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East Coast Main Trunk Railway. —A trial-line survey has been made of a deviation (1 mile 15 chains) between Paeroa and Waihi to bypass the Karangahake Tunnel. The route follows the left bank of the Ohinemuri River on a line which was not available originally because of the presence of mining batteries, pipe-lines, and water-races. Rimutaka Deviation. —During the year the permanent-line plans were completed from Upper Hutt for a length of 10 miles. Field-work on final-line pegging has progressed for a further 2 miles. Precise levelling and triangulation for the long tunnel have been completed by the Lands and Survey Department and permanent bench and line marks have been established at both portals. The permanent-line drawings at the eastern side are in hand, but lack of survey and drafting staff is handicapping progress. On the western side, excavation of the eastern approach to the Maoribank Tunnel, which will be 25 chains in length, has been proceeded with, and it is hoped to complete this formation before winter. The access road from Te Marua to the west portal of this tunnel has been completed. Construction of the workyard service buildings has proceeded throughout the year. Two heavy compressor units have been installed, one of which is operating. Excavation for aggregate plant at the approach cutting of the main tunnel west has been completed, and metalling is under way. Eighteen married quarters have been completed and occupied and nine are nearing completion. Thirty single huts are in the finishing stages. The cookhouse and ablution block are almost complete. A works office has been completed and has been occupied for some months. Sewerage, water-supply, and electrical reticulation were all completed during the year, including the building of an Imhoff tank. At the main tunnel, which will be sm. 37ch. in length, 451 ft. of excavating and timbering have been completed at the western portal and the tunnel lined to a length of 342 ft. Driving has taken place in shingle conglomerate country, but it is expected to reach rock shortly. In Featherston Camp, on the eastern side, nine houses and six flats were completed during the year, making a total of thirty-six married quarters to date. There are now forty-six single huts completed. Following further investigation of the eastern approaches to the main tunnel, it was decided to lower the portal by 25 ft., which meant a cutting of 40,000 cubic yards and a water-drive of 300 ft. over the tunnel. The top heading was completed to a length of 210 ft. to a point past the water-drive. Excavation of the water-drive has been completed and lining is in hand. The approach cutting is almost finished. Plans have been drawn up for the workyard layout and the method of handling aggregate and spoil. Hutt Valley Extension. —The surveying and location of the section from Taita Bridge to Silverstream have been completed, and permanent-line plans are in hand from 13m. to 17m. Line-as-completed plans are also in hand between 10m. and 13m. On the eastern side (Waterloo-Taita Section) 160 chains of fencing have been completed. On the eastern side 1 mile of berms has been levelled, and on the western side 2 miles. Specifications have been prepared and tenders are about to be called for the construction of 44,000 cubic yards of fill between Taita and Pomare Stations. Materials are to be supplied from the Hutt River. Sixteen chains of fill were 65 per cent, complete when work was stopped preparatory to a contract being let. A works office and store at Haywards have been erected and are now in use. The formation of the Taita goods-yard was commenced during the year and is 35 per cent, complete. At 12m. 34-60ch. a 4 ft. by 4 ft. concrete culvert 190 ft. long has been constructed under the railway to carry storm-water from the Taita industrial area.

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