A—i

72

Waimamaku Village Settlement. —The roads in this settlement are in very bad order, owing to the nature of the soil, which is loamy and continually slipping as the bush is cleared off it. The work done during the year consists of 40 chains of road 6ft. wide, and 3 chains 12ft. wide, and general repairs to bridges and culverts. Punakitere Village Settlement. —Works done during the year consist of 8 chains widened to 18ft. and 2 chains widened to Bft., and repairs to bridges and culverts. Mangataraire Valley. —This road is to give an outlet to the settlers in this valley to the main Kawakawa-Horeke Boad. The work done during the year consists of 30 chains of road-formation 12ft. wide. Opanaki-Hokianga Boad. —This road opens up about 100,000 acres of Crown land, and will give direct wheel-communication between Hokianga and the railway to Dargaville, thus allowing settlers to reach Auckland in twenty-four hours. This work till a short time ago was carried on by the village settlers and Natives, but progress was so slow and unsatisfactory that it was found more advisable to let the work by tender. One section of a mile in length is now in progress, and two more will shortly be accepted at northern end. The engineering survey is also being carried on from both ends, but the exceeding wet season has delayed progress considerably. A branch line from the main road is now being surveyed to connect with the line already laid out up the Waimamaku Valley. The road formed is about eight miles at north end, 14ft. wide, and six miles and a half at south end, Bft. wide. The work done during the year consists of 61 chains of new road, and the proper finishing-up of two miles 14ft. wide, and the engineering survey of twelve miles of road. Mangonui Bluff Boad. —The work of repairs is now in operation; a party of four men are employed at day-pay for the purpose. Kawakawa—Great North Boad. —This vote is being expended in raising the level of the portion of the Great North Boad which runs through the Waiomio Flat, near Kawakawa. Owing to some trouble with Natives re fascines, the first contractor had to abandon the work, which has since been re-let to another contractor at a considerable advance of price. The portion of work done consists of 9 chains of road formed 18ft. wide, two bridges, and 2 chains of embankment. Opua-Waimate. —This road gives the only communication between Opua and the surrounding district. The road also opens up about 4,000 acres of Crown land. The work done during the year consists of three miles and a half of road, averaging Bft. wide, and tenders have been accepted for two miles more. It is proposed to deviate the line from the original survey and make it join the Waitangi-Kawakawa Eoad near Kawakawa. Punakitere Survey District. —This road is to give an outlet to the Ngapipito settlers, and open 4,000 acres of Crown land. It will probably be the main road between Kawakawa and Taheke. The Natives caused considerable delay and trouble by opposing the survey. About twelve miles of road were surveyed, and with the balance of the vote it is intended to form a rough track along the survey route. Warkworth-Awanui. —This vote of £200 was given to the Hukerenui village settlers to enable them to pay their rent and interest by working on the road, and has been expended in raising and metalling the portion of the Great North Eoad known as Easmussen's Embankment, near the village settlement. Hukerenui and Motatau Village Settlement. —The works done in this settlement consist of four miles and a half of road averaging 12ft. wide, and one mile of road averaging 6ft. wide. Wairua Bridge and Boad. —This road opens up about 6,000 acres of Crown land. During the year three miles and a half of the road have been formed into a cart-road, of an average width of 12ft. The continuation of this road will go through the Bamarama Valley and join the Great North Boad at Towai. Opuawhanga-Whananaki Boad. —This has now been formed into a bridle-track Bft. wide throughout, of which three miles have been formed this year. Whananaki Village Settlement. —The most of the work done in this settlement has been on the Opuawhanga-Whananaki Boad, which runs through the settlement, and consists of one mile of road 7ft. wide, one bridge 9ft. span, and 12 chains of embankment. Wairua-Helena Bay. —This road opens up about 2,000 acres of Crown land. During the year about half a mile of road has been formed, 7ft. wide. There are several very narrow places on this road caused by slips, and it is in much need of repair throughout. Parua-Mangakahia-Opanaki Road. —This road was intended as a connection between Whangarei and Opanaki, but the country was found so broken that it was not considered advisable to continue the work at present. During the year thirteen miles were graded and surveyed. Parua Bay Village Settlement. —The money authorised for expenditure in this settlement has been expended in giving the settlers a more direct route to Whangarei. The work consists of one mile and a quarter of road, 4ft. wide. Mangapai-Tokatoka Boad. —This opens up a direct route between Whangarei and the Wairoa Biver, besides giving an outlet to a considerable amount of private lands. Nothing has been as yet done, but the survey and grading of deviation will shortly be undertaken. The present line follows along the top of a range, and, as in most of the old lines, going over the highest peaks in the range. Some small works will also be undertaken on the south side of the Mangonui Biver. Mangonui Bridge. —This bridge is on the Mangapai-Tokatoka Boad. Its construction is now being carried out, the timber being all on the ground and three piles driven. The bridge is of three spans, two of 20ft. and one of 30ft. Ness Valley Road. —This will be the main outlet to all the Government lands in this part of the country. The road has been graded and surveyed, but no works have been undertaken, as the question of compensation for land taken has not yet been settled by the Wairoa Boad Board. Whiskey Greek Road. —This is a road to give settlers an outlet. During the year about three miles of road 6ft. wide have been constructed, and a further mile and three-quarters are now being made.