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Between Kohatu and Korere, on the Nelson-Westport highway, If miles are being reconstructed the work including the elimination of two open fords by large culverts. Widening and improvements to grade and location were continued on the Hope Saddle-Eight Mile length, 3| miles being accounted for. Sealing is being carried out in the Murchison Township, and retaining-walls erected to widen points in the Buller Gorge. Reconstruction between Kawatiri and Owen Junction is in hand. Over 10 miles of protective fencing has been erected on this and the other State highways in this district. On the County highways considerable progress has been made, including the reconstruction for sealing of 2 miles on the Spring Creek - Raranga, 1| miles on each of the Picton-Havelock and Blenheim Aerodrome, and 1 mile on the Renwicktown-Hope Junction highway, the sealing-coat having been applied on the latter. The 210 ft. Hodder River suspension bridge was completed and the 250 ft. Taylor River Bridge is in hand. Grey mouth District. On the Nelson-Westport State highway widening and improvements have been continued on the Buller Gorge section, and also on the Pakihi section near Westport. At Inangahua Junction a length of 1 mile has been sealed, also two short lengths through the railway-construction camps at Tiroroa and Blackwater. On the Inangahua-Greymouth State highway improvements were continued northwards from Greymouth to Ahaura. This work involves several important deviations to eliminate narrow and tortuous descents into gullies, two of which have been completed. Formation on the deviation at Nelson Creek, which will reduce the distance between Greymouth and Reefton by 1 mile, is nearing completion, and the construction of a 200 ft. bridge over Nelson Creek is in hand. At Callaghan's, formation is well in hand, and a contract has been let for a 60 ft. bridge over the Creek. The improvements between Stillwater and Ngahere were completed during the year, and the length prepared for sealing. Sealing was completed over 2 miles through the Ikamatua Settlement, between the school and the Big Grey Bridge, 29 chains through Ahaura, and two shorter lengths farther south. One mile of protective fencing was erected. On the Greymouth-Weheka State highway improvements have been continued southwards from Hokitika, and work is in hand on a length of 7-|- miles south of the Kanieri Bridge. Of this length, 5J miles of formation have been completed, and 1 mile 6 chains sealed. Further improvements have been carried out near the Kokatahi Track north of Ross ; a 70-chain deviation has been completed in Ross Borough, to eliminate the steep and narrow road over Mont d'Or Hill; 2J miles through Hari Hari have been widened; and a deviation is under construction near Wataroa, where the highway is threatened with erosion by the Wataroa River. The 51-cha/in South Beach Deviation, Greymouth, which eliminates two level railway-crossings, was sealed ; and a deviation, including a 40 ft. bridge over the Nelson Creek and an overbridge, to eliminate a railway-crossing of bad visibility, is well in hand. The overbridge at Kaihinu was completed, the approaches sealed, and the approaches to the New River Bridge were also sealed. Near Weheka a bridge of two 50 ft. spans, with approaches and protective works, has been constructed over the Hare Mare Stream, disposing of the last remaining bad ford on this highway. On the Arthur's Pass- Kumara Junction highway the year's work has been principally connected with bridging. A bridge of six 44 ft. spans was erected over Rough Creek in Arthur's Pass Township, two large culverts with improved approaches were constructed at O'Neill's and Nelly's Creeks, and a further culvert is in hand. Between Kumara and Kumara Junction 3|- miles were sealed. Widening and regrading have been carried out on several lengths between Westport and Ngakawau. A 30 ft. bridge over Kiwi Creek was erected and the construction of a 360 ft. bridge at Ngakawau in place of the combined bridge is in hand. The approaches to the Waimangaroa Overbridge were completed, and a 1 mile deviation between Waimangaroa and Birchfield to eliminate two crossings was completed. The formation of a deviation at Kongahu, to remove the highway from damage by foreshore erosion, was completed. On the Westport-Creymouth coast highway widening and straightening have been continued between Charleston and Punakaiki. At Barrytown considerable trouble has been experienced as a result of continued beach-erosion, and the rock-facing has proved insufficient to protect the highway. Plans have been prepared for a 2J-mile deviation inland from the beach. Between Greymouth and Runanga, the Camp overbridge and approaches have been completed, the Cobden overbridge has also been completed and opened for traffic, while the approaches, which are in use, are nearing completion. The highway from this overbridge to Runanga has been sealed for a length of 3J miles. Between Reefton and Maruia heavy floods in April practically destroyed the highway over a length of 10 miles. Restoration work occupied several months, and improvements have been continued, nearly 12 miles being completed except for top-course metalling. Three bridges are under construction, a water-drive has been completed, and a considerable amount of protective work carried out. The Westland County Council has sealed a total length of 2|- miles on secondary highways.

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