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Reconstruction work has been proceeding between Ongarue Turn-off and Okahukura, on the Te Kuiti National Park State Highway, and large dumps of metal aggregate have been built up for further work. Similar stocks of materials are being accumulated for continuing the partially reconstructed Manunui-Owhango sections of the Taumarunui - National Park State Highway. On the Taumarunui-Turangi State Highway extensive work has been necessary to maintain the road under heavy timber traffic. A4O ft. bridge was built at Upper Kurutau and a length of 78 chains was widened. The Wanganui River Bridge at Manunui failed early in the year. The old trusses were demolished and a Bailey bridge was built over the existing piers. The Waihi Bridge, 82 ft. long, was opened to traffic, and construction of the Lower Kurutau Bridge, 120 ft. long, is well advanced. The Ahititi—Taumarunui State Highway was improved by widening work carried out over various .lengths and aggregating 4 miles 32 chains. Some 8,000 cubic yards of crushed metal were spread in maintaining the metal crust and surface. Substantial repairs were effected on the Ohura River Bridge, Tokorima. On the Taumarunui-Ongarue State Highway 1 mile 55 chains was sealed. The Tarata'Stream Bridge, 73 ft. long, on the Raurimu - Wade's Landing highway, has been completed, and unsound parts of the Pio - Piotea Stream Bridge, Raurimu, have been renewed. Heavy maintenance was carried out on the Piopio-Ohura highway. Taranaki District Continual wet weather occurred during the sealing season and the year's work has suffered result. It was not possible to carry out all the sealing work intended and the season's totals were reduced to 7 miles 54 chains of new sealing and 11 miles 45 chains of resealing. Formation work and earthmoving were continually interrupted and set back. On the Te Kuiti - New Plymouth State Highway 60 chains of formation have been completed of a length of 1| miles under reconstruction between Uruti and Mangamaio. A contract was let for the reconstruction of the Mohakatino Bridge, with progress to date consisting of the fabrication and delivery of steel girders. The bridge approaches and reconstruction of the roadway at the south end are nearing completion. The New Plymouth - Hawera State Highway has been improved by widening over a total distance of 5 miles between Inglewood - Durham Road and Rugby Road - Tariki, and sealing of the widened portions is in hand. A length of 1 mile 11 chains south of Stratford was reconstructed. On the New Plymouth —Ha wera via Opunake State Highway widening and reconstruction over 6 miles between Oakura and Leith Road is nearly completed ready for sealing. • Heavy maintenance was necessary on the Stratford—Tatu highway, particularly in the Tangarakau Gorge. The 70 ft. bridge over the Whangamomona River south of Whangamomona partially failed, but repairs were effected by temporarily supporting the structure with Bailey bridge equipment. Six other old timber truss bridges were repaired in the same manner. Maintenance sealing over 2 miles 29 chains was completed on the Ngatimaru highway, 1 mile 6 chains of new sealing was carried out on the Okato-Puniho highway, while on the Skeet highway 67 chains were sealed and 2 miles 36 chains resealed. On the Hawera-Mokoia highway a reconstruction contract over 1£ miles has been completed ready for sealing. A minor deviation and preparatory work for sealing is proceeding over 2 miles on the Inland North highway. Three miles twenty-eight chains of resealing was carried out on the Carrington, Cheal, and Rahotu-Kahui highways, while on the Waihi highway widening and sealing is in hand over 1 mile 10 chains!!

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