C—4,

1934. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1934, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1916.

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist August, 1934. Sir, — In pursuance of section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, I have the honour to forward the report of the Chief Drainage Engineer covering operations on lands proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act and amendments. I have, &c, W. Robertson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands.

REPORT OP CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir,— I have the honour to submit my annual report on the areas proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, and its amendments. Kaitaia Drainage Area (61,430 Acres), Mangonui County. Maintenance of completed drains, stop-banks, &c, was the principal work carried out in this area. No new works were undertaken, but some expenditure additional to drain-clearing was incurred in clearing the river of timber and fallen trees. Rainfall, &c. —Rainfall and river-gauge readings at Kaitaia are as set out on schedule hereunder :—

Rainfall and River-gauge Readings at Kaitaia for Year ended 31st March, 1934.

I—C. 4.

Kaitaia River Gauge Readings. Month. (Inches) et )a y Si Twenty-four I [(Inches). Hi g hest ' Lowest " 1933. April .. .. .. 2-83 12 1-13 59-5 53-0 May .. .. .. 4-33 22 0-75 60-0 55-5 June .. .. .. 2-95 14 0-71 60-0 56-5 July .. .. .. 7-37 15 1-35 64-5 56-5 August .. .. .. 3-30 18 0-99 61-0 56-5 September .. .. .. 5-36 15 2-00 64-0 56-5 October .. .. .. 1-37 10 0-37 64-5 54-0 November .. .. .. 4-12 14 1-80 55-3 53-6 December .. .. .. 1-25 7 0-55 54-0 52-5 1934. January .. .. .. 0-21 5 0-11 52-5 52-2 February .. .. .. 5-59 14 1-62 53-1 52-1 March .. .. .. 1-94 7 1-70 63-0 52-2 Totals .. .. 40-62 153