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iind reliable data for the new outlet, one mile and a quarter in length, so that tenders for its construction could be called for. The full engineering details and all data for letting a contract were furnished by Mr. J. B. Thompson, the Engineer in charge of the drainage-works, and the Assistant Engineer (Mr. Owen Campbell), and public tenders were called for and extensively advertised. No suitable tender was, however, received. Negotiations were then entered into with Messrs. Rich and Jeffrey, civil engineers and contractors, for the construction of the outlet-works. After the lapse of some time, and after repeated consultations between the Land-drainage Engineer (Mr. J. B. Thompson) and the proposed contractors, a suitable tender, based on the original specifications, was received, and accepted. and the ceremony of turning the first sod of the outlet was performed by the Hon. Roderick McKenzie, Minister of Public Winks, in March, 1911. A scheme has also been prepared for dealing with the flooding of the adjoining land by the overflow of the Tarawera River, and the work will probably be undertaken by this Department under the direction of its own officers. A comprehensive drainage-scheme showing how it is proposed to allot the £50,000 to be raised in accordance with the provisions of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910, has also been prepared and laid before the ratepayers of the district. The statutory report, in accordance with the provisions of the Act in question, and which will contain full details, will be laid before Parliament in due course. (3.) Drainage of Kaitaia or Tangonge Lake and Swamp. Prior to your departure for Great Britain for the purpose of attending the Imperial Conference. it was decided that an engineering survey should be made of the extensive area in Mangonui County known as the Kaitaia or Awanui Swamp and Tangonge Lake, for the purpose of ascertaining wEethei it could be profitably drained. The engineering work is now in progress under Mr. William ('. Breakell, C.E., and the result of his investigations will be available in due course. (4.) Waikato River Improvement, Auckland District. On page 11 of last year's report the question of draining the Whangamarino Swamp was reported upon, and a preliminary engineering report by Mr. William C. Breakell, C.E., was furnished. Following on his report, which pointed to the necessity of dealing with the Waikato River before any drainage proposals could be submitted, a number of settlers interested in the navigation and improvement of the Waikato River formed themselves into an association, under the name of the " Waikato Drainage Association," in September, 1910, and asked that the Government should bear the cost of a further and more exhaustive report as to what works should be undertaken by a River Board (if formed) from the Waikato Heads to Mercer, and give an estimate of the approximate cost of such works. The Government agreed to Mr. Breakell being re-employed for this work, and in January of this year he submitted his report to the Committee, together with plans showing the bed of the Waikato River, and the varying depths of water from Mercer to the Heads. His very interesting and complete report, together with plan, is attached as an appendix to this report. (E.) Land : Miscellaneous. t Although there are very numerous matters that come under this heading, it is only proposed to deal with the chief items in detail. They are, — (1.) Administration of Unvested Public Reserves. By virtue of section 28 of the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908. the Commissioner of Crown Lands for each of the ten land districts jof the Dominion exercises all the powers and functions intrusted to him by the Land Act over Crown land, over all such public reserves as have not been granted, or vested in trustees or local bodies. He is therefore able to prosecute in cases of trespass, lighting of fires, incursion of cattle and stock, and destruction of forest and vegetation, and by means of his Rangers he is kept acquainted with the condition of the reserves, and any illegal dealing with them is at once reported to him, as in the case of ordinary Crown lands. Such reserves mostly comprise recreation reserves that have not been vested in Domain Boards, forest reserves. travelling stock, public utility, and lands set aside for miscellaneous purposes. (2.) Cemeteries. Under the Cemeteries Act, 1908, warrants were issued during the year appointing trustees for the management of seven new cemeteries, bringing the total number of cemeteries under the supervision

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