D.—l

144

Te Ngae - Paengaroa. —Between Te Ngae and Waiwhakaretu a considerable amount of improve ment work has been carried out. Gisborne-Wairoa, via Hangaroa (No. 4 District). —The chief work on this highway during the year was the construction of a deviation of the Tiniroto Hill. The grades on the old road were as steep as 1 in 6, and the road climbed to a height of 300 ft. more than necessary. The new deviation has much improved alignment and a maximum grade of lin 14. Altogether 9m. 60 eh. of re-formation was carried out and 3 m. 52 eh. of metalling finished. Gisborne-Opotiki, via Motu. —4 m. 54 eh. was re-formed, and 4m. metalled. Two level crossings were eliminated. Gisborne-Opotiki, via the Coast. —Altogether 7 m. of gravelling and 1| m. of formation were carried out during the year. Two and a half years ago motor traffic could proceed only 11J m. north of Gisborne in winter, whereas it is now possible all the year round to reach a point 87 m. north of Gisborne in a little over three hours' running-time. Gisborne-Wairoa, via Morere. —A length of 4 m. 66 eh. was reconstructed in bituminous macadam. Napier Gisborne, via Wairoa. —Napier Borough Section -Te Ngaru Crossing: 2m. of bituminous surface treatment was completed on the Westshore embankment and a further 25 eh. of similar work was carried out in the Petane Township. Wairoa-Gisborne, via Hangaroa (No. 5 District). —Horseshoe Bend Deviation: This deviation wa.s almost completed during the year. Sunken Bridge Culvert : This culvert and filling were also completed. Moßae's Bridge Deviation : This bridge and deviation were also completed. Petane-Taupo. —A few miles south of Taupo a section of pumice road, nearly half a mile in length, was treated with asphaltic road-oil for experimental purposes. Napier-Wellington, via Wairarapa (No. 5 District). —Hawke's Bay County Section : At Waitangi washout a length of 60 eh. was surface-treated with bitumen. The formation of the Pakipaki deviation, 1 m. 14 eh. in length, was completed. Waipawa-Waipukurau : The bituminous surfacing of the remaining 2 m. between Waipawa and Waipukurau was completed. The metalling of the Corkscrew Gully deviation was carried out. Dannevirke County Section : 3J m. of first-coat sealing-work and 4m. of second-coat sealing-work were carried out during the year. Whakaruatapu Deviation and Bridge : The formation work on this deviation has been completed. The construction of the steel bridge, 170 ft. long and 70 ft. in height, is under way. Mangatewai-iti Deviation : This deviation, approximately 43 eh. in length, is almost completed. The grade was improved from 1 in 10 to 1 in 15. Matahiwi Hill Deviation : This deviation, the object of which is to eliminate two level crossings, has been completely formed, and metalling is in hand. Piripiri Overbridge,: The construction of this overbridge to eliminate a dangerous level crossing is in hand. Woodville County Seotion : 2 m. 70 eh. of first-coat sealing-work has been carried out between Oringi Station and Corby Settlement roads. Dannevirke-Waipukurau, via Porangahau. —Mangamaire Bridge : This bridge, consisting of three 40 ft. spans, and its approaches have been completed. Napier-Tukituki, via Omahu. —Hawke's Bay County Section: 3m. of sealing-work was carried out between Napier and Taradale, and 1 m. from Hastings Borough boundary towards Omahu. The Waimarama Deviation was completely formed, and metalled and is now open to traffic. Taradale Town Board Section : The whole of this seotion of highway has now been surface-treated. Taradale-Rissington. —Taradale Town Board Section : A length of 24 eh. of this section has been sealed with one coat. Woodville-Palmerston North. —Woodville County Section —Bridge at om. 32 eh.: This bridge, consisting of one 60 ft. span and one 40 ft. span placed alongside each other, has been completed and opened, to traffic. Manawatu Gorge Section : 2m. of first-coat sealing-work was completed at the end of the financial year, and the surfa.ee treatment of the remainder of the section is in hand. Kawhia- Junction Auckland - Wellington Road, via Kawa. —Kawhia - Oparau River Bridge: The metalling of the unsurfaced gap of this section, 62 eh. in length, has been completed. A concrete arch, culvert and a creek-diversion have also been constructed. County Boundary - Waipa River Bridge: sm. 30 eh. of formation and a similar length of gravelling have been completed. Waitomo Caves-Lemon Point. —The widening and metalling of a bluff, 3ch. in length, near the county boundary has been completed. Te Kuiti - Bulls, via Taumarunui (No. 6 District.) —Kurakura Deviation : The whole of the formation work on this deviation has now been completed, and 40 eh. of bottom-course metalling has also been carried out. Bingham's Bridge : This bridge is under construction, and the formation of the approaches is in hand. Hiwi Road :3m. 14 eh. of formation work has been carried out; 3m. 5 eh. of gravelling has also been completed. Taumarunui-Raurimu : 59 eh. of this road has been formed in the vicinity of Oio. Raurimu - Kaitieke County Boundary : 2 m. 66 eh. of formation and metalling has been completed, and three bridges constructed. Piopio-Tatu. —Waitewhena Road : 1 m. 9 eh. of gravelling has been completed on this road. Stratfard-Taumarunui.—'PiiTpa.Tata, Saddle - Ohura County Boundary : 2 m. 36 eh. of gravelling has been completed, making a continuous section of metal from Tatu to Tokirima Hill.