D.—l.

Taipa Block Access Road (Mangonui County).—Two settlers on Crown sections made representations during the year concerning the poor condition of this road, and as a result it was decided that metalling should be undertaken to improve the position as much as possible. During the year the whole length of 80 ch. was reformed, culverted, and metalled. Takahue to Herekino Road (Mangonui County). —Work commenced in previous years was continued during the period under review, and the remaining section of 40 ch. was metalled. Attention was given, where necessary, to other parts of the road. Te Rore Road (Mangonui County). —This route serves as access for twenty-five settlers, and Im. 70 ch. of reformation and metalling was completed during the year. This will be a great improvement as well as a means of through connection-from the Takahue Valley to the Victoria Valley. Wainui to Lake Tangonge Road (Mangonui County). —60 ch. of this road has been formed and metalled to give access to two settlers. Waipapakauri to Tangoake (Far North) Road (Mangonui County). —This is the main road on the far North Peninsula. The programme commenced in previous years was continued during the period under review, and 13 m. 60 ch. was trimmed and culverted, 3 m. 20 ch. was formed and culverted, and 16 m. 40 ch. was metalled. Although this northern peninsula is sparsely populated just at present, there are reasonable prospects of development, particularly in respect of Native lands, which are being brought under proper cultivation by means of development and consolidation schemes. Beatson's Access Road (Otamatea Comity).—Three dairy-farmers on this road were previously without regular and satisfactory access, but as a result of metalling improvements carried out over 1 m. 40 ch. their position has been greatly improved. Franklin Road (Otamatea County). —This is a loop road serving seven settlers, all of whom are dairying. During the year 2m. 54 ch. of formation was widened and Im. 72 ch. of metal surfacing was carried out. When the programme is completed the new road will be in much better condition to serve its purpose as a circuit route for cream-collection and as access to the interested settlers. Jeff-Rylands Road (Otamatea County). —This route junctions at each end with two other metalled roads to form part of a through connection. In its previous condition it had a poor-quality limestone surface on narrow formation, but as a result of improvements carried out during the year the position has been bettered very considerably. These comprise widening and culverting formation 4m. 12 ch., widening and improving existing surfacing 2 m. 12 ch., and top-course metalling 2 m. 12 ch. Kaiwaka to Oneriri Road (Otamatea County).—The last section of this road, which serves about twenty-five settlers, was surfaced with limestone last year. The first length of 12 m. 20 ch. was in narrow formation along rather bad alignment, and proposals were prepared covering widening and top-course metalling-work. During the year considerable progress was made with the actual improvement work, 3 m. of widening and top-course metalling having been completed. Mangawai Gorge Road (Otamatea County).—Work has been continued on this road during the year, and when the programme has been completed it will confer greatly improved travelling conditions on a very popular tourist road. Some part of the road lies within Whangarei County, and the completed work for the period under review comprises 1 in. 13 ch. of widening and culverting, 7 m. 8 ch. of improvements to base metal, and 8 m. of top-course metalling. Russell's Road (Ruawai), (Otamatea County). —This is another cross-connection between two comparatively important settlement roads in the lower part of the county. The formation was originally of narrow width with soft limestone surfacing, and during the year the whole length of 1 m. 21 ch. has been widened and top-coursed with good-quality crushed metal. Taipuha to Mangaturoto Road (Otamatea County).—Each resident settler on this road has metalled access, but an unmetalled length of 3 m. 25 ch. is of importance as a potential through connection, and although no work has yet been done proposals have been prepared covering the general improvement and metalling of the remaining clay section. Brynderwyn to Waipu Road (Whangarei County).—Work in connection with the construction of a major deviation of the highway in the vicinity of the Waipu Gorge has been pushed ahead vigorously during the year. The primary objects of the programme are the eventual shortening of the highway route between Whangarei and Auckland and the elimination of the present tortuous highway through the Waipu Gorge. These improvements will be very noticeable. During the year formation, with culverting, to highway standard was completed over a distance of 3m. 29 ch., and base-course metal has been laid over the greater part of this length. Tangihua and Codlins Road (Whangarei County).—Further progress was made during the year with the work previously commenced on these roads, a length of 1 m. 60 ch. having been metalled during the period under review. Whareora to Pataua Road (Whangarei County).—Widening of the formation on this road to 16 ft. over a distance of 2 m. 70 ch. and corresponding improvements in the existing metalled surface were completed during the year. The road was previously narrow and dangerous, but as a result of the work which has been done a large number of settlers are now provided with good all-weather access. Matawherohia Road (Whangaroa County). —Reformation work on this road to a minimum width of 16 ft. has been completed for Im. 62 ch. Metalling over a previously formed section of 65 ch. and over new formation of 58 ch. has been carried out, but operations are now suspended on account of wet weather. The road will give all-weather access to a number of settlers who have previously contended with the difficulties consequent on using a clay road in connection with farming activities.

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