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APPENDIX B

ANNUAL REPORT ON PUBLIC WORKS BY THE ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF

The Engineer-in-Chief to the Hon. the Minister op Works. Sir,: — I have the honour to submit the following report 011 the various public works completed and in progress throughout the Dominion during the year ended 31st March, 1945 : RAILWAYS Turakina-Okoia Railway Deviation.—At the beginning of the year under review investigations and establishment of services were in hand. By the end of May plans for the reconstructioiwjf the tunnels had been received on the job, and since then have been continuously implemented, while the balance of the work required to complete the deviation has been continued' as availability of labour permitted. The duration of the work has been limited to such a short period that accommodation has been largely of a more temporary nature. The remedial work has been 70 per cent, to 75 per cent, completed in the Turakina Tunnel, and 60 per cent, completed in the Fordell Tunnel. Four spans of the Wangaehu Bridge have been launched successfully, and the Wangaehu. overbridge and approaches completed. The yards and access roads at this station are nearing completion. Diesel plant has been used where possible to reduce consumption of electricity, and difficulties have been experienced with the supply of skilled labour and materials. South Island Main Trunk. —Good progress has been made during the year. All bridges have been completed. Plate-laying has been delayed somewhat through lack of sleepers. As the formation "on the Kaikoura section was practically completed last year only minor works and maintenance has been carried out. The formation of the Hundalee-Puketa section has been completed, 152,000 cubic yards being involved. This also includes trimming, plate-laying, ballasting, and fencing. Various bridges have been completed this year, notably the Kowhai River Bridge, a 500 ft. Ion" reinforced-concrete girder bridge ; the Lyell Creek Bridge, a'4sB ft. long reinforced-concrete continuous? girder bridge, with retaining wall; and the Stony Greek Bridge, a 250 ft. long reinforced-concrete girder bridge, with various necessary protection to abutments, stop-banks, and groynes. Some 1,250 ft. of culvert, ranging from 12 in. to 8 ft. by 8 ft., have been installed. Station yards are nearing completion, while sea and river protection continues. Considerable movement in the Oaro Tunnel has led to investigations to determine what strengthening of this and other tunnels is necessary, but no final decisions have yet been reached. Westport-Inangahua Railway.—Maintenance and overhaul of plant, bridges, and buildings has been carried out, and the Railways Department has now installed automatic signalling. Paeroa-I'okeno Railway.—A reinstatement survey has been commenced from both ends of this section. Hutt Valley Railway Extension. —The survey work is now well in hand for the extension, and double-track formation is complete 011 the Waterloo-Taita section, except for part of station yards Storm-water drainage, depending as it does on the Housing Department's development adjacent to the line, is not yet complete. Ballasting and platelaying on this section is about 50 per cent, complete. IRRIGATION This season has been most unfavourable to irrigation throughout, as well-distributed and heavy rainfall has been experienced both in Central Otago and Canterbury. In addition, maintenance costs have been high as the results of damage caused by the heavy rainfall and flooding. Conditions generally have been mild. ' _ Central Otago—Small extensions have been made to the Ida Valley Scheme, and the bulk of the maintenance has been repairing storm damage. The number of irrigators has fallen from 510 in 1943-44 to 443 this year, and out of a total area under irrigation of 53,000 acres, 44,053 acres were actually irrigated in the 1945 season. The financial statement has reflected the conditions, revenue being £24,700 workino--pxnpnsp« £28,441, a loss of £3,741 in the year's workings. * ' 1 Canterbury.—This year has been marked by the completion of the Rangitata diversion race and water was conveyed from the Rangitata River to Highbank, a distance of 42 miles, for the first'time in November, 1944. Minor protective works are yet to be done, but this will not affect the flow over the whole lengtk Again damage has occurred, due to extraordinary flooding. The official opening of the power-station at Highbank will probably be carried out in June. Ashburton Lyndhurst Scheme : The land is being prepared for irrigation by the border-dyke system and race reticulation covering 68,000 acres is now complete. Mayfield-Hinds Scheme : The construction on this scheme, which will cover 78,000 acres when complete, has been recommenced. Plans and detailed proposals are in hand, and 'maintenance of the scheme has been continued during the year,

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