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some Road in that direction is manifestly a necessity.

The line as adopted is unfortunately very low, and at extreme high tides is all but flooded, but the sub-soil is sound, and the side drains which have been cut have already so far solidified the surface, that I think that when gravelled it will be found not an unsatisfactory piece of road. Four culverts are now being constructed upon it, and three narrow places will require a little filling up. Beyond the turn into the Waikivi Flat, the side drains have yet to be cut; as the face is good, these will effectually drain what is now very wet land. It is hoped that gravel enough will be found on or close to the line to make good that portion of it. It joins the old Road by the bridge over the Waikivi River.

5. ROAD TO OTERAMIKA (BY ONE TREE POINT.)

The contracts are nearly completed for forming this Road for about two miles. The bridges and culverts are completed to the village reserve at One Tree Point.

It is a Road which will carry considerable traffic, being the access to a very large area of excellent land. A branch of it will pass down through the Seaward Bush, through which the Road has been cut 66 feet wide. It was hoped that a good continuation of this would have been found on to Tewai’s Point, but a portion of the line, between the lagoon and the head of the east arm of the Bluff Harbour, has turned out, though it lies high, to be much wetter and softer than was anticipated.

Another branch will lead off to the eastward, and communicate with the land on the North face of the Seaward Bush, and by a Road leading down through a narrow opening in it, to some excellent land in the vicinity of the Lower Mataura. This land may have some future importance as the head of the useful navigation of that river. As all these roads have been laid off on carefully selected lines of natural road, a very small outlay in crossing a few small creeks will make the whole available for agricultural purposes.

6. THE MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD.

On the lower part of this Road, a considerable outlay has been incurred. A substantial Bridge has been constructed across the Aparima, and excellent approaches to it, which are nearly completed. Seven culverts, &c. are also contracted for, extending to some distance further. Plans and specifications were also prepared for a continuation up to Mount Pleasant, but some doubts having arisen as to the judiciousness of a portion of them, the execution of them was suspended until I could myself inspect them. They should now be immediately put in progress, and also such further works as may be necessary to make good the few obstructions which prevent the generally excellent Road to the North by Centre Hill.

The completion of these works will open up the country to a very great extent, and they will I think form as complete a system of trunk roads as has ever been attempted by any Province of New Zealand at a corresponding period of its colonization.

The defects of the central administration I have already touched upon; it is absolutely essential that they should be amended; that one department should be responsible for all the work done; should prepare all plans and specifications, and should keep proper records of all works, plans, and any alterations on all the Roads and Buildings, and of the expenditure incurred upon them. The superintendence of the works must also be adequately provided for. With one Inspector only, however active he may be, it is impossible that works simultaneously going on in all parts of the Province can be properly supervised. I would strongly recommend that respectable resident proprietors in each district where works are in progress should be induced by a small salary to superintend them. This has been tried in the New River, and has answered so well that I expect great benefits to arise from its extension as a general principle.

The principal Public Buildings that have been designed by me, are,

1st, The Jail (brick)

2d, The Hospital (do)

3d, The Invercargill Jetty (pile and plank)

4th, The small Court Houses at Riverton and Campbelltown.

The two first have been contracted for by Mr. J. Hill. In both instances the foundations, on being dug out, proved to be less sound than was expected, especially that of the Hospital, which is rather a heavy brick building. Both, therefore, had to be constructed on a foundation of concrete.

In the case of the Jail, a second contract was made in consequence of this extra expense, and some alterations which it rendered desirable. In the Hospital contract, the concrete will constitute a separate charge, to be paid for, as is usual, by valuation. The foundations of both are completed, and the floor joists laid. The inconsistency of the weather has led to some delay, but it is hoped that both will be ready for use in the course of the Summer. The Jail will require considerable additions, especially a yard fence, offices, and drainage.

3. THE INVERCARGILL JETTY.

The present Jetty is very slight, its roadway being only eight feet wide, its carrier beams but eight inches by four inches, and the piles very small. It was felt, therefore, that if the situation at the South-western extremity of the town should prove to be much better adapted for the purpose, it would not have been worth while to retain it where it is merely for the sake of the existing structure. But on measurement it was found that a Jetty from the South end of Annan-street would require to be 2400 feet long; the works were therefore limited to enlarging the existing Jetty. The contract in progress will double the width of the roadway, and greatly add to its strength. It will afford Quay Berths for six vessels instead of one as at present, and with a double line of iron rails will, it is believed, not be found inadequate to the requirements of the lighters and moderate sized vessels which alone can get up to it.

The contractors are bound to complete their work by December 10. Several circumstances have occurred to throw them a little back, but it is not expected that they will materially exceed the time fixed.

The Court Houses are very small and unpretending wooden buildings; in fact, the very