[Supplement to the Southland Provincial Government Gazette, October 5th, 1870.--No. 13.]

The following is published for general information.

WILLIAM WOOD,
Superintendent.

REPORT

on

ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS.

Office of Roads and Works,
Southland, 3rd October, 1870.

SIR,—I have the honor to submit for the information of Government a report as to the present condition of the main roads of the Province, with descriptive particulars and approximate cost of works urgently required; also total expenditure on roads and works, extent of road improvements, periodical expenditure, &c., in connection with this Department from date of separation from the Province of Otago.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
WM. DAWSON,
Road Engineer.

His Honor the Superintendent.

GREAT NORTH ROAD.

The total length of this road may be set down at 75 miles, of which 21 miles have been more or less improved; the permanently made parts are in fair condition; the unimproved sections and embankments over swamps and across the Winton flat, between Wallacetown and Winton, are bad in the extreme; the road north of Winton for some distance is moderately passable, omitting the parts through Centre Bush, East Bush, and over Benmore flat, which are greatly out of repair; further northward the road for the most part is over the natural surface, and in the main fairly viable, with a few exceptions, which require attention.

MATAURA ROAD.

Under this head the roads from Invercargill to the Falls, to the Waimea, and from thence to the Elbow of the Oreti on the North Road, are included in one; the total distance is computed to be 88 miles. The recently made parts, to the extent of 11 miles, are in good condition. Beyond Dacre, north-eastwardly, the road is mostly over the natural surface, and to a large extent moderately viable; there are, however, several intervening parts urgently demanding improvement, particularly between Dacre and the Mataura.

RIVERTON TO THE OTAUTAU, &c.

Under this head the roads from Riverton to the Otautau, to Wrey’s Bush, to Hamilton Burn, and from thence to the elbow of the Oreti, on the North Road, are included in one; to a great extent this road is over the natural surface, and its extreme point is distant from Riverton 82 miles; the improved parts (about 8 miles, including two large bridges) are in fair condition; yet, much remains to be done—indeed the entire unfinished sections to the Otautau demand early attention; the locality is mostly an agricultural one, and hence the traffic is somewhat heavy, and as the lands become fenced off from road in winter, in places, is utterly impassable; northward of Wrey’s Bush, the Aparima, and Hamilton Burn, the improvements thereon have been very slight indeed; its urgent requirements are, however, considerable.

INVERCARGILL TO RIVERTON ROAD.

The length of this road from its junction with the North Road is about 19 miles, 10 miles of which follow the sea beach; 6½ miles have been more or less improved, and 2½ miles fall over sandhills; the recently made parts are in good condition, but the residue (about 4 miles) need early improvement.

WALLACETOWN TO RIVERTON ROAD.

This line of road is about 15 miles in length; it has been improved more or less for 6 miles; nearly the whole of the works, however, have only been of a preparatory character, if I except three very substantial bridges, one of which is of iron. Fully 7 miles of this road require early attention to render it even partially viable in the winter season.

INVERCARGILL TO CAMPBELLTOWN ROAD.

From the circumstance of this road running nearly parallel with the Bluff Railway, and very contiguous thereto, it has of late been very little used. At best the improved parts have been very rudely constructed, but for the most part it is in fair condition, if I except about three miles south of Invercargill, which call for improvement; and from its proximity to the principal place of business, and its passing through a settled locality, the requisite repairs become indispensable.

WREY’S BUSH TO WINTON ROAD.

This road is 18 miles in length, and is entirely in its natural state, having only been recently surveyed. It will, however, form a most important line, connecting, as it will, the extensive country to the westward, with the Oreti Railway.