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Renewals Owing to the steel shortage the bridging programme was much lighter than in former years, and although a total length of 1,085 ft. was completed, the Tangiteroria Bridge of 610 ft., which has been under construction for the past two years, accounts for the greater percentage of this total. The only bridge actually in hand at present is the Kaihu River Bridge at Dargaville of 270 ft., although tenders for the erection of two culverts and two bridges on the Pamapuria-Oruru Main Highway are being called shortly. Improvements and Construction Activities under this heading showed considerable improvement in comparison with last year's efforts. A total length of 6 miles 31 chains of new formation was completed with several other fairly extensive works in hand. Widening to 30 ft. with attendant base-course metalling was carried out over sections totalling 5 miles 76 chains, and the bulk of this, together with the new construction, should be consolidated and ready for sealing next year. New sealing actually completed totalled 4 miles 49 chains, and several contracts for the supply of chips for next season have been let. Details of work completed are as follows : No. 1 State Highway, Whangarei-Awanui via Kawakawa.—Whangarei-Hikurangi (resealing): A total length of 3 miles 47 chains was resealed with medium road oil. Hikurangi Township (Resealing) : 24 chains resealed with medium road oil. Whakapara Overbridge (three 30 ft. spans ; 24 ft roadway): This bridge was completed. Whakapara Deviation (Construction), 1 mile 62 chains : Earthworks, culverting, and base-course metalling complete. Whakapara-Waiotu (Reconstruction and Seal) : A contract for metal-supplies is almost completed. Mitchell's Flat - Waiomio (Reconstruction and Seal), 1 mile 36 chains : Arrangements made for metal-supplies. Waiomio (Resealing) : 24 chains resealed with medium road oil. Waiomio-Kawakawa (Reconstruction and Seal), 1 mile 72 chains : Foundation, base, and top course metalling. Primed with T.C. 1 and sealed with heavy road oil. Kawakawa-Moerewa (Reconstruction and Seal), 1 mile 46 chains : Foundation, base, and top course metalling. Primed with T.C. 1 and sealed with heavy road oil. Moerewa (Resealing): 1 mile 56 chains resealed with medium road oil. Kawakawa Township and Embankment (Resealing): 53 chains resealed with medium road oil. Moerewa - Turntable Hill (Reconstruction and Seal), 1 mile 11 chains : Foundation, base, and top course metalling. Primed with T.C. 1 and sealed with heavy road oil. Watercress Creek Bridge Deviation : 30 chains earthworks, base and maintenance coat metalling completed. Faithfull's Deviation (Reconstruction), 40 chains : Earthworks, culverting, and base-course metalling completed. Junction No. 593 Main Highway - Okaihau (Reconstruction and Seal): Widening to 30 ft. and base-course metalling completed over 70 chains. Robinson's Deviation, 1 mile 10 chains : Widening to 30 ft. formation width in hand. Graham's Flat - Horeke Road Junction: Widening to 30 ft. and base-course metalling completed for 1 mile 20 chains. Templeton's Hill (Reconstruction), 1 mile 48 chains : Contract let for earthworks. Kaitaia Southwards (Reconstruction and Seal): 43 chains widening to 30 ft. Base and top course metalling completed. Kaitaia-Awanui (Resealing), 5 miles 46 chains : Resealed with medium road oil.

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