C—B.

Structural Work. Three small hardwood bridges, each 20 ft. span, on pile abutments were constructed on the Awaiti Canal Eoad. Three 4-ft.-diameter flood-gates were installed at Netherton, and a large two-barrel concrete culvert with sluice-gates constructed on the Kerepeehi Block. A large goods-shed has been moved from Patetonga to Kerepeehi, where it is being used for the storage of plant and machinery. A number of temporary dams and some temporary bridges have been required in the process of canalconstruction. Surveys. Engineering and hydrographic surveys carried out during the year required 656 chains of theodolite traverse, 1,506 chains of levels, 758 chains of magnetic traverse, and 330 cross sections of the channel of the Piako River. A continuous record of river stage at several control points has been kept throughout the winter months. Summary. The total length of the subsidiary drains constructed in connection with the Hauraki Plains scheme to date is 741 miles 75 chains. The principal works carried out during the year under review are summarized in the following schedule : — Length. Excavation. Miles oh. Cab. yd. Drains cleaned by manual labour .. .. .. .. .. 89 58 Drains widened and deepened by manual labour .. .. .. 614 10,013 Drains, new construction by manual labour .. .. . . 10 49 33,599 Total quantity of drainage excavation by manual labour .. .. .. 43,612 New canals constructed by machines .. . . .. .. ..15 23,875 River and canal improvement, machine construction ... .. ..13 48 337,477 Drain and canal improvement, machine construction .. .. 6 32 29,259 Total quantity excavated by machines .. .. .. .. .. 390,611 Stop-banks constructed or partially constructed in connection with river-improve-ment and canal-construction . . . . .. .. 2 52 Miles oh. Cub. yd. Roads metalled .. . . .. . . .. . , 2 71 2 339 Roads metalled, top course only .. . . . . .. . . .. 542 2,593 Roads resurfaced with metal or gravel . . . . .. .. 256 643 Total quantity of road-metal laid . . . . . . .. . . 5 ; 575 Roads reconstructed and improved . . . . . . .. . . 240 New roads formed .. . . . , . . .. . . ..35 Clay carted for ballasting peat roads and haunching metal .. .. .. .. 1,633 Fences erected . . .. .. . . . . . . ..25 Levels taken for road and drainage work . . . . .. .. 48 35 Traverses for road and drainage work . . .. . . .. 24 23 Acres. Area cleared of scrub . . .. .. . . .. . . .. ~ .. 344 Area cleared of blackberry .. .. . . .. . . .. .. .. 385 Area ploughed, disked, rolled, and harrowed , . .. . . . . . . . . 232 Area sown in grass .. .. . . . . .. .. .. . . .. 57 Bridges— _ Number. Road bridges, 20 ft. span, pile abutments . . .. .. . . .. . . 3 Reinforced concrete culverts, two 4 ft. by 4 ft. barrels .. . . .. .. 1 Concrete flood-gates, 4 ft. diameter .. . . . . . . . . .. 3 Cross-sections of Piako River and canals .. . . . . . . . . .. 791 Flax Leases. Some 6 areas, totalling 2,474 acres, are leased for flax-growing purposes. Annual rental amounts to £336, and £117 10s. Bd. was collected. Grazing-areas. The area leased for grazing purposes under temporary tenancies is 6,770 acres, let in fifty-seven holdings. Annual rental totals £511 75., and £349 19s. 4d. was actually collected. Works Expenditure. The total expenditure recorded totalled £25,488 15s. 2d., of which day labour accounted for £13,284 18s. Id. Drainage rates struck totalled £2,314 Is. Id., and £2,745 2s. lid. was collected. General. The staff, as usual, has rendered loyal and efficient assistance. I have, &c, R. G. Macmorran, Chief Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington.

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