H.—4o,

F. PETROL CONSUMPTION. The following table shows a classification of the manner in which petrol was consumed in the Dominion during the last eleven calendar years:—

The total gallons are calculated from the quantity of motor-spirits on which petrol-tax was paid. A further tremendous increase in motor-vehicle petrol-consumption took place in 1938 as compared with 1937, the previous peak year, the figures showing an increase of 7,000,000 gallons. Translated into terms of miles travelled by motor-vehicles, it is estimated that the 7,000,000gallon increase in petrol-consumption represents over 100,000,000 more vehicle-miles than were run in the previous year, when it was estimated that motor-vehicles travelled approximately 1,500,000,000 miles. 3. ROADS. A. LIMITATION OF LOADS ON ROADS. Not a great deal of change has taken place in the mileages of classified roads during the year. In most districts the roads have now been classified to carry the maximum loads possible while giving adequate protection to the road-surfaces. The present position in regard to the classification of all rural roads is as follows:—

(1) Classification of all Rural Roads at 31st March, 1939.

(2) Classification of Main Highways (Rural Sections) at 31st March, 1939.

In many districts the main highways only arc classified, thus virtually restricting loads throughout the whole area. Owing to several major alterations in certain main-highway routes during the year the length of classified highways shows a slight reduction pending the classification of the newly declared highways. However, less than 9 per cent, of the rural-highway mileage now remains unclassified.

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Estimated Consumption of Petrol. Calendar Year. By Motor-vehicles Other-i.e Engines, (i.e., Petrol on which Aeroplanes &o. (Petrol all Duty was paid). °n which Refunds of J ' Duty were made). — Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. 1928 41,457,150 2,057,940* 43,515,090* 1929 .. .. .. .. 56,575,840 3,650,040 60,225,880 1930 .. .. .. .. 62,821,479 3,907,900 66,729,379 1931 .. .. .. .. 55,202,983 5,286,000 60,488,983 1932 .. .. .. .. 49,861,976 5,495,479 i 55,357,455 1933 .. .. .. .. 51,293,572 5,400,000 56,693,572 1934 .. .. .. .. 55,991,831 6,100,000 62,091,831 1935 .. .. .. .. 62,807,535 6,483,600 I 69,291,135 1936 .. .. .. .. 72,107,051 6,685,600 78,792,651 1937 82,110,905 7,339,000 ! 89,449,905 1938 .. 89,306,192 7,590,000 I 96,896,192 . I I * Excludes an unknown amount of petrol on which duty was not paid.

FormedRoads. Class Three. | Class Four. Class Five. cla J°^ ion . Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. North Island .. .. 26,539 5,561 8,675 2,464 16,700 South Island .. .. 21,898 6,420 2,24-2 275 8,937 Totals .. .. 48,437 11,981 10,917 2,739 25,637

Highways. Class Three. Class Four. Class Five, elation. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. North Island .. .. 6,496 3,011 3,110 119 6,240 South Island .. .. 5,306 4,385 157 32 4,574 Totals .. .. 11,802 7,396 3,267 151 10,814