D.—l

The total expenditure on the Midland Eailway last year was £55,468. This year a larger vote will be necessary, and an appropriation of £100,000 is therefore proposed. Westpobt-Inangahua. The first twelve miles of this railway was authorised last year. The survey of the whole line has been in hand for some time, and is nearing completion. It is proposed, as soon as the appropriations for the current year are passed, to commence formation-work at the Westport end, and a vote of £10,000 for the purpose appears on the estimates. Ngahebe-Blackball . The approaches to the Ngahere Bridge sustained some damage during a heavy flood in the Grey Eiver which took place a short time since, but the damage was speedily restored and protection-works constructed. The formation of the railway beyond the bridge is in hand. Last year's expenditure amounted to £7,249, and for the current year a vote of £10,000 is proposed. GtßEYMouth - Point Elizabeth. This railway was completed and handed over to the Eailway Department for regular working on Ist December last. Some supplementary works have since been and are still in hand, but will shortly be completed. The expenditure last year amounted to £11,420, which was charged to the State Coal-mines Account, but transferred at the end of the year, together with the expenditure during previous years on this railway, to the debit of the Public Works Fund, as provided in the Appropriation Act of last session. An expenditure of about £2,500 will be necessary during the current year to complete the work, and a vote for this amount is provided accordingly. Hokitika-Eoss. The combined road and railway bridge over the Hokitika Eiver was finished in October last. A contract for the bridges over the Mahinapua and Fisherman's Creeks has been let, and the latter bridge is now completed and the former well advanced. The formation-works are practically finished for eight miles and a half, and some rail-laying and ballasting have been done. The first section of the railway —viz., to Ogilvie's, abreast of Lake Mahinapua—will probably be available for traffic during the year. Last year's expenditure amounted to £17,174, and for the current year a vote of £20,000 is asked for. Culverden-Eothebham-Hanmeb. This is another of the new lines, a section of which was authorised last session. A survey of the line between Culverden and Hanmer has recently been completed, and the plans are now being prepared, so that we shall be in a position to commence construction-works shortly. A vote of £10,000 is proposed accordingly. Culvebden-Waiau. This projected line would be a branch from the Culverden-Hanmer Eailway. Its construction has not yet been authorised, but, as proposals have been made to provide the whole of the funds required on terms "similar to those approved by Parliament in the case of the Paeroa-Waihi Railway, it is proposed to introduce a Bill to authorise its construction accordingly. Otago Centbal. The earthworks on the section between Omakau and Chatto Creek have been completed, and the laying of the rails is in hand. Earthwork is also finished between Chatto Creek and the second bridge over the Manuherikia Eiver. A contract for the erection of the bridge is let to Messrs. G-. M. Fraser

VII