C—B.

6

The following quantities of metal were supplied by scows : McCallum Bros., 2,527 cubic yards ; Winstone and Co., 538 cubic yards ; and the Auckland Shingle Company, 304 cubic yards. Total quantity of metal, &c, used, 8,596 cubic yards. An attempt was made to metal simultaneously at two landings, but owing to shortage of labour, &c, this was found impossible. However, everything is now in readiness for this purpose, and a start has already been made to remetal the Kopuarahi Road, which was ploughed and reformed in readiness. All metalling is done out of special grants, and it is proposed to ca.ry on same if funds are available, the following roads receiving first attention : (1) Ngatea-Pipiroa Road (continuation) ; (2) Pipiroa-Waitakaruru Road (uncompleted portion) ; (3) Kopuarahi Road (reinstalling) ; (4) metalling McKerchar's Road; (5) metalling Rawera we - Paul's Wharf (continuation); (6) metalling Awaiti Road. The following is a schedule showing the roads metalled during the year : — M. oh. Rawerawe Road .. .. .. . . . . . . 1 35 Ngatea-Pipiroa Road .. .. . . .. .. 1 75 Hopai Road .. . . .. . . . . . . ..10 Patetonga Road .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 25 Ngarua Road .. .. .. . . .. . . 0 35 Wb.akah.oro Road .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 24 Paeroa-Tahuna Road .. .. .. .. .. ..10 Mahuta Road . . .. .. .. .. .. . . 1 40 Rawerawe-Paul's Wharf Road .. .. .. .. .. 0 17 Principal Works proposed. The principal works proposed to be carried out during the next financial year are as follows : — (1.) Continuation Waitoa Canal. (2.) Continuation Waitakaruru Canal. (3.) Commencement of dredging Awaiti River. (4.) Replacing wooden tide-gates by concrete. (5.) Replacing sill bridges by concrete culverts. (6.) Supply ferro-concrete pipes for culverts. (7.) New outlet drains and general development-work. (8.) Preparation of new area for settlement. Lands proposed to be opened. It is anticipated that with Jugo-Slav labour available for drainage operations some 3,000 acres of land will be ready for settlement in about twelve months. The acute shortage of labour in the past has prevented development-work, as only sufficient labour for maintenance was available. General. The books in connection with the works are kept in the Auckland office. The officer in charge of the drainage operations is Mr. R. S. Logan, Land Drainage Engineer. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. Chief Drainage Engineer. - -

Schedule of Artesian Bores sunk during the Year 1917-18.

Artesian Bore No. Section. Block. Survey District. Total Deptfc, I in Feet. I Running Flow, Gallons per Day. 137 138 14 17 XIII XIII Waihou 1.77 213 Pumping. 80 J