C.—l.

Buildings : New work during the year included the erection of nineteen huts, one garage, and two bathrooms. The existing buildings were kept in a state of good repair, the essential renovations being made as the necessity arose. Water-supply : The water-supply scheme functioned well throughout the year except for a short period, when excessive use depleted the supply. It is considered that the scheme can be rendered fully effective by duplication of the lead to the reservoir, and it is proposed to put this work in hand as soon as the necessary materials are available. Additional connections to the supply were made during the year, and five new troughs installed. With a view to obtaining a temporary supply for the northern portion of the estate, a dam was made at the spring near Haumea Road to observe the flow of water. Supplies from this spring, and a stream near the north boundary, will also be obtainable when the necessary materials are available. Ploughing and Cultivation : Ploughing for the sowing of crops and pasture was carried out over an area of 1,732 acres during the year. Of this, an area of 996 acres was sown in swedes, 60 acres in oats, and the remainder in grass. Cultivation was carried out over an area of 2,855 acres. Top-dressing : Areas totalling 11,252 acres were top-dressed during the year. Plantations : All plantations on the estate have made satisfactory growth during the year. Draining : The main drains were maintained during the year, this work necessitating the cleaning of 1,277 chains of drains. New drains of a total length of 126 chains were constructed during the year. Sowing : In the past twelve months an area of 996 acres was sown in swedes, 60 acres in oats, and 1,614 acres in grass. Smithy and Workshop : A blacksmith and mechanic were employed throughout the year to carry out the necessary repair and overhaul of implements and general plant, and to attend to the shoeing of horses. Harvesting : 60 acres of oats and 140 acres of hay were harvested during the year. The following is a summary of the main work carried out for the period under review : — Acres. Clearing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 458 Ploughing .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,732 Cultivation .. .. .. 2,855 Top-dressing .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,252 Sowing grass . . . . .. . . .. 1,614 Sowing swedes . . . . .. . . .. 996 Sowing oats . . . . . . .. .. 60 Harvesting — Oats . . . . . . . . .. . . 60 Hay.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 130 Chains. Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,396 Drains— Clearing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,277 New 126 New buildings — Number. Huts .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 Bathrooms .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Garage .. .. .. .. .. . . . . 1 Whareltohe Block.—The installation of the water-supply scheme for this block was completed early in the year, but at the date of this report several defects have developed. These are being attended to immediately. Summary of Work done. Miles. Ch. Number. Drains cleaned .. . . . . 340 6 Milking-sheds erected . . .. 6 Drains widened and deepened .. 64 48 Huts, sheds, and pig-shelters erected .. 80 Drains constructed (new) . . . . 35 71 Cubic Yards. River channels and canals maintained .. 28 20 Spoil excavated by machines .. 416,112 Roads formed .. . . .. 2 65 Acres. Roads metalled . . . . 8 13 Area cleared .. 2,548 Fences erected . . . . . . 70 15 Area stumped .81 Stop-banks repaired . . . . 018 Area ploughed . . 1,844 Boulder groyne erected . . 020 Area grassed . . 2,635 Area top-dressed and limed . 13,080 Number. Area disked and harrowed 448 Floodgates, culverts, and bridges constructed 85 Area cultivated .. 3,267 Cottages erected .. .. .. 11 Area cropped .. .. .. 1,249 Office. —The expenditure recorded totalled £249,785 2s. 6d., and of this amount £74,316 2s. 4d. was paid through the Thames and Whakatane Imprest Accounts. Vouchers numbering 6,758 were prepared and passed for payment. The revenue collected, including drainage rates, amounted to £35,297 6s. 9d. Drainage Rates.—Drainage rates levied on the various areas totalled £9,479 9s. 6d., entailing 1,079 rate notices. Rates collected amounted to £13,808 ss. 9d. The drainage rates for the Rangitaiki district were not struck during the financial year.

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