D.—l.

Pukekohe-Bombay.—Pukekohe Borough : The central strip, which was left with a macadam surface last year, has now been sealed in bitumen. Howick-Manurewa.—Manukau County Section : Cemetery Bridge having become impassable, a temporary bridge was erected pending reconstruction. Huntly-Rotongaro. Huntly Borough : A length of 7 cli. has been surfaced with bitumen. Ngatea-Waharoa, via Morrinsville. Piako County Section : A contract was let for the bituminous sealing of 1 m. 72 ch., and sealing was carried out immediately south of Tahuna Township. Waitoa-Maukoro.—A 5 ft. by 5 ft. concrete culvert was constructed at the Wliakalioro Road crossing. Massey Road.—l6B ch. of metalling was carried out between No. 1 Main Highway and White Hills School. Gisborne-Whakatane, via Motu (No. 3 Highway District).—Motu - Willow Tree Crossing-Nukuhou— Opotiki County Section —Kukumoa Stream Bridge : A reinforced-concrete bridge 22 ft. long has been erected and 7 ch. of approach road formed and gravelled. Opotiki Borough : Bituminous sealing has been applied to a length of 40 ch. in two coats. W hakatane-Tawr anga.—T auranga County Section—Otamarakau - Paengaroa -Te Puke: A small deviation was constructed near the Pongakawa Railway Station. Te Puke - Tauranga : Bm. was reconstructed and culverted, and Bm. 30 ch. metalled. A contract was let for three-coat bituminous sealing of 9m. 30 ch. Six miles has been completed, and the remainder has received one coat. Kopuroa Stream Bridge : A new bridge, consisting of one 30 ft. steel span on hardwood piles, has been erected. Tauranga-Waihi.—Tauranga County Section : Bituminous sealing : 90 ch. of two-coat work has been carried out through the Katikati Township, and a contract let for sealing 80 ch. of the Judea Hill. Tauranga-Matamata: Tauranga County Section — Tauranga-Ruahihi : 139 ch. of two-coat bituminous sealing has been completed. Whakatane-Rotorua. —Whakatane Borough : 58 ch. of King Street was sealed in two coats. Rotorua County Section —Culverts : Four reinforced-concrete culverts were constructed between 2 m. 20 ch. and 6 m. 70 ch. Waiohewa Stream Bridge : A reinforced-concrete bridge of 24 ft. span was erected over this stream. Te Ngae - Paengaro. le Ngae - Waiwhakaret.u : 108 ft. of stone protection-wall has been constructed along Rotoiti Lake. Waioeka Road. Opotiki Borough : Bituminous sealing in two coats was applied over a length of 10 ch. Papamoa- Mount Maungunui.—66 ch. has been reformed and 26 ch. metalled. Gisborne-Opotiki, via Coast. Cook County Section : Prom 5*4 m. to 6*3 m. 70 ch. of regrading was completed, eliminating a dangerous crossing and approach at the Makarori Creek and a steep descent to the beach at 6-3 m. A bottom course of metal has been laid and the surplus material from the excavation used for widening the formation from 4m. to 7m. On the reconstruction contract between 14 m. and 24 m. 53 ch., 2|- m. of formation was completed, 4 m. 13 ch. of base-course metal laid, and 7m. 53 ch. of bituminous penetration and sealing carried out. The work involved extensive subgrade drainage, some 12,000 ft. of stone and tile drains being laid. 16-3 m. to 17-2 m.: A contract for the formation of 64 ch. on an improved alignment was completed, and a bottom course of shingle laid. Uawa County Section : Tenders were called for the strengthening and bituminous surfacing of 6 m. 23 ch. from 24 m. 57 ch. to 31 m. Waiapu County Section : An 8 ft. by 6 ft. reinforced-concrete culvert has been constructed at 47-5 m. Shepherd s Bridge, at 53 - l m. : A contract for the construction of this bridge is in progress. 97-7 m. to 98-7 m : Contracts for the reforming, culverting, and metalling of 1 m. were completed. Matakaoa County Section: Awatere River Bridge.—This bridge, which consists of three 60ft. plate girder spans and one 35 ft. approach span in concrete, with approaches, has been completed. Gisborne-Wairoa, via Morere (No. 4 Highway District).—Cook County Section: Between 9m. and 10-2 m. the base-course metal on 98 ch. of new formation was completed and the construction of a bituminous penetration surface put in hand. Maraetaha Bridge at 19 m. : The construction of this 100 ft. steel and concrete bridge was carried out. Gisborne-Opotiki, via Motu (No. 4 Highway District). —Cook County Section: The bituminouspenetration surfacing between 7-5 m. and 9 m. has been completed. Rotokautuku-Waiomatatiwi.—Wairoa Stream Bridge : The construction of this 80 ft. steel and concrete bridge, together with 32 ch. of approaches, is nearing completion. Matawai-Koranga.—The 5-mile section of this highway between Matawai and the Waioeka turnoff, which is now a component part of the main Gisborne-Auckland route via Waioeka Road, has been improved in width, alignment, and curvature over a length of 57 ch., and the work is being continued. Napier-Gisborne, via Wairoa (No. 5 Highway District) .—The restoration of the damage to this and other main highways caused by the earthquake of the 3rd February, 1931, has been continued. Hawke's Bay County Section : The damaged bridge over the Petane Stream was replaced by a 4 ft. reinforced-concrete culvert. The timber bridge over the Esk River was reinstated by the erection of new concrete piers and abutment-walls with steel and concrete superstructure. Widening is being carried out between Te Ngaru Crossing and Tutira Homestead gate. Wairoa River Bridge : A new concrete and steel bridge to replace the old bridge wrecked by the earthquake is in course of construction. At the end of the year pile-driving was well towards completion, and the placing of concrete casings and the building-up of piers was in hand. A vehicular ferry surface was put into operation to convey traffic across the river. (This bridge has since been very seriously damaged by the earthquake of the 16th September, 1932.)

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