D—l

Farm surveys of land use and incidence of erosion were carried out on thirty-four properties covering 40,000 acres. With the occupiers' co-operation a large number of fenced plots have been established to ascertain the benefit of surface sowing grasses and clovers. Negotiations are in progress to lease a property in the Hakataramea Valley to be run as a demonstration soil conservation farm. Depots for fire-fighting equipment were established at Kurow, Omarama, Lake Pukaki, and Lake Tekapo. The Committee organized parties to fight two tussock fires. On application to the Committee, permits to burn off are issued in special cases during a short period in September only. STAFF Lack of staff in the past has been responsible for retarding progress particularly in soil conservation activities, and to overcome this difficulty it has been necessary to arrange special training courses. Two courses of ten months duration have been arranged with the Canterbury Agricultural College, to whom the Council is greatly indebted. Fourteen junior soil conservators have completed their initial training, and are now in the field under supervision of the senior staff. The Council wishes to record its appreciation of the services rendered by its engineering, soil conservation, and secretarial staff, all of whom have done splendid work under very difficult conditions. APPRECIATION The Council again wishes to express its appreciation of assistance and information received from its Advisory Committees, Departments of State, Catchment Boards, local authorities, and overseas agencies in the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Canada,, South Africa, and the United States of America. Signed on behalf of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council: W. L. Nbwnham, M.1.C.E., Chairman.

Table I

94

Item. Voted, 1949-50. Expenditure, 1949-50. Miscellaneous Receipts. Flood and erosion control works Hydrologic data : Installation of recording apparatus, collection and publishing Hydraulic model laboratory (on account) .. Initial expenses of Catchment Boards and loans to local authorities Investigations and surveys Junior soil conservators : Training Publicity and educational work Research and experimental work Soil conservation districts, including investigations and initial expenses arising out of constitution Soil conservation reserves : Acquisition and fencing Soil conservation works Travelling-expenses and fees of Council Contribution from Consolidated Fund £ 408,500 20,000 5,000 75,000 13,500 2,500 10,000 35,000 1,750 5,000 45,000 2,500 £ S. d. 368,360 8 7 13,153 13 10 111,296 9 7 31,675 6 11 2,363 0 0 6,219 7 5 34,816 15 1 848 17 1 1,472 16 4 30,736 11 2 1,249 4 11 £ s. CL 14,686 14 10 18 15 6 37,339 0 11 82 1 0 190 1 5 801 4 3 ■ 10,751 7 8 1,535 9 8 15 6 5,000 0 0 623,750 602,192 10 11 j 70,406 0 9 Amount appropriated for year ended 31st March, 1950, £580, 000.