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WELLINGTON. The roacl-works executed in the Wellington Land District during the year 1888-89 were scattered over such a large area, and the funds were so limited, that there was no opportunity of carrying out extensive and permanent works. Such, however, as were executed consisted mainly of the preliminary work of clearing and track-formation to make Crown lands accessible. In some instances these works were of much benefit to settlers whose properties lay along the routes. Taking the various'lines in geographical order, the following is a summary of the operations : — Ohakmie to Pipiriki. —This road was taken over from the Public Works Department on the Ist April last, and it has since been partly maintained by a small day-party. Wairoa to Omahini. —The Crown lands inland of Momahaki, at the back of Richardson, jyere partly opened by the felling, stumping, and clearing of the lines branching from the Ngu'tuera Valley. There were 5 miles 73 chains, comprised in three contracts, felled 66ft. in width and stumped 16ft. in centre. A gang was put on the Ngutuera Valley Eoad, with the result that it was made temporarily passable for the survey parties, by erecting eight temporary bridges aad by forming about a mile and a half of the road. About 12,000 acres of Crown lands were benefited by the work done. Tokomaru Boacl. —The Government subsidised the Waitotara County Council with £90 95., being half the cost of extending the West Tokomaru Eoad to Mowhero. The length of the extension is 1 mile 51 chains, which was formed 12ft. wide and metalled 6in. deep for 26 chains. The expenditure served to make the Puketotara Crown lands, comprising 5,178 acres, more accessible. Wanganui to Murimotu Road (Field's), —Two contracts were let for felling 66ft. wide and stumping 16ft. wide the bush at the Murimotu end, and three miles were completed. A day-party was kept on the road, who cleared and stumped 66ft. and 16ft. wide respectively along a length of 4 miles 62 chains, formed 70 chains 4ft. wide, built 14 bridges and 207 culverts, and maintained the whole length between Mason's and Murimotu. The expenditure was justified by the fact that this road is an important main road, and that it opens the way to the Waimarino and other Crownland blocks, comprising about 400,000 acres. Wanganui to Murimotu Road (Hales's); —This, the original horse-road to the interior, was formed 6ft. wide for 73 chains and maintained and improved generally by day-labour, and by the Upper Wangaehu Eoad Board the same width for a length of 1 mile 55 J chains was constructed through Addenbrooke's, the Government finding half the cost—£s7 3s. The Crown lands benefited aggregated to about 25,000 acres. Marton to Murimotu via Hautapu. —This road was taken over from the Public Works Department on the Ist April. Arrangements have been made to put on a party to improve and maintain the line, which follows about the best route to the interior along the main trunk railway-line. Otamahapua to Waitapu. —Mr. Charles Field and his party completed 4 miles 24 chains of the Mangatutu Eoad, felling it 66ft. wide, stumping and clearing 25ft. wide, and forming 2 miles 55 chains 6ft. wide. They also did the same class of work on the Eangitikei Valley Eoad, the length of bush work being 4 miles 44 chains, and the formation 45 chains. The Waituna Valley Eoad was felled and cleared for 33 chains. All three lines were partly maintained, burned off, and sown with grass seed. The pack-track was made along the Tapuae-Mangapipi Spur, length 8 miles 59 chains. The Crown lands benefited comprise about 10,000 acres. Oroua to Aplti Road. —The Kiwitea Eoad Board have been intrusted with a sum not to exceed £150 to fell, clear, and form a road from the Oroua Eiver into the Feilding Special Settlement Block. Manaivatu Gorge Road. —This road was taken over from the Public Works Department on the Ist April, and it has since been maintained. Eenewals of platforms and portions of bridges are now in hand, at an estimated cost of £200 : and if funds were available a much larger sum is needed to place the road in proper order, as it requires remetalling very extensively. Pahiatua to Mangahao Road. —Of this road 11 chains in the Pahiatua Township was formed and metalled by the Pahiatua Town Board, the Government finding £35 of the cost. Tiraumea to Makuri Roads. —Six contracts w rere let, covering 11 miles 55 chains of these roads, which were felled 66ft. wide, and stumped and cleared 20ft. wide. A day-party has been employed making two miles of the Tiraumea Eoad passable for horses, commencing at the Tiraumea Eiver. They have felled, stumped, and cleared 5 chains, formed the road where necessary 6ft. wide (12ft. at the river crossing), and erected two temporary bridges, one being 30ft. in length. The work was done under Mr. J. D. Chime's supervision. These works opened the central Mangaone Crown lands, comprising some 20,000 acres, and the works should be continued on the extension up the Makuri, as this line not only serves a large area of Crown lands, but forms an important cross road between the East Coast and Forty-mile Bush. Maugaone-Tirawinea Roads. —Five contracts, covering 10 miles 8-J chains, were let and completed for the felling 1 chain wide, stumping and clearing 33ft. wide. A day-party was put on, and they made a pack-track along the Tiraumea Eoad 50 chains in length and built twenty-four temporary bridges 10ft. to 37ft. spans. The roads were all burnt off and grass-sown. The Mangaone-Tiraumea Block and Crown lands to the eastward, comprising 15,000 acres, were benefited by the works. Mr. E. P. Greville had principal charge of the works. The following works were executed under Mr. E. H. Eeaney's supervision : — Bridge Road. —This line runs westward from the Makakahi Bridge to open the WoodvilleMangatainoka Special Settlement. One contract of 1 mile 11-i chains was let and completed for felling and stumping 66ft. and,2oft. wide respectively, at a cost of £77 165., and another contract of 1 mile 60i chains of similar work is in progress, the amount being £77 2s. 3d. : to which has to be added £11 12s. for cost of advertising contracts, &c.
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