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for the time being, destroying nearly all our fords. These have been repaired, or fresh ones fdrmed, and the cribbing, &c, renewed with heavier timbers, secured with iron spikes, instead of trenails as formerly. A number of old culverts have been lifted and new ones put in, and in several places open crossings have been replaced with culverts. In the early part of the year the outer stringer on the south side of the upper bridge in the Otira Gorge broke, and was repaired, and again, in the end of March, the corresponding stringer, on the opposite side of the same bridge, and almost in the same position, also broke, and is now in course of being repaired. A new upper chord will also be put in to replace the one on south side, which is very much decayed. The lower bridge has also been overhauled and screwed up, and is in better condition than the other. Both bridges are single spans, of 120 ft. each, and, being situated at the bottom of considerable inclines, and at a very sharp turn in road, are often subjected to very severe strains through the coach- and wagon-teams coming on them suddenly at a trot, and with heavy loads on. Printed notices were put up at each end of these bridges, warning persons, riding or driving, to cross at a walking-pace ; but, notwithstanding this, and the risk they run, the coaches, unless watched, continue to come on at a run, and it will probably be necessary to prosecute the proprietors before a stop is put to this foolish and reckless practice. Cook's Biver Southward Boad. — One contract of 102 chains in length has been cleared, formed, and gravelled during the year. Pug was struck in several places, and a most unexpected quantity of water was also met with in the terrace, necessitating the construction of a number of additional level crossings, and a short deviation; these were effected at schedule rates. The expenditure for the year also includes twelve miles of engineering surveys. Hunt's Beach to Makaiviho. —-A bridle-road, length about two miles. A survey has been made and plans prepared for construction of about 20 chains of new road from the beach up the south-west bank of Manakaiau Eiver to the present ford, but no work has actually been put in hand. Makaiviho to Mahitahi. —A bridle-road. No actual work has been done on this road during the year ; although tenders were called for a portion, none were accepted. The cost of preparation of plans, specifications, advertising, &c, has, however, been charged against the vote. Jacob's Biver to Bruce Bay. —An engineering and traverse survey has been made of this road. Plans and specifications for the necessary works have also been prepared, but no authority yet given to invite tenders. Haast Pass Boad. —A bridle one, and forty-eight miles long, forming the only stock and travelling route now available between the southern portions of Westland and the districts on the eastern side of the main range. Beyond removing slips, a few trifling repairs, and some scrubcutting, no work has been done on the road during the year, as funds were not available for new works. A survey has, however, been made, and plans prepared for rock-cutting round the Clarke Bluff, which is in the meantime the principal barrier to free traffic. Jackson's Bay to Cascade Biver: —Plans and specifications for construction of two miles of this road have been prepared, beginning at the end of present formation, near Arawata Settlement, and extending in a south-easterly direction towards the Cascade Eiver. Cascade Biver to Barn Bay. —On this route seven miles of bush-falling and clearing have bean done, five miles of it made passable for a horse, and 39 chains of it gravelled in the worst places, the work being done in seven small contracts, on the co-operative principle, the men making from 10s. to lis. per day, working hard. In this part of district 10s. is the standard wage. Nelson, Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika Boad. —Towards maintenance of this road a subsidy of £450 was granted to the Grey County Council for portion through their county, and a progress-payment of £200 has been passed by me. For maintenance of their portion of same road the Westland Council were granted £500, but they have never asked for any advance ; consequently the vote remains untouched. Kumara to Lake Brunner Boad. —On this road a subsidy of £350 was granted to the Grey County Council towards cost of erecting a bridge over the Three-mile Creek, to replace the present structure, which is in a sad state; in fact, I have never seen a worse case where a bridge was still in use. A contract for a new one was prepared, approved of by me, and let for the sum of £880 155., and the work, which also includes the cutting of heavy approaches through sandstone, is progressing favourably, and one progress-payment of £250 has been passed. At Westbrook a grant of £300 was made to Grey County Council in aid of certain works for protection of road from damage by floods, and replacing of a portion already washed away. One groin and stone facing to bank of river is now in progress; another groin has been let, but is not yet begun ; the value of contracts let to date amount to £180 17s. 4d. The work is being done by contracts, on the co-operative principle, and progressing satisfactorily. No payments to account have yet been passed. Paroa to Teremakau Boad. —A dray-road; length, 3 miles 58 chains. Contracts have been prepared, approved of, and let for formation and clearing of 2 miles 48 chains, and the work has now been completed, at a total cost of £307. Another small co-operative contract is now in progress, and getting on satisfactorily, but, as yet, no progress-payment has been made. The work comprises clearing, formation, culverts, and some stone facing for protection of the river-bank between railwaybridge and ford in Saltwater ; contract price, £139 10s.

PROPOSED ROADWORKS FOR 1893-94. Hokitika-Christchurch Boad. —lt is proposed during the coming season, in addition to the ordinary maintenance works, to put on a number of the "unemployed" in constructing sundry deviations at different points along the present road, in order to avoid future slips and encroachments by the Teremakau Eiver ; and also at a few places where the grades are not so steep as to prove a serious inconvenience to heavy traffic. In all, there are seven of these deviations, varying in length from Bto 168 chains, and aggregating about 305 chains. In the Otira Gorge proper it is proposed to commence cutting the road out of the solid rock along the face of the cliff between the two bridges,