C.—3.

One new 30-ft.-span bridge was erected on the Puketi State Forest Road, and plans were completed and preparatory work done for two bridges in the Rotorua Conservancy to demonstrate the value of creosoted pine timber for this purpose. Features of the design are the use of round timbers (to facilitate creosoting) for the principal members and of laminated construction for decking purposes. Section C.—Other Transport Facilities. 55. Alterations and additions have been made by the New Zealand Railways to the station-yard at Rotorua, facilitating the handling of forest products outwards from Rotorua, and of creosote and stores inwards for use at the Waipa Mill. The only outstanding deficiency is the provision of adequate covered storage and loadingfacilities, which are essential to the safe and efficient handling of seasoned and kilndried products in the form either of timber or box-shooks. The extension of the Rotorua Railway to Reporoa becomes of ever-increasing importance. Without this extension, no proper development of the forest resources of the Kaingaroa and Waiotapu Forests is feasible, and it is hoped that the necessary construction will form an urgent post-war rehabilitation project. In the Kaingaroa district one regular and several emergency landing-grounds have been located by the aeronautical staff of the Public Works Department for use by aeroplanes engaged on surveying and fire-protection activities. Section D. —Buildings. 56. In order that all existing residences and buildings belonging to the State Forest Service shall be maintained in a good state of repair and made to conform with modern standards of living, a number of dwellings have been renovated and brought up to date with modern amenities such as hot-water services, sewerage, &c. Some of the older buildings are reaching the state where replacement is economically advisable. With regard to new buildings, much careful thought and planning have been given to the question of providing Service field employees with a better type of residence than has hitherto been supplied. Several reasons have dictated this course —e.g., to quote only two, more stable and permanent works than formerly, and difficulty in retaining married men when competitive industry of a similar nature without and even within the Government Service offers better housing accommodation. Although the State exotic forest establishment period was spread over several decades, the work was seasonal, being mainly in the winter months, and the Service had not the same responsibility for housing its workmen as now, when the forests are either on a maintenance basis with a permanent staff or are being actively utilized also with a permanent but much larger staff of employees—in a word, changing conditions demand improved accommodation, and the Service is dealing with the problem and remedying the position as rapidly as possible. Some relief in the accommodation for married men has indeed been afforded by grouping one, and two-men hutments, but obviously this method has its limits and is at best a makeshift to tide over in the meantime. A building experiment featuring the use of State-grown exotic timber has been carried out by building three new houses at the Waipa Mill village. In these houses an effort has been made to provide the normal amenities of the modern town dwelling in a minimum area—viz., modern sanitation, drainage, &c, and electric light. These were the only new houses erected. Additional buildings at the Waipa Mill include an office, hostel, workshop, and garage. The hostel provides accommodation for sufficient single men to ensure prompt assistance in a fire emergency at the adjacent plant. Section E.—Water-supply and Drainage. 57. There is little to report under this head ; existing plant equipment has been maintained, and renewed where necessary. Increased supplies of water are urgently required at headquarters at Kaingaroa, Waiotapu, and Rotoehu Forests to provide improved domestic facilities for drainage and sanitation. An alternative flood emergency supply is necessary for Waipa Mill. It is hoped to give attention to these matters during the current year, and in the meantime to sink wells at Kaingaroa to supplement the present supply. Elsewhere, and particularly in the Rotorua Region, satisfactory drainage and modern sewerage systems have been installed wherever practicable.

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