D.—l

30

Gable End Foreland. —An automatic, light, which is on order, will be placed on the nearest available site to the Gable End Foreland. Elmslie Bay Wharf. -A new section of wharf is being constructed, Taiaroa Head. A powerful oxy-acetylene light, which will be visible at about twice the distance as the present lamp, is being installed. Niuepin Beacon. Chetwode Islands. A contract has been let for the steel pedestal of an automatic light which is to be replaced at the inside of the Chetwode Islands on Niuepin Rock. Nelson. Glenhope-Westport-Reefton Road.—A large amount of general maintenance and improvement workwas carried out on I he various sections of the above road. Blenheim. Sounds County Trucks. These tracks have been maintained, and. those of importance are in good repair. Christchurch. ParnasSUS-Kaikowa. This road has been widened at the dangerous points and made safe for I raffic generally. Summit Eoad. A length of about 3 miles has been widened. Dunedin. Gore Protective Works. Extension of the traffic and reinforced-concrete bridges has been completed, and various earthworks carried out. Kaitangata Flood and Protection Works. The reinforced-concrete tidegate was completed, and gates are in position, also the reinforced-concrete bridge over the canal. Greymouth. Cobden Bridge. The work on this bridge is nearing completion. Little Wanganui U> Karamea. Considerable formation-work has been carried out, and a metalling contract for 3-g- miles is in progress. Blue Duck Creek Road. 2 miles 34 chains of formation and metalling have been completed, and a bridge ovei Webb Creek is in course of erection. Westporl-Glenhope Bullcr Road. A deviation has been formed, and various works, including bridges and culverts, carried out. MANGAHAO HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS. The construction-work in connection with the above power scheme is progressing as speedily as possible, and no effort is lacking to prevent any avoidable delay. A commencement was made in May, 1919, with the construction of the access road, which is now formed and metalled for a length of 3 miles 34 chains, to a point whence access will be given to Mangahao tunnel No. 1 and dam by means of an inclined tramway 726 ft. in length and reaching a height of 472 ft. 20 chains of tramway have been laid from Arapeti to the outlet of No. 1 tunnel. To enable the old road to serve the present works 4 miles 60 chains of metal was laid, and considerable improvements effected at corners and narrow parts. Tokomaru Dam : Tests for rock at the foundation have been made, and the results are now beinu investigated. At Mangahao Dam the testing of foundations is in hand. Excavation in connection with the erection of the pipe-line was commenced last month, and good progress is being made. It is anticipated the work will be in such a forward state as to enable tenders for erection of the pipe line to be called in about September next. To house the staff four cottages are under construction, and two are nearly completed. An access road to these cottages has been formed and partly metalled. The delay experienced in obtaining constructional plant has impeded t unnelling-work, and very little progress in this direction can be recorded. A sawmill was erected and commenced cutting in April last, but the difficulty of securing suitable labour prevents the full output being secured. The timber actually cut. however, resulted in a con siderable saving of expenditure. A telephone-line connecting Mangahao and Shannon ten miles in Length has been erected, and proved of considerable assistance. DEFENCE WORKS. Invercargill Rifle Range. The embankment is now nearing completion, and arrangements have been made to obtain si one. for the protection of the seaward slopes of the bank.