D.—l.

The Mohaka Tunnel was completed just after Christmas, a total of 11 ch. being driven and lined during the year. The principal work on the section has been the construction of the viaducts and bridges, all other works being co-ordinated as far as possible to enable these to be carried out progressively, the erection plant and cableways being shifted forward as required. The wind-screen at the Waikare Viaduct, the only work remaining here, has been completed ; but a certain amount of earthquake damage was sustained and will have to be repaired, as the piers and abutment at the south end were badly damaged, though, generally speaking, the structure stood up to the earthquake very well and can still take traffic. The Mohaka Viaduct, at 49 m. 40 ch., which towers 315 ft. above the river-bed, and consists of four 100 ft., three 80 ft., four 50 ft., and one 65 ft. spans, is now in hand, the foundations for the piers being well forward. The river piers, which consist of large concrete caissons sunk under compressed air, presented peculiar difficulties owing to their large size and the depth to which they had to be sunk, but fortunately there were comparatively few floods while the sinking was in progress. Good progress has been made with the land piers, and all foundations should be completed in three months. The steelwork for this viaduct is being fabricated in the Department's workshop at Tauranga, and is well in hand. The Maungaturanga Viaduct, at 51 m. 44 ch., consists of five 100 ft. and six 50 ft. spans, with a height of 220 ft. above river-level. All foundations and piers have been completed and the steel towers erected, leaving only the 100 ft. steel spans to complete. A feature of this work has been the construction and operation of the two overhead cableways for the steel erection. These cableways have given great satisfaction, and the method has resulted in quick and efficient work. They will shortly be shifted forward for a similar use at the Mohaka Viaduct. The formation, bridges, &c, on the section between Mohaka Tunnel and Wairoa were pushed on and completed in time to lay the permanent-way and allow the steel for the Maungaturanga Viaduct to be transported by rail. Waihua River Bridge, at 59 m. 31 ch., consisting of one 100 ft., three 50 ft., and two 40 ft. steel spans on concrete piers, is practically completed, all steel being erected during the year. Owing to a large slip blocking the Waihua Tunnel all steel had to be carted to the site by lorries. The only work yet to be done consists of guard-rails, sleepering, refuges, painting, and the general dismantling and clearing-up of staging. Ohinepaka Bridge, at 64 m. 7 ch., consisting of one 40 ft., four 30 ft., and one 25 ft. steel-plate girder spans on pile piers, was completed during the year. Ohinepaka Bridge, at 64 m. 47 ch., consisting of five 30 ft. plate-girder spans on pile piers, was also completed. Hurumua Bridge (65 m. 46 ch.), consisting of three 30 ft. and two 25 ft. plate-girder spans on pile piers was completed, except for full sleepering and spacing bars. Wairoa River Bridge, at 68 m. 59 ch., consisting of four 105 ft. steel truss spans and two 15 ft. plate girders on concrete piers with deep cylinder foundations, is now complete except for the placing of guard-rails at end spans. It is at present in use as a road-bridge pending the construction of the new bridge at Wairoa Township. Fourteen culverts have been completed over the section, and fencing has been practically completed throughout. On the southern end platelaying has been carried forward to 41 m. 63 ch., near the southern end of the Kotemaori Tunnel, and southwards to 51 m. 60 ch. near the Maungaturanga Viaduct, and a lift or more of ballast has been given to all track. The ballast for the section south of Kotemaori Tunnel is being obtained from Waikoau Pit, and it has been necessary to operate ballast-trains over the open railway to obtain this. Ballast for section north of Maungaturanga Viaduct has been obtained by dredging out of the Wairoa River near the railway-bridge. For the interventing portions ballast may be obtained ■ for probably first and second lifts from shingle deposits handy, and it can be topped oS with Wairoa River shingle after completion of the viaducts. A number of platelayers' cottages constructed of concrete blocks were very severely damaged by the earthquake, demonstrating that this class of construction is not suitable for an earthquake area. The Makomako Sawmill was in operation till the 7th November, when it closed down on account of the bush being cut out. The average number of men on the line during the period was 473. Waikokopu Branch Railway. The line from Wairoa to Waikokopu (24 m. 30 ch. long) has been maintained for traffic, and maintenance gangs have been employed fettling, &c, and attending to the repair of permanent structures. The only construction work has been the erection of cattle-stops at 10 m. 19 ch., two private crossings with four gates and one small bridge.

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