73

Board contributes the sum of £100. The work is well in hand, and will be completed
before the winter sets in.

FERRY HOUSE, FOXTON.

The sum of £50 was given as a grant in aid for building a new ferry house, the
old one having been burnt down. The total cost of the building was £120. It is now
erected on a ferry reserve.

FOXTON TO SANDON.

The portion of this road between the junction of the Palmerston Road and the
Sandon side of Campion’s Bush has been let in seven contracts, of 120 chains each,
involving an expenditure of £3,392 2s. 8d.; this is exclusive of the culverts required
on the first six sections. The culverts and bridges were included in the seventh contract.

Upon the completion of these contracts, drays, or the coach can take the inland
road, and cross the Rangitikei Bridge, a saving of at least eight miles between Foxton
and Bull’s, besides bringing the rising township of Sanson in direct communication.
From the bush to Sanson, a few small bridges and culverts will have to be put in.

PALMERSTON TO FITZHERBERT.

The bush has been felled, and the stumps cut down level with the natural surface of
the ground, on the new line from the tramway to the river, where it is proposed the
Manawatu Bridge will cross when the new inland road is made. Arrangements with
Messrs. Turnbull and Mr. George McEwen, for the right of going through their ground,
had to be made, the former taking the sum of £50 in full compensation, and the latter
having his section fenced on both sides of the road.

A Survey Office at Palmerston, has been built at a cost of £57 9s.

A Rangitikei Toll House has been built near the new bridge, at a cost of £205 10s.
The Collector, as at all other bridge toll gates, has to keep the piers clear from logs.

POLICE STATION, BULL’S.

A new Police Station has been built at Bull’s, at a cost of £162 14s.

WANGAEHU BRIDGE

Has been strengthened and re-planked, at a cost of £200. Both this and the
Turakina Bridge should either be painted or coated with tar.

OROUA BRIDGE.

This Bridge consists of six spans, of 28ft. centres, or a total length of 168ft. It
was contracted for by Mr. H. McNeill, and has cost £815.

THE SNAG PUNT, WANGA-NUI,

Has been put in thorough repair, and a gang of men have for some time been
employed in removing snags from the river.

REPAIRS OF ROADS FROM NGAHAURANGA TO PAIKAKARIKI.

Have been carried out by Mr. James Taylor, under contract, the annual amount
being £1335. I have every reason to be satisfied with the manner in which it has
been repaired. The whole of the rest of the road is being repaired by day labor, any
metalling required being done by contract.

Over sixty additional miles of road will have, this next year, to be kept in repair
by the Province, a good deal of it will require a large expenditure.

Plans and specifications have been prepared, and tenders received for the construction
of a bridge over the Tutaenui Stream; Messrs. J. & C. Bull are the lowest tenderers
at the sum of £518, there being no appropriation for its construction the tenders are
held over until after the present meeting of the Council. The sum of £109 5s. 1d.,
has been expended in protecting the Manawatu River bank and approaches to punt
at Foxton.

Upwards of 91 miles of road have been laid off by officers of this department for
the various Highway District Boards; owing to the large amount of work necessary
to open up Crown lands the engineers were withdrawn from the Highway Boards work,
and the full strength of the department is now engaged on the proposed deviation of
Paikakariki Hill, and in the Forty-Mile Bush, upon both of which works I shall
furnish your Honor with detailed reports.

Attached are schedules of roads and bridges completed, contracted for, and now
in course of construction, since 31st March, 1873.

I have, &c.,
J. D. BAIRD,
Provincial Engineer.

His Honor the Superintendent,
Wellington.