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Road-construction. Roadworks are being carried out with moneys from, accrued " thirds " and Government grants only. During this year 3 miles 30 chains of new roads have been constructed and completed, 75 chains of this being double-drain formation. Fencing. During the next twelve months a considerable amount of fencing-in of main outfalls will have to be undertaken so as to preserve them from damage by trespassing stock, and also in justice to settlers through whose properties land has been taken for large outfalls. Summary op Works performed. During this past year the following works have been carried out: Dredged, 31,486 cubic yards ; new drains, 15 miles 13 chains ; drains cleaned and deepened, 8 miles 68 chains; river-snagging, 4 miles 10 chains ; one sill bridge erected ; five pontoons built (two for Priestman dredgers, two for coalcarrying, and one for river-snagging); one coal-hopper jetty and one landing-stage erected ; clearing and stumping, 67| chains ; understrutting Te Ngaukoro Bridge ; excavating dredge basin at Mangaroa ; fitting out machinery-shop at Matata ; erection of quarters at " outlet " and Mangaroa ; excavation of Awaiti Bend diversion, 10,220 cubic yards ; erection of dredges and general repairs ; improvements and maintenance of existing works. Drains constructed to date total 40| miles, and river-snagging 9 \ miles. All the above works were performed either by piecework contract or day labour. The average daily number of men employed on the various works was ninety. Difficulty has been experienced in obtaining labour, but this condition is now improving. Proposed Works. The principal works to be carried out during the current financial year are as follows : — (1.) Continuance and maintenance of works in hand, with probable completion of the Rangitaiki River diversion and the Te Rahu - Mangaroa outfalls. (2.) Erection of bridges over outfalls. (3.) Continuance of road-construction. Surveys. A party has been engaged throughout the year on land and engineering surveys. Series of levels have been taken throughout the swamp, and these have now been connected up and " closed," and are fairly complete. The land surveys of the various outfalls are well up to date. Acquisition of Native Lands. During the year 370 acres, comprising twenty-nine sections of Native land, were acquired for the more efficient carrying-out of the drainage and other works. Sundry other small areas were acquired for road purposes. Works Expenditure for the Year. On account of piecework contracts and day labour of all descriptions employed upon drainage operations, pontoon-building, erection of buildings, engineering surveys, erection of machinery, &c, the sum of £7,074 3s. lid. was paid out of local imprest. There were no payments to contractors in connection with the Rangitaiki River diversion during the year. In connection with road-construction, out of special grants the sum of £284 17s. 9d. was paid from local imprest. The number of piecework contracts was twenty. Office. The books in connection with these works are kept at the Thames office. Many plans, including road, Proclamation, and engineering, besides tracings, were made. The Assistant Land Drainage Engineer, Mr. 0. N. Campbell, who is in charge of the works, has done his utmost to ensure the success of all operations, and my thanks are due to him for his assiduous attention to all matters. Mr. G. Tuck, foreman dredgemaster, has also laboured hard in connection with the building of pontoons and erection of machinery, most expeditious work having been done in this connection. The accompanying plan shows works in hand and those proposed. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Land Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary, Department of Lands and Survey. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,700 copies), £2 17s. 6d.

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