REPORT OF THE ENGINEER. The following report of the Consulting Engineer to the Board, was read at the meeting held on Tuesday evening last ; — In accordance with your instructions I have the honor to report as follows upon the present state of the Hokitika harbor works, and the probable cost of carrying them out to completion ;— The north training wall is completed to within 200 feet of the point where, accord ing to Sir John Coode's scheme, it was to terminate. The south training wall and breakwater have been completed to a point about 630 feet from their seaward termination, but of the length constructed about 240 feet has been destroyed by flood up to present date, so that the total length yet remaining to be completed ia 870 feet. This south work has also been carried about 270 feet further landward than shown by Sir John Coode, in order to strengthen a weak place in the beach. The groins for North Beach have not yet been constructed, and they very likely can be deferred for a long time, at anyrate if not permanently dispensed with. The training banks, &c, near Wadeson's Island, have not yet been constructed owing to a desire to secure the entrance works first, with the funds available. As to the financial view of the matter,

the outlay, as compared with Sir John Coode's estimates, has been as follows :— North training wall and pier. — Total; Sir John Coode's estimate, £86,750; deduct for length not constructed, £21,367 ; Sir John Coode's estimate for part completed, £65,383 ; actual cost, £19,094; saving on north training wall and pier, £46,289. South training wall and sheeting.— Total Sir John Coode's estimate, £36,550 ; de duct for length incomplete, £31,927 ; total, £4,623 ; Sir John Coode's estimate for part completed, £4623 ; actual cost, £7470 ; loss by floods, £2847. This loss by floods is however subject to a reduction for the value of the timber saved, so net loss would be about £2000 only. As before stated, I do not think the groins on north beach will be necessary, so they might be counted on as a saving but the training banks at Wadeson's island should be carried out when funds permit. 