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piers and six ooncrete abutments were constructed for bridges at 0 m., 5 m. 74 eh., and 9 m. 66 eh., and concrete piles were driven for a bridge at sm. 38 eh. Ngatapa Station approach roads were partly metalled. Rails are laid throughout. First lift of ballast was placed from Im. 63 eh. to 2m. 33 oh., and second lift on sidings at Patutahi and Ngatapa. A loading-bank front, in ooncrete, was built at Patutahi, and a temporary engine-shed and water-service installed at Ngatapa. A bi-weekly passenger and goods service was carried on between Makaraka Junction and Ngatapa. Work beyond Ngatapa was suspended in October, 1915, owing to scarcity of labour, and has not yet been resumed. Gishorne Napier (South End). Eskdale Section (Om. to 10 m., approx.J. —Apart from the Westshore Bridge and approaches, no construction-work has been done on this section during the year. Floods in the early part of August damaged some portions of the fencing and formation constructed some years ago. The construction of the Westshore Bridge has been pushed on at a gradually increasing rate throughout the year. For a time there was difficulty in obtaining suitable labour, but more men have since been obtained, and as the men have become more experienced much better progress has resulted. Reinforcing-rods for 201 piles were fabricated and 300 piles made, completing the total of 600. A further 172 tons of steel have been bent, labelled, and stacked. The gravelscreening plant was unfortunately destroyed by fire on the 27th February, 1917, but the shingle was hand-screened for a time, and a new screening plant is now in working-order. Pile-driving has been continued throughout the year, 398 concrete piles having been driven, as well as 326 temporary piles to carry the profiling for the reinforced-concrete superstructure. Up to the 31st March piles had been driven from pier 28 back to pier 10 inclusive, and six 50 ft. spans and one 25 ft. span were completed, and several others in various stages. The quantity of steel worked into the bridge is 192 tons, and of concrete 1,856 cubic yards. Prior to August, 1916, materials for concrete were brought from the bins ashore to the concrete-mixer at the bridge by punts, but a tramway has since been laid along the approach bank, and the materials are hauled out by a small locomotive. The approach banks are being formed by the Napier Harbour Board under contract with the Department. In April, 1916, the Board's dredge was moved from the north to the south approach, the former being practically complete, and during the year the dredge has worked for about eight months on the formation of the bank, the remainder of the time being occupied in removal, overhaul, and repairs. The bank can now be seen at low-water from about Im. 65 eh. to 2 m., while at high-water only about 3 chains is visible. Temporary stone retaining-walls have been built on the right of the line, from 1 m. 60 eh. to 2m. 7 oh., up to the level of high water. The quantity of material placed in the bank during the year is about 9,000 cubic yards. Stratford - Main Trunk Railway. West' End. Tahora Section (37 m. 53 eh. to J/7 m. Iβ eh.). —The line is complete to Kohuratahi (42 m. 28 eh.), some ballasting having been done during the year. A considerable quantity of slipped material has been removed. Toi Road crossing has been widened and metalled, and cattle-stops constructed. Beyond Kohuratahi the cuttings and banks are practically complete to 46 m. 78 eh. At No. 1 tunnel (44 in. 30 eh. 50 Iks. to 44 m. 54 eh. 50 Iks.), which was practically finished last year, the western face wall has been completed, but a wing wall will be required on account of the unstable character of the papa. No. 2 tunnel (44 m. 76 eh. 50 Iks. to 45 m. 9 eh. 50 Iks.) was completed by the enlargement and lining of 6| chains, except the western portal. Numerous water-tunnels have been driven, and six culverts laid. Three stream-diversions and two roaddiversions have been completed, and a road-diversion at Tahora Station is partly formed. Rails are laid'to 45 m. 19 , 50ch., and partly ballasted. Ballast is supplied by the Railway Department from Mount Egmont, but a temporary cessation of supplies has recently occurred. About 100 chains of fencing have been erected, and the telephone-line is being extended to No. 1 tunnel. Four cottages have been erected at Tahora Station. East End. Matiere Section (0 m. to llm.). —The reinforced-conorete piers for the Ongarue River Bridge at 0 m. 7 eh. were completed, and the bridge is ready for the steel superstructure when it can be obtained. The Okahu Tunnel contract is progressing slowly. A heading was driven through last year, and during the period under review the enlargement and lining have been completed for a. length of 19 chains, leaving 55-J chains to be done. In the approach cuttings the contractors have excavated 13,500 cubic yards of material. In the short tunnels at 7m. 55 eh. and Bm. 35 eh. bottom headings have been driven through, and enlargement and lining with brickwork were in hand under contract, but the contract was determined in August, 1916, owing to inability of the contractor to continue work. The lining was completed for a distance of about 2 chains. Owing to the absence of materials for concrete a brickmaking plant was established at 7 m., and this has been enlarged during the year. A twelve-chamber continuous kiln was completed in June, and the first lot- of bricks for use on the works was drawn in September. Since then there has been a satisfactory output of bricks suitable for tunnel lining and building, also hard waste for concrete. A little earthwork has been done at various places, and two 6 ft. culverts are in hand, but very little labour is available in this district.