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Rapid No. 18<>, Otaiko : Stone wall (not measured), estimated, 300 ft. by 5 ft. by 8 ft. 6 in. Rapid No. 192, Ruahinetaro : Stone wall, 312 ft. by 6 ft. by 3 ft. As-well as the above, the channel between Ngaporo (Hi ,, ) and Tamnarunui lias received considerable attention by snagging and clearing stones and boulders not previously referred to. The concise report by Mr. .). T. Stewart, a member of the Trust, and at one time its honorary engineer, which is attached to this, has relieved me of much work in the preparation of my annual report, and I also enclose Mr. Stewart's second report, which gives valuable information as to next year's requirements. Mr. Stewart has referred to the valuable assistance given by the Trust's foreman (Captain Marshall), and I quite concur will) and indorse his remarks. It is apparent to those who take an interest in the work already performed by this Trust that most valuable work has been accomplished. The river is now in a fairly navigable condition for the 144 miles that is under the jurisdiction of the Trust, but there are still important works to be attended to. I trust that a sum of not less than £2,000 will be found on the estimates for next working season. I am, &c, T. D. Cummins, Chairman. Win. ('. Kensington, Esq., 1.5.0., Under-Secretary for Lands. Wellington.

Report by John T. Stewart, Member of the River Trust. T. D. Cummins. Esq., Chairman of the Wanganui River Trust. On the sth May. 1910. 1 accompanied the Chairman of the Trust from Wanganui up the river to Tautnarunui, arriving there on the 7th. The river was low, and favourable for inspection of the works, the water at the gauge at Pipiriki being 4 in. above low summer level. In general we found the river-improvement works in a satisfactory state, and the river-steamers keeping up the traffic in the low river with general regularity. In the most difficult part of the river, the upper section from Koiro, Rapid No, 65, up to Taumarunui. a distance of about twenty-one miles, the new canoe-launch " Waireka." a most suitable boat for this navigation, placed on the service last season, and capable of carrying sixty passengers, went up all the rapids save two without using auxiliary wire-rope traction. During the present season one working-party was engaged in the upper reaches from Taumarunui downwards. The stoppage of the vagrant channel in the Wanganui opposite Taumarunui which broke through in the winter and threatened to withdraw a great portion of the water from its former course, which led to the improved navigation channel from the junction of the Ongarue River for a considerable distance downwards, was in the commencement of this season successfully carried out, although a difficult work, by the foreman of works. Mr. A. Marshall, and this has attained the object required. This party also worked downwards to below the Retaruke Junction for a distance of about thirtyfive miles, repairing and lengthening and putting in new training-walls at shallows, and clearing rocks and timber where required. This party now goes on to Tarepokiore, Rapid No. 128, where some more of the cliff on the right bank requires removal where the channel is narrowed by the large slip on the left bank, and which work, being chiefly blasting above low water, can lie undertaken in winter. A second party was employed above Pipiriki as far up as Otaiko, Rapid No. 180, a distance of about fifteen miles, doing similar work, one of the principal being at the upper Ngaporo, Rapid No. 189, which is one of the most difficult rapids on the river, strengthening and repairing the training-wall from the left bank, thus giving more water in the channel. In next season it is proposed that one party continue the work in the upper reaches, where some training-walls are required at shallows, and where maintenance and repairs will always be heavier than in the lower courses of the river. The second party next season, it is proposed, will take up the repair and improvement from Pipiriki downwards to the commencement of the River Trust district at Kaorikia. a distance of about forty miles. Here several repairs are wanted, where minor additions were made to some of the stone trainingwalls by adding wire-netting walling. These repairs will lie done with stonework, the material for which is more easily got here than in the upper reaches, where the shingle is heavier and more suited for netting-work. If this lower section is carefully gone over next season, and weather is advantageous for work, the future maintenance here should be moderate. 1 have sent you a separate report, with detailed notes taken on this visit between Wanganui and Taumarunui; and a copy of this might be given to the foreman of works for his information for next season. Lately a good deal of attention has been drawn to the question of deforestation affecting the watersupply to the river. This is manifestly a most important consideration for the Wanganui River Trust, as any diminution in the water-level in low-river periods would certainly interfere with the navigation. Up till now no serious effect has occurred, but with the evident and increasing progress of settlement there is little doubt it may seriously occur in the near future. There is a certain amount of valuable storage in the snowfall on the Tongariro Ruapehu Ranges, but the main supply to the river is from the rainfall, and the forest growths along the river and its numerous tributaries conserve this for a supply in prolonged droughts. A reservation has been made along both banks of the Wanganui itself below Taumarunui wherever there are Crown lands. This is important, but the reservation of forest in the upper courses of the river and its tributaries is even more important. Take one of the numerous tributaries, the Whakapapa, which draws water from the western slopes of Ngaruahoe and Ruapehu : This stream joins the Wanganui above I'iriaka. and its volume bears a considerable proportion to the

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