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Two walkie-talkie and three ZCI radios have been successfully installed. Fire-fighting equipment has been installed. A total of 105 acres was planted in marram, and approximately 150,000 trees were planted. Eighty chains of roading were formed. Approximately 3000 yards of metal were quarried and laid. Two 18 ft. by 8 ft. huts and three 10 ft. by 8 ft. huts were erected. Approximately 140,000 trees were lined out and 198 lb. of lupin seed and 47 lb. of pine seed were sown. Land-drainage.—During the year arrangements were completed to take over from the Lands and Survey Department the operation and maintenance of land-drainage schemes hitherto the responsibility of that Department. This arrangement will take effect as from Ist April, 1949. HOUSING SERVICES CONSTRUCTION Mount Roskill (College Trust Block). —Construction of roading and services of this block has been in progress throughout the year. Road-formation and drainage were done by contract and have been completed. The balance of work is being carried out by the Department with its own forces and is now nearing completion. Mount Albert (Logan Block).—Work on the concrete paths and footpaths in this block was completed during the year after the building operations had ceased. Remuera (Meadowbank Block). —The sealing of pedestrian accessways was completed during April, 1948. Hutt Valley.—Very good progress was made during the year with roading and section development in this area. The end of works activities in roading and section development in this area is in sight and another season should complete all work. A total of- 3% miles of roads have been formed, metalled, kerbed, and channelled, opening up 95 acres of section development. Eight miles of road formed last season were primed and sealed. Four miles of 4 in. and 2 miles of 1| in. water-mains and 70 chains of storm-water pipe were laid. A start was made on the Taita industrial area and 67 acres were levelled and 40 chains of road were formed and base-course metalled. The stopbank at Taita was strengthened throughout its length and was extended to a total length of 1 mile 50 chains.. Torirua Basin.—The laying of the culvert under the main access road to the Titahi Bay North Block was completed and 55 chains of road were formed and base-course metalled. Work was started late in the year on Mungavin's Block, at Porirua, and 60 chains of formation were completed and a further 40 chains opened up. Base-course metalling has been commenced. Nelson. —In the Bennitt Block 19 chains of road were formed and metalled and 38 chains of kerb and channel completed. A total of 2,054 ft. of storm-water drainsand 2,397 ft. of sewer pipes were laid. In the Warren Block 17,000 cubic yards of filling were placed and ten sections prepared for building. In the McGrillivray Block 350 ft. of additional storm-water drains have been laid and connected to Nelson City system. CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS No comprehensive roading schemes have been initiated during the period under review, and efforts have been concentrated on providing urgently required access roads to soldiers' settlement blocks and back-country properties. Deferred maintenance is now being carried out by local authorities, and, while this is most satisfactory, it has had

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