D.—l.

Land-plan surveys have been made of land required for rifle ranges at Brightwater and Matai, Nelson; also, land-plan survey for land required for the approaches to Aorere Bridge, Collingwood. A survey for an alternative ballast-pit for the Tadmor section of the Midland Eailway has been made. A resurvey of part of the Midland Eailway, between Broken Eiver and Sloven Creek, has been made, and a considerable saving in cost will be effected. The survey for a line of railway from Westport to Inangahua Junction has been in progress during the year; trial-line work has been finished, and the permanent survey has been completed for nearly six miles. The trial surveys suggested to be made by Mr. Bogue to determine the best route over Arthur's Pass were finished last year. Plans, estimates, and other information relative to the various routes were finished and sent to Mr. Bogue in September last. A survey for the extension of Mount Somers Tramway, also for land-plans, has been made. A survey for a railway-line from Culverden to Hanmer Plains is now in progress. A short deviation survey is being made on the Picton-Waipara line in the Hurunui Gorge to avoid a slip. A trial-line survey to carry the Ngahere-Blackball line to a point nearer the Blackball mine has been located, and a permanent survey has since been made. A land-plan survey for six miles of the Otago Central Eailway, from 105 m. 40 eh. to 111 m. 40 eh., has been satisfactorily completed by contract. A land-plan survey for six miles and a quarter of the Waipahi-Heriot extension has been satisfactorily finished by contract. A trial survey for the extension of the Catlin's line towards Seaward Bush has been in progress since the middle of January last. Good progress has been made, though the work has been much hindered by wet weather. Nine miles and a half have been surveyed, and a number of trial lines run to determine the best location. Sleepees. Under contracts and agreements for the supply of sleepers, the deliveries during the year ending the 31st March last were as follows: Auckland District—2s,o9s totara, 841 puriri; Taranaki District — 2,800 rimu, 516 matai; Eangitikei District — 12,290. totara ; Wellington, 4,768 ironbark; Nelson District—-500 matai; Westport District—-3,453 yellow or silver pine; Westland District—27,46o silver-pine; Otago District—74s totara, 311 ironbark ; Lyttelton— 254 ironbark. EOADS, BEIDGES, ETC. The road-bridge over the Aorere Eiver at Collingwood has been finished. A contract has been let for the construction of a bridge over Burton Ale Creek on the approach to this bridge, and the construction of approach roads on both sides of the river is in hand. Several small construction contracts on the Westport-Waimangaroa Eoad have been completed, also some other minor works on roads near Westport. A number of reports have been furnished to the Mines Department on roads and tracks. The contract for the erection of a road-bridge over the Kokotahi Eiver just above its junction with the Hokitika Eiver has been finished. The formation of the approaches to the bridge was done by co-operative contracts. A wire footbridge has been built over Moonlight Creek. The pier on the left bank of the Grey Eiver-Taylorville suspension was renewed in ironbark. Some widening was done on the Haupiri Hot Springs track, and similar work on the Ahaura, Haupiri, and Hatters' Terrace tracks. Some renewal works on the Great South Eoad between Waihoa and the Forks were finished, and a considerable amount of work in making good flood-damages. A report was made on damage done to the road between Stillwater and Brunner by a gold-dredger. A number of roads and tracks were inspected and reported on for the Mines Department in the Westland district. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Auckland District. The Government House and grounds have been kept in a state of repair, and all necessary work in the maintenance of the Departmental buildings in Auckland, Thames, Tauranga, and Gisborne, has been done. Courthouses. —ln the Supreme Court, Auckland City, and in the various courthouses in the district, all maintenance-work has been done, and a number of minor improvements and additions made in fittings ; also improvements in internal arrangements, and in the grounds, &c. Gaols. —Considerable progress has been made with the erection of the central wing, Mount Eden Gaol, and the building is now well advanced towards completion A start is being made with the portion of the building intended to provide offices for the staff, &c. A Gaoler's residence has been completed during the year at Mount Eden. Some improvements in the kitchen arrangements have been made at the Whakarewarewa prison, and additions made to the Gaoler's residence at Gisborne. A new concrete wash-house and drying-closet has been built at Auckland Asylum. The old laundry is being converted into a dormitory. The internal painting of the auxiliary asylum has been finished during the year. Mangakawa Sanatorium, Cambridge. —A contract to make alterations in the old building, erect extra rooms for nurses, kitchen-rooms, male and female shelters, and construct a reservoir has been let, and good progress has been made with the works. A glass drying-shed has been .

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