594 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION J. 



metalled throughout nearly the whole of their lengths ; and with 

 the exception of one interval — viz., that of the Hunter, at Aberdeen 

 — are fully bridged. 



THE ROADS AND BRIDGES DEPARTMENT. 



The Roads and Bridges Department was established in January, 

 1861, just after the departure of Captain Martindale to England. 

 Captain Martindale, prior to that date, in addition to the office of 

 Chief Commissioner for Railways, performed the duties of Com- 

 mistioner for Roads and Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs, 

 under the title of Commissioner for Internal Communication, 

 under the direction of the Honorable the Minister for Lands and 

 Works, until the 1st October, 1859, when, in pursuance of a 

 resolution of the Legislative Assembly of 21st September, the 

 Department of Lands and Works was divided, and the Depart- 

 ment of Secretary for Works was created. The most important 

 duty devolving upon the Department of Roads is the selection of 

 the works to be executed, and the appropriation of the expendi- 

 ture of the annual vote. Nearly the same obvious principles have 

 always guided the department, and the means at its disposal have 

 been devoted : — 



1. To the removal of all complete interruptions to traffic, more 

 particularly to mail transit, by bridging the rivers and creeks. 



2. The improvement of all the most difficult mountain passes 

 and swamps. 



3. The final determination of the direction of the roads and 

 the clearing of the same, followed by drainage and culverting 

 where most required. 



4. The foi'ming and metalling of roads, excepting where 

 municipalities exist. 



DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION. 



It being impossible to insist on any one uniform mode of con- 

 struction, the character of the work has been adapted, as far as 

 possible, to the locality, the nature and quantity of available 

 material, and the requirements of the traffic. Of the 27,000 miles 

 of road in charge of the department, it is estimated that about 

 7,000 miles are metalled, 2,()00 are graded mountain passes, and 

 the remainder, for the most part, are cleared and provided with 

 culverts. The total length of iron and timber bridges up to the 

 30th June, 1888, was as follows : — Timber bridges, 32-54 miles ; 

 iron bridges, 3 miles ; timber, masonry, brick and concrete 

 culverts, 21-20 miles. During the last sixteen years fifty-three 

 miles of earthenware culverts have been constructed. Iron 

 culverts constructed with rolled girders and buckled plates from 

 four feet to thirty-five feet clear span are now largely used, and 

 the floor over the buckled plates is filled in with tarred metal 

 The abutments are constructed either of masoniy or concrete. 



