C—4-

1937. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1937, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915.

Department of Lands and Survey, Sir, — Wellington, Ist August, 1937. 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, The Hon. Frank Langstone, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands.

REPORT OF 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. The maintenance of completed works was the only work of importance undertaken during the year. As usual the contracts were called for in the late summer, and all this work was satisfactorily carried out by the contractors. In addition to the cleaning of drains in the autumn, it is found necessary to carry out minor cleaning at other times of the year. In the lower-lying areas it would be a decided benefit if the flat, gradient drains could be given an extra dragging in the spring, but consequent on the response from rates not being very satisfactory it is impossible to provide for extra work of this nature. Rainfall and river-gauge readings were taken throughout the year as shown on schedule hereunder :—

Rainfall and River-gauge Readings at Kaitaia for Year ending 31st March, 1937.

Stop-banks. —As stated in the previous year's report, a very high spring tide topped the stop-banks on the foreshore and did considerable damage to these banks and also to the settlers' land adjoining. The repairing of these banks was taken in hand immediately, and is now well on towards completion. These banks were constructed with a view to preventing only ordinary spring tides from overflowing the lands, and now the settlers affected have requested that the banks should be enlarged so as to safeguard their lands from the extraordinary high tides. This is being investigated, and from the data now available it is evident that a very large expenditure would be necessary to achieve that object.

Highest Rain- Kaitaia River-gauge, Wai- .... ,, Rainfall Wet Days T fal1 for kuriki Bridge. Month " (Inches). in Month. Twenty-four Hours tt. I i j (Inches). Highest. Lowest. 1936. April .. •• ■■ 1-58 10 . 0-34 53-7 52-6 May .. 1-40 9 0-60 58-4 52-5 June .. •• •• 3-52 18 1-15 56-6 52-5 July •• •• 5-26 24 1-15 59-7 54-0 August .. •• •• 5-99 17 1-73 66-3 53-6 September .. .. •• 3-09 19 0-94 58-4 53-6 October .. .. 3-73 12 1-54 65'4 52-9 November .. .. 7-87 15 2-34 67-8 53-6 December .. .. •• 4-24 7 2-00 66-0 52-9 1937. January .. •• 6-84 15 1-37 64-5 54-0 February 3-10 9 0-97 55-8 52-7 March . • • • • • 2-12 8 1-33 55-9 52-7 Totals .. •• 48-74 163