5

C.-8

Snagging, No work under this heading has been rallied ou! on the Piako River, all work being confined to the Waitoa River. A contract which was let during December, I!) 13, for the stretch between the Piraunui and Waihekau Streams was completed, and in addition a piecework contract was let to snag the portion as far south as the Te Aroha - Morrinsville Railway. This work was all completed in February, and the total distance covered for the year was 329 chains. In addition, in April, 1914, the Department's plant, was engaged in weeding about five miles of the Waitoa River. The total cost of the above work was £BiS7 Is. 10d., which was defrayed out of a special grant. Whauves. The total number of wharves constructed to date is fifteen, one having been added to the previous year's total. This new wharf was constructed at the south end of the Puhanga Canal, and is extremely useful for several settlers. Moreover, additions were made to two wharves, and in several cases fender piles were driven. During this coming year it will be necessary to construct a wharf near the mouth of the Ngarua Creek: also, it is evident that a permanent wharf at Waitakaruru will have to be constructed near the mouth of the canal, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate the creek between the canal and the upper landing. Flood-gates. The total number of flood-gates now in use is fifty-six, two having been added during the year. All gates have been inspected at intervals, and maintained in fair order. In ordei to complete the scheme thero are two gates slid to be constructed at Waitakaruru. Bridges, Culverts, etc. The total number of sill bridges is ninety-live, small bridges on piles ten, two three-span bridges, one two-span bridge, and eight culverts. The most important bridge built was the permanent structure across the Waitakaruru Canal. Three concrete culverts were placed in position at points where it is evident that the drains will not require further deepening. The most important bridge slill to be constructed is across (he llopai Creek, on the IlopaiPipiroa Road. Private Telephone to Works. This line has, as usual, been of great assistance in facilitating the progress of the works, extending as it dins from Kerepeehi to Waitakaruru, and having, moreover, the right to be switched on to the postal line to Thames. Buildings. One small shed was dismantled, leaving a total of thirty-seven buildings that are used as quarters, wharf-sheds, Ac. All buildings are in fair order, with the exception of some of the original section huts, which, through rough handling when being shifted, now are lit for little more than providing shelter. Several buildings would be the better for being painted next summer. Floatisu Plant, This plant consists of the following: Two Priestman grab dredgers complete, oik: steamer, four oil-launches, six pontoons, and several small punts. Late in March one launch has been transferred to the works, so as to cope with the lowing of the luetalling-puuts to Kerepeehi. The launches are distributed as follows: One at the dredges up the Piako River; one in general use; and two, as well as the s.s. " Hauraki," are engaged in towing metalling-punts. All plant is in fair order. • Artesian Boring-plant. During the year twenty-two bores were sunk by the Department's plant, bringing the total sunk to date to 104. Tile shallowest bore was !)1 ft., while the deepest was 465 ft. The largest flow of water was 114,000 gallons, and the lowest was 3,840 gallons per day, but in no case was pure water obtained, all Hows being mineralized. In three cases (lie water would not rise above the surface of the ground, and required to be pumped either by hand or by a windmill. During the year the Rev. Mason visited the plains at the request of some of the settlers, and located various points were good flows should be obtained. In due course the weds were sunk, and good flows were obtained in most cases at a shallow depth, but, as stated before, no pure water was obtained. The cost of this wink for the year was £573 15s. 4d., bringing the total spent to date to £2,281 14s. lid. Schedules of all bores sunk during the year are attached, and disclose the similarity of the strata in various localities. The amount spent on the bores is refunded by the settlers either by instalments or when the sections are transferred.