C— 8

6

Acquisition of Native Lands.

Proclamation plans covering some 1,027 acres 2 roods 31-6 perches have been prepared of areas immediately intersecting land disposed of. These Native areas are an impediment to the more successful drainage of the adjoining land, besides being detrimental to the interests of settlers who are anxious to fence and are mulcted in the whole cost of fencing Native boundaries. The intention to take the land has been gazetted. The attached plan shows in solid red colour the lands it is intended to take. Land proposed to be opened. Regarding land that will be available for selection during the current financial pear, it is estimated that about 6,8W acres will probably be sufficiently drained for the purpose. Of this area some 2.<H)<> acres is in the locality of Tahuna. and some 3,000 acres adjoins the Waitoa Estate, and some 1,800 acres (inclusive of proposed acquisitions) adjoins lands already disposed of. Every effort is being made to facilitate opening of same, and the survey of the Waitoa area is well advanced. Drainage operations are also in a forward stage, and all being well the areas will be available before next .March. The offering of the above lands, and the areas of Native blocks it is intended to acquire, will to all intents and purposes see the more readily drainable swam]) country disposed of, and a period must their expire before other lands are available. Office. Both clerical and draughting staffs have been kept very busy during the past year. The drafting branch completed all the plans of Native land, proclamation, road, and other surveys. Three photolithographic tracings were also made in addition to engineering plans and general work. The local imprest discharged liabilities of contracts, workmen's and survey parties' wages amounting to £25,114 12s. 6d. Some 887 vouchers were certified-to for payment through local imprest and Treasury. The number of co-operative and general contracts dealt with was 129. New quarters were obtained for the Department at Thames during the past year, and are very convenient. General. A glance at the attached plan shows that the scope of operations has very materially altered during the past year, and that every effort is being made to give effect to the Department's desire that all readily available land should be brought to profit as early as possible. The confidence of yourself expressed as regards the ultimate success of the Hauraki Plains is fully justified at the present stage, and there is no doubt that substantial benefits will accrue to "the surrounding district by the settlement of same. Already two large adjoining properties subdivided into small farms are on the market for disposal. A progressive movement is now on foot amongst settlers to establish the dairy industry, and the use of home separators will probably be the form decided upon. The staff has to a man taken more than ordinary interest in all operations of the past year, and my thanks are due to them for their loyalty and unremitting attention in all departments. The accompanying plan shows in distinct colours, &c, the present state of operations, and the reference notes thereon clearly distinguish the various classes of drainage-works, lands disposed of, and future proposals in this connection. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. Drainage Engineer. Artesian Bokk No. •''> (Waitakaruru). Depth in Depth in Ft. Ft. Ft. Ft. oto 18 18 blue mud. 273 12 pumice sand. 38 20 white clay, shell. 276 3 mud. 5-1 16 dark clay with shell. 278 2 sand. • 59 5 sand. 281 3 clay. 70 11 peaty. 307 26 pumice sand. 85 15 peaty swamp. 30i> 2 peaty swamp. 101 16 sandy mud. , 313 4 clay. 107 6 peaty swamp. 325 12 pumice sand. 127 20 white clay and sand. 336 11 clay. 141 14 blue clay. 342 6 pumice sand. 166 25 sand. 346 4 pumice clay. 176 10 slatey mud. 348 2 peaty clay. 182 6 peaty sand. 352 4 sand. 202 20 sand. 372 20 rough sand. 205 3 rough sand. 382 10 pumice sand. 215 10 rough shingle. 395 13 blue mud. 221 6 sand. 397 2 sand. 231 10 white clay. 399 2 blue clay. 233 2 swamp. " 409 10 blue clay. 234 1 sand. 421 12 sand. ■J I 1 10 white clay. 432 11 sand. 217 3 pumice sand. 131 2 clay. 261 I 1 clay and sand. 450 16 shingle Flow, 6,000 gallons per day.