D.—l.

Tarndale Road (Waikohu County).—The work commenced of previous years was continued during the period. 3m. 9 ch. of new formation was completed, 20 ch. was metalled, and 548 lineal feet of culverts were installed. This new road will give proper access to a large tract of grazing country which previously could be reached only by way of river-bed access involving a number of dangerous fords. Wharekopae to Tahora Road (Waikohu County). —This is a backblocks road giving access to two large stations and other areas of fair-quality grazing land. It is also a through route for stock travelling between Poverty Bay and the Bay of Plenty. During the period under review improvements comprising 2 m, 4 ch. of reformation and 1 m. 60 ch. of metalling were completed. Taumarunui District. Waiouru to Tokaanu Road (East Taupo County). —This is a direct road from Waiouru to Tokaanu, passing on the eastern side of the mountains Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe, and is now undergoing complete reconstruction with general improvements and metalling. During the period under review 10 m. of first-class formation, 10 m. of second-class surfacing, and 80 culverts totalling 2,000 lineal feet in length were completed. Erua Road (Kaitieke County).—Another section of this backblocks road was metalled during the year to give all-weather access to a number of settlers, the completed work comprising 3 m. of secondclass surfacing. Kouturoa Road East (Kaitieke County).—A length of 4 m. of metalling was carried out on this road to give access to timber-mills and to several back-country settlers. Hauturu North and Kihi Roads (Kawhia County). —With a view to giving all-weather access to a number of settlers who had been developing their properties under great difficulties for several years a programme of improvements was commenced on these roads. During the period 70 ch. of formation and 3 m. 70 ch. of surfacing was carried out. Taumatatotata West Road (Kawhia County). —This road had been in indifferent condition for many years, but in view of the necessity of giving all-weather access to five resident settlers it was decided to commence metalling improvements, and during the period 3 m. of work of this description was completed. Tongaporutu to Mangaroa Road (Ohura County).—This is the eastern end of a road leading through to the West Coast at Tongaporutu, the whole of which is being reconstructed and metalled as a necessary through connection. During the year 2m. of formation, 2m. of surfacing, and 81 lineal feet of culverting was completed. Waitaanga North Road (Ohura County).—This is a settlement road giving access to four settlers. During the year 2 m. 24 ch. of metalling was completed to give all-weather access. Taumarunui to Tokaanu Road (Taumarunui County). —This is one of the Department's major works, and when completed will give direct access between Taumarunui and Tokaanu on the southern shore of Lake Taupo. It opens up new areas of heavily timbered country and will give access to large tracts of Native land capable of profitable development. Work was in hand during the previous period, and that completed during the year under review comprises 3 m. of first-class formation, 5 m. of surfacing, and 1,500 lineal feet of culverting. Weston's Culvert (Taumarunui County).—As a result of the collapse of an old timber bridge it was necessary to consider the construction of a reinforced-arch culvert 50 ft. in length, 12 ft. wide, and 12 ft. high. The work was completed. Kaitaringa Road (Waitomo County). —This road has been improved to give access to a smallfarms scheme. The work carried out during the period under review comprises 3m. 30 ch. of formation, 4 m. of surfacing, and 420 lineal feet of culverting. Taumatamaire Road (Waitomo County).—This road gives access to a large area of occupied land to the north-west of the Awakino Gorge. In order to improve the position of the several settlers a commencement was made with reformation and metalling, and during the period 3 m. of formation improvements and 1 m. of metalling was completed. Waitomo Valley Road (Waitomo County). —Improvements were commenced on this road with a view to giving all-weather access to settlers who had contended for many years with difficulties arising from the use of a clay road. During the period under review a distance of 2m. 60 ch. of reformation and surfacing was completed. Stratford District. Okau-Tongaporutu-Mangaroa Road (Clifton County). —Work has been continued during the year on the reformation and metalling of this road, which gives access to a considerable area of settled country in Clifton County and then continues over the boundary to give an access connection through Ohura County to the King-country. In view of the general roading and traffic development it was considered that a direct all-weather connection between the two districts should be made, and in furtherance of the programme authorized some time ago an additional length of 3 m. 8 ch. was metalled during the period under review. Uruti to Ngatoto Road (Clifton County).-—This is a settlement road running up into the hinterland of the county and is being metalled by means of grants made in the annual estimates. During the period 50 ch. was formed, 41 ch. was metalled, and 186 lineal feet of culverts were installed in continuation of the work commenced during previous years. Parihaka Road (Egmont County). —This road was one of the few remaining unmetalled roads in the county, and with a view to improving the position in accordance with the land-development which has taken place a grant was made to form a small additional length and to metal the whole road. The work completed during the year comprises 22 ch. of formation and 2 m. 72 ch. of metalling. Makino Road (Patea County). —This route, although maintained comparatively well as a clay road, did not give the regularity of access which is so important to-day in connection with farming

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