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Statement of Accounts (as required by Section 10 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908) for the Year ended 31st March, 1917. Receipts. Expenditure. 1916—April Ist. £ s. d, £ k. (I. 1917—March 81st. £ s. d, To Balance—Cash in Public By Expenditure — Aocount .. .. .. 8,47. 12 0 Drainage-works, stop-banks, clearing Receipts under section 5, channels, and all expenses incidental Hauraki Plains Act, thereto .. .. .. 10,590 6 7 1908 — Equipment of dredges, repairs and Rents .. .. 1.0,759 9 7 maintenance thereof, wages of Land-sales .. 8,548 0 7 dredgemasters and men .. .. 2,557 11 1 Miscellaneous .. 323 5 :( Travelling-allowances and general ex10.0:10 15 5 penses.. .. .. .. i 45 13 8 Office expenses —Thames .. . . 107. 13 1 Sinking artesian wells for settlers .. 328 1 8 5 Compensation for land acquired in connection with drainage-works .. 200 11 8 18,986 14 fi Interest recouping the Consolidated Fund in respect of debentures issued 4.469 3 4 Balance—Cash in Public Account ';.. 9,099 9 7 £28,105 7 5 £28,105 7 5 Loan Account. 1917—March 31st. £ a d. 1916—April Ist. £ s. d. To Balance .. .. .. 102.070 0 0 ISyjßalance due to Local Bodies' Loans Account .. .. .. 42.070 0 0 Debentures issued under the Stateguaranteed Advances Act, 1909. and amendments .. .. ...95.000 0 0 Debentures issued under the New Zealand Loans Act, 1908 .. .. 16,000 0 0 Debentures issued under the Hauraki Plains Amendment Act, 1913 .. 9,000 0 0 £102,070 0 0 £102,070 0 0

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir,— The work of the year has consisted principally of maintenance, and, as was mentioned in last annual report, expenditure on (he main development scheme has been considerably curtailed on account of the war. Opportunity has been taken, however, to improve the efficiency of existing drainage system, and the work done during the year will have a very beneficial effect in unwatering the country in the future. The maintenance of existing drains has been a very heavy undertaking, the growth in drains being exceptionally strong and the supply of labour exceedingly scanty. The drainage system in the settled portion of the plains, particularly between Kerepeehi and Hauraki Gulf, has stood the test of the wettest season experienced in the district. The drains have acted well, and no trouble from flooding has been experienced, with the exception of part of Shelly Beach area. During the year a cheese-iactory was started at Kopuarahi, and there is every probability of another one being established at Hopai. The settlors continue to rapidly improve their holdings, but have this year experienced probably the worst weather conditions for the last sixty years. The results, therefore, have not been up to expectations, but nevertheless very solid progress is noticeable everywhere. Owing to the scarcity of labour, and other conditions, no new areas have been placed on the market, and that now under development is being reserved for returned soldiers. Priestman Dredges. During the year both dredges have been employed on various works between Puhanga Canal and the junction of the Waitoa and Piako Rivers. The total amount of spoil dredged and deposited on banks was 161,674 cubic yards, at a total cost of £2,292 os. 5d., averaging 3'4d. per cubic yard; and taking into account the increased cost of wages, coal, and supplies generally this is very reasonable. The average cost of working is actually less than shown above, on account of expenditure for coal, twelve months' supply being placed alongside dredges in November on account of shortage threatening through labour troubles. Supplies as received are debited to current year's costs. No. 1 dredge in the Waitoa Canal met with exceedingly hard country, thus lessening greatly the spoil-output and increasing cost of repairs. No. 2 dredge has also met with difficult country, and repairs were a very considerable item,