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be required, as, taking the area shown " on hand " in last month's report —viz., 93,457 acres—and the pastoral runs which will fall in early next year —145,569 —acres there will be in round numbers a quarter of a million acres to survey for settlement and small grazing-runs. I propose to put the survey of these runs in hand almost immediately, as it will take all the time at our disposal to make the necessary surveys, prepare plans, and fix dates of sales, &c, before the Ist March next. It is desirable that this should be done as well to obviate loss of revenue as to cope with the rabbit pest. Settlement surveys west of the Waiau will be pushed on as fast as possible, and I am also desirous of opening the forest Crown lands at Waikawa as soon as possible, so that it may be necessary to place another surveyor there as soon as the triangulation is in a forward condition. Stewart Island has been attracting considerable attention lately, and I have placed a surveyor there with instructions to prepare a few thousand acres for settlement as soon as possible. G. W. Williams, Chief Surveyor.

APPENDIX No. 8.

EOADS: EEPOETS ON THEIE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTEDCTION FOE THE NINE MONTHS ENDING 31st MARCH, 1892.

AUCKLAND. Fern Flat. —This road opens up about 3,000 acres of Crown land. Nothing has been done during the past nine months to the roads, though works are now being proceeded with. On the first portion of the road leading to this settlement, which is under the charge of the county, the bridge over the Oruru River, for which the county obtained a subsidy of £57, has, at their request, been practically rebuilt under the supervision of this department. Okaihau-Victoria Valley. —Main road, opening up about 7,000 acres of Crown land, and giving a through communication between Waimate and Mangonui via Victoria Valley. The principal works have been the construction of about 22 chains of bridle-track, averaging Bft. wide, and twentytwo small bridges and culverts. The road now open is 3 miles at the northern end. At southern end, 8 miles have been constructed into a bridle-track. At present, however, the track is in very bad order, the bridges are many of them rotten, and unsafe for traffic. The works of repair are at present being carried out, but with the small sum of money available they are not of a very substantial nature. Ahipara-Herekino. —Main road, opens about 6,000 acres of Crown land. Very little work has been done during the past nine months, though works are now in progress to widen in places; 5 chains of fascining and ditching have been made, and slips removed over 5 miles of road. This road, being the only outlet for the Herekino Village Settlement, ought to be widened so as to make it perfectly safe for wheel-traffic. Herekino Village Settlement. —Beyond the removal of a few slips, and general repairs, nothing has been done to these roads. Herekino-Whangape. —Opens up about 7,000 acres of Crown land. No works have been done to this road during the nine months. It is intended, however, to construct two small bridges and remove a few slips during the month, so as to make the road available for horse-traffic. Herd's Point-Takahue Boad. —Opens up about 20,000 acres of Crown land. A considerable amount of work has been and is being done on this road. The bridge over the Waitaraire Eiver is now nearly completed. Twenty-six chains of road, known as Dunn's Flat, a continuation of the Herd's Point-Takahue Road northwards, has been metalled. Several portions of the road have been formed 15ft. wide, north of Takahue Settlement. Between the Takahue Settlement and Manganui-o-wai the track (average 6ft. wide) has been cleared of all scrub and kept in repair. Between Manga-nui-o-wai and Herd's Point the track has been widened at several of the bends, and the scrub cleared, so that now, by careful driving, a sledge can be taken along the line. The branch line to Kohukohu has been cleared of bush 1 chain wide for a distance of 20 chains, and the track throughout put in order. Motukaraka Village Settlement. —Opens 3,000 acres of Crown land. Little work has been done in the settlement during the nine months. Works, however, are now in progress to improve the roads. The money available is small, and consequently many important works cannot be undertaken. Waimamaku-PaJcanae. —Opens about 5,000 acres of Crown land. The work done during the nine months consists in widening roadway to 14ft. for a distance of 15 chains, and making 11 chains ditching and four culverts of a width of 15ft., and keeping in repair the road throughout. Waimamaku Village Settlement. —Road opens up 4,000 acres of Crown land. The work done during the past nine months has been the construction of about 20 chains road 14ft. wide, and three open culverts 28ft. The present road to the Canterbury Settlement being found, from the nature of the country, to be continually slipping, it was considered advisable to make the track on the other side of the Waimamaku River available for wheel-traffic. The works were accordingly laid out, and the formation given to the settlers, who are now at work. About 10 miles of road have been laid out by Mr. Wright further up, which when constructed will open up some of the best land in the North Island. Punakitere Village Settlement. —Eighteen chains of road have been formed and three culverts repaired. The wire suspension-bridge, damaged by the floating logs, is being repaired, and the road throughout the settlement has been kept in fair order