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APPENDIX I.

ANNUAL EEPOET ON EOADS, MISCELLANEOUS WOEKS, BUILDINGS, ETC., BY THE ENGINEEE-IN-CHIEE. The Engineeb-in-Chief to the Hon. the Ministbb for Public Woeks. Sib,— Public Works Office, 31st March, 1888. I have the honour to submit the annual report on roads and bridges, miscellaneous works, buildings, &c, for the year ending the 31st March, 1888. EOADS AND BEIDGES. Auckland Distbict. Oxford-Botorua Road. —Maintenance has been attended to, and the road kept in fair order. No metal is obtainable on this line of road, but, as a substitute, sand has been tried over a mile's length in the bush, which has proved a success. To treat the remaining eleven miles in the same manner would cost about £2,600. Waipa-Baglan Boad. —Eepairs and renewals at the bridges have been attended to, slips removed, &c, and the road is in fair order for an unmetalled road. Katikati-Te Aroha Horse-track. —On this road fords and stream-crossings have been repaired and improved, the second growth of trees and shrubs cleared, water-tables and drains cleared, &c.; and the track is now in fair order. Katikati Boad via Thompson s Track. —The completion of the survey of this road was, under direction, handed over to the County Engineer in June. .Boad from Waikomiti to West Coast. —This route was examined and reported on in February last. Beads Henderson, Swanson, and Waitakerei to West Coast. —These different lines of road are being examined as directed, and will be reported on shortly. Boad on West Side of Waipa. —This lies about nine miles north of Alexandra, between Noble's farm and bridge. A preliminary examination has been made, and a working survey is now in hand, with a view to let the work by contract, about a mile and three-quarters. Boad from Kama Baihvay-station to Waiotu. —lnstructions have been given to have this road opened, and the work will be put in hand shortly. Mangere Bridge, at Onehwiga. —This bridge is very much in need of repairs, a contract for the work is being prepared, and will soon be advertised for tender. Bat of Plenty and Napieb. Tauranga-East Gape. —The various sections of this line of road have been maintained, repaired, and improved during the year, and on sundry roads branching from it inland repairs and improvements have also been effected. Opotiki-Ormond. —Forty-four miles of this horse-road have been maintained during the year, that is, as far as Motu, and on the same section improvements have been effected —viz., 112^ chains of side-cuttings widened from 4ft. to Bft., and 114 chains of bush cleared 20ft. wide. There still remains a distance of twenty-two miles over which the track requires widening as above to fit it for stock-driving. The traffic on it is increasing, more than a thousand horsemen having passed over it since last November. Tauranga-Napier Boad. —This has been maintained as usual by Government, and, considering the very small number of hands employed, has been kept in fair order during the year. Many improvements and repairs are, however, necessary. Amongst these may bo noted the renewal of the Mangarewa and Ohaupora Bridges, in the Mangarewa forest, and of two other bridges on the southern section of the road, which are much decayed. On this section the Te Haroto Bridge has been pulled down, and a large culvert substituted. The maintenance of the alternative road from Tauranga to Eotorua via Te Puke has been abandoned since July last on account of the cost of keeping it in order. Tabanaki and Wellington. Manawatu Gorge Boad and Bridge. —The maintenance of these had been handed over to the local bodies; but difficulties connected with this arrangement ensued, and the work was resumed by Government on the 6th June, 1887. In September heavy slips occurred, and blocked the road for about four days; again in October for about seven days, during which dray traffic was suspended. Smaller blocks occurred in November; and a large fire in January in the bush above the road caused a considerable amount of inconvenience and damage. These several mishaps rendered a much larger Sum necessary for maintenance than usual. With a view to prevention of fire at the Gorge Bridge, two 400-gallon water-tanks have been placed in position, and are kept filled with water. The toll at this bridge, hitherto taken by a salaried collector, was let by tender for nine months ending the 31st March, 1888, for £459 15s. 6d. W'airoa Bridge, Wairoa County. —This work is being constructed under grants in connection with the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act, and has been twice visited by the officers of this department. Tiraumea Bridge. —This is a road-bridge being built by contract over the Tiraumea Eiver for the Lands Department: the Public Works Department is superintending the contract during its progress. It is not far from Pahiatua.