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Rainfall. —The average ,rainfall for the past thirteen years has been 52-58 in. Last year's total was 37-12 in., rain falling on sixty days. August was the wettest month, with a fall of 7-05 in., and December the driest, with a fall of 0-91 inches. Eastern District. —So dredge work was carried out on this area, but it is hoped to have a light plant working in the Te Rahu Canal, north from the railway, during the coming year. Improvement work was carried out in several drains, and two new outlets were constructed to serve areas previously only partially developed. Obstructions in the channel of the Waioho Stream were removed over a short length, and the stop-banks bordering this stream were raised and two short diversions constructed. A silt-trap, with pile and sheet-pile foundations and concrete superstructure, was erected, in the Whakaire Stream above the old Main Road, and one concrete single-barrel flood-gate was placed. The necessary maintenance of hand drains, stop-banks, &c, was carried out throughout the area. Western District.—The only dredge-work carried out in this area was the erection of a short length of stop-bank on the Omeheu Canal to protect an area of low-lying country from overflow. In addition to the usual maintenance of hand drains and stop-banks, &c, deepening-work was carried out in several lengths of drains, mainly in drains serving low-lying lands. The stone groyne on the eastern side of the outlet of the Tarawera River was carried forward for a distance of 80 ft., and a short length of stone groyne placed up-stream to confine the channel before it reaches the main groyne. Improvement work was carried out in the Rangitaiki River by the blasting of obstructions in the channel and protecting points of erosion. The lower reaches of the river for a length of four miles were cleared of all overhanging willows, which were punted to the river-mouth and anchored to confine the channel through the sandhills. Dredges. —Of the three dredges on the area, the only one in commission during the year was the Bay City. This plant dredged a total of 10,310 cubic yards of spoil and erected a length of 35 chains of stop-bank. Bridges, Flood-gates, &c. —One single-barrel flood-gate, one concrete and sheet-pile silt-trap, and two sill bridges were erected during the period. Drains, Stop-banks, &c. —A length of 1 mile 44 chains of new drain was constructed during the year, and 35 chains of stop-bank was erected by the Bay City dredge. Drains in Operation. — The total length of drains constructed is as follows : Dredge canals, 68 miles 28 chains ; main-outlet drains, 109 miles 29 chains ; road-drains, 30 miles 46 chains. Of the hand drains, a total of 99| miles is maintained annually by the Department. Roads opened—The total length of roads opened is 113| miles, of which 86 miles have been constructed by the Department. Workshop and Smithy. —The workshop and smithy were closed down during the year, arrangements being made to lease the buildings and plant. Plant and Machinery. —This consists of two Priestman dredges, one Bay City walker, one Priestman pontoon, two coal-punts, one oil-launch, three small boats and punts, and one motor-lorry. Summary of Work done:— Miles oh. Cub. yd. Drains constructed .. .. .. • • .. 1 24 5,180 Drains cleaned .. .. .. .. 97 47 Drains deepened and widened .. .. .. 4 75 10,550 New stop-banks dredged .. .. .. 0 35 10,310 Stop-banks raised .. .. .. . • .. 040 1,150 ■ Levels taken .. .. .. .. • • 7 40 Traverses run .. .. .. .. .. 3 30 Number. Flood-gates built .. .. .. . • • • 1 Sill bridges erected .. .. .. . ■ • • 2 Rates.— Some 831 demands for rates were issued during the year, totalling £9,298 15s. 4d., and the rates actually collected amounted to £7,621 3s. Bd. Works Expenditure.—The expenditure recorded for the year was £7,596 os. Bd., day labour totalling £4,979 4s. 3d., and forty-three piecework contracts totalling £598 3s. Proposed Works.—General hand and dredge maintenance of existing works and minor improvement work. I have, &c, R. G. Macmorran, The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. Chief Drainage Engineer. RANGITAIKI LAND DRAINAGE ACCOUNT. Rate Accounts as at 31st March, 1931. Capital. Maintenance. Capital. Maintenance. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Toßalance.. .. .. .. 232 6 4 By Balance 349 9 3 Interest on capital £ s. d. Rates levied .. .. 4,310 7 3 4,988 8 1 cost ..11,874 18 2 Penalty 165 8 11 184 14 0 Less capitalized 7,874 18 2 4,000 0 0 Cost of maintenance 4,599 10 11 Less subsidy .. 1,668 15 0' .. 2,930 15 11 Rates written off .. .. 72 18 0 33 1111 Balance 752 7 5 1,976 7 11 £4,825 5 5 £5,173 2 1 £4,825 5J5 £5,173 2 1

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