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Otaki River Protection.—Fairly-extensive work has been carried out in the repair of various breaks in the banks, and new channels cut with the aid of mechanical plant. Karaimea Flood Control. —Existing stop-banks have been maintained and protective groynes built. Several floods have been experienced during the year, one of them being of exceptional height, and considerable improvement has taken place at the entrance. Ashburton River Control.—This work was closed down during the greater portion of the year, but the works generally have been maintained. Ashley River Control.—Further flood damage was sustained during the year, repair work was put in hand, and is now practically complete. LIGHTHOUSES AND HARBOUR-WORKS Lighthouses General maintenance and routine overhaul of equipment have been carried out at the various lighthouses where necessary. Puysegur Point.—The tower at this station, which was recently burnt down, has been rebuilt, and the station completely electrified and provided with radio beacon and radio telephone. Hole-in4he-Wail Passage.—Two navigation lights have been provided, one on Old Man Rock and the other on Opito Point,. Various miscellaneous works involved the provision of four new lights and one lighted buoy for naval purposes, and the provision of standard kerosene storage-tanks at various lighthouses. Harbour-works With the exception of temporary accommodation at Westhaven, there have been no major harbour-works carried out during the period. LINEN FLAX The programme of the previous year has been expanded, and work carried out during the past twelve months may be summarized as under: — In the Blenheim area a women's hostel has been erected at Seddon, and at the Blenheim factory itself a women's rest-room, two married quarters, and a chive-store have been erected. In the Canterbury area the two new linen-fiax factories at Geraldine and Fairlie in hand at the end of last year have been completed, and are now in operation. At the Makikihi factory a large reinforced-concrete fibre-store has been erected. At the Oxford factory, a clerk's residence, further workers' cottages, and accommodation for girl workers were erected, and an extension to the water-supply and fire-fighting service was carried out. At the Methven factory a foreman's residence, nine extra cottages (with the necessary services), and additions to the straw-store were completed during the year. In the Otago area a new retting-tank factory has been erected at Clydevale, complete with women's hostel and residences; at Balclutha further factory facilities have been provided; and at Tapanui one married quarter has been constructed and a hotel is being converted into a hostel for women workers. In the Southland area, at Gore and Woodlands, two new four-tank-unit factories complete with all facilities and services have been erected, each costing approximately £23,000. At Winton accommodation for married workmen has been provided. DEFENCE WORKS The past year has been one of very great activity in order to meet the requirements of the armed Services, and practically the whole of the available resources of the Department have been engaged on these works. The growing scarcity of man-power has made it difficult to meet all demands, but in spite of this a very large volume of engineering and building work has been put through. PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ELECTRIC SUPPLY Reports on public-buildings works and on the operations of the State electric-supply undertakings are contained in the separate reports, included herewith, of the Government Architect and Chief Electrical Engineer, respectively. STAFF I would again like to place on record my appreciation of the response which all members of the staff have made to the demands made upon them. A further huge programme of defence construction work has been carried out, and despite very difficult conditions every member of the staff has worked strenuously and efficiently to enable the work to be done. Many members of the staff are mobilized in the armed forces, both overseas and in New Zealand, the total number now exceeding 1,000. Numerous reports have been received of the splendid work done by our officers and men in overseas units, and they have established a name to be proud of. Eighteen decorations have been awarded to officers of the Department, and 41 officers have made the supreme sacrifice. I have, &c., W. L. Newnham, M.lnst.C.E., Engineer-in-Chief.

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