D —6c

6

better conserve the interests of a group of settlers. In such cases the controlling body should have authority the specialywork required, and to collect the cost of such work from the settlers concerned, in proportions to be mutually agreed upon before the work is undertaken. With regard to such areas as theJßayswater Estate, the Otautau River Board's district, and the land in the wider portions of the valley at the lower end, these can be adequately protected against flooding at reasonable expense. Reference No. 3. To ascertain the best method, of providing for the control of the said river and its tributaries so as to safeguard the lands affected, and to provide for the effective control and improvement of the said river and its banks. The works recommended by your Commissioners are shown on plans marked 1 and 2, hereto attached, and consist generally of — (a.) The improvement and extension up-stream of the levees above the town of Otautau, to prevent the flood-waters from flowing into the Otautau Stream and its tributaries and so flooding the town of Otautau. (b.) The making continuous, and possibly in. some places the raising, of the levees protecting Bayswater, in order to prevent the floodwaters from overflowing the left bank of the river into the lowlying swamp lands and thence into the Waimatuku Stream, (c.) The removal or destruction of all gorse, broom, willows, and other obstructions from the shingle-banks in the bed of the- river. (d.) The protection of the river-banks from erosion. This can best be done by the use of willow, fir, or brushwood mattresses bound and held in position by fencing-wire anchored to posts driven some little distance back from the edge of the bank, the mattresses being weighted down at intervals by netted stones to prevent floating. These brushwood mattresses gradually get their interstices filled up with silt, and form a very efficient protection to the banks against erosion by scour. At points of concentrated attack it will be necessary to adopt rail, willow, and wire fence protection, backed by a growth of willows. Whether levees other than those above recommended should be erected appears to your Commissioners to be a matter for future consideration by the controlling authority to be set up. In view of existing data and information available your Commissioners do not feel justified in advising that more than the limited amount of levee-work, as outlined above, should in the meantime be undertaken. Reference No. 4. To ascertain the nature and extent of any drainag;-works that may be required, and the best method of carrying out such works. It does not appear to your Commissioners that any drainage-works worthy of incorporation in this report are necessary. Reference No. 5. (a.) To furnish estimates of the cost of such remedial measures as you may recommend should be undertaken for the effective control and improvement of the said rivers and their banks. Your Commissioners estimate the cost of the remedial work's recommended under reference No. 3, clauses (a), (b), (c), and (d), at £5,000. In this connection your Commissioners do not consider that the Government should be called upon to contribute in any way towards the cost of construction of the remedial works so far recommended, either for the prevention of flooding or the erosion of the river-banks.