C.—l.

Cove Deviation.—Under my supervision the Whangarei County Council have constructed half a mile of new road along the deviation lately laid out, which will improve the coast road and make it always available for traffic, while before it was blocked when the tide was in. Waipu Boad and Wharf. —Since the alteration in the outlet of the Waipu Eiver a steamer regularly trades between Auckland and Waipu direct. The Whangarei County Council have with this grant erected a wharf adjacent to the bridge over the Waipu Eiver, on the Great North Eoad. Waipu.—About a mile and a quarter of main road from the wharf through the Waipu Township, being a portion of the Great North Eoad, has been metalled through the Whangarei County Council. Wharf Extension, Waipu. —About 10 chains of road from Waipu to wharf was formed, and the wharf extended 44 ft. Caves-McLaughlin's.—About two miles of dray-road has been constructed through the Whangarei County Council, giving better access to settlers. Three-mile Bush Repairs.—About a mile and a half of road has been repaired through the Whangarei County Council. Kaiwaka-Mangawai.—Under my supervision the Otamatea County Council has metalled about 12 chains of this road near Kaiwaka. There is a considerable amount of wheel traffic on this line. Kaiwaka-Waipu.—Several deviations have been laid out and constructed on this line, greatly improving the grades. It has been kept in good order, and metalled in bad places. To make the road safe for winter traffic, especially through the limestone country, where in winter it becomes very boggy, a considerable length of road must be metalled. Tokatoka Post-office. —A mile and a half of this road, which connects Tokatoka Post-office with the wharf, has been constructed. Matakohe-Mangonui.—Through the Matakohe Eoad Board one bridge over the Omaru Eiver has been erected, and portions of the road are being formed. It gives access to the lands lately taken up at the Mangonui Eiver, and will ultimately connect with the Mangapai-Tokatoka Eoad. Matakohe-Tokatoka.—Through the Otamatea County Council a mile and three-quarters of dray-road has been constructed between Tokatoka Post-office and the old tram-line. There yet remains a portion of this road that will require to be deviated and constructed before the road will be available for wheel traffic throughout. Hukatere.—A bridge and a considerable length of embankment were formed across the Mateotetawa tidal creek. Further works were suspended till a settlement was arrived at re compensation for land taken for road. This is the only road outlet to the settlers in the Hukatere district. Pahi-Maungaturoto.—The balance of last year's grant was expended through the Otamatea County Council in putting in culverts and fillings. Pahi-Waikiekie.—This vote is being expended by the department in completing a few unformed portions of the road and in improvements. Valley Boad-Paparoa.—A 30 ft. bridge and embankment have been constructed by the department. If this road could be continued to join the Pahi-Waikiekie Eoad it would greatly improve the line connecting Waikiekie and Paparoa, and be of immense advantage to the travelling public, as it would shorten the road between Whangarei and Maungaturoto. Paparoa-Maungaturoto.—Works are now being carried out on this road under the supervision of this department. About 20 chains of dray-road was formed and 4 chains metalled. A deviation to improve the grade has been laid out near Maungaturoto, and as soon as the Otamatea County Council secure the title the balance of the vote will be expended. A further grant is urgently required to improve this road, as it is a part of the main road through the Otamatea County. Warkworth Wharf-Courthouse.—Under my supervision the Eodney County Council have expended this vote in metalling the road through Warkworth Township—from the wharf to the Warkworth Bridge. Warkworth-Matakana.—About a quarter of a mile of road has been improved and 11 chains re-formed and metalled, the work being carried out through the Eodney County Council. Warkworth Main Boad.—Fifty chains of dray-road has been constructed and 25 chains improved. Another grant should be set aside to continue this work, to provide for wheeled traffic from Pakiri to the Port of Omaha. Topini-Warkworth.—This is a portion of the Great North Eoad, and during the year about 10 chains of road has been formed and metalled. Hoteo Valley.—The road up this valley has been constructed during the year; 31 chains was formed. Roteo-Waiwhiu is the road connecting the Waiwhiu and Pakiri Block with the Great North Eoad, half-way between the Warkworth and the Hoteo Bridge, giving access to settlers in the Pakiri Block. Nothing was done beyond the maintenance of two miles. Hoteo Valley-Mangawai.—Under my supervision the Eodney County Council have erected one 40 ft. bridge over the Waitirangi Creek, and constructed 1 mile 2 chains of dray-road, giving settlers in Hoteo Valley better access to the Port of Mangawai. A further grant should be set aside for the continuation of this road. Te Arai-Mangawai. —This is a part of the main road leading to the Port of Mangawai, and 1 requires extensive deviations to place road on a permanent level. 15 chains of dray-road has been formed, and further works will shortly be proceeded with, being of decided importance to the whole of the district adjoining. Pakiri-Omaha.—Under my supervision the Eodney County Council are metalling the worst portions of the road constructed last year, and about a quarter of a mile of cart-road along a deviation locally known as Hanby's was formed by the Eodney County Council. Matakana-Omaha.—ls chains of metalling on Matheson's Hill, a masonry culvert, with filling at Williams Stream, have been constructed through the Eodney County Council.

7—C. 1.

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