o.—B

Session 11. 1928. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1923, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented, to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 10 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908.

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington. sth June, 1923. I have the honour to submit herewith the report on the drainage operations in the Hauraki Plains for the past year, in accordance with the provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908. Attention is drawn to the table of spoil dredged for the past ten years, from which it will be seen that the amount dredged in the last twelve months was 78 per cent, greater than that of the preceding year, a result which is largely attributable to the use of the new American dredges, which were in full operation. The increase since 1913-14 was almost exactly 300 per cent, testifying to the activity of the Department's operations. The total area opened is 42,166 acres, and it is hoped to open a further area of 2,600 acres during the current year. The detailed report of the Chief Drainage Engineer is attached, together with a statement of accounts and balance-sheet. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands.

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir,— I ha.ye the honour to present herewith the fifteenth annual report on the drainage operations and general development works on the Hauraki Plains. The report covers the work done during the year ending 31st March, 1923. Very satisfactory progress has been made with the development works, and collateral activity in agricultural production has been very marked. The output from the factories handling the dairyproducts of the plains has been 4,329.920 lb. of butter and 1,675,520 lb. of cheese. The value of stock-sales held at Ngatea, Waitakaruru, Patetonga, and Turua was approximately £34,500, and the amount of cargo carried to and from the Piako River was over 12,000 tons. Weather conditions have been generally favourable to farmers, and the dry autumn experienced has been particularly satisfactory for the carrying-out of the various development works. Rain fell on 129 days during the year, and a total rainfall of 33-81 in. was recorded at Kerepeehi. The following schedule gives particulars of rainfall for the past seven years : —

The average yearly rainfall for the past seven years was 41-99 in, 1—C. 8.

Year. Total Rainfall. Wettest Month, and Fall. Dryest .Month, and Fall. 916-17 917-18 .918-19 919-20 920-21 .921-22 922-23 55-57 in. 46-41 in. 41-02 in. 34-85 in. 35-93 in. 46-34 in. 33-81 in. Nov, 1916—6-65 in. April. 1917—5-67 in. Oct, 1918—7-47 in. Feb, 1920—6-10 in. Sept, 1920—5-10 in. Feb, 1922—6-62 in. Jan, 1923—4-14 in. Jan, 1917—0-65 in. Dec, 1917—2-18 in. Feb, 1919—1-34 in. Dec, 1919—0-89 in. Feb, 1921—0-72 in. Nov, 1921—1-34 in. Mar, 1923—1-72 in.