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1911 NEW ZEALAND

DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS: REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1911, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Presenter/ to both Howies of the General Assembly pursuant in Section W <>/ the tlnurohi Plains Act, '/DOS. Sm, — Department of Lands, Wellington, 24t!i June, 1911. I have the honour to submit herewith the report on the drainage operations in the Hauraki Plains for the pant year, in accordance with the provisions "t , the Bauraki Plains Act. 1908. Whilst lenving the Land Drainage Engineer's ceport to speak for itself, I will briefly sum u[> the results of '.lie Department's operations to the -'ilst March, lull : — I.amis reclaimed and disposed of on the occupation-with- ., ~ , . ill li Acres. (Capital Value. right-of-purcnase and renewable-lease tenures, or sold £ for cash... ... ... ... ... ... 21,530 101,870 Town lands offered but not disposed of ... .... ... 89j 3,180 Rural lands withheld from sale.. ... ... ... -i-Ui 1,590 Land now being drained preparatory to being opened for settlement during the coming summer ... .. 6,800 (at least). Land set apart as reserves ... ... ... ... li!) j 1,425 Land occupied by roads and drains, (fee. ... ... 1,175 £135,265 (Note. —The estimated value of land occupied by roads and drains is approximately £5,876, but such value is more in- less included in the value of the lands opened for selection that such works benefit.) The works completed consist of twenty-seven miles of stop-banks; thirty-five flood-gates in actual position: I!) miles 2''> chains of cart-roads completely formed, with drains on both sides: '11 miles 63 chains of drainage-banks to Ih , converted into roads j 'ill miles (S!> chains of drains now in operation; seven wharves built with hardwood piles; thirty small sill bridges across drains: fourteen miles of private-telephone line, erected by the Department in accordance with Telegraph Department's specifications: floating plant—two improved Priestman dredges, fully equipped, one steamer for towing, four oil-launches, two large pontoons, and numerous small punts; nine artesian bores put down. A glance at the above will show the magnitude of the work already accomplished; and when it is considered that an average of nearly three hundred men are being employed, and that there have been no less than L X 7 separate contracts in progress, whilst the whole of the operations has been carried out from first to last without any friction, it will be conceded that the greatest praise is due to the Engineer in charge (Mi , . J. B. Thompson) and his staff of able assistants and foremen of works. Personally, I-cannot speak too highly of the nature of the work performed, noi- too favourably of the intense interest manifested by all classes of the employees. What was a few years ago a useless swamp, always subject to continuous Hooding, is now being converted into a richly settled district, with the probability of its shortly becoming a great dairying country. I have, ive., Wμ. C. Kunsinoton, Undei -Secret ary for Lands The Might Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Bart., P.C., K.C.M.G., Minister of Lands,