DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1942.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1942 Session I, C-04

C.—4,

1942. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1942.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section lti of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915.

Department of Lands and Survey, Sir,— Wellington, Ist July, 1942. In pursuance of .section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, I have the honour to forward the report of the Chief Drainage Engineer covering operations on lands proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act and amendments. I have, &c, R, G. Maomobban, The Hon. the Minister of Lands. [Jnder-Secretary for Lands. EEPOET OP THE CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sib, — I have the honour to submit my annual report on the areas proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, and its amendments, for the year ended 31st March, 1942. Kaitaia Drainage Area (61,430 Acres), Mangonui County. The Waipapakauri outlet, completed with the Monighan dredge last year, was extended westwards to connect up with the drainage from the sand-hill area. This work, which was carried out by hand labour, consisted in widening and deepening an existing drain along the western boundary of the small-farm area. The rainfall for the year amounted to 38-37 in., a decrease of 10 in. on the fall for the previous year. Drains. —Two lengths of drain were deepened, but the shortage of labour prevented further work of this nature. The main outlet drains, some 60 miles in length were cleaned. Stop-banks and Floodgates. —Repairs to the various lengths of stop-bank and to floodgates were carried out as required. Protection work along the Awanui River bank where erosion was causing concern was carried out and promises to be effective. Whangatane Spillway. —It was not possible to put in hand the maintenance work required at the southern end of this channel, a light plant not being available for the work. The rainfall for the year was exceptionally low and no flooding was experienced. Expenditure and Rates. —The net expenditure on maintenance during the year was £1,231. 1941-42 rates struck were—Town: Special, £464; general, £211. Rural: Special, £3,465; general, £1,931. The amount paid during the,year on account of current rates and arrears was—Town : Special, £462 ; general, £213. Rural: Special, £1,207 ; general, £633. Hikurangi Drainage Area (50,000 Acres), Whangarei County. The remaining plant on this area was disposed of during the year, and no expenditure was incurred. Waihi Drainage Area (20,000 Acres). Tauranga County. The general maintenance of outlets, stop-banks, and floodgates was carried out in this area. The main drains cleaned, totalled 36 miles 30 chains. A small Ruston Bucyrus excavator was transferred from the Rangitaiki district and commenced work late in the year, filling gaps in the Pongakawa River and Pukehina Canal stop-banks.

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The Department's swamp lands under development in this district, 2,500 acres in extent, have with a favourable season shown marked improvement. The net maintenance expenditure for the year was £1,020. 1941—42 rates struck were : Special, £767 ; general, £823. The amount paid during the year on account of current rates and arrears was : Special, £736 ; general, £1,177. Poukawa Drainage Area (15,567 Acres). Hawke's Bay. Maintenance of completed works was again carried out during the year, and lam indebted to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Napier, for the preparation and inspection of drain-cleaning contracts and payments for the work executed. The net maintenance expenditure during the year was £284. 1941-42 rates struck were : Special, £1,172 ; general, £326. The amount paid during the year on account of current rates and arrears was: Special, £692 ; general, £187. I have, &c, R. L. Innis, Chief Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. A statement of accounts is published in parliamentary paper 8.-l [Pt. IV].

Approximate Cost of Pope?.—Preparation, not given ; printing (475 copies), SI lSu.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 942.

Price 3d.]

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