand the formation of roads, building of bridges and culverts, and the cutting of drains, &c., to a large extent.

I have also to report that, in this as in previous visits to districts, I have given the members of the Local Boards, or their officers, every instruction possible, with a view to the simplifying the working of the Roads Ordinance and the keeping of accounts, giving detail in writing, and a short abstract of the various clauses of the Ordinance, with which the Local Boards have most to deal.

I have yet other districts to visit, extending from Brighton to the Taieri mouth on the east coast. These, with the approval of the General Board, I purpose taking as soon as possible after this present meeting of the Board.

Mr. J. C. Gilchrist, submit the following report, furnished me by the Mayor of Oamaru, of improvements in that town, both carried out and in hand:

"Since the formation of the town into a municipality several very important and beneficial works have been completed, and others commenced, owing in a great measure to the assistance afforded to the Council by the subsidy of two pounds for one. Amongst the works may be mentioned the following:—The lower portion of Wansbeck street, between Tees and Tyne-streets, is nearly completed, which, when kerbed and channelled, as is intended, will greatly benefit that portion of the street, and enhance the value of property in that neighbourhood. By removing the earth to fill up low and swampy places in Thames-street, near the "White Hart" hotel, a portion of Ribble-street has been formed. A portion of Eden-street also has been improved, a work which was rendered imperatively necessary, as sections which had been used as temporary crossing places have been purchased. A footpath has been made by the Northern hotel, as far as section 4, block I. A road also to the Beach, via Tyne and Arun-streets, is in course of construction. Itchen-street is being made from