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survey of the Glenhope Section has been made, and the plans sent to the Lands and Survey Office for examination. The preparation of plans of the line as constructed between Kiwi and Tui is in hand. Midland (Canterbury End). —The location of the permanent line from the Cass to the termination of Arthur's Pass Tunnel contract has been completed. This completes the survey of the whole of this line between the east and west coasts. Westport-Inangahua. —Some trial-line surveys have been and are still in hand with a view to determining the merits of several alternative lines which have been suggested in connection with the position of the junction of this line with the Midland Railway between Eeefton and the Lyell. Blenheim-Waipara Railway (North End).- —The permanent survey of this line has been extended from Ward to near the Ure Eiver, a distance of 5 miles. Blenheim-Waipara Railway (South End). —The permanent survey of this line has been extended northwards from Parnassus for about 4 miles. ROADS AND BRIDGES. A considerable amount of work has been done under this head during the past year, as shown by the following table : — New dray-roads constructed .. . . .. .. .. 362 miles. Dray-roads metalled .. .. .. . . .. .. 195 ~ Bridle-roads converted to dray-roads .. . . .. .. 127 ~ New bridle-roads constructed .. .. .. . . .. 202 „ Bridges constructed 20 ft. in length or over .. . . . . 149 Stock-bridges . . .. .. .. . . .. .. 72 Engineering survey made .. .. . . . . .. 445 miles. Dray-roads maintained .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,940 „ Bridle-roads maintained .. .. .. .. .. 1,073 ~ The total expenditure on roads during the last financial year amounted to £310,350. The amount expended during the quarter ended 30th June, 1911, was £93,168. The following works, out of the great mass of the roadwork, are worthy of special mention :— Main Road between Gisborne and Opotiki. —The completion of a dray-road between these places has been carried a short distance north of Motu and for a considerable distance south of Opotiki, leaving a gap of moderate extent, which is being reduced as rapidly as funds will permit. The completion of the Ohura Road, a dray-road which will give access to the back country from Taranaki, is being pushed steadily on, and at the present time has been formed from Stratford to about half through the Tangarakau Gorge, and from the north end to within a short distance of the north end of the same gorge, leaving only a few miles to complete. The main road from the Waikato to Taranaki, via Te Kuiti and Awakino, has been improved for some distance by being metalled, contracts being let for the crushing of the necessary limestone rock. A length of 2 miles of metalling was carried out during the year, and tenders have been invited for the breaking of stone for a further length. Hodges' Bridge, Awanui. —The construction of this bridge is being carried out by the Department. All materials have been obtained. Opouteke River Bridge. —This bridge was finished early in the year. Hamilton Traffic-bridge. —This structure of steel was completed during the year by the Hamilton Borough Council, the work being subsidized by the General Government. Waipu Gorge Bridge. —A contract for the erection of a ferro-concrete bridge over the tributary of the Waipu River has been entered into. Waiwera Bridge. —Extensive repairs to this bridge are being carried out by the Waitemata County Council. Tamaki Bridge. —Extensive repairs to this bridge are being carried out by the Department for the local authority under a pound-for-pound subsidy. Huntly Bridge over the Waikato River. —This bridge is being erected for railway traffic, but a deck is being added to accommodate ordinary road traffic. A contract has been let during the year, and construction is now in hand. Waikato River Bridge at Ngaruawahia. —A survey of a site for this bridge has been completed for the purpose of enabling a separate bridge for road traffic to be erected in lieu of the present combined road and railway structure. Waipa River Bridge. —A site for this bridge has been surveyed, and plans of same prepared. Whakatane Bridge. —This bridge, which is situated on the main road between Whakatane and Rotorua, was completed during the year. It is constructed of reinforced concrete. During its construction it suffered considerable damage through a flood scouring out one or two of the piers. Motu River Bridge. —A new structure to replace the old decayed one has been erected across this river on the road between Motu and Opotiki. Ongarue Bridge, near Taumarunui. —A contract is in hand for the construction of this bridge. Retaruke River. —Two bridges across this river have been erected during the year, one on the Kaitieke Road, the other on the Pukeatua. Manganui-o-te-Ao River. —A bridge over this river on the road between Raetihi and Ohura is under construction. Mangawhero (Raupiu) Bridge. —This structure has been completed. Makakaho Bridge. —This has been completed by the Patea County.

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