DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. RANGITAIKI LAND DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1929, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1929 Session I, C-11

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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. RANGITAIKI LAND DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1929, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly in pursuance of Section 10 of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910.

SiR, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist July, 1929. I have the honour to submit herewith the report upon drainage operations in theRangitaiki Plains for the year ended 31st March, 1929, pursuant to the provisions of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910. The accompanying statement of accounts and balance-sheet shows the financial transactions for the year, and the position of the account as at the 31st March last. A plan of the drainage district is attached. I have, &c., J. B. Thompson, The Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands.

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir, — In accordance with the provisions of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910, I have the honour to submit report on these operations for the fiscal year ended 31st March, 1929. The main construction projects in hand during the'previous year were the Kopeopeo Canal diversion—excavating, bridging, and flood-gating—and the Tarawera River stop-banking. Both these works were completed during the period under review. The walking plants engaged on the former work were transferred for dredging projects in other swamps, and the floating plant on the Tarawera River was laid up. Maintenance dredging by two dredges, and hand maintenance and improvements, were carried on throughout the area. The season experienced was similar in most respects to that of the previous year. No flooding of any consequence occurred during the winter, and the summer was again exceptionally dry. The country generally seems to have dried out more rapidly and thoroughly than previously with the advent of the dry weather, and. this year even the lower lands were somewhat detrimentally affected by the long dry spell. The area is more than keeping pace with the general increase in dairying products, as is evidenced by the fact that the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Co. manufactured a total of 1,934 tons of butter, as compared with 1,558 tons during the past season, representing an increase of almost 25 per cent. The Tarawera Cheese-factory manufactured 243 tons —last year's total being 300 tons —the decrease beinodue to the deflection of some suppliers to the dairy company. During the past two seasons there has been a marked improvement in the quality of the dairy stock, and some exceptional returns have been made by individual herds. There is no question that the bulk of the Rangitaiki Plains is very suitable for dairying, healthy for stock, and capable of giving an ample yield of the necessary winter feed. This year large quantities of hay and ensilage have been saved on the area, the last-named being somewhat of an innovation in this locality. The commencement of a through railway service during the year is being taken "full advantage of for the rapid freighting of cattle, sheep, and dairy-produce, and the bringing-in at reduced rates of the manures of which this area stands in great need.

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The low-lying country is receiving attention for flax-cultivation, and already areas totalling approximately 5,500 acres have been purchased for this purpose, and there is a prospect of further areas being made available. Small areas of fertile low-lying country seem to lend themselves to pumping in winter to relieve the accumulation of water, which, owing to the high level of the outfalls, cannot escape sufficiently fast. Several electrically driven pumps have been installed in readiness for the coming winter, and it will be interesting to note the success attending these ventures. Rainfall. —The average rainfall as recorded at Thornton for the past eleven years has been 54-16 in. Last year's total was 55-57 in., rain falling on sixty days. The wettest month was May, with a fall of 13-92 in., and the driest January, when 0-24 in. was recorded. Eastern District. —The excavation of the Kopeopeo Canal diversion was completed late in the period, and the northern spoil-bank for the major portion of its length was levelled and formed in order to make a combined roadway and stop-bank. The large concrete flood-gate and four small Calco ; ga,tes, which take the drainage from the country south of the diversion, were completed during the year. Three hardwood pile bridges were erected on the roads crossed by the diversion. Several small floodgates were placed in this area, also minor improvements, and the general maintenance of existing works carried out as required. Western District. —The programme of stop-banking and channel-improvement of the Tarawera River was carried out to completion during the year, and the pumice banks protected at likely points of erosion over a considerable length. The record of water-levels in this river since the cessation of ■dredging operations so far shows no general tendency of a, rise above previous levels, and it is fairly safe to assume that the river-bed is on a permanent grade. It is essential, however, to keep these records over a prolonged period before this assumption can be finally accepted. Owing to the unstable nature of the stop-banks, periodical inspections will be necessary in order to counter any tendency of the banks to erode. In addition to the usual maintenance of hand drains, maintenance dredging was carried out in the lower reaches of the Awakaponga Canal, Tarawera Western Drain, and Section 109 Drain. The two last-named works were still in hand at the end of the period. Dredges. —Five dredges, comprising two Monighan drag-lines, two Priestmans, and one Bay City dipper dredge have been operating part time during the period. A total of 339,450 cubic yards of spoil was dredged, covering a distance of 11 miles 50| chains. The cost per cubic yard of the material •excavated was 5-73 d. The following table shows the total amounts excavated, and the cost per cubic yard, for the pastten years : — Cubic Coat per Cubic Cost per Yards. Cubic Yard. Yards. Cubic Yard. 1919-20 .. 176,672 6-62 d. 1924-25 .. 626,762 5-56 d 1920-21 .. 215,768 8-82 d. 1925-26 .. 431,277 5-88 d 1921-22 .. 473,994 6-68 d. 1926-27 .. 227.006 6-05 d 1922-23 .. 540,802 8-13 d. 1927-28 .. 359,080 5-28 d 1923-24 .. 788,059 5-59 d. 1928-29 .. 339,450 5-73 d. No. 8 Priestman Dredge : This plant completed the eastern bank stop-banking of the Tarawera River early in the year, and after minor widening and channel-improvements were effected, plant was laid up near the railway-bridge. The distance dredged during the period was 87i chains, and a total of 45,000 cubic yards of spoil was excavated. No. 9 Priestman Dredge : This plant was put into commission towards the middle of the period to carry out maintenance work on the Awakaponga and Section 109 Canals. The first of these was completed, and Section 109 Canal was well under way at the end of the year. A total of 93,450 cubic yards of spoil was excavated, covering a distance of 3 miles 75 chains. No. 17 Monighan Dredge : This plant assisted with the completion of the Kopeopeo Canal diversion, and towards the end of the year was transferred by rail to the Waihi Swamp. During the portion of the year worked 63,270 cubic yards of material was excavated, covering a distance of 48 chains. No. 18 Monighan Dredge : After completing its programme of work on the Kopeopeo Canal this plant was dismantled and transferred by scow to the Kaitaia Swamp. The amount of spoil excavated before transfer was 40,740 cubic yards, and the distance dredged 52i chains. This plant, too-ether with Monighan No. 17, have left a very creditable record of canal-construction work on the Rangitaiki Plains, extending over a period of eight years. This work has been carried out with a very low repair bill and with the efficiency of the plants little impaired. No. 21 Bay City Dredge : Maintenance work in the Tarawera Western Drain was commenced by this plant early in the year, and a total distance of 5 miles 27-5 chains completed, 96,990 cubic yards of spoil being removed. A short length at the north end of the Central Drain will be dredged' by this plant while it is in the locality. Work on the Tarawera Western Drain will be carried on to completion during the coming year. Bridges, Flood-gates, &c.—The large four-door flood-gate on the Kopeopeo Canal diversion was completed during the year, and in addition nine small flood-gates, three pile bridges, and four sill bridges were erected. Drains, Stop-banks, dc. —No new hand drains were constructed in the area during the period. The only new stop-banking was that carried out by the dredges on the Tarawera River and the Kopeopeo diversion. Drains in Operation. —The total length of drains constructed is as follows : Dredge canals, 68 miles -28 chains ; main-outlet drains, 106 miles 24 chains ; road-drains, 30 miles 46 chains. Of the hand drains a total of 96 miles 40 chains is annually maintained by the Department.

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Roads opened.—The total length of road opened is 113| miles, of which 86 miles have been constructed by the Department. Buildings.—These consist of Engineer's cottage and fifteen cottages and huts for workmen, office buildings, machine-shop, smithy, store-sheds, &e. All men occupying quarters are required to pay rent for same. Workshop and Smithy.—The workshop and smithy have been engaged throughout the year on repair work for dredges and general plant and machinery, and ironwork for bridge, flood-gate, and general construction work. Rolling-stock.—The Thornycroft lorry has been employed as required, and has done the bulk of "the cartage of supplies throughout the works. Plant and Machinery. — At the end of the period this consisted of two Priestman dredges and one Bay City walker, one Priestman pontoon, two coal-punts, two oil-launches and one launch-hull, and four small boats and punts. Summary of work done Miles ch . Cub yd _ Drains cleaned .. .. .. .. .. 87 0 Drains deepened .. .. .. .. ..55 8 970 Dredge-cuts, new .. .. .. .. .. 0 73§ 104'010 Dredge-cuts cleaned .. . . .. .. .. 10 235 440 New stop-banks (dredged) .. .. .. .. 2 21 Stop-banks repaired and protected .. .. .. 4 60 Levels taken .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 0 Traverses run .. .. .. .. 22 0 Number. Flood-gates built . . .. .. .. .. jo Pile bridges erected .. .. .. .. .. 3 Sill bridges erected .. .. .. .. .. 4 Buildings erected (huts) .. .. .. .. 3 Spoil excavated bjr dredges .. .. .. .. .. 339 ; 450 Proposed Works.—Completion of maintenance dredging in hand, and maintenance dredging in Section 110 and Seccombe's drain ; minor construction and improvement; and general maintenance. Rates.—Some 773 demands for rates were issued during the year, covering a total sum of £3,540. During the period under review rates collected amounted to £4,055 J Is. Id. Works Expenditure.—The total of expenditure recorded for the year was £19,863 7s. 6d., day labour accounting for £10,370 165., and forty - four piecework contracts totalling £1,592 6s. The sum of £12,682 13s. Bd. was paid from Whakatane Imprest Account. I have, &c., R. G. Macmorran, r * Chief Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. RANGITAIKI LAND DRAINAGE ACCOUNT. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1929. Receipts. Payments. To Cash in Public Account, Ist April £ s. (1. £ s. d. By Drainage-works, stop-banks, cleaning channels, £ s . d 1928 •• 3,807 13 0 and other expenditure incidental to drainage Investment Account .. 2,000 0 0 operations .. .. .. 7. 1-4 332 II •> 5,807 13 0 Engineering and administration expenses .. "92 7 0 Proceeds from sales and transfers of plant, &c., ' Fuel .. .. .. .. ..1 089 211 to other works .. .. ■. .. 3,899 1 4 3 Legal expenses . . .. ~ 62 1 9 Subsidy from Consolidated Fund for mainten- Material and stores .. .. ] [ | < ( ance of completed works .. .. 1,750 0 0 Plant and machinery .. .. .. 169 19 4 Rents . . • • . ■ ■ ■ ■ • 1 34 7(i Refund of rates . . .. ~ ~ 753 j() " Thirds " . • • • • • • • 15 15 4 Compensation for land acquired for drainageRates .. •• •• •• •• 4,304 15 9 works .. .. .. ° . 1,506 0 0 Interest on investments .. .. . . 319 3 I Interest on debentures recouped to the Debentures issued under section 5, Raiigitaiki Consolidated Fund .. .. ~ 3 050 0 0 Land Drainage Amendment Act, 1913 .. 8,000 0 0 Temporary transfers from other accounts Temporary transfers from other accounts under repaid under section 40, Public Revenues section 40, Public Revenues Act, 1926 .. 13,000 0 0 Act, 1926 .. .. ~ 8,000 0 0 Sundries .. .. 261 19 11 Balance—Cash in Public Account .. .. 6' 411 911 £37,493 8 10 £37,493 8 10

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Revenue Account fok the Year ended .31st March, 1929. r ' £ s. d. I Cr. £ s- (j. To Rates, &e., written off .. .. .. 424 7 4J By Accrued rents .. .. .. .. 140 g 4 Interest on debentures .. .. 20,669 19 0 Rates levied to meet maintenance £ s. d. Maintenance of completed works .. .. 4,827 0 8 cost .. .. .. 2,431 2 9 I Rates levied for payment of interest .. .. 2,000 0 0 4,431 2 9 Excess rates levied in previous year transferred in reduction of maintenance costs .. 1,309 14 6 Penalty levied on arrears of £ s. d. maintenance rate .. 69 2 5 J Penalty levied on arrears of capital rate .. .. 57 11 2 126 13 7 Maintenance costs —recoverable out of rates .. 1,086 3 5 " Thirds" .. .. . . . . 15 15 4 Interest on investments .. .. .. 120 011 ' Rates for year ended 31st March, 1919, capitalized under section 12 (4) (c), Finance Act, 1927 (No. 2) .. .. .. .. 8,049 16 1 j Balance transferred to Drainage Works Account 10,641 15 1 £25,921 7 0 [ £25,921 7 0 — ] Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1929. Liabilities. £ s. d. | Assets. £ s. d.. Loan Account .. .. .. .. 515,500 0 0 [ Drainage-works—Expenditure in connection thereLess loans redeemed under Public £ s. d. with (including wages, supplies, administration Debt Repayment Act, 1925 15,500 0 0 expenses, engineering expenses, depreciation of securities cancelled and amount written off as plant and capitalized interest charges)—reducper contra .. .. .. .. 15,500 0 0 tion under section 22, Finance Act, 1925 .. 348,679 7 7 Less securities cancelled and amounts written off 500,000 0 0 -as per contra .. .. .. .. 15.500 0 0 Temporary transfers from other accounts, section 40, Public Revenues Act, 1926 .. .. 5,000 0 0 333 179 7 7 Loans redeemed from Consolidated £ s. d. [ Drainage works—Cost recoverable £ s. d. " I"und .. . . .. 2,500 0 0 out of rates .. .. 205,000 0 0 Less sinking fund in hands of Capitalized interest (section 12, Public Trustee .. .. 1,525 16 0 j Finance Act, 1927 (No. 2) ) 24,045 17 4 — 974 4 0 : 229 045 17 4 Interest contributed by Consolidated Fund .. 81,165 14 6 Plant and machinery .. .. .. 14113 84 Unpaid purchase-money for land taken.. .. 210 1 1 Live-stock .. .. . " " ' ■> 9 6 Sundry creditors—Miscellaneous .. .. 1,745 17 9 Loose tools .. !! !! 298 11 9 Interest on debentures accrued but not due .. 4,941 10 3 Buildings .. .. . 1 249 11 5 Suspense Account .. .. ... ... 1,179 12 5 Wharve's .. " !! !! '314 5 & Rates paid in advance .. .. 17 2 5 Material and stores .. .. .. 1 040 11 6 Rent paid in advance .. .. T. 815 0 Fuel .. .. .. .. .. '44 2 3 Land for Settlements Account .. .. 20 0 0' Maintenance costs (recoverable by rates) .. 1,086 3 5 Sundry debtors— £ 1 s. d. Rates .. .. .. 7,025 16 4 j Law-costs .. .. 89 5 7 Rents .. ' .. 5 10 8 Miscellaneous .. .. 76 16 11 7,197 9 6 Consolidated Fund—Amount short-paid on account of maintenance subsidy .. .. .. 1,160 0 0 Stamps on hand .. .. .. .. 3 11 0 Cash in hands of Post Office .. .. .. 75 15 5 Cash in Public Account, 31st March, 1929 .. 6,411 911 £595,242 17 5 £595,242 17 5 J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands. J. H. O'Donnell, Controller of Accounts. I hereby certify that the Statement of Receipts and Payments, Revenue Account, and Balance-sheet have been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly state the position as disclosed thereby.—G. P. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

Approximate Cost of Paper. Preparation, not given; printing (700 copies, including illustrations and map), £37 10s.

Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington—l 929.

Price Is. 3d.]

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Tarawera River, Mount Edgecombe in Distance.

Tarawera Outlet from Main Road.

Kopeopeo Flood-gates and Diversion.

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PLAN OF RANGITAIKI DRAINAGE DIST.