Pauatahanui, 28th July, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 425, 29 August 1849, Page 4

Pauatahanui, 28th July, 1849.

Sir, I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the information of his Excellency the Lieutenant- Governor, the usual Quarterly Return of work and expenditure to "30th June. The progress has been great compared with the number of workmen, a further reduction of half the force having immediately succeeded my last report. The obstacles which I then mentioned having been removed a dray may now be taken through from Wellington to the coast, but the quantity of rain which has fallen, and the herds of cattle which have passed up and down, and have grazed upon the line, have made the unmetalled roads nearly impassable for wheels in wet weather. One of the drovers has himself-rated the injury done in this manner at £50 every time he passes with a drove of cattle. The metalling will however now proceed as rapidly as the force at my disposal will permit, and should I receive any considerable increase of funds, my next leport will, I trust, announce the completion of the work . I have the honor to be. Sir, ' Your most obedient servant, A. Hamilton Russell Captain 58ih Regiment, Superintendent Military Roads. The Honorable Colonial Secretary, Wellington.