21

A.—4

Clock-lower, Apia. —This work was completed. Lands and Survey Office. —A new office was fitted up for the Lands and Survey Department. Bench-mark, Apia. —A permanent bench-mark was constructed in front of the Public Works Office, and its level relative to mean sea-level as determined from tide-gauge readings ascertained. Vaipouli School, Savai'i. —A hydraulic ram and redwood cistern was installed and the watersupply completed. Leper Station, Nuutele. —The buildings outside the actual leper compound were dismantled, and are being transported to Apia as circumstances permit. Crown Estates. —A considerable amount of painting-work has been carried out for the Crown l&tates. 2. Roads. Stone-crushing was carried on intermittently during the year. For several months the plant was loaned to the ('town Estates. The following statement shows the principal work carried out: — Apia to Mulifauua Road. —The metalling of this road was completed to the vicinity of Vaiusu Village. The new work received one coat of restar during the year. Between Toamua and Faleula 90 chains of the road lias been metalled and rolled. 44 chains of the road in Vaiusu Village has been re-formed, surfaced with rotten rock, and rolled; 49 chains of similar work has been carried out in the vicinity of Malic. A repair gang traversed the whole road during the dry season and carried out general repairs, the most important, work being in Fasitootai. Apia to Falefa Road. —Formation work was continued on this road until the end of the dry season. Work was so advanced on the 4th August that motor-cars reached Falefa Falls, a distance of Is£ miles from Apia. Malololelei to Siumu Track. —A considerable amount of improvement work was carried out to this track. Sea Erosion. —At many points, particularly in the vicinity of Apia, continual attention is required to prevent sea erosion. A considerable amount of such minor protective work was carried out. Flood Damage. In February and March, 1923, considerable damage was done to all roads and bridges in the Territory, not only by Hoods but also by high seas. On the 13th February there occurred in Apia a precipitation of B'7 in. in three hours. Between the sth and 16th March a cyclonic storm occurred, accompanied by excessively high tides, rough seas, and very heavy rainfall. At Aleisa, a, few miles from Apia, a precipitation of 95-9 in. in thirteen days was recorded. It is estimated that the damage to roads and bridges in March amounted to £3,000. 3. Bridges. Fuluasou Bridge. —The decking of this steel bridge has been completely renewed in Australian hardwoods. Moataa Bridge. —This bridge has been raised and repaired. Mulivai Bridge, Apia. —This steel bridge is unsafe, and a commencement has been made with Ihe erection of a new bridge in Australian hardwoods. To deal with the traffic during construction a temporary bridge has been erected. General. —Practically all the bridges in Upolu received minor repairs during the year. The floods of February and March, 1923, washed away three small structures which have been replaced with temporary structures until materials arrive for reconstruction. The Fagali'i and, Vaivase bridges, built of Oregon pine, will shortly be replaced by new structures in Australian hardwoods. 4. Roads and Bridges, Savai'i. Oagaemalae to Faia'ai Road. —Extensive repairs to this road were carried out by the Natives by contract. Salailua to Lata Road. —Formation of this road was completed. Samalau Bridge. —This bridge was reconstructed. Gataivai Footbridge. —A new bridge in Australian hardwoods has been completed. Safune Footbridge. —A new light footbridge has been erected. Safotu Bridge. —This bridge was repaired. Saleaula Bridge, near Mataulu. —This bridge was repaired and the approaches re-formed with coral. 5. A ima Waterworks. The 2 in. main in Matautu Street was completed. A 4 in. main into the Customs yard, to furnish a good water-supply for the waterfront and give fire - protection to the Customs buildings, was completed. A. 6 in. main, 63 chains in length, was laid from Tivoli Road to Taufusi Road. Ninetythree connections were made to the mains during the year, making a total of 306 connections to date. 6. Native Water-supplies. Fasitootai Scheme. —This scheme was carried out to completion. It involved the laying of 18,700 ft. of pipe, varying in size from 2| in. to 1 in. in diameter, and the construction of an 8,000--gallon concrete reservoir. Other Schemes. -A number of other schemes were investigated, and the Natives concerned informed of the amounts of money they would be asked to collect if the schemes were proceeded with.