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Westbrooke Protective Works. —Prior to taking charge, the late Chief Surveyor passed the first portion of this work. The remaining contract was passed by me, and the unexpended balance of grant to Grey County Council exhausted by this payment. Paroa to Teremakau Bead. —This road has been partly formed and metalled, and the work passed by the Besident Engineer, Greymouth. Hungerford Bridge. —This bridge has been extended and repaired by the Westland County Council, and the work and expenditure of vote duly certified by mo. The contract and extras exceeded the vote by £55 9s. 6d. This amount the Council now asks should be refunded. D. Barkon, Chief Surveyor.

OTAGO. Te Anau to Sutherland Falls. —Last December Mr. Donald Ross and three bushmen were employed to look after the track during the tourist season. They kept the track free from undergrowth, repaired the bridges, &c, and, in addition to carrying a monthly mail from Te Anau to Milford Sound, they erected a substantial two-roomed hut at Half-way Camp, and it is now called " Terrace Hut." The arrangements this year were spoken so well of by the tourists that I have recommended (in the estimates) a similar arrangement for next year. Waitati Road. —A contract for re-forming and metalling 25J chains of the worst portions of this road was satisfactorily carried out under the supervision of Mr. Nicolson. The contract for breaking the metal required was let under the co-operative system. Ratanui Road. —This road was made (to standard width) along the south side of Catlin's Lake for a distance of 57 chains. I trust that a sufficient sum will be available this year to continue this road further down the lake. Hunt's Road. —A distance of 3 miles 4 chains was cleared, stumped, and partly formed, so as to give the settlers access to the school. On this road the stump-extractor was used to advantage. Main Catlin s-Waikawa Road. —The portion completed during the past year extended from 16 miles 58 chains to 17 miles 52 chains, a distance of 74 chains. This was all the vote would allow. I trust that this year we will be able to complete the unfinished portion of this road, and thus have access through to Waikawa. A contract was let for re-forming and claying about 25 chains of the main road from McKenzie Bridge to Moncur's. This contract has now been completed, and the remainder of the vote will be spent in claying the worst parts of the road between the swamp and the saddle. Roads in the Woodland District. — Long Point Road : A distance of 3 miles 16 chains of this road was formed during the year. The bush was felled 40ft. wide, with the formation 10ft. This had afterwards to be reduced to 6ft., so as to make the money go further. The bridge over the Purakanui is now in course of construction. Kaler's Saddle and Purakauiti Roads (2$ miles). —This road was completed shortly after the close of last financial year. The bridge over the Purakanui and the removal of several rocky points were undertaken and completed by the gangers during the winter months. Block VIII., Woodland : The contracts (1 mile 17-f chains) on this road were completed shortly after the close of last year. Pomaliaka Estate Roads. —There are now twenty-seven men on these roadworks, and they are pushing on fairly well with their work. The absence of good building-stone has somewhat delayed the forming of the culverts. Vincent County Council. —Road Kawarau to Nevis : This work was let in two contracts, and consisted of 85 chains of sidling formation, culverts, and retaining-wall. The cost to the county was £200. Approximate area opened up, 1,000 acres. Waihemo County Council. —Road in Run 109 : This vote was spent on re-forming 69 chains of the main road through the run, and thus benefiting generally the area of the whole of the run, subdivisions containing approximately 18,000 acres. Maniototo County Council. —Roads in Swinburn Homestead Block : This work was let in three contracts, and comprised 285 chains of formation and 110 chains of chipping, or a total of 4 miles 75 chains. Twenty-five chains were gravelled, and twenty culverts put in. Roads in Gimmerburn and Naseby Districts: This work was let in three contracts, and comprised 301 chains of formation and 160 chains of chipping, making a total of 5 miles 61 chains. One hundred and sixteen chains were gravelled and twenty-two culverts put in. Roads in Swinburn District: Four contracts were let for this work, and 2 miles 42 chains of formation were completed. Of this, 85 chains were gravelled and ten culverts put in. The total cost of these works to the county was £850. The formation of these roads has given access to, approximately, 12,850 acres. Bruce County Council. —Roads in Block XL, Clarenden District : A sum of £100 has been spent on forming road leading to Taieri Mouth Special Settlement through Block XL, Clarendon District. The total length of road made was as follows: Formation, 67 chains; stumping, 36 chains; and bush-clearing, 70 chains: making a total of 2 miles 13 chains. Area thus rendered better accessible, 800 acres. Roads in Block 11., Clarendon District : With this vote the road along Sections 29, 30, and 32, Block 11., Clarendon District, has been re-formed for a distance of 66 chains. Clutha County Council. —Road in Block 11., Catlin's District : With this vote a distance of 50 chains of road has been cleared opposite Sections 18 and 19, Block 11. Road in Block 1., Woodland District: With this vote the road between Sections 5, 15, and 6, 16, and 17 has been formed for a distance of 60 chains. Tuapeka County Council.- -Roads in Tuapeka West and Rankleburn Districts : During the past year the bridge over the Black Cleugh (one 30ft. span and two 15ft. spans : total, 60ft.) was constructed. The cost of this bridge was considerably over the Government grant. 1 mile H B—C. 1.