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WORKS IN CANTEBBUET BEOVINCIAL DISTEICT INITIATED BT THE LATE PEOVINCE, AND SINCE CAEEIED ON BT THE BUBLIC WOBKS DEPAETMENT. (G. P. Williams in charge.) Bangitata Boad Bridge Repairs Contract. —This work has been completed and the bridge reopened for traffic, but the maintenance of it is yet in the hands of the contractors. It includes the construction of protective groins, faced with concrete blocks, at each end of the bridge; the groins themselves being further protected by heavy concrete blocks placed at random, each from one to two cubic yards in bulk; —also about 30 chains of road embankment, formed and metalled 20 feet wide. Ashley Gorge Bridge Approaches, Glentui. —-This work is about two-thirds completed. It consists of the formation of an embanked approach to Glentui Bridge on the southern bank, about 4 chains long; and a deep cutting through the terrace on the northern bank, about 10 chains long, grade lin 12, and 12 feet wide. Malvern Hills Road. —This work is on the point of completion. It includes 1 mile 74 chains of road, with culverts and small bridges ; metalling not included. Pig Saddle Road. —Formation of 2 miles 56 chains of road, without metalling. Work just about finished. Cow Road, Little Akaloa.- —Work completed at schedule rates by contract, 89 chains of side-cutting on grade 1 in 11. West Coast Road Repairs. —About 50 miles of this road, up to the top of Arthur's Bass, has been maintained by day labour at a cost of about £120 per month, not including new metalling. Hagley Park Roads Repairs. —These are being maintained by day labour, at a cost of about £20 per month, not including new metalling. Length, about 4 miles. Sumner Road Improvements. —This contract includes the widening and metalling of about 14y chains of road through rock-cutting, and is nearly completed. In addition to the above road works, Mr. Williams has latterly supervised the following works: — Okain's Bay Jetty, Banks Peninsula. —Completed. Waimakariri Gorge Road Bridge, with Approaches. —Still in hand. Malvern Waterworks Contract. —Still in progress. Lyttelton Harbour Works, including Officers' Point Breakwater. —Completed, but still in contractor's hands for maintenance. Gladstone Wharf Extension. —Nearly complete. Intermediate Jetty Extension. —Completed, but still under maintenance by contractors. Screw-Pile Jetty Extension. —Work not commenced. GENEEAL SUMMAET. Works completed and in progress since commencement of public works under the Act of 1870 (not including provincial works taken over), viz.,— North Island: Dray roads, 1,195 miles ; horse roads, 554 miles : total, 1,749 miles. Nelson South-West Gold Fields : Metalled dray roads completed and improved, 71 miles 20 chains ; horse roads, 71 miles 40 chains, completed and improved. Westland: Dray roads metalled complete, 72 miles 27 chains horse roads, 66 miles 75 chains, completed and in progress. Totals for both Islands : About 1,338|- miles of dray road and 692', miles of horse road, or about 2,031 in all. I have, Ac, John Blackett, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Assistant Engineer-in-Chief.