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The permanent line has been surveyed from Hokitika to Ross, including a branch line 1 mile 40 chains long into Boss, and a trial-line survey has been made to the Waitaha Eiver, about nine miles and a half south of Eoss. The country was explored for about four to five miles south of the Waitaha Eiver. The land-plan survey of the Otago Central Railway has been completed to miles, and is now in progress to a point at about 111 J miles near the end of Ophir Station yard. The land-plan survey for the Waipahi-Heriot Extension has been finished. Sleepers. Under contracts and agreements for the supply of sleepers, the deliveries during the year ending the 3lst March last were as follow: Auckland District, 31,135 totara, 3,072 puriri, 2,293 matai; Hunterville District, 11,283 totara; Nelson District, 1,903 birch ; Westland District, 1,417 totara, 2,711 silver-pine ; Otago District, 2,802 totara. EOADS, BRIDGES, ETC. Several small contracts were completed during the year on the Westport-Waimangaroa Eoad and on the Denniston Hill Eoad. The section of the Great South Eoad from Forks to Waiho River was put in a good state of repair by filling in ruts with gravel and broken stone, repairing culverts and fords. Two small bridges were built. About three-quarters of a mile of formation was done on the Ahaura-Haupiri Road. The construction of the Coal Creek Falls Track has been finished. A considerable amount of work has been done in the constructing of the Clark Eiver Track. A length of about three miles and a quarter of the Haupiri Hot Springs Track has been formed. A small contract has been finished for an extension of the Haupiri-Amuri Track. A survey to fix a bridge-site on Evans Creek has been made. A contract for renewing seven of the spans of the Main Grey Bridge has been finished. A contract for the erection of a road-bridge over the Waitaha River has been completed. The approach to the Taylorville Suspension Bridge has been rebuilt, and some general repairs done. The renewal of the timber towers has been delayed through the non-delivery of the necessary ironbark timber. The contract for the erection of the Kokotahi Road Bridge is now nearly finished. A wire suspension bridge has been built over the Moonlight Creek at the crossing of the Blackball-Moonlight Track. A wire footbridge has been built over Waipuna Creek. Several reports have been furnished to, and inspections made for, other Departments. A report was made to the Wanganui Borough Council on the stability and general condition of the road-traffic bridge over the Wanganui River at Wanganui. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Auckland Disteict. The Departmental Buildings at Auckland, Thames, and Gisborne, and the post-offices at Auckland, Onehunga, and Gisborne were decorated and illuminated in honour of the coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII. Government House. —The house and grounds have been kept in good order during the year, and all necessary works done. Admiralty House. —The old Admiralty House has been let for part of the year—latterly at a low rental through being out of repair. The new house has not yet been occupied. Departmental Buildings, Auckland. —These buildings have been maintained in good order. The lift had to be repaired and the main drain lifted. Some adjacent ground has been bought, and additions to the building are required. Departmental Buildings, Thames. —A small contract for repairs has been completed during the year. Departmental Buildings, Tauranga. —These buildings were destroyed by fire on the 16th November last. They are to be replaced by separate buildings for Courthouse and Post-office, with extra offices in the latter building. Departmental Buildings, Gisborne. —A contract is in progress for alterations, painting, and repairs. Courthouses. Supreme Court, Auckland. —The north wall was plastered to keep out the rain, a new Registrar's strong-room has been built, the paths have been put in good order, and various repairs done. District Court. —The caretaker's residence has been repaired, and a bath-room built. Additional gaslights were fitted in the Magistrate's Court; the roof was re-covered with galvanised iron in place of slates, and various repairs were done to the furniture. Whangarei Courthouse was repainted and repairs done. Kawakawa Courthouse was repaired and repainted. Repairs are in progress in the Rawene Courthouse. The foundations of the Warkworth Courthouse have been repaired. The Tauranga Courthouse was burnt down in November last. Tenders are being called for the erection of a new building. Furniture was provided for a temporary building. The old Courthouse, sold to the Masons, has not yet been removed. The Raglan Courthouse was examined, and found to be past repair. The Courthouse at Gisborne has been repainted. Some repairs to the roof of the Government Life Insurance Buildings have been done.

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