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Residential Accommodation for Regular Surfacemen. Special attention has been given to the improvement of housing accommodation for regular surfacemen on main or State highways controlled directly by the Board. Generally speaking, these employees make their own arrangements in the matter of housing, but in cases where it cannot be obtained convenient to a patrol length, and especially in isolated localities where it is necessary to station a surfaceman for maintenance-work, the Board provides suitable cottage accommodation, for which a reasonable rental is paid. In the past some of the accommodation has not been very satisfactory, largely because hutments from construction works have been used or remodelled. However, several permanent cottages have already been erected to replace accommodation which was found to be below present standards, and action in this direction will be continued until reasonable housing has been supplied. An endeavour has been made to provide facilities which will afford a degree of comfort not enjoyed previously. For example, up-to-date domestic installations are included in accommodation for married employees, and two- or three-roomed bach dwellings are supplied for single employees who are located a considerable distance from the amenities of civilization. In quite a number of cases cottages formerly owned by local authorities when in charge of main highways have been purchased and renovated by the Board, consequent upon these highways having been taken over as part of the State system. Beautification of Highways. Growing public interest is being shown in the beautification of highways, and during the past year several requests have been received from local authorities seeking the Board's permission and co-operation in schemes of this nature. While the Board is sympathetic to the general principle of tree-planting on road reserves adjacent to main highways, the rights and safety of the travelling public are regarded as of paramount importance, and their interests would not, of course, be subordinated to tree-planting schemes. Where, therefore, road safety is likely to be adversely affected or where tree-planting would be likely to interfere with power or telegraph lines the Board does not sanction any scheme. In localities where tree-planting could be undertaken without interference to traffic or detriment to the highway, every consideration will be given to any proposals formulated by interested bodies. In considering the type of trees most suitable for this purpose due regard must be given to those which do not attain any great height, for the reason that tall-growing trees in the passage of time tend to overshadow the road and create undesirable and dangerous conditions. Native trees and shrubs or other plants which on maturity are of medium height, would not, of course, create the same disadvantages as trees. Owing to the varying climatic conditions in the different provinces of the Dominion, the suitability of the various species needs to be considered according to local circumstances. In this connection the Board has requested the co-operation of the State Forest Service in the selection of trees. Care in laying out a scheme of planting is of great importance, as in most places it is necessary to occasionally remove vegetation by mowing or other methods, and the presence of trees and shrubs situated in close proximity to the roadway constitutes a hindrance to the efficient removal of undergrowth. Furthermore, the rights of stock traversing public roads must not be overlooked, and any obstacles to hinder the right of way would be undesirable. In the interests of motor traffic it is preferable for stock to travel as much as possible on the outside of the road-formation. While every consideration will be given to any beautification scheme put forward, the Board cannot at present allocate any of its funds for the planting, maintenance, or trimming of trees on highway reserves by reason of the fact that all available finance is required for actual highways work to meet urgent traffic needs. Advances to Local Authorities. During the past financial year the Board has, in pursuance of the powers conferred upon it by special legislation, continued its policy of advancing to those local authorities, which were unable to raise loans from other sources, their share of the cost of urgent works on main highways. The number of loan agreements entered into last year was twenty-one, covering an amount of £28,801 19s. 3d., as compared with twenty agreements, totalling £29,401 7s. 9d., for the previous year. The total principal outstanding at 31st March, 1938, in respect of past advances was £103,932 7s. Bd. Plant. Local authorities have continued to avail themselves of the facilities provided by the Board to enable them to acquire plant under the hire-purchase system, the purchases for 1937-38 amounting to £36,415, as compared with £15,694 for 1936-37 and £18,090 for 1935-36. Since the inception of this scheme plant to the value of £241,333 has been purchased, of which sum £43,527 remained outstanding at 31st March, 1938. The items purchased during the year under this system were : Graders, 18 ; trucks, 6 ; crushers, 2 ; tractors, 2 ; rotary granulator, 1 ; tractor shovel, 1 ; roller, 1 ; excavator, 1. In addition to the above, the Board purchased the following items of plant for its own use : Motorlorries, 71 ; tractors, 53 ; graders, 44 ; compressors, 16 ; crusher and elevator, 15 ; pump and engine, 14 ; planers, 14 ; sprayers, 9 ; excavators, 7 ; motor-cars, 6 ; scrapers, 6 ; pump and motor, 5 ; roadmarkers, 5 ; pumps, 4 ; mixers, 3 ; rollers, 5 ; trailers, 3 ; crushers, 3 ; hoists, 2 ; mower, 2 ; loader, 2 ; rock-rooter, 1 ; road-sweeper, 1 ; sand-drier, I ; sharpener, 1 ; snow-plough, 1 ; winch, 1 ; oil-engine, 1 ; crusher and pulverizer, 1 ; drill, 1 ; transformer, 1 ; machine hacksaw, 1 ; conveyor, 1 ; generator, 1; road-maintainer, 1.

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