The Chronicle LEVIN. WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1916. LANDS AND SURVEYS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 July 1916, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN. WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1916. LANDS AND SURVEYS.

Tiie annual report of the New ZeaAuid Department of Lauds audi Survey has readied us, by favour of Mr W. H. Field, M.l'. it is a less-voluminouK compilation than it used to be, but it sets forth fully the principal events of note that gave importance to the department's records of 1916-16. The fact is shown that the departmental revenue for the twelve months ended 31st March last was £123,397 in excess ol the amount collected m the twelve monthe imemdiately preceding. The •total revenue for 1915-10 was £1,25G,-* u24, of which amount AuckJUnd contributed £223,672, ilawke's Bay £210,475, Wellington £186,733, Canterbury £267,882, and Otago £ll i Usl. From "cash sales "of land end purchase of freeholds" £276,787 wias derived, this being the greatest single revenue-pro-' "ducing item. Rents from Ifraee-in-peiipetuity returned £218,966; renew-able-lease rents £169,558; educational and other endowments, £123,7-16. A portion of the report to which special interest attaches is that which de&ls with the .subject of sund-dune recjMMation The Under-Secretary (Mr T. N. Bro.hiok) remarks that owing to ! the heavy drain on tilie public puree due to Clie present wlar the extensions of sancl-dune reclamation thait had been proposed had to be deferred. The inspector reporte that aft Waikafc) Heads the belt of marram t)h]ait was pointed: in the spring of 1914 had suffered severely from drought, and that a considerable amount of tthe grass had died, however, what has survived looks well, and will serve as a supply from which to obtain grass for restocking the failures and for future extension when possible. Behind the marraan-belt a contiguous belt was broadcasted with tree-lupin seed, but though it oame up well at first, the dry weather that subsequently proviailed destroyed, most of it. When money is available it is desirable thait the fore-dune be replanted with nuvrrain and an autumn sowing of lupin-seed tried to the rear of the manym-belt. The erosion ot the coast up to the start of summer had been very severe at the Heads, but then there seemed to be a tendency for I the current to revert to the south side ■ of the estuary. At Run 24 on tho I Hangitikei coast, the drought also did j a great ddal of damage to the marram ■ grass that had been planted in 1913-1-1. At this locality it had been intended last year to considerably extend operations, but owing to the war the proposal wa6 abandoned until financial conditions are more favourable. A reliable man from the Rotorue planta-

tions wbß seat down, and he has been occupied in erecting barriers (formed of drift-wood from the beach) in the wind channels with the object of makinik a regular foredume prior to the planting of trees to the rear. This method pi forming an even foredune it> very inferior to the orthodox palisading, but | for the latter there is suitable timber or stakes available within roasomalble distance. There have also been split ' and stacked about sixty good poste that wild coane in when fencing is done here. A small experimental plot was planted with different trees to ascertain those most suitable for the locality when tree-planting is started. The inspector reported thn't the grant to the Motutara Domain had been well spent in planting with marram the whole of the sand area in the domain. As regards tutu re work, until the war is over it is not proposed to do anything beyond the minimum necessary to maintain what htas alrdady been done.