I—C. 8.

C— 8

1914. NEW ZEALAND.

DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS: REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1914; TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 10 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908.

SlB » — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 2nd June, 1914. _ I have the honour to submit herewith the report on the drainage operations in the Hauraki Plains for the past year, in accordance with the provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908. Valuations.— During the year 2,178 acres were subdivided into rural farms and reserves the valuation of this area being £18,240, making a total of 32,525 acres, valued at £178,250 now settled and revenue-producing. A further area of 2,172 acres, valued at £15,070, will be offered for selection very shortly. This therefore shows a reclaimed-swamp area of 34,697 acres of a capital value of £193,320. No credit has been taken of the large area of land utilized as roads, drains, &c. Land proposed to be opened.— -During August an area of 2,172 acres in the vicinity of Waitakaruru and Ngarua will be available for selection. In addition an area of about 2 000 acres at Ngarua and Mangawhero should be far enough advanced for selection before the'end of the next financial year. The total expenditure under the Act has now been as follows :— For the year ended 31st March, 1908 5 070 0 0 1909 ;;; 5 c 1910 ... . ... 22,235 2 11 1911 ... ... ... 32,103 14 0 1912 ... 40,084 13 1 1913 ... ... ... 26,608 1 3 1914 ... ... ... 21,467 18 2 Tota l ■•• ••■ ■•• ... £159,241 14 11 The detailed report of the Land Drainage Engineer, Mr. J. B. Thompson, deals extensively with the varied operations of the works on the Hauraki Plains under his control, and the result testifies to the great zeal and ability displayed by the Engineer and his assistants. At an early opportunity I hope to inspect and visit the works in progress. I am, &c, Jas. Mackenzie, The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands. Statement of Accounts (as required by Section 10 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908) for the Year ended 31st March, 1914. imo ownT i. R eceipts. Expenditure. 1913—315t March. £s> <J. 1914—315t March To Balance—Cash in Public Account .. 2,778 51 By Expenditure— £s d ,„,, ~ .„ . „ , Travelling allowances and expenses, m t i~~, arOh - £s' d - cam P allowances, and general adTo Land-sales .. .. 757 10 0 ministration expenses .. .. 604 11 9 5? nts ,, '" " 6>718 2 3 Purchase and equipment of dredges Miscellaneous .. 659 2 5 and launches, maintenance and 8,134 14 8 ■ working expenses .. .. 1,523 19 6 Advances made by the Drainage-works, clearing channels, New Zealand State- building stop-banks, and all exguaranteed Advances penses incidental thereto 13 029 10 4 Office •• .. 10,000 0 0 Sinking artesian wells . " 'sil 9 R Debentures issued Thames office, upkeep of .. 120 9 0 under the New Zea- Compensation for lands acquired .. 3 202 18 6 land Loans Act, 1908 5,000 0 0 Expenses in connection with deben- ■ 15,000 0 0 tures issued .. ~ ... 036 Payments on loans— Interest .. .. .. i ; 8 30 4 6 Repayment of principal .. .. 644 11 8 Balance—Cash in Public Account .. 4,445 1 7 £25,912 19 9 £27,912 19 ~9