D.—l.

Taupiri-Morrinsville via Tauhei :— Waikato County : A contract was let for the reconstruction, metalling, and two-coat sealing of 2 m. 75 ch., and formation is in progress. The reconstruction of Crockett's Bridge over the Tauhei Stream is in hand. The elimination of the level crossing at Taupiri is being carried out by the erection of an overbridge of two 32 ft. and two 22 ft. spans. Hobsonville Highway. —Reconstruction and metalling were carried out near the aerodrome. Horotiu - Whatawhata - Te Rore : — Waipa County : A contract was let for the second-coat sealing of 14 ch. near the Whatawhata Post-office, and 8 ch. at Te Kowhai School was sealed in two coats. Raglan County : A contract was let for the construction of a five-span concrete bridge over the Kaniwhaniwha Stream, and the work is well in hand. Coromandel Wharf Highway.—The whole length, 70 ch., was primed and sealed. Buckland's Beach Highway.—Manukau County : The sealing of 2m. 60 ch. was carried out. Carruth Highway. —Papatoetoe Town District: The full length of 31 ch. has been sealed. Hamihon-Tauhei via Gordonton. —Waikato County : The reconstruction and sealing of 40 ch. is in hand, and a tender has been received for reconstruction and metalling of a further 3 m. 30 ch. Paeroa-Whakatane (No. 3 District) Three deviations near Kaituna were completed and metalled, cutting out bad corners and a flood area, and, in addition, 7 m. of shoulders were widened and sealed between Tauranga and Papamoa. In the vicinity of Matata and Otamarakau, 3J m. was realigned and formed 26 ft. wide. Hamilton-Rotorua (No. 3 District). —55 ch. of sealing was carried out on the approaches to the Tarukenga Overbridge. Rotorua-Whalcatane. —The Western Drain Bridge was completed. During the year 3| m. of heavy construction was carried out on the Rotoma Hill. Whakatane-Gisborne via Waioeka (No. 3 District) .-— Safety-fencing was erected in the Waimana Gorge, and stone-walling for the same purpose in the Waioeka Gorge. In the latter gorge many open water-courses were replaced by culverts. The Upper Opato Bridge, Mill Stream Bridge, and Clayton's Bridge were completed, and the construction of Grahame's Bridge is well in hand. Rotoruar-Taupo.—A further 4| m. of two-coat sealing was completed near Waiotapu, and 2 m. of reconstruction near the Huka Falls. Waitoa-Taupo (No. 3 District). — 4|-m. of formation, metalling, and sealing were completed south from the Matamata County boundary. Matamata-Tauranga (No. 3 District). —Kaimai Hills: Extensive work has been carried out on this section, 3 m. 30 ch. of formation, 2 m. of metalling, and a twin culvert, two 7 ft. by 7 ft. by 90 ft. long, being completed. Te Ngae - Paengaroa.—2-| m. of two-coat sealing was completed adjacent to Paengaroa. Opotiki-Te Araroa (No. 3 District) :—• 3| m. of reconstruction and metalling were carried out, and the eastern approach to the Raukokore Bridge, 2m. in length, was also completed and metalled. The construction of the bridge has been commenced. This highway suffered severely on two occasions from heavy floods, portion of the Kereu lowlevel bridge being washed out. Papamoa - Mount Maunganui. —The reconstruction of the Mount Maunganui Town District section of 2 m. 5 ch., in preparation for sealing, is in progress. Whakatane-Gisborne via Waioeka (No. 4 District) : — Kaiteratahi Bridge : The construction of the new bridge has been commenced. Widening 28-5 m. to 31 m. : 34 ch. of widening and metalling were completed. Puha Level Crossings Nos. 78 and 79 were eliminated by a deviation 39 ch. in length. Waikohu Crossing No. 81 : A concrete bridge, 200 ft. long with 20 ft. roadway, over the Waihuka River was erected, and work on the Waikohu Bridge commenced. These two bridges are located on a deviation 1 m. 27 ch. in length, which will eliminate level crossing No. 81 and the unsatisfactory Waikohu suspension bridge. Gisborne - Te Araroa : — Reconstruction and Sealing, 6m. to 12 m. : 3m. of formation and Im. 20 ch. of metalling and one-coat sealing have been completed. Turehau Bridge : This concrete bridge, 180 ft. long with a 24 ft. roadway, was completed. 12-5 m. to 14 m. : The four deviations on this section were sealed in one coat, the total length being 42 ch. Uawa River Bridge : A concrete bridge of ten 50 ft. spans, with a 22 ft. roadway and a 4 ft. footway, was completed. A contract was let for the approaches. Widening 43 m. to 43-3 m. : 12 ch. was completed and the spoil used in the approaches to the proposed new Raponga Bridge at 43-75 m. This eliminates a dangerous corner. Sherwood Hale's Bridge at 62-4 m. : The erection of this bridge is in hand. Mangakino Deviation : Tenders have been called for this work, which will eliminate the present route via the Mangakino River bed. Reconstruction at 109-5 m. : 10 ch. of widening was carried out on the Hospital Hill.

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