C.—l.

Albury Settlement Roads.—The works carried out during the year comprise forming the road Detween Sections 44 and 46 (a length of 107 chains), and shingling 71 chains; forming 25 chains of the road between Sections 46 and 48, and shingling 10 chains ; and forming the road on- south boundary of Section 51 (a length of 60 chains), and shingling 16 chains. The formation on each of these roads is 18 ft. wide by 6 in. deep. Gamp Valley and Limestone Valley Roads. Contracts have been let for improving these roads, and comprise metalling 100 chains of the Limestone Valley Eoad between its junction with the Camp Valley Eoad and the south-east corner of Section 35, also shingling 55 chains of the Camp Valley Eoad between its junction with the Limestone Valley Eoad and eastern boundary of Section 59. Fifteen cubic yards of metal and shingle to the chain are being laid. The shingle is being taken from the Tengawai Eiver bed, and the metal obtained from a quarry opened up in Section 35. Owing to the distance the material has to be carted the cost is considerable, viz., ss. per cubic yard. The works, which are under the supervision of the Mackenzie County engineer, are well advanced, and will be completed during April. Waikakahi Roads.—The works carried out comprised altogether the formation of 6 miles 61 chains of roads—6 miles 41 chains by co-operative contract, the balance by day labour. In addition to the work of formation, twenty-three fords were constructed and thirty-four culverts laid down, three of the former and one of the latter by day labour; an ironbark bridge, 20ft. wide and 20 ft. in length, on the Wallace Eoad, was erected also by day labour, the work being found unsuitable for a co-operative contract. The roads were recently inspected and found in good order, but will require a little attention here and there. It is intended to expend the balance of the vote next year in gravelling 14 chains of the road giving access to Section 2, Block V., the whole of the Morven Eoad, portion of the Wallace Eoad, and in constructing a ford on the Green Hills Eoad, and some repairs to same. The works were carried out under Mr. Brcdrick's supervision. Hekeao Settlement Roads.-—The whole of the roads, 540 chains in length, have now been formed and shingled according to the specifications prepared by the clerk to the Eangitata Eoad Board, and under whose supervision the works were carried out to my satisfaction. Their future maintenance should now be taken over by the Board, and I am in communication with them to that effect. Planting Reserves, Mackenzie County.—During the year work was done in planting portion of Eeserve 2923, situated on the southern shore of Lake Tekapo. Altogether 12,500 trees have been planted of the following varieties—viz., 1,500 Pinus laricio, 1,500 Pinus austriaca, 7,500 larch, 2,500 Pinus ponderosa, and 500 Abies douglasii. The trees were planted by contract, the contractor to renew all failures for two years, when the final payment will be made. Owing to the dry season a considerable portion of the trees last planted have died, and will require to be renewed next spring by the contractor. Pawaho Hamlet Road (Land for Settlements Account). —The work waj carried out by open contract under the supervision of the department, and comprised metalling the road formed last year a length of 15 chains. The crossings were also paved, the bank trimmed, and the water-table cleared, all of which were carried out under District Surveyor McClure's supervision. Rocky Gully Stock-bridge.—The total amount paid over by the Mackenzie County was £137 7s. lOd on a£l for £1 basis. The work, which was completed last August by the Working Eailways staff, is an attachment to the railway-bridge across Eocky Gully Creek. The bridge is 150 ft. long and 3 ft. 6 in. wide. The necessary wings and approaches were made by the county. Sidney Weetman, Chief Surveyor.

OTAGO. Herbert Main Road (£1 for £1). —This road has been widened by the Waitaki County Council for a distance of 120 chains, 14 chains of which have been regraded and gravelled, and one 12 in. pipe drain put in, 66 ft. long. Subsidy received by county, £lOO. Port Road-Beach, Moeraki.—£loo was granted to the Waitaki County Council for this road, and was expended by them in spreading gravel to various widths and depths over a mile and a half of the Lower Eoad. Ravfurly Township.—The Engineer to the Maniototo County Council reports that he has expended £3OO in forming and gravelling 108 chains of road, making 20 chains of footpaths, and laying 360 ft. of iron-pipe culverts. The amount of the grant is £2OO, but no money has yet been paid. Run 206f, Maniototo.— There is a balance of £BO out of the original grant of £3BO to the Maniototo County Council, in .1895, still owing to the county for works carried out by them in 1896. The works carried out with the vote were the gravelling of 4 miles 69 chains of the main road through the subdivision of the run, and the formalion of 74 chains of road in Block XII. Maniototo, Biock XVI.—A grant of £5O was made to the Maniototo County Council in 1896, and was expended, with a previous grant of £lOO, on the formation of 110 chains of road through the subdivision of Section 3. The county have not yet applied for the money. Upper Taieri-Rock and Pillar.—The Maniototo County Council received £5OO for works carried out by them on these roads. The work consisted of forming and gravelling about three miles and a half of road, and laying 346 ft. of iron-pipe culverts, the total cost of which was £6OO. Corner Bush-Merton Road.—Part of the vote for this road was expended by the "Waikouaiti County Council in forming 27 chains of road and repairing two small pile-bridges of 9 ft. span each. A contract has been let for absorbing the balance of the vote. Puketeraki Station-Beach.—The amount spent on this road was the balance of the vote, and the work done consisted of surfacing and slight formation for a distance of 10 chains.

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