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BOADS, BEIDGES, ETC. Auckland District. The maintenance of the Whangaparapara-Blind Bay Eoad was attended to during the year. A report was furnished on Gum Town-Kopuwai Track, Mercury Bay. The Tamaki Eoad Bridge was replanked. Nelson and Westland Districts. A contract for the building of a bridge over Granity Creek has been completed. A contract has been let for the rebuilding of the Karamea Bridge. The formation, bridges, and culverts of the Denniston Hill Boad have been completed; the length is 5 miles 63 chains, and width of formation 7 ft.; the metalling is not yet finished. About 60 chains of the Westport-Waimangaroa Boad have been constructed during the year and metalled; the formation is 14 ft. wide. A short approach road to the Little Wanganui Wharf has been formed, and an approach to the Granity Creek Bridge was completed under petty contract. Surveys have been made and plans prepared for the widening of the Ahaura-Haupiri Boad, and the work has been started; two small contracts for about half a mile long are finished, and four more are in progress. Work has been started in cutting a track about five miles and a half long to the Ahaura Hot Springs. The work of constructing 140 chains of road from Cobden to Point Elizabeth is in progress. A contract for a new road-bridge over Stillwater Creek has been completed. The work of constructing a track about eight miles long up the Clarke Eiver has been begun, starting from the junction of the Clarke with the Grey Eiver. The road round Lake Mapourika has been widened for a length of 105 chains. The Mount Hercules deviation of the Great South Boad has been completed, and the road from the end of the deviation to the Wataroa Biver has been widened for a length of about 4 miles 11 chains. Surveys have been made and plans are prepared for the continuation of the widening south of the Wataroa Eiver, and a contract for the first 70 chains is in progress. The following works were reported on for the Mines Department: Eoad, Lyell Bridge to Eyan's ; deviation of Charleston Eoad at Costello's Hill; road, Westport to Waimangaroa; road, Granity Creek southwards ; road, Beefton to Black's Point; prospecting-shaft, Giles's, Paniki; bridge, Granity Creek-Buller Boad ; road, Nile Saddle to Maori Creek ; Mudflat Boad, Karamea ; Addison's-Buller Eoad ; Land of Promise Boad ; Westport-Mokihinui Boad ; Seddonville-Mokihinui Eoad ; Seddonville-Cardiff Boad; Lyell-Victoria Bange Track ; track, Seddonville to Mokihinui; Oparara Boad ; road, Mokihinui to reefs ; road improvements, Mokihinui to Little Wanganui; and inspections were made of the river-protection works at Marsden Bridge; track up Paparoa Mountain ; road, river-Ahaura Plains ; and track, Wharton's Dam to Deep Creek. The lower portion of the Arahura Eiver was inspected for the Public Trust Department. MISCELLANEOUS. Designs for the proposed road-bridges over the Eangitikei Biver at Bull's were reported on for the Survey Department; also, designs for a road-bridge over the Otaki. A survey has been made and plans prepared for a proposed sheep-bridge over the Awatere. Beport on and plans for bridge over the Mangatainoka Biver at Quarry Eoad, near Eketahuna, were prepared. Plans and specification for a road-bridge over the Manawatu Biver at the Lower Gorge crossing were prepared during the year.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Auckland District. Government House. —This building was refurnished and recarpeted during the year, and carefully looked after when not occupied. A larder has been built, and repairs executed. A new brick has been built, and some new fencing erected. The Exhibition Buildings were finally removed in July last, and the ground they occupied has been resown in grass, but a considerable amount of work was required to get the grounds again into a fair state. Admiralty House is still occupied under lease by Mrs. A. Taylor. Departmental Buildings, Auckland. —These buildings have been kept in a good state of repair. A new flagstaff has been erected; various fittings and cupboards have been supplied. Departmental Buildings, Thames. —Bepairs to the outbuildings and yard have been finished during the year, and some fencing has been erected. Departmental Buildings, Tauranga. —Some repairs to the building and gravelling on the paths have been done during the year. Government Life Insurance Buildings, Auckland. —A fire-service equipment on each landing has been supplied, and the outbuildings improved. Auckland University College. —A contract for additions has been completed during the year. Supreme Court, Auckland. —Various repairs have been executed, and one room enlarged. The Supreme Court room, the Judges' and officers' rooms have been cleaned, painted, and renovated. District Courthouse, Auckland. —Various repairs have been attended to. A contract was let for alterations and additions, and was nearly finished when still further alterations were decided on, the works in connection with which are now in hand. Dargaville Courthouse. —This building has been repaired, painted, and reroofed with iron, and the fences repaired. Te Aroha Courthouse. —New Venetian blinds have been provided and some repairs done. Whangarei Courthouse. —Gas has been laid on, and some repairs and shelving done. Cambridge Coitrthouse. —New flooring has been laid, outside repairs done, and the building repainted.