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of the upper Rangitaiki River to determine the possibility of establishing a flood control dam on the river in the gorge above Te Teko has been completed. The topographical survey of the eastern part of the plains is now complete, and a report prepared covering proposals for improved drainage for this area. Drain work completed for the year was as follows : Drains widened and deepened by hand on wages .. 15 ch. 340 c. yd. Drains cleaned by hand on wages .. .. .. 720 ch. Drains cleaned by hand on contract .. .. 7,932 ch. Drains cleaned by weed-cutter launch .. .. 906 ch. Drains cleaned by excavator with tyne drag .. 960 ch. Other work carried out during the year included the demolition and re-erection of fencing, the cutting and removing of trees to allow passage for the excavators, the cutting of willows, blackberry, and gorse from river and drain banks, the planting of willows and placing of facines for protection of eroding river-bank and the construction of eight culverts of various sizes, one small bridge, and one larger access bridge. The depot and workshop staff has been fully employed attending to repairs and maintenance of excavators, tractors, trucks, launches, &c, and the repair and maintenance of buildings. As several of the trucks are now very old their maintenance is becoming very costly. One new 15 cwt. truck was secured during the year, but further transport will be required next year. Expenditure and Rates Expenditure on maintenance for the year, £16,667. Rates struck : Special, £10,508 ; general, £11,508. Rates collected, including arrears : Special, £11,997 ; general, £12,106. The amount shown as expenditure on maintenance may be subject to slight variation on completion of accounts. Maori Rating The total Maori rates paid, including arrears, during the year under review was £2,144. Maori rates levied for the year 1947-48 amounted to £2,285. I have, <fec, E. Taylor, Chief Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS A. statement of accounts is published in parliamentary paper 8.-l !.Pt. IV].

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