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1920. NEW ZEALAND.

RANGITATA RIVER (REPORT OF RIVERS COMMISSION ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

REPORT. To His Excellency Sir Robert Stout, the Administrator of the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand. May it please Your Excellency,— The Governor-General's Commission dated Bth April, 1919, directed us to inquire into certain matters in respect of the Clutha, Orari, Rangitata, Waimakariri, Ashley, and Maerewhenua Rivers, and such other rivers as might be added thereto from time to time. The Governor-General's further Warrant dated 22nd July, 1919, added to the Commission the Waihi, Wairau, Waiau-uha, Taieri, and Aparima Rivers. The time within which we were required to furnish our reports was extended by the Governor-General to the 7th June, 1920, and further extended by Your Excellency to the 7th December, 1920. The present report deals only with the Rangitata River. The reports on the Maerewhenua, Clutha, Aparima, and Taieri Rivers have already been presented to the Governor-General. The reports upon the remaining rivers will be submitted in due course when the requisite data has been collected. The Governor-General's Commission directed us, in respect of each river,— " (1.) To inquire into the cause or causes of the silting-up of the channels, the flooding of the adjacent lands by the said rivers, the erosion of their banks, and the damage to the surrounding country; " (2.) To ascertain the nature and extent of the damage done to the lands adjacent to the said rivers, and what area of land is affected by such floods or erosion, or both, and whether it is practicable at reasonable expense to prevent such flooding or erosion, or both, either wholly or partially; " (3.) To ascertain the best method of providing for the control of the said rivers and their tributaries so as to safeguard the lands affected, and to provide for the effective control and improvement of the said rivers and their banks; " (4.) To ascertain the nature and extent of any drainage-works that may be required, and the best method of carrying out such works; " (5.) (a.) To furnish estimates of the cost of such remedial measures as you may recommend should be taken for the effective control and improvement of the said rivers and their banks; " (b.) To report in the case of each river what area or areas of land should be constituted a district in respect of which a rate may be levied to secure and pay the interest on and provide a fund for the repayment of any loan that may be raised to carry out any river-improvement works which you may recommend should be undertaken;

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