5

C—B

Principal Works proposed, The prinoipal works (apart from road-metalling) to be carried out in the future are as follows :— (1.) Continuation of Waitoa River dredging. (2.) Completion of Mangatarata Stream dredging. (3.) Continuation of Waitakaruru-Mnukoro Canal. (4.) Continuation of Awaiti ('anal. (5.) Replacements of wooden flood-gates and sill bridges by concrete, (6.) General development-work and preparation of new areas for settlement. Lands proposed to be opened. Owing to inanj' difficulties my anticipation of opening up the 3,000 aores of laud were not realized. However, late in the year the services of two surveyors became available and work was at once put in hand. By the end of the year the field-work of about 4,000 acres had been completed, and plans were expected early in April. 1919. These lands will be available very shortly,. Field-work of another 3,700 acres was well in hand at the end of March, and it is expected this will be ready in about six months' time. It is practically certain that about 5,000 acres of drained and subdivided land will be available for selection before the spring of 1919. Much of it, is of good quality and will be eagerly sought for. Beyond this area we are preparing for the development of further swamp lands, and now that conditions are becoming more normal good progress will be possible. At least three more dredges are required to assist, more rapid development, and I would advocate the acquisition of suitable dredges of " Dipper " type being obtained from America. General. The books in connection with the works are kept in Auckland, where vouchers for wages, contracts, supplies, and general purposes are prepared. The officer in charge is Mr. R. S. Logan, Land Drainage Engineer, who has very zealously and capably carried out the supervision of operations and development-work. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, The Under-Secretary for Lands. Wellington. Chief Drainage Engineer.

Schedule of Artesian Bores sunk during the Year 1918-19.

Hauraki Plains Settlement Account. Statement of Transactions during Year ended 31st March, 191!). Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ ». d. Balance brought forward at Ist April, 1918 1,365 2 0 Drainage-works,'stop-banks, clearing chanDebentures issued —Hauraki Plains Amend- nels, and other expenditure incidental to ment Acts, 1913 and 1914 .. .. 25,000 o 0 conducting drainage operations, material, Cash sales .. .. .. •■ 5,382 10 0 supplies, &c. .. .. ..21,738 12 10 Rents .. •• •• ■• 9,219 17 11 ' Erection of wharf, cottages, huts, and sheds 1,914 0 0 Miscellaneous receipts — £ S. d. Machinery, plant, loose tools .. .. 1,798 14 2 Hut-rents .. .. 12 4 -3 Artesian wells . . . . .. 220 5 8 Plax-sales . . .. 576 5 9 Compensation for land acquired in oonnec-Urazing-rents . . 61 1 2 tion with drainage-works .. .. 158 19 6 Timber .. .. 10 0 0 Management and engineering expenses, efce. 706 10 7 Tram freights .. 325 9 4 Travelling-expenses .. .. . . 183 12 9 Artesian wells .. 196 5 7 Interest on debentures. . .. .. 4,854 16 2 Old plant .. .. 16 0 0 Balance at 31st March, 1919 .. .. 10,589 4 4 1,197 6 1 £42,164 16 0 , £42,164 16 0

rtesian Bore No. (Section. Block. Survey District. Total depth in Feet. Running Flow, Gallons per Day. 139 140 141 142 8 Part Mangawhero 3C2B 1) Waitakaruru 2A1A X Wharekawa 342 374 213 237 No flow. 4',800 4,800