Heleusville northwards.—'l he Makarau con tract on this railway, three miles six chains in length, is Btill unfinished. The Makarau tun nel was completed in September, 1895, hut some heavy slips having occurred since in the cutting at the north end of the tunnel, which have seri ously delayed the completion of the con tract. The work is, however, still pro ceeding ; the bridgiDg, fencing, plate-lay ing, aud ballasting all being in hand, and it is hoped that the contract may be completed by about Christmas next. The approaching completion of this contract will enable the Tahekeroa section, three mile 3 eighteen chains in length, to be put in hand shortly should Parliament approve of the work being under taken. It is proposed to construct the line on the co-operative principle; and a vote for £3,000 is provided on the Estimates to cover the cost ef completing the Makarau section as well as to go on with this further section. The vote taken last year for this line was £6,000, but owing to the slow progress of the Makarau con tract only £2,896 was expended. Petitions praying for the extension of this railway along the Northern Peninsula as far as Whangarei continue to be presented to Parliament. As stated Jast year, the Government fully recog nise the importance of this railway, and, as an evidence of this, are proposing to vote a sum for it, as above indicated.
