D.—3

2

This line is an extension of the line from Otiria to Okaihau (24 miles 42 chains). It is constructed through the most treacherous piece of country on which railway construction has been undertaken in New Zealand. The major earthworks are nearing completion, and it is thought that the worst slip movements have been overcome. Rails have been laid for 10 miles. The line may be expected to give operating results very similar to the Otiria-Okaihau Section. Dargaville Branch. Final section, Kirikopuni-Dargaville (17 miles 40 chains). £ Estimated capital cost .. .. .. .. 510,000 Total per mile .. .. .. .. 29,143 Expenditure to 30th June, 1930 .. .. .. 377,408 Per Annum. £ Estimated additional revenue .. .. .. 9,000 Estimated additional expenditure .. .. .. 10,170 Estimated loss on operation .. .. .. 1,170 Interest at 5 per cent. .. .. . . .. 25,500 Estimated total loss .. .. . . .. 26,670 This is the uncompleted portion of the Waiotira-Dargaville line, the estimated annual loss on which is £87,000, and will be the connecting-link between the Kaihu Section and the North Island main lines. The Tangowahine Section (Imiles) is practically complete, and goods traffic is being conveyed over it. On the Dargaville Section (7j miles), formation is complete for 5| miles and platelaying for 2 miles. Four bridges have yet to be built.

Napier-Gisborne Railway. Eskdale-Gisborne (120 miles 39 chains).

Per Annum. £ Estimated revenue .. .. .. .. 60,876 Estimated expenditure .. .. .. .. 100,459 Estimated operating loss . . . . . . .. 39,583 Interest at 5 per cent. . . .. . . .. 243,550 Estimated total loss (exclusive of interest on rollingstock) . . . . . . .. .. 283,133 Nine miles of formation have been completed, together with a considerable amount of preliminary work, including tunnels for watercourses, culverts, streamdiversions, camps, and access roads. Traffic Las been carried on the railway between Waikokopu Harbour and Wairoa for the past six years. Work is now proceeding on the Waikokopu Breakwater. The line between Eskdale and Putorino (26f miles) is just about ready for opening. Traffic has been carried over this section for some time past. Between Putorino and Wairoa (33 miles) formation work has been completed for all but 2 miles, which should be finished in about six months. Two large viaducts have yet to be built, one of which (Maungaturanga) will be completed in fifteen months, and the other (Mohaka) about fifteen months later. These works are the chief factor in the completion of the line, which should, therefore, be ready for opening from Putorino to Wairoa in about two years and a half.

Estimated Cost. ... Expenditure Length. — - to 30th June, Total. I Per Mile. | 1930 ' I I M. Ch. £ £ £ Gisborne-Waikokopu .. .. .. 35 40 1,898,000 53,465 535,249 Waikokopu-Wairoa .. .. .. 24 58 635,000 25,683 607,841 Wairoa-E skd ale .. .. .. 60 21 2,338,000 38,797 1,855,814 Total .. .. .. 120 39 4,871,000 40,427 j 2,998,904