D.—l.

Satisfactory progress lias been made with the programme for eliminating several railway-crossing on main highways in this district. Improvements on the main highway from Reefton towards Lewis Pass have progressed, but owing to severe flood damage on this road the construction organization has been engaged on the necessary repairs. A deviation has been commenced at Ross in order to improve the alignment of the State highway, and the widening of the narrow section through Hari Hari has been practically completed in readiness for metalling. On the Christchurch - Kumara Junction State highway heavy flood damage occurred, including a large slip in the Otira Gorge. Canterbury District. In the northern portion of this district the arterial highway adjacent to the South Island Main Trunk railway, now under construction, has been improved in conjunction with the railway operations, especially where the road is affected to some extent by the railway work. General improvement work has also been in progress on other parts of the State highway in Waipara and Cheviot Counties. On the inland route between Kaikoura and Waipara the Conway River Bridge has been completed and a commencement made with the Weka Pass Deviation. On the State highway from Christchurch to the West Coast district sealing has been extended, and the widening of the Porter's Pass section has been in hand. Progress has also been made with the bridging of a number of waterways on this route where open crossings have caused interruptions and delays to traffic after heavy rain. The Summit highway along the Port Hills from Evans Pass to Dyer's Pass has been sealed. Further work has been carried out on the construction of retaining-walls between Evans Pass and Lyttelton, while general widening has been in progress on the Lyttelton - Governor's Bay section. Sealing has been extended on the Christchurch-Akaroa main highway, and further reconstruction has been in hand in preparation for continuing the paving in due course. Satisfactory progress has been made with the construction of the Rangitata Deviation, including the erection of the bridge over the north branch-of the Rangitata River. In the last report it was stated that a contract had been let for building a traffic bridge, approximately 6,000 ft. long across the Rakaia River, and during the past year very satisfactory progress has been made. It is anticipated that by the end of the current year the new structure will be practically completed. Except for bridging in hand, the reconstruction and sealing of the arterial highway in the Waimate County has been completed. Also on the State highway from Timaru to Eairlie reconstruction and paving has been extended. Further bridging has been carried out on the Pukaki-Hermitage main highway. Dunedin District. The dustless paving of unsealed sections between Oamaru and Dunedin has been completed, and progress has been made with the extension of similar work in other parts of the district. South of Dunedin reconstruction of the State highway towards Invercargill was continued and dustless surfacing placed on a further length beyond Milton. On the Milton-Queenstown State highway widening and general realignment have been continued on the Manuka Gorge section. The improvement and sealing of the length through the Cromwell Gorge have been completed, and the construction organization has been transferred to the Kawarau Gorge for widening that portion. Improvements have also been in progress on the Lindis-Tarras section of State highway. In the immediate vicinity of Dunedin reconstruction has been in hand on the Dunedin-Duke's Road highway and on the Dunedin-Waitati via Leith Valley highway. When completed the latter will provide an alternative route to the north from Dunedin City. The reconstruction and paving of the Green Island - Brighton section have been completed, thus affording much improved access to the seaside resort at Brighton. Progress has also been made with the reconstruction and paving of the Mosgiel-Middlemarch main highway in the.Taieri County. The programme for eliminating level railway-crossings has been well advanced, and a number of bridges have been renewed on main highways throughout this district. Southland District. Satisfactory progress has been made with the reconstruction and general improvement of State highways in this district. On the Dunedin-Gore section construction of the deviation between Pukerau and McNab, to eliminate flooding, has been continued. On the Gore-Invercargill section reconstruction has been advanced sufficiently to enable a priming coat to be laid from Kennington to Dacre, and the paving of this length will be taken in hand during the current year. Reconstruction of the Invercargill-BlufE State highway has been continued, and it is anticipated that a section of this arterial road will be paved during the current year. General improvements and realignment have been in hand on the length between Dipton and Lumsden, on the Invercargill-Queenstown State highway. Construction of the new highway from Te Anau to Milford Sound has been continued, and particulars are given in the detailed progress report. New formation has been extended on both the Milford Sound and Hollyford sections, while the bottom heading of the tunnel through the Homer Saddle has been pushed forward.

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