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On the Gisborne-Napier via Hangaroa State Highway between Wairoa and Napier 17 miles of sealing were completed and the unsealed gap has now been reduced to 20 miles. The chief sections prepared and sealed during the year were Wairoa-Ohinepaka, 1| miles ; Ohinepaka-Waihua, 5f miles ; Kiwi Creek - Waikare, 5| miles ; and Waikoau River - Kareara, 3 miles. Heavy earthwork was completed over a length of 30 chains adjacent to the Mohaka Viaduct, while 70 chains on Bluegum Flat were widened and raised. The reconstruction of 4 miles of the Bay View - West Shore section is in hand and I|miles has been completed. The new Deep Creek Bridge, 132 ft., is nearing completion. Between Waikato's Corner and Esk Overbridge, on the Taupo-Napier State Highway, a low-lying length of miles was appreciably raised, prepared, and sealed. On the Napier - Palmerston North State Highway 1| miles of cycle-track and footpath were built between Whakatu Road and Karamu Bridge. Numerous lengths aggregating 12 miles 36 chains received maintenance-seal treatment. The construction of Mangapapa Bridge, 45 ft., was commenced, while box culverts were built at Harding's Bridge and Dairy Factory Culvert. On the Woodville-Masterton State Highway the sealing of 2 miles 32 chains in Woodville County was completed. The Frasertown-Onepoto section of the Frasertown - Lake House highway suffered extensive flood damage, and heavy restoration work, involving slip removal, minor bridging replacement, and considerable culvert renewal, has been carried out. Widespread and severe flood damage also occurred on the Rotorua-Waikaremoana highway. Very extensive slips and washouts have been made good, while an 8-chain deviation was constructed near the Hopuruahine Turn-off. Some minor bridging has had to be replaced and many culverts renewed. The Waiotukapuna and Hopuruahine Bridges are being rebuilt in concrete and steel. A good deal of protective work and clearing up still remains to be done. On the Fernhill-Takapau via Maraekakaho highway 3f miles were reconstructed and sealed between Washpool and Maraekakaho and a further 2 miles was reconstructed and metalled towards the Takapau end. Maintenance sealing carried out on various highways included 2 miles 33 chains of plant mix on the Waipawa-Pourere highway and 2 miles 55 chains on the WaipukurauMatamau via Hatuma highway. Three miles forty chains of new sealing were added to the Woodville-Tamaki and Freelands highways. On the Hastings-Waimarama highway three sections totalling 3 miles 62 chains were reconstructed and sealed. A contract was let for the construction of the major Tuki Tuki River or Red Bridge, 1,080 ft. in length, to replace the existing unsound timber structure. Reconstruction and sealing was completed over 2 miles 20 chains on the Farndon - Paki Paki highway and over 2f miles on the Waipawa-Tikokino highway. The approaches to the recently built Manga-o-nuku Bridge involving a 50-chain deviation, were completed. On the Napier-Hastings via Fernhill highway the Ngaruroro River Bridge at Fernhill, 1,320 ft. long, is now almost finished. Resealing treatment aggregating 8 miles 23 chains was carried out on several other highways, including 2 miles 20 chains on the Otane - Tuki Tuki highway and 1 mile 73 chains on the Dannevirke-Waipukurau via Porongahau highway. Taumarunui District The chief activity of the year has centred around general maintenance, although preparations are being made for the carrying-out of several works which will provide substantial improvements. Timber-milling and coal-mining are causing heavy cartage conditions on several of the highways.

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