D.—l

Design.

1. Electrical Section.—Detail work was carried out in connection with new power-stations at Waikaremoana Lower, Highbank, and Karapiro, and in connection with extensions at existing power-stations. Design work for new buildings, building extensions, new substations, substation extensions, transmission-lines, &c., was carried out as usual. Work for other Departments and in connection with electric supply to aerodromes and military camps was dealt with. Additional fire-fighting and A.E.P. facilities for main stations were designed. 2. Hydraulic Section.—lnvestigation lias been continued on the future resources of the Waikato River. Besides surveys and boring, assistance has been given by the Geological Survey Department in geophysical tests. Observations have been resumed in connection with the Waikaremoana Upper development. Design and supervision of works and the recording of water resources have been carried on continuously. I have, &c., E. T. M. Kissel, B.SC., M.1.E.E., A.M.1.C.E., Chief Electrical Engineer.

APPENDIX E. EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD. The Hon. the Minister of Public Works, Wellington. Sib, — In accordance with requirements of section 24 of the Main Highways Act, 1922, the Main Highways Board has the honour to submit its eighteenth annual report for presentation to Parliament. The report covers the period Ist April, 1941, to 31st March, 1942. General. The only improvement works commenced during the year were those of an essential nature or of military value, and those works in hand which were not considered to be of an urgent nature were stopped immediately they had been brought to a stage where they could be safely left without creating a danger to traffic. With the restricted amount of petrol available to private-car owners the volume of traffic using the roads with this type of vehicle has been greatly reduced, but it is the heavier type of vehicle with its increased loading, and what is very often excessive speed, that causes the greatest damage to our road surfaces. There are many of the latter type of vehicle still operating, and on account of their activities the thickness of road crusts will require to be increased in several areas if we are to avoid heavy reconstruction costs at an early date. Main highways have been generally maintained to a reasonable standard, and at the same time a considerable reduction has been made in the total maintenance charges for the year. The position has now been reached, however, where maintenance expenditure should be increased if we are to avoid a rapid deterioration of highway surfaces. It has always been the policy of the Board to preserve as far as possible the assets which loan and capital funds have created, and even after allowing for existing conditions it would be false economy to now neglect the adequate maintenance of roads that have cost the community many millions of pounds to build up to their present standard. In common with other activities, scarcity of materials, increased costs, and reduction in available man-power are tending to make the Board's operations difficult and expensive to carry out in a satisfactory manner. The Board's anticipated revenue for the coming year is not sufficient to cover the cost of the fixed charges and adequately maintained roads, and unless additional loan-money is forthcoming very heavy expenditure will be required in the future, in order to bring the road surfaces back to their previous high standard. Personal. —The Board sustained a severe loss in the death of Mr. C. J. Talbot on the 26th March, 1942. Mr. Talbot, who was one of the Members representing the New Zealand Counties' Association, had been a member of the Board since the 27th July, 1926, and his knowledge of county administration, coupled with his high sense of justice, made him a most valued member of the Board. It is also with deep regret that the Board has to record the death, on the 7th October, 1941, of Mr. G. C. Godfrey, a foundation member of the Board. Legislation. —New legislation affecting the Board during the past financial year has been National Development Loans Act, 1941: The outstanding balance of all loans raised for the construction of main highways have been transferred to the National Development Loans Account, and shall bear interest at such rate as the Minister of Finance prescribes. This procedure will increase the loan charges against tlie Main Highways Account by quite a considerable sum for the coming year. Motor-vehicles Registration Emergency Regulations 1942 provide for a reduction in the annual fee payable in respect of annual licenses for a private motor-car from £2 to £1 15s. This provision will greatly reduce the Board's revenue. A general description of the year's work as a whole is as follows :— Reconstruction and improvement works have been kept to a minimum, and have comprised practically only the completion of works already in hand and those required for military purposes. The sealing programme has been drastically reduced, and has consisted principally of the renewal of worn surfaces which could not be allowed to deteriorate further. The length of dustless surfacing has been increased by 61 miles, making a total of 3,537 miles, or 28-5 per cent, of the highway system. The previous year's increase was 243 miles,

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