D.—l

up by the magnet was 4,7421b., as against 3,7831b., for the previous year. The reduced mileage travelled for the period as against that travelled for the previous year is accounted for by the fact that during part of the year the truck was undergoing repairs. The average yield per mile was 2-28 lb., the corresponding figure for 1937-38 being 0-85 lb. Examination for Foremen and Overseers op Road-construction. Sixty-five candidates presented themselves at the thirteenth examination for Foremen and Overseers of Road-construction held on the Ist November, 1938. Fifty-nine papers on general road construction and maintenance, and twenty-one papers on tar, bituminous, and concrete road-construction were returned. Seventeen candidates were successful in passing Paper No. 1, while eight candidates passed Paper No. 2. Two candidates passed the full examination, and a further six, who had previously secured a partial pass, completed the examination. The fifteen candidates who were successful in one paper only were credited with a partial pass. Certificates of Competency have been awarded to all those candidates who passed or completed the examination, the recipients being Messrs. N. Annabel), F. H. Bedford, H. H. Cherry, F. J. Clark, C. D. Fairweather, W. S. Henderson, H. C. Poison, and R. L. Yarr. Declarations, Revocations, and Adjustments op Main Highways. The usual annual review of main highways was made during the year, recommendations being submitted by District Highways Councils for the declaration of 518 miles of roads as additional main highways and for the revocation of 23 miles of existing main highways. However, in view of the fact that the funds available were fully required for the maintenance and improvement of the existing highways system, the Board was not able to recommend any general increase in the mileage of main highways. Several alterations were effected, these adjustments being found necessary due to changes in local circumstances. The following are the lengths of main highways declared and revoked during the year ended 31st March, 1939, including formal adjustments : — Main Highways declared. No. 1 Highways District— Miles. Oh. Ruawai Wharf . . .. . . .. .. 0 16 No. 2 Highways District- — Te Awamutu - Pirongia - Ngutunui .. .. .. 18 58 Te Awamutu - Cambridge .. .. .. .. ..15 Waitakere Scenic Drive .. .. .. .. 7 29 Cambridge - Roto-o-rangi .. .. .. .. ..28 Mangere Aerodrome .. .. .. .. .. 2 54 Mangere-Otahuhu .. .. .. .. .. .. 174 No. 6 Highways District— Mangatupoto-Ohura .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 40 Morero . . . . .. . . .. .. 0 36 No. 9 Highways District — Pohangina Valley - Apiti .. . . .. .. 0 18 No. 11 Highways District — Murchison - Lewis Pass' .. .. .. .. .. 22 63 Nelson Aerodrome .. . . . . .. .. ..10 No. 12 Highways District— Inangahua Junction - Waiho . . . . .. .. 0 46 No. 13 Highways District— Reefton - Hanmer Junction .. .. .. .. 30 26 No. 14 Highways District— Harewood Aerodrome .. .. .. .. .. 4 25 No. 15 Highways District— Geraldine-Fairlie .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 1 Winchester - Hanging Rock . . . . . . .. ..150 Pleasant Point - Hanging Rock .. . . . . .. 5 37 No. 16 Highways District— Timaru-Queenstown .. .. .. .. .. .. 776 Waipiata Sanatorium .. .. .. .. .. 1 26 No. 17 Highways District — Dunedin - Harrington Point .. .. .. .. ..01 No. 18 Highways District — Invercargill-Bluff .. .. .. .. .. 1 60 Queenstown-Invercargill .. .. .. .. .. 58 57 235 36

150