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when drained will be first-class land. Of the 3,057 acres, 1,288 acres arc portion of the Poukawa Native Reserve, the remainder forming parts of thirteen blocks of laud belonging principally to Native owners as set out, with the respective areas, in the schedule on plan numbered 1. The lake is near the head of and feeds the Poukawa Stream with an approximately ordinary discharge of 800 cubic feet per minute, which is increased to about double that quantity when joining the Awanui Stream near Pakipaki, some seven miles below. The watershed of the lake is 19,000 acres. and in times of heavy rain supplies more than can at present be taken away, owing to there being a mile of raupo swamp between the lake and the creek proper, through which the outlet is much obstructed, consequently the lake-level varies considerably in time of flood and drought. Leaving the edge of the raupo, the creek for three-quarters of a mile has a fall of 10J ft., and is confined between sharply rising ground ; for the next three-quarters of a mile the fall is less and the course sinuous ; thence to the Heretaunga Plains the stream follows raupo swamps of a varying width confined by the hill-slopes. Leaving the hill country, the stream originally emptied into a large area of swamp land, eventually finding its way into the Awanui Stream below the Pakipaki Railwaystation. This land has since been drained, and the creek led into the Awanui Stream above the railwaystation. The drains are not large enough, and have been constructed without regard to the necessity of saving distance, the present course being much longer than that originally followed, but now blocked. Proposals. —Commencing in the creek 110 chains distant from its junction with the raupo swamp, I propose to excavate a drain 12 ft., decreasing to 10 ft. wide on the bottom, having side slopes according to the nature of the ground, ascending at the rate of 4 ft. per mile, and following the present creek-bed where it is practicable and fairly direct. The bottom of this drain will be 13 ft. below present waterlevel at the junction. From there the rise will be at the rate of 3 ft. per mile, which will bring the bottom of the drain to 1 ft. below the surface, where there is now 10 ft. of water. The straightening and deepening of the creek necessitates the construction of a small bridge, three miles fencing, and interference with freehold lands, all of which matters are allowed for in the estimate below. Ten watercourses find their way into the swamp. When the water is lowered these must be conveyed to the reduced lake by drains, four miles of new drain and three miles and a half of drains and watercourses requiring to be improved and deepened. Pukahu Settlers. —Mr. Hugh Campbell, on behalf of the settlers at Pukahu, is much concerned at the prospect of the low-lying country between Pukahu and Pakipaki being Hooded owing to the rapidity with which the rainfall will be conveyed to the lower levels when the level of the la 1 cis reduced. The proposals contained herein when carried out will not entirely drain the lake. The area of water left will be about 200 acres, which will probably increase to 400 acres during heavy continued vain, as the proposed outlet will not be capable of taking the water in such times without a rise of several feet. That the volume will be increased, and the discharge quicker to some extent, and that overflows may occur I admit, but the scheme adopted in draining the Pakipaki Swamp (before referred to) is greatly at fault, and On the present lines should never have been carried out. To prevent the possibility of an}' damage being caused, the old course of the Poukawa Stream near Pakipaki should be again opened up, shortening the present course by 85 chains in a total distance of 100 chains, the material excavated from the old creek-bed to be used for raising the present banks to an even gradient. If this is done, and the Awanui Creek improved at a few points below the junction, all reasons for objections on the grounds stated will be obviated. Cost of Works. —The total estimated cost of the proposed works is as follows : — 110 chains main drain— £ s. d. 24,872 yards, at Is. 6d. .. .. .. .. .. 1,865 4 0 5,200 yards, at Is. .. .. .. .. .. 260 0 0 Road bridge .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 3 miles fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Compensation for land to be acquired .. .. .. .. 300 0 0 100 chains of main drain through raupo swamp, at £12 10s. per chain.. 1,250 0 0 4 miles construction subsidiary drains, at £2 per chain .. .. 640 0 0 3J miles improvement subsidiary drains, at £1 per chain .. .. 280 0 0 Clearing old watercourse of Poukawa Stream near Pakipaki, constructing embankments, clearing and widening drains, fencing, and removing and re-erecting present fence .. .. .. 500 0 0 Or, in the alternative, constructing new channel along direct line, fencing, &c. ; improving the Awanui Stream for 1 mile below junction .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 Contingencies .. .. .. .. .. .. 455 0 0 £6,000 0 0 Maintenance. —The prospective liability for maintenance : The carrying-out of the works will probably extend over three seasons —the first summer in deepening the creek as far as the junction with the swamp and fencing and other work incidental thereto, also straightening the course of the Poukawa Stream near Pakipaki; the second summer in continuing the level of the deepened creek into the lake and in partially making the subsidiary drains ; and the third summer in completing these drains and remaking that portion of the main drain originally constructed through swamp land. Provision will be made in carrying out the work to insure a gradual lowering of the lake. I estimate the amount required for maintenance, commencing on the completion of the whole work, will be £100 per annum, which amount should be borne by the owners of the various lands beneficially interested proportionately,