53

E.—3

Kanieri Bridge, Bray. —This is a plain bridge, 142 feet long, in four spans, over the Kanieri Eiver, on Kokotahi Road. The approaches consist of 450 chains of road diversion, and the work was completed in May, 1874. Waimea Bridge, Bray. —This is also a plain bridge, 113 feet long, in four spans over the Waiinea Creek, near Big Dam. Tenders for its construction have been called for. Nearly all the roads above described are reported to be in a good state for traffic, the exceptions being from Greymouth to Omot omoto, and Greymouth to Marsden, which are described as being only in a moderate state of repair; the state of the former being accounted for by the proximity of the Brunner Railway works, and that of the latter by the heavy traffic which ensued immediately on . its being completed, and before the work was consolidated. ROADS, NELSON SOUTH-WEST GOLD FIELDS. (A. D. Dobsoit in charge.) Arnould to Aliaura Bray Road. —During this year a length of 6 miles G chains has been completed, comprising sections 2, 5, and 6, and making a total of 12 miles 43 chains. This completes the dray-road from Greymouth to the Ahaura, and since being opened it has been kept in first-class condition for traffic. TVeslport to Nine-Mile Creek, Bray Road.— This forms part of the main line of road up the Buller River, and has been completed for a distance of six miles thirty-eight chains, including felling and clearing, forming and metalling, and the erection of a bridge 120 feet long in 30-feet spans. Bray Road, Christie's to Ilughie's. —This is about seven miles long and forms another portion of the main Buller Road, commencing at the junction of the Inangahua, and proceeding down the river. A length of about four miles of this is formed, and is being metalled. Buller Main Road.—Belov? the last described section, the bush has been felled a chain wide along the old horse road, preparatory for further improvements, over a length of twenty-four miles. Amuri Stock Road.— This lies in the valley of the Ahaura, and the following works, which comprise the most difficult portions of the road, have been completed this year, viz.,—One mile and seventy chains at Starvation Point; two miles and forty-six chains at Ahaura Saddle, consisting chiefly of rocky side cuttings. The totals of the work for the year are as follows, viz., — Dray roads formed and metalled, twelve miles forty-four chains. Ditto in progress, seven miles. Horse roads completed, formed, and metalled, six miles twenty-three chains. Ditto improved over thirty miles. Surveys. —Amuri Stock Road, from Matthews' to the Saddle, forty miles survey completed. The totals of all works done in this district under The " Public "Works Act, 1870," are as follows, viz., — V Dray roads completed, formed, and metalled, forty-nine miles thirty-six chains. Ditto improved, nine miles. Ditto in progress, seven miles. Horse roads completed, formed, and metalled, six miles twenty-three chains. Ditto improved, thirty miles. Roads surveyed, ninety-seven miles forty chains. The details of all these roads were given in last year's report. The roads, when completed, are, in most cases, maintained in good order for six months, and then handed over to the Provincial Government. The total cost up to date has been £50,800 17s. Cd. Attached to this report are three maps, showing respectively, the road behind Mount Egmont, the road from Opaki to the Manawatu Gorge, and the roads lately authorized in Westland. I have, &c, The Hon. Minister of Public Works. John Blackett.