D.—l

Opua to Black Bridge: Road (Bay of Islands County). —Widening and realignment of this road was commenced as portion of a scheme for improved road access to the Port of Opua. 75 ch. was formed 16 ft. wide, and 1 m. 22 ch. was widened to a .similar width. Punakitere Valley Road (Bay of Islands County). —This road gives access to a large area of only partly developed country and is also a connection from the Mangakahia Valley to the Moerewa Freezing-works. Of the authorized programme covering a length of 10 m. 39 ch., a distance of 2m. 40 ch. has been metalled 9 ft. by 6 in. Four bridges totalling 165 lineal feet will be provided. Dargaville to Pukehuia Road (Hobson County).—This road serves a group of settlers who became isolated as a result of the cessation of a cream-boat service. The 3m. 40 ch. of formation completed last year has now been metalled 9 ft. by 6 in. Two bridges yet need to be erected to complete the whole work. Girls' High School Road (Ilobson County).—2 m. 25 ch. was widened to 16ft. and metalled 9 ft. by 6 in. for the purpose of giving better access to several settlers, and also to provide a through route for cream-collection. Lusk's to Hoyle's Road (Hobson County).—The formation of 1 m. 23 ch. completed during the previous year was metalled 9 ft. by 6 in. The construction of this road saves 11 m. carting to the Waiotira Station for the settlers. Also, a bridge 40 ft. long with a deck 8 ft. wide was erected in rolled-steel joists and mixed Australian hardwood. Omana Main Road (Hobson County). —This is the main road of the Omana Valley, and was previously of tortuous alignment. In continuation of the programme commenced last year a further length of 3 m. was widened to 16 ft. Tikinui to Tangaihi Road (Hobson County).—A further length of 1 m. 16 ch. was metalled 8 ft. by 6 in. This road serves the whole of the Pouto Peninsula, forming the southern extremity of the county, and the metal now extends almost 18 m. south of Dargaville. Wilson's Access Road (Hobson County).—Metalling over a distance of 2m. 41 ch. has been carried out to give all-weather access to a small-farms block near Dargaville. Mansbridge's Road (Hokianga County).—This road, which serves a small-farms settlement, had previously been formed and partly metalled, but in view of the need for further improvements an additional length of 2 m. 16 ch. was surfaced to complete the whole road. Omapere to Waimamaku Road (Hokianga County).—This road was previously an unmetalled road of very poor alignment. In continuation of earlier operations a further 34 ch. was formed 16 ft. wide, and the whole length of 1 m. 30 ch. was metalled 9 ft. by 6 in. Newton's Road (Hokianga County).—A distance of 1 m. 35 ch. was metalled 8 ft. by 6 in. to provide metalled access to four settlers who had been in occupation of their holdings for many years. Ohuri Road (Hokianga County).—The sandstone base metalling previously laid over a distance of 68 ch. was surfaced, and an additional 64 ch. of new metalling was carried out, thus providing four settlers with all-weather access to their properties. Waikerikeri Road (Hokianga County).—This road, which gives access to a group of settlers who have previously contended with unsatisfactory roading conditions, was formed 14 ft. wide over a distance of 1 m. 30 ch. Waima Valley Road (Hokianga County).—This road gives access to three European settlers and a large Native settlement. A length of Im. 30 ch. was formed 20 ft. wide and culverted, while a further distance of 1 in. 75 ch. was formed 16 ft. wide. The new work was considerably damaged by floods, but has since been repaired. Metalling completed during the period covers a distance of 2 m. 60 ch. * Waiotemarama Road (Hokianga County).—l m. 58 ch. was metalled 7 ft. 6 in. wide to provide an all-weather access to eight settlers. Wliirinaki to Taita Road (Hokianga County).—Five settlers now have the benefit of an all-weather access as a result of metalling over a distance of 1 m. 40 ch. on this road. Awanui to Mangonui Road (Mangonui County).—This important road gives a direct connection between two northern townships. It serves many settlers and has five branch roads leading to other settled areas. A distance of 7m. 14 ch. has been formed 18 ft. wide to a modern standard of alignment and 6m. 9 ch. of base-course metal has been placed. The new formation is now in use from Taipa to Awanui, and a general description of the work yet remaining to be completed is re-formation and metalling between Taipa and Mangonui, together with the construction of five bridges. Champion's Road (Mangonui County).—This is a road which was formed a few years ago, and which has now been metalled over a distance of 1 m. 60 ch. to give all-weather access to three settlers. Church Road (Mangonui County).—This route gives a cross connection between Kaitaia and Kaingaroa and serves a large number of settlers. During the period under review a distance of 4 m. 10 ch. was re-formed to a width of 14 ft. and culverted. Kohumaru Road (Mangonui County).—A distance of 2m. 50 ch. was formed 14 ft. wide and 56 ch. metalled 8 ft. by 6 in. Corners were cut back to a width of 16 ft. over a length of Im. 60 ch., the whole work consisting of the re-formation of a section of the road to the standard of the remaining length. Parapara to Taumata Junction Road (Mangonui County).—This road is a cross connection between the Awanui to Mangonui Road and the Kaingaroa to Fairburn's Road, and gives access to a large number of settlers. The authorized programme consists of formation and metalling throughout, and during the period under review a distance of 2 m. 64 ch. was formed 14 ft. wide and culverted. Riley's Road (Mangonui County). —This road which, serves three settlers and eventually will serve eight was formed 14 ft. wide for a length of 2 m. 75 ch. and metalled 8 ft. wide over a distance of 2 m. 13 ch.

39