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attended to, and are now in passable condition. Beyond the Elbow, considerable works have been executed under the immediate attention of Mr. Inspector Finlayson. Owing to press of work in my department, I have hitherto been unable to take this continuation of the Great North Line under my surveillance. This portion has been under the superintendence of Mr. Heale, and has, from all I can hear, been efficiently attended to.

I have subjoined hereto a rough estimate made by Mr. Inspector Finlayson of works required in the neighbourhood of Dome Pass, and extending in a northerly direction as far as the third crossing of the Mataura River. I have not had the opportunity to verify or otherwise the estimate here given; but from estimates before of works carried out under this gentleman’s direction, I believe him generally to be accurate.

The detailed estimates of the Great North Road appended hereto, and commencing at Oreti River, near Mr. M’Lean’s leading towards Wallacetown, show two modes of procedure. The one consists of forming, pitching, and metalling throughout; the other simply pitching and gravelling the culverts and approaches between Winton Bush and Wallacetown. I have thought it necessary to propose to the Government a continuous metalling, &c., between Winton and Wallacetown, from the probability that the settlers’ sections abutting on this part of the line will be fenced in during the ensuing summer.

If it should so turn out, I am of opinion that the confined limit of roadway (sixty-six feet) will not be sufficient to sustain the traffic less the works recommended in annexed estimates.

EYAL BUSH.
Forty chains of bush cutting, sixty-six feet wide, have been completed; thirty feet of the centre has been stumped. Two culverts have also been constructed; and the necessary earthworks and drainage. Settlers can now pass through.

RIVERTON.
A part of the Beach near the Custom House has been filled in. Kerbing and forming footpath on east side of Palmerston-street is now in progress, and will shortly be completed. The drainage of the principal streets has been improved, and other works executed.

RIVERTON AND OTAUTAU ROAD.
The works completed on this line are as follows: Eight bridges, 210 chains of embankment and approaches, 500 chains of side drains and outfalls, 24 culverts, and 4000 yards of cuttings. Contracts have been set for gravelling the whole of the embankments. In some instances they have been suspended owing to bad weather, and in three cases the contractors have failed to comply with the terms of the specification. These latter contracts have been cancelled. A cutting, nine chains long, has been excavated across an elbow of the river, in order to divert the Aparima into a new channel. This became necessary, as the river was making rapid inroads into the bank near the main thoroughfare. The object of this diversion has answered all calculations, and the original channel has now been blocked up.

Other works have been executed north of the Otautau, including one bridge and two culverts. A line has also been opened for dray traffic as far as Hamilton Burn. This contract was under the superintendence of the Riverton Road Committee, the specification being drawn under its supervision. Estimates are enclosed for the proper completion of the line lying between Riverton and the Otautau.

RIVERTON VIA WALLACETOWN ROAD.
This line branches off from the Great North Road at Wallacetown. The works completed are as follows:

A bridge over the lagoon near Wallacetown of one bay of fifteen feet span, extended on sleepers and piers. Southern approach cut down one chain and gravelled. Northern approach made up for five chains; side drains, ten chains in extent, cut; and five chains of gravelling.

Over the Tomoporakau, a bridge has been constructed of four bays fifteen feet span each, resting on either end on piers. Approaches made up and gravel spread over the whole.

Between the Tomoporakau stream and the river Oreti, an embankment, twenty chains long, has been completed across a bad swamp. Also, one culvert, sixty chains of side and outfall drains, and gravel spread from one end of the embankment to the other.

Over the Waianawa, a bridge, of one bay, with eight feet on either side, extending to rest on piers. A similar work has been completed over a swamp.