D.—l.

Pakihi Roads (Buller County). —The Buller County Council has roading operations in hand to facilitate the subdivision of a large block of pakihi land in the vicinity of Sergeant's Hill. This area is being developed by the Lands Department, with the co-operation and advice of the Cawthron Institute. Formation and metalling has been completed over a length of 64 ch. Big River to Rough River Road (Grey County).—Construction work has been commenced on a length of 3 m. 64 ch., which, in addition to providing better access to farming country, will aflord an alternative route between Blackball and Ikamatua. Brown Grey River Bridge, First Crossing, Upper Grey Valley to Haupiri Road (Grey County).— The Grey County Council let a contract for the construction of this bridge, consisting of two 50 ft. rolled-steel joist spans on timber piers and abutments. This work is a necessary improvement in the access to settlement lands. Brunner-Blackball Road (Grey County).—The formation of the remaining portion of this direct route between Brunner and Blackball has been continued during the year. Work carried out comprises 144 ch. of clearing, 246 ch. of formation, 162 ch. of metalling, 62 ch. of widening, 3 ch. of stone-walling, and the placing of 624 ft. of concrete-pipe culverts. Craigieburn Creek Bridge, Big River to Rough River Road (Grey County). —This bridge, consisting of four 30 ft. rolled-steel joist spans on ironbark piers and abutments, is nearing completion. Matai Road (Grey County).—Several settlers have been inconvenienced over a number of years by the flooding of this road. A programme of improvements was undertaken, and up till the present a length of 37 ch. has been raised 3 ft. OrangipuJcu River Bridge, Kumara to Inchbonnie Road (Grey County).—A bridge 40ft. in length and of two 20 ft. timber spans on reinforced-concrete piers and abutments has been completed by the Grey County Council. Croesus Track (Grey County). —A further length of 2m. has been reconditioned, making a total of 6m. which has now been improved. The track provides access for gold prospectors, and one 25 ft. stringer span bridge was also erected. Jackson's Creek Bridge, Springlands Junction to Hot Springs Road (Inangah.ua County). —The construction of a 45 ft. reinforced-concrete bridge on reinforced-concrete piles and abutments has been completed. Some 9 ch. of approach roading was also undertaken. One-mile Creek Bridge, Springlands Junction to Hot Springs Road (Inangahua County).—This bridge is nearing completion. The design is similar to Jackson's Creek Bridge mentioned above. Mair's Road (Inangahua County).—Work on this settlement road was completed during the year with the formation of 4 ch. and the metalling of 28 ch. A small timber bridge on concrete abutments was also erected. Waiau to Maruia Road via Lewis Pass (Inangahua County) .—This road when completed will connect with the work now being carried out on the Canterbury side of Lewis Pass and will form part of a through road from the West Coast to Canterbury. The work completed during the year comprises 139 ch. of formation, 53 ch. of metalling, and the erection of one temporary bridge. Arahura to Milltown Road (Westland County).—The West-land County Council has cleared 2 m. 5 ch., and has formed 1 m. 65 ch. of 6 ft. track. Dry Creek Bridge, Poerua Settlement Road (Westland County). —This bridge, 100 ft. in length and consisting of four 25 ft. spans in New Zealand timbers, together with 6 ch. of approach roading, has been completed. It is a much-needed improvement in the access to several newly established settlers. Hapulea River Bridge, Okuru (Westland County).—A bridge, of New Zealand timbers, 200 ft. long, and comprising eight 25 ft. stringer spans, has been constructed over the Hapuka River. Main South Road (Westland County).—Fox River Bridge : The construction of this steel suspension bridge, with reinforced-concrete deck and of 360 ft. span between towers, has been commenced. Excavations for tower foundations and anchorages are nearing completion, and a contract has been let for the supply of steelwork. Cook River Bridge: This steel and concrete suspension bridge, of 264 ft. span between towers, is under construction. Shafts have been sunk for tower foundations and a contract has been let for the supply of steelwork. Weheka to Bruce Bay Section : Reconstruction work, formation of deviations, and bridging has been put in hand on this section of the road, which will eventually form part of the main road from the West Coast to Otago. The work carried out includes the clearing of 172 ch. of bush, formation of 43 ch. of new roadway, and 75 ch. of metalling. Plans have been prepared for bridges over the Bullock and Ohinetamatea Streams, and the formation of approaches to these bridges and the protection of riverbanks is well in hand. Surveys are in hand to Bruce Bay, and also between Bruce Bay and Haast. Malfroy's Bridge (Westland County).—Two 60ft. truss spans have been erected to replace those destroyed by a severe flood. The work included the construction of a new ironbark pier. Mananui Road (Westland County).—The formation of 68 ch. of new road, and the metalling of 42 ch., has been completed by the Westland County Council. Christchubch District. Okain's Bay to Little Akaloa Road (Akaroa County). —A length of 80.ch. has been metalled, thus completing all-weather access to the Little Akaloa Valley. Hossack Road (Amuri County). —70 ch. of formation and metalling completed during the year will give good access to a Government leasehold estate, and will eventially facilitate the removal of timber from the Hanmer Plantations by the State Forest Service Department. Lewis Pass Road (Amuri County). —This work has been continued vigorously during the year, an average of 200 men being employed, and the following work has been completed : Metalling (complete) 19 m. 40 ch. ; metalling (base coat only) sm. ; bridges (three), 489 ft. One of these bridges is a permanent one, and the other two are temporary structures, of 333 ft. and 116 ft., over the Hope and Boyle Rivers respectively. Now that the Greymouth end is being worked simultaneously with the Christchurch section, it is expected that this work will be completed before the end of the financial year 1936-37, with the exception of permanent bridges.

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