C.—B

4

Drains. The total length of new drains constructed during the year was 19 miles 52 chains, and the total constructed by the Department since the inception of the scheme 569 miles 13 chains. An unusually large amount of ditch-improvement was carried out, and with few exceptions the drainage ditches throughout the whole area are in very good condition. Details of subsidiary drainage construction and maintenance are : —• Drains cleaned :—> M. oh. Day labour .. .. . . .. .. .. 82 L 6 Piecework contracts .. .. .. .. .. 149 60 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 231 76 Excavation. Drains widened and deepened : — Cub. yd. Day labour .. .. .. .. .. .. 40,294 25 57 Piecework .. . . .. . . .. 94,301 31 50 Totals ~ .. .. .. .. 134,595 57 27 Stop-bank improvements Piecework contracts .. .. .. .. .. 16,401 9 0 New drains Day labour .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,788 1 36 Piecework contracts .. .. .. .. 42,648 9 36 Excavating-machines .. .. .. .. .. 146,856 8 60 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 193,292 19 52 Buildings. An addition was made to office buildings at Kerepeehi, and the motor-truck shed enlarged. The floating quarters for No. 1 dredge were converted into a workman's hut. Six residences, four wharfsheds, and eight huts were painted during the year. The total number of buildings connected with the work is—Houses and small cottages, 21 ; double huts, 15 ; single huts, 24 ; sheds, 24 ; quarters for staff and workmen, 3 ; workshops, 2. Rents received for huts and residences during the year amounted to £490 15s. sd. Plant and Machinery. The construction of No. 24 steam clipper dredge was completed during the year, and also floating quarters for No. 19 dredge. A small kauri coal-pontoon, 24 ft. by 8 ft. by 2 ft. 4 in., and three dredgeboats were also constructed at the Kerepeehi yards, where a large pontoon, 65 ft. by 21 ft. by 5 ft. 1 in., is now under construction. A permanent slipway capable of docking the large dredge-pontoons has been constructed at Kerepeehi, and has been in constant use for the repair of metal barges, dredgepontoons, and other floating plant, and a large staff is constantly employed in the fitting and erecting shop on repair and other work. In addition to the ten dredges, the plant comprises one steam-tug, seven launches, two metal barges, three general-service barges, four tractors, one motor-truck, well-equipped machine-shop, and large road- and general-construction outfit. Wharves and Bridges. Minor repairs were carried out to wharves and bridges. Two small hardwood road-bridges were constructed, and pile abutments substituted for sills in three road-bridges. The Department has also maintained in good order its fifteen wharves on the Piako River, and one at Waitakaruru. These wharves are used free of charge by the settlers and general public, and it now appears time to take into consideration the imposition of dues for all cargo shifted and storage charges for goods left in the Department's sheds. Concrete Structures. One small ferro-concrete road-bridge and the following culverts and liood-gates were constructed during the year :—

Number, j Description. Size of Openings. Length. I „ 1 Single-barrel box culvert with llood-gate and sluice-gate .. 4 ft. by 4 ft. 70 ft. 1 „ ,, 4 ft. by 4 ft. 19 ft. 2 „ „ 4 ft. by 4 ft. 50 ft. 1 Two-barrel box culvert with flood-gates and sluice-gates .. 4 ft. by 4 ft. 50 ft. 1 „ 4 ft. by 4 ft. 44 ft. 1 Concrete dam with two flood-gates .. .. .. 4 ft. by 4 ft. 1 Concrete-pipe culvert with flood-gate .. .. . . 3 ft. diameter 60 ft. 1 Concrete-pipe culvert with flood-gate and sluice-gate .. 3 ft. diameter' 72 ft. 1 Concrete-pipe road-culvert .. .. .. .. 3 ft. diameter 76 ft. 1 „ .. .. .. 3 ft. diameter 24 ft.