C—2

38

By doing this work it enables the race at this point to carry about 4 heads extra water, and thus saves drawing a like quantity from the Eweburn reservoir, when Water is available in the Idaburn ('reek. These works Were to a great extent the cause of the increase in expenditure for tho year. During the year, on account of the increased demand for water in Spec Gully, I built a new storagedam on a, terrace on the west) side of Spec; Gully, and thus enabled all parties to Work full time when water was plentiful. During the year I also re-formed the race at a point on the east side of Coalpit Gully, and removed therefrom a line of pipes, and relaid them across Main Gully, thus doing away with the old wooden flume, which Was in an advanced state of decay ; and it also enables the race at both places to carry extra water. During the year the main race, was very free from, mishaps, only three small breaks occurring, a ; ud a burst in one of the pipes at the Wedderbu.ru siphon- Portion of the embankment of Spec dam slipped away on two occasions, and I also had to strengthen it in two other places. There were also three breaks in the Spec branch races. In tho spring I found it necessary to put two new sets of timber in the Eweburn tunnel, and. during the year I had to replace several old gauge-boxes with new ones, also renew 36 ft. of flume in Mullholland's gully which, was blown down during a heavy gale, and repair a bridge over the main race, on a public; road. The race at present is in good order, and the demand for water is quite equal to the supply.