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pendent the quantities of works required, together with their nature; also a separate estimate of the cost of the whole of each line in detail. These estimates have been carefully compiled and arrived at from precedent experience. I confidently give them in not only as the closest approximation to prices hitherto paid, but also in accordance with prices likely to obtain some time for the future. The sums, no doubt, will be thought large; but a careful examination assures me that any curtailment will but tend to injure the permanent usefulness of the works.

I beg to remain,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

HAROLD H. FENTON,
Provincial Engineer.

GREAT NORTH ROAD BETWEEN THE TOWN BELT AND THE WAIHOPAI BRIDGE.

The works performed since the 31st September, 1862, are as follows:—

That part of the road passing through the piles of sand hills, and south of the Waihopai Bridge, has been cut down to proper levels, and the sand thrown up over the surface of the road and the bridge approaches.

The old side drains, cut under the Otago Government, have been filled in, and new ones cut of larger dimensions. The bank immediately behind the Town Belt has been cut down and widened, and new side drains and outfalls cut and culverts constructed.

Other cuttings have been completed, and the soil therefrom used in making up the cross section as far as it would go. A culvert near Mr. Blacklock’s Estate is in progress of formation, and is placed sufficiently deep to remedy the defect hitherto complained of—that of bad drainage. Two coats of gravel have been spread on the road, the latter of which has stood remarkably well. I attribute this in a great measure to the constant employment of road parties to maintain the surface.

In parts near the bridge clay has been laid on one foot deep. This was found necessary in order to protect the sand from the action of the high winds. The approaches to the bridge have been made up, and now only need the carrying out of submitted estimate, to make this portion of the road equal to any in the colony. A landing stage has been constructed on one side of the Waihopai Bridge for the convenience of crafts discharging.

A road has been made from near the bridge leading to Gravel Pits. This was found essential, as hitherto a private road had been used.

From Waihopai Bridge to Makarewa River, several earthworks have been executed. New culverts have been constructed, and old ones have been lifted and repaired. New ditches have been cut in the Waihopai Bush, in accordance with prepared levels, and the drainage (so far as the level nature of the country would admit) is efficient.

The portion between the Waihopai Bridge and the Bush, about twenty chains, has been gravelled. The gravel in this instance broke down at the early part of the winter, and has needed constant repairing since. And here I may remark, that, in the use of gravel my experience in this Province has taught me that a road made of this material cannot with any advantage be repaired during the moist season. The best screened gravel may be used for filling in holes, &c.; but if the foundation is wet, the addition only tends to fatten the quagmire, and increase the difficulties of traffic.

It was intended to lay baulkways through the Waitiri Bush, and to a certain extent the plan was carried out. It soon, however, became obvious that the experiment fell short of the anticipation of the designer. It is not necessary, I apprehend, to enter into the reasons of such failure, as they were apparent to anyone who inspected the portions completed and in operation. The necessity for making this part of the road viable was imperative, and it was as clear that to lay down gravel was to incur a useless expenditure of money. The only plan open was to construct a line of timber. A plank road was at first thought of, but for two reasons abandoned: viz.—the great expense, and the difficulties of obtaining timber in sufficient quantities. The baulkway design which followed was adopted, not only that it had the elements of success, but combined economy, with all material advantages growing on the spot. The Contractor, as some have himself gave up his contract, and substituted a macadam covering. This he did at a price very little over the average tenders of works of a similar description in other localities.

All the bad places as far as the Makarewa have been fascined and maintained during three of the worst winter months, under the same contract.

The southern approaches to the Makarewa Bridge for about thirty chains have been drained on both sides, and outfalls cut. An embankment has been made up in accordance with cross sections