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Wellington Water-supply. —Progress on this most important scheme has been hampered by the lack of technical staff and skilled labour. Survey work has continued slowly, and a limited amount of testing of construction materials has been possible. A technical Committee, consisting of officers of the Wellington City Council and Public Works Department, has been set up to co-ordinate and decide upon technical matters relating to the execution of the work. At Kaitoke a camp to accommodate one hundred men has been erected, and part of the Trentham Military Camp has been taken over as central headquarters for the job. A two-mile access road has been constructed through bush to the Weir intake-site. Thirty-four miles of steel pipe, mostly 36 in. diameter, will be required for the whole job, and details for letting a contract for 10£ miles are almost complete. COAL-PRODUCTION Work was continued on coal-winning from opencast mines at Glen Afton, Glen Massey, Waitewhena, Stockton, and Ohai, production being affected by adverse climatic conditions and heavy rain. During August a new mine was opened up at Wangaloa, where development involved construction of miles of access roading, a railway siding, screening-plant, and accommodation for workmen. Up to the end of March 60,000 cubic yards of overburden were removed and 8,632 tons of coal extracted. At Glen Massey 867,480 cubic yards of overburden have been removed for the extraction of 44,881 tons of coal, at Glen Afton 372,260 cubic yards of overburden for 32,583 tons of coal, and at Waitewhena 227,688 cubic yards of overburden for 42,818 tons of coal. LIGHTHOUSES AND HARBOUR-WORKS Improvements, renovations, and maintenance of lighthouses and attached buildings have been carried out during the year, together with routine overhaul of equipment. A light access road has been completed at Moeraki Lighthouse, a complete water-supply, sewage disposal, and drainage system installed at Portland Island Lighthouse, and the electrification of Godley Head Lighthouse commenced. In general, living accommodation has been made more comfortable and access and services improved. Marker buoys have been installed in the Kaipara Harbour, whilst at Waikokopu a launch jetty has been constructed and a start made on the demolition of the wharf. Extensive repair work was carried out on the Hokitika Wharf, involving the placing of 2,000 tons of quarry stone, driving 1,000 lineal feet of piling, and placing 3,000 superficial feet of timber. The collapsed portion of the wharf was dismantled. AERODROMES In marked contrast with previous years of rapid expansion, the year showed little activity in aerodrome work. This was to be expected as hostilities drew to a close. As from September, 1945, the responsibility for maintenance of R.N.Z.A.F. stations reverted to the Department, though staffs employed were largely personnel from R.N.Z.A.F. Works Maintenance Unit. Wigram.—A new flying-field was completed, and subsequently extensive maintenance was necessary to remedy boggy areas and eradicate grass-grub infestation. Work on the control tower was well advanced, and general maintenance of the whole field and residences undertaken. Harewood. —General maintenance of the whole field has been carried out. Many of the station buildings have been handed over to the Christchurch City Council for transit housing.

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