0.—4.

Stop-banks and Flood-gates. —A portion of the stop-bank on the Awanui River is causing concern owing to erosion caused by the wash from shipping. This erosion will be further investigated and a report submitted. General repairs were effected to stop-banks and flood-gates as found necessary. Whangatane Spillway. —No work was carried out during the year. There is, however, considerable silting taking place between the spillway and Quarry Road, and as the discharge capacity has been affected steps will be necessary to remove the silt. Expenditure and Rates. —The net maintenance' expenditure for the year was £1,429 9s. lid. 1940-41 rates struck were —Town: Special, £440 18s. 4d. ; general, £200 14s. 2d. Rural: Special, £3,442 Is. sd. ; general, £1,925 19s. The amount paid during the year on account of current rates and arrears was —Town : Special, £420 J 9s. Bd. ; general, £209 18s. Bd. Rural: Special, £515 18s. Bd. ; general, £271 14s. lid. Hikurangi Drainage Area (50,000 Acres), Whangarei County. The only expenditure was in connection with the overhaul and disposal of plant during the first two months of the year amounting to £55 7s. 6d. Waihi Drainage Area (20,000 Acres), Tauranga County. Maintenance work on stop-banks, bridges, and flood-pump were continued during the year, together with the seasonal cleaning operations of 36 miles 30 chains of drains. A rearrangement of the outfall near the stockyard was made, and subdivisional drains constructed between the Pongakawa West and the Wharere and Central drains. The Te Puke Flax-milling Co., lessees of the Pukehina Block swamp area on the eastern side of the Pongakawa Stream, have installed a small land drainage pumping station and commenced sowing an area of swamp in grass. The net maintenance expenditure for the year was £917. 1940-41 rates struck were : Special, £793 6s. sd. ; general, £1,369 Bs. 7d. The amount paid during the year on account of current rates and arrears was : Special, £1,093 4s. Id. ; general, £1,476 10s. 6d. Poukawa Drainage Area (15,567 Acres), Hawke's Bay. Maintenance of completed works was carried out during the year, and I am indebted to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Napier, for the preparation and inspection of drain-cleaning contracts. The net maintenance expenditute during the year was £358 17s. Id. 1940-41 rates struck were : Special, £1,121 Is. sd. ; general, £312 Is. 2d. The amount paid during the year on account of current rates and arrears was : Special, £407 17s. Bd. ; general, £101 17s. lOd. I have, &c., R. L. Innis, Chief Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington.

SWAMP LAND DRAINAGE SCHEME. Rate Accounts for Year ended 31st March, 1941. Kaitaia Dbainage Abba. Special Rate Accounts : Capital. Rural Town Rural 'f. 01 ™ Subdivision. Subdivision. Subdivision. Subdivision. 7>. £ £ Cr. £ £ Transfer to Reserve .. •• 467 64 Balance, Ist April, 1940.. .. .. 1,703 54 Interest charges 2,533 346 Rates levied 1940-41 .. .. .. 3,181 441 Remissions .. .. • • • • 148 1 10-per-cent. penalty on unpaid rates .. 2bl lb Balance, 31st March, 1941 .. .. 1,997 100 £5,145 £511 £5,145 £511 General Rate Accounts : Maintenance. Rural Town Rural '''. own Subdivision. Subdivision. Subdivision. Subdivision. Dr. £ £ Cr. £ £ Remissions .. 57 .. Balance, Ist April, 1940 .. ... 971 164 Cost of maintenance .. .. .. 1,230 200 Rates levied .. .. .. 1,773 201 Balance, 31st March, 1941 .. .. 1,610 174 10-per-cent. penalty on unpaid rates .. 9 £2,897 £374 £2,897 £374

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