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sowing with, grasses, clovers, and top-dressing has substantially increased carryingcapacity. Although a visible improvement in stability is apparent, it is too early to gauge the effect of trees and improved cover in reducing slipping. The Waiouru Experimental Area is run in conjunction with the Grasslands Division. Belts of Pinus laricio and Pinus murrayana have been planted across the 65-acre block to check the further growth of balds, and the take has been very good. The transplanting of various species of tussock across and up and down the " balds " was a failure, but marram grass and Phorium colensoi on similar sites are growing well. Grass and clovers have been sown between the lines of trees, portions of the ground being thinly covered with pegged-down manuka. Manawatu Catchment Boakd The Board's staff has been concentrated principally on investigations for a major flood-control scheme on the lower Manawatu, and these investigations are now well advanced. The Mangatainoka River scheme is still under consideration, while investigations are in hand for the upper Manawatu and lower Mangahao. Many minor and moderate sized works have been carried out on the Manawatu Biver. At Nott's Bend 20 chains of heavy tree protection were completed early in the year. After successfully experimenting with limestone rip rap last year, four lengths have been protected in this way during the period under review—Mcßae's Cut (15 chains), Anderson's Bend (10 chains), Stewart's Bend (15 chains), and Larsen's Bend (23 chains). The original length of rip rap at Scotts' Bend has been extended 6 chains, making 26 chains in all. At Larsen's a stop-bank 31 chains long and involving 8,920 cubic yards of earthwork was built, and in the Manawatu-Oroua River Board area 21 chains of stop-bank were set back. In the Makerua Drainage Board's area 50 chains of bankprotection have been repaired and strengthened. Four miles of low stop-bank have been built on the Oroua River, 2 miles on each side. This involved 20,000 cubic yards of earthwork, and cost £2,336. The improvement of the Tokomaru Stream started during the year, the work consisting of stop-banking, channel improvement, and willow-clearing over a distance of 6 miles, and it is estimated to cost £20,000. One mile of stop-bank has been built, and on the left bank 3 miles of channel have been cleared, while on the right bank 1 mile 25 chains have been completed. The Catchment Board at the beginning of 1950 took over from the Ministry of Works the maintenance of the channel excavated in the Otaki River below the railway bridge. The Board has produced a scheme for the river above the bridge, and work on this has now begun, 28 chains of anchored-tree protection having so far been completed. Drainage works have mostly been carried out by internal authorities, who have also made active use of the Council's maintenance subsidy. Early in the year the Makerua Drainage Board completed Seifert's Drain. Work has continued on the Manawatu Drainage Board's main drain in the Taonui Basin which was started last year. The total length is 3 miles 70 chains, and the drain is being enlarged by drag-line. Work on the right bank has been completed, 1 mile 54 chains being done during 1949-50, and 2 miles of the left bank have been finished during the same period. The Buckley Drainage Board has carried out extensive repairs to flood-gates. The Oroua Drainage Board has excavated 13 chains of new drain, and has enlarged Campbell's Drain, also 13 chains long. At Alfredton the Catchment Board has dug 36 chains of new drain and reconstructed 44 chains of the Mangatakato Drain. In addition, five minor drainage works have been carried out in various parts of the District. Four tree-planting and six gully control subsidy schemes were completed during the year. The Catchment Board now has five nurseries where useful trees for conservation work are being multiplied.

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