A—i

60

Biverton and Golao Bay. —The Wallace County Council received a grant of £400, which has been expended on two contracts—each one mile in length—for formation, drainage, and culverts, at a cosfr of £392 6s. 10d. This work will render some 1,500 acres of Crown land more accessible, besides being a great convenience to persons having business between Eiverton and Colac. The track was originally corduroyed, and, being much worn, is at times dangerous for traffic. The grant above referred to will not nearly complete the whole distance. Grove Bush. —A grant of £200 was made to the Southland County for this road, and a contract has been let for 38 chains gravelling, 8 chains fascining, and 60 chains formation with four pipeculverts and side-drains along same distance, at a cost of £195. Winton Drains. —£7oo has been granted to the Win ton Eiver Board for carrying on these works, and Mr. Sharp has drawn out plans, &c, for works estimated to cost £1,100, the additional £400 being found by the local bodies. These plans have been approved by me, and the works will probably be completed by the end of August. This work will reclaim some 2,500 acres of Crown land from a state of swamp. Forest Hill Bond. —£2oo was authorised for this work, but when this came to be laid off and tendered [for, it was found that the money was not sufficient to do what was contemplated, therefore the lowest tender was accepted, subject to the condition of being cut down so asto bring it within the amount authorised, and I have asked for a further vote of £200 to complete the work next year. The contract now in hand is for 29 chains side-drains, 91J chains bush-felling and logging up, one 36ft. bridge, and six culverts, &c, at a cost of £189 9s. This road will give better access to thirty-seven 10-acre sections in the township of Bast Winton. Scrubby Hill. —£2oo were granted for giving better access to about 2,000 acres of Crown land, and to the settlers already located in that neighborhood. A contract has been let for 52 chains formation, 16-| chains ditching, 12 chains fascining, and eighteen culverts, for £161 10s. 2d. The balance of vote will be used for extending the formation, Engineer's commission, advertising, &c. Boads to Village Settlements. —A subsidy of pound for pound up to £300 was granted for the purpose of making roads within the villages of Makarewa, Eyal Bush, Linley, Woodfield, Argyle, and Longridge. The work was let in eight contracts, and 100 chains of formation and gravelling have been completed. Only £215 Bs. of the vote has been used, and it is not proposed to ask for the balance. NEW WOKKS. Of the works which do not appear in last year's votes, but for which I have asked consideration in the estimates for 1892-93, I would notice the following:— Waiau Bridge. —This work is urgently needed to give access some 32,000 acres in the immediate, and probably twice that area in the near, future. Mr. Howarth has been instructed to survey and report upon the site, and has just informed me that a suspension-bridge will be necessary on account of the depth of water, rapidity of current, and large quantity of timber brought down by floods. I have estimated the cost at £6,000. Otapiri Gorge Boad. —At present the settlers in this gorge are dependent upon a track through private property as an alternative to having to travel some twenty-five miles to the railway, whereas if the proposed road were made they would be within five miles of the nearest station. Block 1., Oteramika Hundred. —£50 is asked for to purchase a roadway through private property, and I recommend the proposal be entertained in the interests of settlement. The matter was brought under the notice of the the Hon. Minister of Lands during his recent visit. Stock Bridge over Neio Biver. —This is a matter which is of some importance to settlers on the eastern side of the river, and those in the neighbourhood of Mossburn. It is thought that both the Southland and Wallace Counties would subsidise the work. G. W. Williams, Chief Surveyor.