51

IX—l

Makaretu Section {111 m. to 10 J/, m.; length, 7 miles). —Work is in progress on this section, including bushfelling, construction of service-road, and formation-works. The approach-cutting to the longest of the tunnels on the section has been completed. The manufacture of the steel superstructure for all the bridges up to Makatote is now nearly completed; several of the bridges are erected. A contract has just been let to Messrs. J. and A. Anderson, of Christchurch, for the erection, complete, of the Makatote Viaduct. The contract sum is £53,369, and the time for erection two years. A Public Works sawmill has been started at Kakahi. When all the machinery is at work about 9,000 to 10,000 superficial feet per day will be put out. Planing machinery, &c., is to be added shortly. South End. The line up to Taihape was opened for goods traffic on the Ist August, and taken over on the 10th September by the Railway Department; but work on clearing slips, also some minor works, occupied the attention of this Department for some months after that date. There were many very heavy works on this section —about 13 J miles long —including seven tunnels, large banks, and culverts, the Mangaweka Viaduct, and the Toitoi Bridge. The station formation and equipments at Taihape also involved the execution of a large amount of work. A road bridge is being built over the Hautapu River to give better access to the Utiku Station. Paengaroa Section (Jβ m. Iβ eh. to 50 m. 70 eh.; length, 10 miles SO chains). —The first halfmile of this section is included in the section opened. The formation-works up to 49 m. 20 eh. have been completed, including a short tunnel 5| chains long. The platelaying of this finished portion is in hand, and will shortly be finished up to the Mataroa tunnel. The work of enlarging and lining this tunnel is being vigorously carried on, and it is hoped to have it finished before the end of the year. The excavations for the Mataroa Station are practically finished, and only one large bank remains to be completed. The approach-roads to the station-yard have yet to be formed and metalled. Turangarere Section (50 m. 70 eh. to 61m. Iβ eh.; length, 10 miles 50 chains). —The culverts have all been finished, and the earthworks are now well advanced towards completion. As soon as possible double shifts will be started on all necessary remaining earthworks to accelerate the completion of the formation-works on the section. Slips have given trouble on this section, owing to the presence of numerous springs. The concrete abutments and piers for the bridge over the Hautapu River at 51 m. 12 eh. are being built, and work on those for the second bridge will be started soon. A short tunnel near Hautapu Falls is in progress. Waiouru Section (61m,. Iβ eh. to 69 m.; length, 7 miles Jβ chains). —Some culverts have been finished, but not enough to enable all the earthworks on the section to be put in hand. All the heavy cuttings have been started, the work extending up to 66 m. Beyond this point the earthworks on the section are not heavy. An effort will be made to complete all the concrete-work on the section next summer, go that there may be no chance of the earthworks being delayed in completion. A cart service-bridge has been built over the Hautapu near 62 m. 67 eh., and a large cement-shed near the same place. Stone is being quarried and broken, ready for delivery at the various culvert and bridge sites as soon as the ground is firm enough for carting. Only a little over three months were available for carting during the year. The roads did not become practicable for carting until the end of January, and heavy rains set in early in May; work had therefore to be carried on under very adverse conditions. Murimutu Section (69 m. to 82 m. 70 eh.; length, 18 miles 70 chains). —A start has been made with a drive for a culvert at 70 m. 49 eh., and as soon as the roads are open all the heavy works on the section will be put in hand. Near 71 m. a two-roomed cottage has been built for the officers who will be in charge; also a stable, blacksmith shop, store, and a cement-shed. The bushfelling and clearing on the sections beyond Murimutu will be started shortly. All the steelwork for the bridges up to 87 m. is completed. Preparations are being made for starting the works over the whole length of the line next summer. Stratford - Whanoamomona. Oruru Section (6m. 26 eh. to llm. 16 eh.; length, £ miles 70 chains). —The earthworks were completed early in the year, and then the platelaying and ballasting were pushed on. The section was handed over to the Working Railways Department on the Ist March. Euiroa Section (llm. 16 eh. to 15 m. 68 eh.; length, J/, miles 52 chains). —The earthworks on this section have been started, including the summit cutting at 14 m. 15 eh., and fair progress has been made during the time worked. Severe weather has somewhat hindered work. Mount Egmont Branch Railway. The earthworks on this line were started in January last. The works being very light, about 4 miles of formation have been finished, and the bush has been felled for another \\ miles. A considerable amount of work is required in the construction of the junction-station yard, and this is not yet finished. A start has been made with the platelaying. One mile and a half of fencing has been finished and 4 miles of telephone-line erected. Surveys have been made for site for stone-crushing station and for water-power schemes to work the crushing plant. Midland Railway. Tadmor Section (Sim. to /(.I m. 29 eh.; length, 10 miles 29 chains).— The protective works to the approach-banks to the Motueka Bridge have been finished. The line has been finished up to Maniaroa Station ready for traffic. The station is 4m. 55 eh. beyond Motupiko Station. The