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v Stop-banks. Owing to floods breaking through existing stop-banks on the' east side of the Rangitaiki River in Section 58, Matata Parish, it was decided to renew the old bank and raise the height some 2 ft. This work was accordingly put in hand, and up to the end of the period some 100 chains of bank have been completed. A low bend on the west bank of the Rangitaiki was also banked for a distance of some 50 chains. A comprehensive scheme of stop-banking this river will shortly he undertaken in conjunction with the Public Works Department, who will strengthen existing banks to protect the railway-line now being laid across the swamp. Drains in Operation. The total length of drains in operation to date is as follows: Dredge cuts, twenty-four miles; main drains, ninety-three miles; road drains, twenty-one miles. Most of the drains have been enlarged and deepened during the period, arid all have been cut and dragged. All drains are now in first-class order. Won ksii op , Thornton . A good deal of work of all kinds for the various dredges, launches, &c, employed on the works was put through by the workshop, and much saving in both time and expense is effected by having this shop on the works. Buildings. During the period a four-roomed cottage with out-buildings was erected for the local Engineer, and three one-roomed whares were also built, one for use at■ headquarters and two for Priestman No. 3 staff. Otherwise the buildings are the same as last year, the total now being twenty-three. Floating Plant. This consists of three Priestman dredges, two ferry-pontoons, snagging-bargo, one towingbarge, three oil-launches, and various punts, boats, &c. All plant is in good order with the exception of the Tarawera Ferry punt, which is decaying a good deal. Both ferry-punts are now out; of commission, as the Rangitaiki and Tarawera Rivers have been bridged. Surveys. The survey staff has been actively engaged during the past year. Survey of the road and railway from Awakaponga to Awakeri is practically complete, and Crown and Native lands from the Rangitaiki outlet to the Tarawera outlet have been subdivided. In addition to this, trial levels in connection with, outfall lines and dredge cuts have been taken, and much work of a similar nature carried out. Altogether sixty-live miles of levels were taken during the period. Summary . New outlet drains ~. ... ... ... 57,045 cubic yards; 230 chains. Excavation by dredges ... ... ... 176,672 cubic yards; 7| miles. New road drains ... ... ... ... 27,023 cubic yards; 4 miles. Deepening and widening outlet drains... ... 218,860 cubic yards; 54 miles. Cleaning outlet drains ... ... ■'■■ ... 674 miles. Roads formed (new ... ... ... ... ... If miles. Stop-banks ... ... ... ... ... 2 miles. Fencing ... ... ... ... ... ... 8| miles. Levels taken ... ... ... ... ... 65 miles. Pile bridges erected ... ... ... ... ... 2 Sill bridges ... ... ... ... ... 5 Small bridges and culverts ... ... ... ... 18 Flood-gate ... ... ■■• ••■ ... I General improvement and maintenance of existing works, together with numerous other minor services. Principal Works proposed. The principal works to be carried tint during the next financial year are as follows:— (1.) Contiiiuat.hjii Omeheu outfall. (2.) Redredging Kopeopeo Canal to Eastern drain. (:!.) Redredging Kopeopeo deviation, and thence up Kopeopeo Canal to Reid's Central drain. (4.) Improvement to Orini Stream. (5.) Completion of Railway Road. (6.) Flood-gate on old Rangitaiki River. (7.) Flood-gate on Kopeopeo deviation. (8.) New outlet drains and general development-work. Works Expenditure for the Year. The total amount expended on the works during the year was, ,£59,469 os. 3d. This includes day labour, piecework, hire of teams, purchase of plant and machinery, supplies and repairs, &c. Of the total amount the sum of £53.910 9s. 3d. was paid out of Imprest Account. The amount paid out for day labour of all descriptions amounted to £15,767 75.; piecework,. £23.880 17s. 10d. : hire of teams', £2,817 10s. Id.