3

0.—11

No. 21 Bay City dredge : This plant was dismantled and railed from the Awakaponga drain to the Tarawera Siding early in the period. After overhaul and reassembling, plant was started at the head of Grieve's drain, and worked north to the railway, and was then transferred to work throughout the Omeheu adjunct drain. This was completed late in the period, and a start made with the section of the Omeheu drain north of the railway. The distance covered during the period totalled 420J chains, and 79,215 cubic yards of material were excavated. Floods. —The months of May, June, and July were, as is usual in this area, exceedingly wet, and the country north and south of the Kopeopeo Canal and the White-pine bush a.rea was subjected to severe flooding from the Whakatane and Rangitaiki River overflow. The low country surrounding the Omeheu Settlement in the western district was subjected to short.-period flooding from the Rangitaiki River. It was anticipated at the time that this flooding would be followed by disastrous consequences on the areas worst affected, but without exception the land has made a good recovery, helped without doubt by the dry summer experienced. Roadworlc. —No new formation work was carried out during the period. A length of 180 chains of road was graded preparatory to handing over to the local body. Bridges, Flood-gates, <&c. —One bridge gang has been employed continuously throughout the period erecting permanent pile and sill bridges. Five new pile bridges and fourteen sill bridges were erected, and two temporary crossings were placed to allow for the passage of walking-dredges across canals. In addition this gang erected the new silt-trap at Mangaroa Stream, and carried out the repairs necessary to the Kopeopeo flood-gate. Stop-banks.—The usual maintenance and protection works have been carried out on the completed lengths of stop-banks throughout the area, but, with the exception of that already enumerated, as being done by the dredges, no new formation was pat in hand. Drains in Operation.—The total length of drains in operation is as follows : Dredge-cuts, 65 miles 14 chains ; main-outlet drains, 105 miles 17 chains ; road-drains, 30 miles 46 chains. Roads opened. —The total length of roads opened is still 113J miles, of which 85 miles have been constructed by the Department. Buildings. —These consist of Engineer's cottage and twelve cottages and huts for workmen, office buildings, machine-shop, blacksmith's shop, store-sheds, fcc. All men occupying quarters are required to pay rent for same. Workshops. —The workshop and smithy have been kept fully employed during the period on repair work for dredges and general machinery, and on the ironwork necessary for bridge and general construction work. Rolling-stock.—The Thornycroft lorry, which is now in its fifth year of running, has got through a creditable amount of work in keeping the dredges supplied with coal and benzine, and in the cartageof bridge-timber and supplies throughout the works. Plant, and Machinery. —One Priestman grab dredger was dismantled and transferred early in the period, and the plant now consists of two Priestman grab dredges, one Bay City walking dipper, and two Monighan walking drag-line excavators, three coal-punts, two oil-launches, and seven small boats and punts. One launch was transferred during the period, and one punt and the towing-barge were dismantled the timbers having rotted beyond repair. Summary of Work done:—■ M. ch. Cub. yd. New drains .. .. .. .. .. 1 71 5,420 Widening and deepening .. .. .. .. 6 35 13,560 Cleaning drains .. .. .. . . 73 60 Stop-banks (repairs) .. .. .. .. 1 50 Spoil dredged.. .. .. .. .. .. 16 67 431,277 Levels taken . . .. . . .. .. 93 40 Survey traverses .. .. .. . . 19 00 Proposed Works. —Completion of the Tarawera River stop-banking and improvement of channel by Nos. 8 and 9 Priestman dredges, general maintenance, and minor construction work. Works Expenditure (General). —The total amount of expenditure recorded in the books for the year was £31,399 ; of this amount £11,586 was paid for day labour (including dredge crews), and £2,969 paid for piecework contracts. The sum of £18,426 was paid from Whakatane Imprest Account. The local officer in charge is Mr. R. L. Innis. I have, &c., O. N. Campbell, Chief Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington.