D.—i.

Mangonui Wharf. —The contract for this work was practically completed during the previous year. The principal work carried out during the current year has been the painting of the wharf shed. The wharf was formally opened by the Hon. the Minister of Public Works in February, 1939. Te Kao Wharf, Parengarenga Harbour. —A wharf in the form of a breastwork 60 ft. long has been completed in the upper reaches of the Te Kao Channel, adjacent to the remote Native settlement of Te Kao. The work included the erection of a wharf shed, 25 ft. by 20 ft., and metalled-road access thereto. Te Kopuru Wharf, Kaipara Harbour. —A contract was let in May, 1939, for the replacement of the present structure, which was in a precarious condition. Waikokopu Harbour. —The control of this harbour has been carried out by the Wairoa Harbour Board on behalf of the Public Works Department. During the year 116 vessels worked the port, and a busy year was experienced, over 8,000 tons of general cargo and 150,000 super feet of timber being brought in, while about 106,000 carcasses of mutton, lamb, pork, &c., and a considerable quantity of general export business, was handled. Maintenance-work only has been carried out during the year. Hides Bay Wharf. —The engineering survey has been completed for the repairing or renewing of the approach to this wharf, and repairs to the actual wharf structure. Plans and estimates are in hand. Homewood Wharf, Pelorus Sound.—The end span on this wharf has been raised, three new piles have been driven, redecking completed, new steps installed, and the wharf generally reconditioned. Wharves in Sounds County. —Surveys have been carried out for wharves at Ship Cove and Te Mehia in Queen Charlotte Sound and at Tennyson Inlet in Pelorus Sound. Plans of Ship Cove and Tennyson Inlet wharves have been approved, and tenders will be invited shortly for the erection of both structures. Karamea Harbour. —Repairs were carried out to the Harbourmaster's residence. Little Wanganui Harbour. —The old wharf has been redecked, and extensions to the wharf, by filling in both tees to provide additional space for stacking timber, are in hand. Okuru Harbour. —The erection of a new wharf-shed is in hand. Jackson's Bay Harbour.—The construction of the wharf 202 ft. long and 16 ft. wide in hardwood, with a trestle approach 400 ft. long, and a launch-landing, were completed. A second-hand mooringbuoy was fixed in the bay. Okarito Harbour.--Further work to open up the new entrance south of the training-wall was carried out, and was sufficiently effective to allow the port to be worked towards the end of the year, for the first time for many years. Bruce Bay. —A survey for a new wharf has been carried out Alcaroa Wharf. —Minor repairs were carried out in consequence of damage done by H.M.S. " Wakakura." Waikawa Slipway.—A slipway for the purpose of providing facilities for the overhaul of fishingvessels in the Waikawa Harbour was erected during the year, and the work was almost completed by March, 1939. Bluff Harbour : Fairchild Rock.—The Bluff Harbour Board co-operated with the Department in placing in position the automatic light and buoy at Fairchild Rock in the Bluff Harbour. Lighthouses. Cape Maria Van Dieman. —The erection of the new landing-crane to replace that damaged by a severe storm in June of last year has been completed, as has also the renewal of the cableway to the mainland, together with a new carrier and cage. Repairs to foundations of the tower were carried out during the period. Arrangements were made for the carrying-out of a survey in connection with the removal of the station to Cape Reinga, and the machinery, switchboard battery, radio-masts, &c., are on hand ready for the installation of the radio beacon and electrification. Cape Brett. —Repairs were carried out to the landing-crane during the year. Cuvier Island.—During the period, operations were commenced in connection with the electrification of the station and the provision of a radio beacon. The construction of the power-house, the installation of duplicate generating-equipment, the erection of two lattice-steel radio-beacon towers, and earth-mats, together with the electrification of the light, laying of cables, and the wiring of dwellings, were completed. The light is now functioning under electric automatic control, but owing to the non-delivery of materials, the installation of the radio-beacon equipment is not, as yet, complete. Twenty chains of access road, with the necessary culverting, were constructed, and the drainage of the residential area and the fencing of the power-house site undertaken. Moko Hinau.—The erection of a power-house in connection with the installation of a radio beacon and the electrification of the station has been completed. The power-winch was moved 50 ft. uphill to facilitate the handling of power-house materials. East Cape.—Repairs to plant at the lighthouse were carried out and an inspection and report made covering the matter of improving the difficult access to this lighthouse round the Pouretua Bluff. Several slips on the track were removed. Matakaoa Point. —An inspection and report have been made on storm damage to the access track leading to the lighthouse, but no repair work has been carried out. Portland Island.—A survey has been carried out with a view to improving tramway and road access from the landing to the lighthouse station. Stephens Island. —The three cottages occupied by the keepers have been cleaned and repainted, and sundry maintenance-work carried out to exteriors. All plumbing-work has been put into good order, baths and basins installed, and overhaul and repairs to drains effected. All interior maintenancework was carried out as required, and the buildings left in good order. The roofs of both the wireless house and signal cabin have been repaired and painted.

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