DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SWAMP DRAINAGE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1944 Session I, C-04

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1944 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SWAMP DRAINAGE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944

I'resented to both lluuses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist May, 1944. Sir, — In pursuance of section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, I have the honour l< 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. Macmorran, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. the Minister of Lands.

REPORT OP THE CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER Silt, — I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1944, on the areas proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, and its amendments. Kaitaia Drainage Area (61,430 Acres), Mangonui County Although a few minor floods were experienced during the late winter and early spring, the past year has been a very satisfactory one for the drainage area. As the drain-cleaning contracts were completed before any heavy rain fell, the farm lands did not suffer unduly from the flooding. The only main drain to receive attention during the year was Berglian's Western Drain, which was straightened and deepened. It is hoped that other main drains will be cleaned when plant and labour become available. The Waipapakauri Outlet is functioning well, although a vigorous growth of weeds is in evidence in parts. The stop-banks and flood-gates around the Awanui foreshore are in fair order. The rainfall for the year was 59-58 in., an increase of nearly 21 in., as compared with the previous year, which was exceptionally dry. Expenditure and Rates.—Owing to greatly increased costs, tenders for drain-cleaning were high, and the net expenditure on maintenance during the year was £2,722. With few exceptions, European ratepayers in the district took advantage of the Government's offer to accept approximately 50 per cent, of the arrears of rates to 31st March, 1942, in full settlement. A compromise was also arranged with the Natives, and of £285 struck for 1943-44, over half has already been paid. Rates struck: Special, £2,793; general, £2,183. Rates collected, including arrears: Special, £3,467; general, £2,354.

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Hikurangi Drainage Area (50,000 Acres), Whangarei County No work was carried out in this area. Waiiij Drainage Area (20,000 Acres), Tauranga County During the period of thirteen months between Ist March, 1943, and the 31st March, 1944, 46 miles 67 chains of main drains have been cleaned by manual labour. In this district the acute shortage of labour has made the maintenance of drainage-works a difficult matter, and much-needed improvement work has had to be deferred. No. 32 Huston Bucyrus Excavator commenced work on the Kaikokopu Stream on the 23rd April, 1943, but after removing 1,300 cubic yards of silt from a 14 chain reach, work had to be discontinued because of the illness of the driver, and the plant was used by the Public Works Department for defence work, and repairing Hood damage at Tauranga. It has always been known that a considerable portion of the swamp inland from the Waihi Estuary would require pumping for drainage, and a small land-drainage pump has been used for some years to drain an area of 460 acres at the junction of the Kaikokopu and the Wharere Canal. As the result of the gradual subsidence of the peat, the occupied area now requiring mechanical drainage has extended to the south side of the Waerenga Road. Survey records show that there has been a gradual subsidence due to drainage of 4 ft. to 5 ft. in this area between 1908 and 1928, and 1 ft. to 2 ft. since 1928. Inquiries into the possibility of installing additional pumps are now in progress. An area of 930 acres in this district is served by a high-pressure pumped water-supply. The rainfall at Pongakawa during 1943 was 45-26 in. Expenditure and Rates. —Net maintenance expenditure, £1,347. Rates struck: Special, £762; general, £924. Rates collected, including arrears: Special, £954; general, £912. Poukawa Drainage Area (15,567 Acres), Hawke's Bay Maintenance work at a net cost of £351 was carried out during the year, and I am again indebted to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Napier, for the preparation and inspection of drain-cleaning contracts, and payments made to contractors. Rates struck: Special, £1,033; general, £321. Rates collected, including arrears: Special, £629; general, £188. No progress has been made regarding Native rates in this area. 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].

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