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which were very judiciously selected by Mr. W. A. Fitzherbert, and an officer appointed
on behalf of the Colonial Government. It is now well in hand, and there appears
to be no reason why it should not be completed within the specified time. Mr. Vise
is clerk of works.

The bridges on the line of road from Bull’s to Palmerston are fifteen in number,
and are being built under a schedule of quantities, two of them by Messrs. J. & C.
Bull, and the rest by Mr. H. M’Neill; they are all plain pile and stringer bridges of
an aggregate length of 320 feet, at the estimated cost of £800.

The construction of a bridge over the Awahou Creek, at Foxton, has been let to
Mr. Cook at £140, and is to be completed in two months. It has been long required,
and will be of great benefit to the township.

The Second River bridge, near Mr. Jackson’s residence, Lower Hutt, is now being
renewed at a cost of £140. Mr. S. Brown is the contractor.

The bridge over the Wainuiomata is being built under a grant in aid, the Government
providing £150, and the settlers the balance. Mr. Crowther is the contractor,
at £330. It is a piled bridge of two spans, each 35 feet long.

All other bridges have been carefully overhauled during the year, and hand-rails
fixed on those most requiring them. The Pakuratahi bridge has been strengthened, and
a new top-rail fixed.

The Hutt River bank protective works have been completed and answer well;
willows have been planted on the banks, and in the course of a year or two will
completely protect the banks from the action of the river.

ROAD WORKS.

The whole of the line of road from Bull’s to the clearing at Palmerston, with the
exception of 215 chains from Sandon towards Mount Stewart, has been either completed
or contracted for. I attach a schedule showing the length of each contract,
together with the cost. The 215 chains before-mentioned were tendered for, and the
tender of Messrs. Campbell & Co. accepted conditionally; since then a difficulty has
arisen, and I think it would be better to call for other tenders. On the line of road
from Foxton to Bull’s the bush near Campion’s has been felled to a width of 99 feet,
and cleared to a width of 33 feet, ready for formation; temporary bridges have been
erected over creeks for present traffic. The whole of this line has been pegged off, and
the levels taken by Mr. W. A. Fitzherbert from the junction of the Palmerston tramway
to the road in course of construction at Sandon; it is 13 miles 28 chains long,
and could be let at any time. There is an appropriation made for it.

Contracts have been entered into for the formation and metalling of about two
miles from Waipoua River towards the Forty-Mile Bush Road. Particulars will be
furnished in Schedule.

On the Taueru road a strong party has been employed renewing the bridges
and culverts preparatory to metalling; they have also completed the whole of the
formation and widened the road at all through cuttings. If the weather had only been
at all favourable the whole would have been metalled before the winter; as it is, contracts
have been let from Mr. Collins’ gate, Te Ore Ore, to the Taueru River; that
entered into with O’Malley & Saunders cannot be proceeded with this winter on account
of the breaking up of the road through the constant rain. Mr. Gillard, who has the
part from Otahua to Te Ore Ore, will be able to complete his contract, the road
being more open and exposed to sun and wind, so that it dries up much quicker.

Tenders were invited for metalling the Kaumingi end of the same road, but no tender
received; the work is now put off until the spring, as it would be useless attempting
to do it while the road is in its present state.

The approach to Wanganui town from the Waitotara and Patea district is being
much improved by the formation and metalling of 190 chains of road from Westmere Gate
to St. John’s Wood; this work is being executed under the superintendence
of Mr. Hales, the General Government advancing £750, which the Provincial Government
will refund. It has not yet been completed.

Three toll gates and houses have been erected at the following places:—Foot
of Rimutaka Hill, Featherston; St. John’s Wood, Wanganui; and at Waiohine
bridge, near Greytown; tolls are being collected at the two former; upon the request
and urgent solicitations of the Masterton and Carterton settlers no tolls will be collected
at the latter gate until such time as the platform and flooded road is put in
satisfactory order.

A new punt has been provided for the Manawatu Ferry at a cost of £140.