C—B

1949 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY Drainage Operations in Hauraki Plains REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949

Presented to Both Houses of the General Assembly Pursuant to Section 20 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 22nd June, 1949. Sir I have the honour to present herewith the report of the Chief Drainage Engineer on operations carried out during the past year on the Hauraki Plains in accordance with the provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926. I have, &c., D. M. Greig, Director-General of Lands. The Hon. the Minister of Lands. REPORT OP THE CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER Sir, — I have the honour to submit the forty-first annual report on drainage and land-development operations carried out on the Hauraki Plains during the year ending 31st March, 1949. The season 1948-49 has proved an exceptionally favourable one for the dairying industry on the Hauraki Plains, as indeed it has practically throughout the Auckland district. The winter was particularly mild, no excessive rainfall was recorded, and no serious flooding occurred. During the summer the rainfall was well distributed, without any long dry periods. Pasture-growth has been exceptionally good, and on the Plains a record hay crop has been harvested. In consequence of these favourable conditions it is anticipated that the dairy production this year from the Hauraki Plains will prove to be an all-time record.