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.A-ZPiPZEisriDiix: i. ANNUAL EEPOET ON EOADS, MISCELLANEOUS WOEKS, AND BUILDINGS BY THE ENGINEEE-IN-CHIEF. The Engineer-in-Chief to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir,— Public Works Office, 31st March, 1885. I have the honour to submit the following report on roads, miscellaneous works, and buildings for the year ending the 31st March, 1885. AUCKLAND DISTEICT. Pukekohe-Waiukn Boacl. —Contracts all completed, as well as an additional contract for blinding the metalling, which work was found to be necessary. Karamu Boad-diversion. —This work, including a bridge and 48 chains of road, was finished on the 24th December, 1884. Great South and Onehunga Boads. —A contract on the Onehunga Road, called Birdgrove Bridge Contract, including a drain, side-walls, and widening the old embankment to the full width of the road, was finished on the 13th December, 1884. Drury Creak Bridge. —A contract for rebuilding this bridge was lot on the 11th February, and the work is proceeding satisfactorily. Bepaws and Maintenance. —This work has been attended to as usual. Cambridge—Botorua Boad. —This road has been maintained in a fair state for traffic, except at one or two places in the bush. W'aipa-Raglan Boad. —Some repairs to bridges and culverts have been executed on this road, and others are still in progress. Great North Boad. —An improvement on this road has been effected about 7 miles from Whangarei, the work extending over about 3 miles, and consisting of 17 chains of new road, and widening and metalling other portions. Te Aroha Block: Drainage. —Contract No. 5, including 4 miles 29 chains of main drain and 40 chains of cross-drains, was completed on the 13th February, 1885. Contract No. 6 includes a drain from Johnson's Creek to the road, 52J chains long, and opening and clearing out the creek; the work was completed on the 29th September, 1884. Roads North of Auckland. The Assistant Surveyor-General, Auckland, reports as follows, viz., The only works done up to the end of March, 1885, when the Public Works Department took charge, were the Port Albert Wharf in Rodney and four miles of main road near Whangarei, mentioned in last year's report as being in progress. BAY OF PLENTY. Tauranga-East Gape Boad. —In sections, viz. : — Maketu-Waihi. —1 mile 66 chains of this section has been surveyed and laid off for construction. Maketu-Matata and Otamarakau-Matata (10 miles). —No work has been done on these sections during the year, and the road is in a bad state for traffic of any kind. Whakatane-Opotiki. —Section 1, 3 miles : The maintenance of this was let to a Native contractor, but the work has not been satisfactorily carried out, the road not being in good order for wheeled traffic. Section 2, 3 miles :Of this, 2 miles 60 chains have been formed during the year 18ft. wide, comprising side-cut tings, bush-felling, one 20ft. bridge, and twelve 12in. culverts. This piece of road is in fair order for traffic. Whakatane-Ohope (4 miles). —This has been maintained in good order for horse-traffic by Native contractors. Opape-Torere (7 miles). —This has been kept in good order for horse-traffic by Native contractors. Hawai-Maraemti (5-jr miles) .—The formation of this length is under contract by the Natives, but as yet very little work has been done. Maraenui-Omaio (5f miles). —This section has been re-formed throughout, new bridges erected, and the whole put in good order for horse-traffic : The maintenance of it has been let to a Native contractor. Te Kaha-Baukokore (20 miles). —This section has been maintained in good order for horsetraffic by Native contractors. Botorua-Te Puke Boad. —One bridge of 20ft. span has been erected over the Te Ngae Creek, and the road is in good order for wheeled traffic. Matata-Te Teko Boad (16 miles). —This road is in a bad state of repairs, and not suitable for traffic. Whakatane-Te Teko Boad (12 miles). —This road is impassable for traffic, for want of repair. Opotiki—Waiotahi Boad. —Section 1, 3 miles, section 2, 3 miles, and section 3, 3 miles are all under course of formation.