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Taupiri Drainage Board. —The Board has continued its programme of opening up rivers and drains with its two drag-lines and with hired plant. The following works have been completed:— Mangawara River .. .. Widened and deepened for 1 mile 69 chains. Mangawara Outlet .. .. Widened and deepened for 1 mile 6 chains. One-mile Drain .. .. Widened and deepened for 1 mile 46 chains. G. Drain .. .. .. Widened and deepened for 2 miles 30 chains. Murchie's Drain .. .. Widened and deepened for 2 miles 46 chains. Paranui Canal .. .. Widened and deepened for 1 mile 7 chains. Central Drain .. .. Willow clearing for 1 mile. Haurahi Catchment Board. —This Board, not yet having had time to recruit its full staff, has not been able to undertake much work. In conjunction with the Thames Yalley Drainage Board the following works have been completed:— Waitoa River : This river is being choked by a regrowth of willows throughout its length. Starting from its confluence with the Piako, a distance of 7 miles 40 chains has been cleared. Otway Canal: 1 mile 20 chains of main drain have been opened up and the spoil used for the formation of a road. Ahikope Outlet: Two 4 ft. pipes with floodgates have been installed under the Waihoa River stop-bank. A pumping plant consisting of a Diesel-driven 10,000 g.p.m. pump has been set up to deal with surplus water during the winter when the river is too high for the floodgates to operate. Kopuroa and Papamoa Drains.—The Te Puke Drainage Board has deepened and widened 3 miles 25 chains of the Kopuroa Drain and 2 miles of the Papamoa system through the low-lying land of the Kaituna River basin. Two further projects are in hand to similarly treat the Raparapahoe and Ohineangaanga Streams. Whakatane River Survey.—-A detailed engineering survey of 28 miles of the river has been completed. On this a comprehensive scheme for control will be planned. Air photos of the river were taken in March, 1944. It is recommended that where erosion and flooding are constantly occurring as on rivers such as this, the valley should be photographed at intervals of about five years. Whakatane River Erosion (above Whakatane Bridge). —Additional stone protection work to the value of £l,OOO covering a length of 10 chains was carried out below that •completed last year. Whakatane River Erosion (Whakatane Paper-mills).—Sixteen chains of rock bank revetment is being carried out by the Public Works Department where an eroding bank is threatening the pipe line supplying the paper-mills. Whakatane River Erosion (Ewart).—Fifteen chains of heavy willow bank-protection has been satisfactorily completed by Mr. Ewart under the Council's supervision. Whakatane River Erosion (Soutar). —Seven chains of heavy .willow bank-protection has been similarly carried out. Whakatane River Erosion (Richardson). —Nine chains of similar work has been -completed. Whakatane River Erosion (Yeoman and McGouger).—A length of similar work to the foregoing has been approved by the Council and will be carried out by the settlers this winter. Whakatane River Erosion (Ruatoke).—Bexious erosion has taken place in valuable farming-land worked under the Maori development scheme. In conjunction with the .Department of Maori Affairs, remedial measures will shortly be put in hand. Ohope Hill Slip.—Fears were entertained by residents of Ohope that serious slips might occur endangering houses at this seaside resort. Investigations were made and the location has been closely watched, but no further movement has taken place.

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