D—l

Suitable metal chips for bituminous sealing were in short supply and it was not possible to undertake all of the work desired. Nearly 8 miles of new sealing were completed. On the Whangarei-Awanui via Kawakawa State Highway reconstruction and sealing is in hand or has been completed on a number of lengths, notably at Templeton's Hill and between the Lake Omapere - Kaikohe highway junction and Okaihau, and between Whakapara-Waiotu and Mitchell's Flat - Waiomio. Embankment protection for the eastern approach fill of the Tangiteroria Bridge, on the Whangarei-Dargaville State Highway,' has been completed. A length passing through Tangowahi'ne Village has been reconstructed preparatory to sealing. On the Dargaville-Maungaturoto State Highway metal-supplies are being stacked for the reconstruction of 7 miles between Mititai and Raupo, and similar preparation has been made for RintouPs Deviation of 3 miles. A length of 1 mile 68 chains was resealed between Dargaville-Mititai and 1 mile 16 chains from Ruawai School to the township. Nearly 15 miles of the Whangarei-Maungaturoto State Highway have been resealed, chiefly between Ruakaka-Waipu and Waipu Gorge to the junction with the DargavilleMaungaturoto highway. The reconstruction and sealing of 3 miles 43 chains was completed on the TopuniKaiwaka section of the Birkenhead-Maungaturoto State Highway. Reformation work has been continued on the Whangarei-Taumaterau highway, a total of 1 mile 34 chains now being completed. Construction of Duck Creek Bridge, 80 ft., and Awaroa Stream Bridge, 100 ft., is in hand. A section of 60 'chains in Russell Township, forming part of the WhakaparaRussell highway, was sealed. On the Pamapuria-Oruru highway the Peria Bridge, 140 ft., and the Te Puhi Stream Bridge, 85 ft., are under construction. Sealing was completed on 77 chains of the Paihia waterfront section of the Black Bridge - Paihia Highway. On the Dargaville-Tikinui highway the Kaihu River Bridge of two 45 ft. and three 60 ft. spans is now half completed. Auckland District Work has again been chiefly concerned with making up arrears of deferred maintenance, particularly in regard to reconditioning and resealing existing sealed surfaces and repairs to metalled surfaces. Removal of soil shoulders, widening of formation, drainage improvements, and feather-edged metalling has been carried out, particularly where wet subgrade conditions have given rise to foundation failures. New sealing was completed over 19 miles 7 chains, while resealing and plant mix surfacing totalled 36 miles 56 chains. The shortage of materials is retarding urgent bridge renewals, and although a number of contracts have been let progress has been slow. Considerable investigation work, covering reconnaisance, trial, and final surveys, has been carried out in connection with modifications to the arterial highway systems of the Auckland metropolitan area. On the Birkenhead-Maungaturoto State Highway shoulder reconstruction has been continued, an additional 1 mile 39 chains being completed between Birkenhead and Albany. Three miles fifty-three chains of the widening was metalled and 5 miles 17 chains sealed. The formation was similarly widened for 2 miles at Dairy Flat and a length of 65 chains was sealed between Albany - Dairy Flat.

51