C—ll

4

Fencing. A start has been made with the fencing of the main outfalls, but as yet only 1 mile 76 chains has been erected. Now that the country is being heavily stocked, the erection of these fences will have to be pushed on vigorously during the coming year. Artesian Bores. A firm of artesian borers have been steadily at work within the district for the past nine months, sinking for water. The prosperity of a district depends to a very great extent on the success or otherwise of its water-supply, and, though these borings are in no way connected with the scheme of drainage, still it is very pleasing to be able to report the success that has been experienced with them. Bores have been sunk in all parts of the district without a failure, and excellent flows have been obtained at depths varying from 70 ft. to 300 ft. The water is of the best, being only very slightly mineralized, and even quite fit for human consumption. Summary of Works performed. During the past year the following works have been carried out: — M. oh. New drains ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 63 Cleaning and deepening drains ... ... ... ... ... 21 64 Roads formed .... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 47 Stop-banks erected ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 1 River-banks protected ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 27 Fencing outlets ... ... ... ... ... ... 176 Snagging rivers ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 50 38 Cubic Yards. Spoil removed by dredges ... ... ... ... ... 272,370 Spoil removed by scoop teams ... ... ... ... ... 48,250 Pile bridges erected ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Temporary sill bridges erected ... ... ... ... ... 2 Fresh piles driven under Otarakuti Stream bridge. General maintenance and improvements to existing works, and many minor works too numerous to mention. A daily average of about 110 men—principally Maoris—have been employed on the works during the year. These Natives make excellent drainers, and are very much at home in the water, but they are very much averse to constant employment, and it is seldom you get one with full time to his credit in any one month. As it is, suitable labour is very scarce, and it is indeed fortunate for us that this district carries such a large Native population. Proposed Works. The principal works to be carried out during the coming financial year are as follows : — (1.) Completion Te Rahu-Mangaroa outfall and Rangitaiki River diversion. (2.) Starting work on Kopeopeo outfall. (3.) Continuation of Lower Tarawera River improvements. (4.) Deepening of drains as outlets are completed, and general maintenance and improvements to existing works. (5.) Bridging outfalls. (6.) Continuation of road-formation. Surveys. During the greater portion of the year a survey party has been actively engaged on the necessary land and engineering surveys in connection with the works. These surveys are now well up to date. Works Expenditure for the Year. On account of piecework contracts and day labour of all descriptions employed upon drainage operations, pontoon building, erection of buildings, engineering surveys, &c, the sum of £14,119 3s. 4d. was paid out of local imprest. In connection with road-construction and river-bank protection out of special votes, the sum of £2,062 12s. 9d. was paid from local imprest. Office. The books in connection with this work are kept at the Thames office. Many road and engineering plans and tracings were made. The Assistant Land Drainage Engineer, Mr. O. N. Campbell, who is in local charge of the works, has done his utmost to ensure success of all operations, and my thanks are due to him for his assiduous attention to all matters. Mr. G. Tuck, foreman dredgemaster, has also laboured hard in connection with the building of pontoons and erection of machinery. The accompanying plan shows the works in hand and those proposed. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Land Drainage Engineer.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,700 copies, including plan and illustrations), £24.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l4.

Price 6d.]