Tenders were invited for one at Scott’s, but no tender received; we are now trying to arrange for its construction privately.

A police station has been built at Masterton at a cost of £120. No tender was accepted for the one at Bull’s, the only tender received being excessive. We are also in treaty for the completion of this work.

The main roads of the Province are in excellent repair. The repairs from the Waipoua River to Ray’s on the Taratahi, has been let for three years to Mr. W. R. Welch, at £490 per annum. The work was handed over to him on the first day of January last. I have every reason to be satisfied with the manner he is proceeding with his work. From Ray’s to Wellington, the repairs are again in the hands of the Government.

Owing to unforeseen difficulties, in connection with the railway contracts interfering with the road, and other matters, the details of which have already been laid before your Honor in a report of mine, No. 30, 1873, we made an arrangement with the late contractor, Mr. Brown, to relieve him of his contracts; his case will probably be the subject of an enquiry in the Council, so that I need not enter into it here. We are taking steps to have the worst part of the road metalled before the winter sets in. I have no hesitation in saying that it will be in better order during the coming winter than it has been for some years. The repairs from Ngahauranga to Paikakariki are being very satisfactorily performed under contract by Mr. James Taylor, at £1,335 per annum. His first year expired on the 3rd instant; he has got out the metal for this winter’s distributing, ready for measuring. Tenders have been twice invited for the repairs from Bull’s to Wanganui; each time the lowest tender was much in excess of my estimate, consequently, I recommended the Government to retain it in their own hands. It is now being carried out under the immediate superintendence of Mr. W. A. Fitzherbert, who is stationed in the district. A large number of new bridges and culverts have been constructed; both the Turakina and Wangaehu hills have been widened, and the metalling of worn out places is being proceeded with as fast as possible. The Wangaehu bridge will require replanking during the next year. From Wanganui to the boundary of the Province, the repairs are still in the hands of the General Government, who are metalling that already completed, and bridging the Waitotara and Whenuakura rivers; after these works are completed, it is supposed the roads will be handed over to the Provincial Government, and an appropriation should be made for the repairs in view of this being done.

While speaking of road repairs, I wish to draw your Honor’s attention to the unsatisfactory manner in which nearly all the gravel pits are situated; most of them are upon private land, and enclosed. In many cases, the owners refuse to allow metal to be taken, which necessitates long cartage. Some steps have been taken in Wairarapa and on the Rangitikei block, to purchase or reserve pits wherever practicable; but on the line from Bull’s to Wanganui, no such arrangement has yet been made. I have instructed Mr. W. A. Fitzherbert to select the best pits, see the various owners with reference to the same; and trust that such enquiries will lead to their being purchased by the Government.

Surveys have been made for the proposed deviations at the Silver Stream, on the Great North Eastern Roads (the present road is a continual source of annoyance and expense from the flooding of the Hutt River), also at Blackey’s, to avoid the Paikakariki hill. Both of these works are included in the schedule of works to be undertaken out of proposed loan, so that I will not now report fully upon them.

According to the instructions of your Honor’s Executive, I have done my utmost to forward the surveys of roads for the various Highway District Boards. Two Engineers have been engaged, viz.:—Mr. John Barton and Mr. E. Anderson, and they have commenced the duties; the former in the Castle Point district, and the latter in the Greytown and Masterton. I have been negotiating for the services of a gentleman to proceed to the Rangitikei and Wangaehu district, but no arrangements have yet been concluded. I have experienced great difficulty in procuring the services of gentlemen competent to undertake the duties; partly owing to the smallness of the remuneration offered, and the scarcity of unemployed surveyors. I trust, however, that I shall soon be able to report that the work is being proceeded with in a more satisfactory manner. That your Honor may fully understand the magnitude of this work, I will mention that up to date the survey of over 500 miles of district roads has been requested by the District Boards; some of the lines run through broken country, requiring a considerable amount of time and care in exploration.

Attached to this Report are Schedules of roads and bridges completed, contracted for, and now in course of construction, since March 31st, 1872.

I have, &c.,

His Honor the Superintendent,
Wellington.

J. D. BAIRD,
Provincial Engineer.