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The observations which I shall presently make in reference to the width of the road alongside that portion of the line which extends from Kaiwarra to the Korokoro, will also apply to the portion from Pipitea to Kaiwarra.

I will merely observe, further, with reference to the portion of the line from Kaiwarra to Pipitea, that the terminus at Pipitea Point can only be regarded as a provisional arrangement, and that it will be necessary that the line should be continued to the reclaimed land. On this point I hope to be in a position before long to make specific proposals.

With reference, however, to the portion of the line which extends from Kaiwarra to the Korokoro, I remark as follows, viz.:—

1. I had hoped to have been able to have placed my views definitely before you a week ago, but have been disappointed on account of the insufficiency of the information conveyed in the tracing with which I was supplied by the Public Works Department. On this point I refer you to a letter from Messrs. Jackson and Baird. (Copy enclosed.)

2. The width of roadway left between the proposed railway fence and the side drain under the hill is, in my opinion, quite insufficient to secure the safety of the ordinary traffic. There should be a minimum width of thirty feet clear between the railway fence and the side drain under the hill; whereas, in some places, the width of the road has been reduced to ten feet. On this subject I enclose copy of a letter from the Provincial Engineer.

I enclose a tracing of a plan showing the relative positions of the macadamized road and the railway embankment, between the Kaiwarra and the Korokoro Streams.

The centre of the railway embankment is indicated on the plan by a thick red line: the macadamized road is tinted brown; the thick blue line shows the distance back from the centre of the railway embankment required to give thirty feet of cart road inside the railway fencing; and the parts tinted red exhibit the portions of the hill cuttings required to be done in order to widen the cart road to thirty feet.

The material to be taken from the face of the hill should be utilized in filling up the spaces between the present road formation and the railway embankment. I would also observe, in reference to the way in which the material hitherto used from the face of the hill has been procured, that the work has been done in a way calculated to injure the road by slips coming down, instead of benefiting it, as might have been done, if, instead of scooping out holes in the recesses which are mostly filled with loose material, the projecting points of the spurs had been cut off.

3. I am of opinion that the formation of the railway embankment is not sufficiently elevated above high-water mark to insure its permanency, and further, that the embankment for the railway will require to be faced with concrete blocks along the entire distance.

4. If the proposals I have made above should be estimated to entail too large an expenditure, I suggest the advisability of taking the railway inside. Should this suggestion be admitted, I am willing that the ordinary road should be formed on the outside, in which case I believe a facing of concrete blocks would only be necessary in certain places.

I recommend these suggestions for the following reasons, viz.:—

1. The safety of the traffic on the ordinary road would be guarded as far as practicable.

2. The permanency of the railway construction would be secured.

3. The railway line could be opened at a comparatively short date.

I have, &c.,

WILLIAM FITZHERBERT,
Superintendent.

The Hon. the Minister for Public Works,
Wellington.

Provincial Engineer’s Office,
Wellington, January 15th, 1873.

Sir,—

I have the honor to report that the railway works on that part of the Great North Eastern road, between Kaiwarra and Korokoro, very materially interfere with the width of the road at points where it can be least spared.

Herewith I forward the exact measurement at seven places measured on Saturday. I need not point out to your Honor that it is very necessary for the safety and convenience of the large traffic now existing, that where the railway takes away portions of the road, that the road itself should first be made to a suitable width.

During a conversation with Mr. Low, the Resident Engineer, about the 15th of last month, he informed me that it was the intention of the Public Works Department to increase the width to 16 feet in those places where the railway encroaches.