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A survey of Motutangi Swamp has been completed. Outlets have been cleared at Lake Omapere. A permanent weir has been installed at Punakitere. Sand-dune Reclamation. —At Kaitaia, 12 miles of the Sweetwater Track have been graded and culverted. In the South Kaipara Heads area a total of 474 acres has been planted in marram grass, but since the work ceased this year owing to labour shortages considerable deterioration is evident. The thinning and limbing of trees is behind schedule ; this is not done now between December and March, a period when the Sirex fly attacks the trees. These attacks are causing serious concern, and steps are being taken to find a remedy. The prolonged spell of dry weather has made heavv fire-fighting demands on the staff. A large programme of sand-dune reclamation and afforestation has been carried out in the coastal strip between the Hokio Stream and the mouth of the Manawatu Eiver—known as the Waitarere area. The headquarters for the scheme and the tree-raising nursery are at Waitarere. Altogether, over 100,000 Pinus radiata trees, 20,000 Pinus laricios, and 1,650 macrocapas were planted during the year, and 154,000 Pinus radiata seedlings have been lined out in preparation for next season. Some 55 acres of moving sand have been planted in marram grass. Lupin has been sown by hand and from the Department's aircraft. A new access road has been formed from the main road to the nursery, and the stream has been bridged. Fire-watching and a beach patrol were maintained during the summer. The four lookout towers have now been linked with headquarters by telephone. Land-clearing. —An area of 899 acres has been cleared at Ohakune and 222 acres rooted. Land-clearing in Southland has slowed down owing to the plant having been diverted to coal-winning. Five hundred and forty-four acres of stumps and second growth have, however, been cleared and brought into production. HOUSING Site-developing for the Housing Construction Division was continued during the year, chiefly at Auckland and Wellington, where the usual roading and engineering services, &c, have been provided. ROADS Further progress was maintained during the year on the formation and metalling of primary access roads. A total length of 227 miles of new formation was completed" compared with 156 miles in the previous year, whilst the 322 miles of metalling completed represent an increase of 29 per cent, on the 274 miles carried out during 1948-49. Bridging in permanent materials is still hampered to some extent by the lack of materials, although the easing of the steel situation is reflected in the increased footage completed.

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