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housing scheme is proceeding to provide additional 170 single men's huts and thirty-nine married men's quarters. The permanent-line survey has been completed, and plans have been prepared for the whole of the section. Westport-Inangahua Railway. —The formation is progressing satisfactorily, but work has been retarded owing to heavy rainfall experienced during the year, and the transfer of men to repair the earthquake damage to the main, highway. On the Hawk's Crag Section numerous culverts and bridges are under construction. The approaches to No. I Tunnel are nearly completed and a co-operative contract has been let for driving the heading in No. 2 Tunnel. On the Orikaka Section (9 miles 34 chains in length) the permanent-line survey has been completed, and the final plans are approved. Bushfelling and clearing has been carried out over 6 miles 31 chains, and about 100 men are on formation work. South Island Main Trunk Raihvay. —The formation on Kekerangu Section at the northern end has been continued during the year, and parties are at work installing culverts, forming road-deviations, and erecting temporary bridges. Platelaying has been extended from Kekerangu for a distance of 4 miles 37 chains. Parties are also at work on the Shades and Clarence River sections. The work is progressing satisfactorily. At the southern end formation has been completed for a total length of 68-36 chains, and culverts placed. Several side drains, water-drives and creekdiversions have been completed. Workers' accommodation has received attention, and huts, &c, have been erected. RAILWAYS. Additions to Open Lines. The net expenditure out of the Public Works Fund for the year ended 31st March, 1930, amounted to £.388,739 7s. 6d. This sum represents the provision of new rolling-stock and motor-vehicles, improvements and additions to station buildings, extension of sidings, grade easements, and other facilities. Railways Improvement Authorization Act, 1914. The expenditure under the Railways Improvement Authorization Act, 1914, amounted to £1,227,019, including the sum of £91,039, proportion of cost of raising loan. The works included in this expenditure were new stations and improved approach lines at Auckland and Wellington ; duplication of lines Horotiu-Frankton and Penrose-Papakura ; grade-easement, Mercer-Frankton ; provision of signalling, interlocking, and safety appliances, electric lighting, and. bridge-strengthening. In addition to these works, the Public Works Department has proceeded with the Wellington - Tawa Flat Deviation. RIVER-IMPROVEMENTS AND LAND-PROTECTION WORKS. Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers. —-The work carried out during the year comprised the strengthening of the stop-banks on the Upper Waihou River, and raising the stop-bank in the Lower Waihou River for a distance of 13 chains to final level. The small drag-line excavator has been used on improving internal drains. The main drains in the Kaimanawa Drainage District have been reconditioned, and the drains in the Rotokohu Drainage District are receiving attention. Taieri River. —The main canal from the new pumping-station was completed, and this scheme of protection-works is now complete, and ready to be handed over to the Taieri River Trust for maintenance. HARBOURS. During the year Westport, in common with other ports on the Coast, has experienced considerable shoaling on the bar, partly caused by the long spell of dry weather in the latter portion of the year and partly by the gradual seaward advance of the foreshore.