5

o.—B.

Valuations. These remain the same as last year, the total area opened, being 4-2,166 acres. It is hoped to open about 2,600 acres, valued at £35,000, during the coming year. Other areas are well forward, but cannot be opened for selection until peat roads are all clayed. Grazing-areas. The total area held under temporary grazing lease is 6,196 acres, divided into eight sections. The annual rent derived from these is £460. Works Expenditure. The total expenditure during the year was £126,234, which amount includes the purchase price of the American machinery. The sum of £53,812 was paid out of local Imprest Account, principally on account of wages. Day labour amounted to £32,115, piecework to £23,744, hire of teams £996. The increase in wages is largely accounted for by the charging against the Settlement Account of all metalling and maintenance work which was previously charged to special votes. Future Proposals. (1) Continuation of Waitoa River dredging; (2) continuation, of Waitakaruru-Maukoro Canal; (3) continuation of Awaiti Canal; (4) draining of large block near Kerepeehi ; (5) establishment of depot at Kerepeehi; (6) new areas for settlement; (7) concrete bridges, culverts, and flood-gates ; (8) new wharves ; (9) general development work. General. During the year a costing system was inaugurated at the Kerepeehi office. This will be a valuable addition to the office records. Under the system all jobs are costed, and the Engineer is able to ascertain from time to time whether a job is costing too much and what is accountable therefor. The costs of completed jobs will be a valuable guide to the Engineer when fixing prices for new works. With this exception all the account-books are kept in the Auckland office, where all vouchers for wages, supplies, &c, are prepared and passed for payment. During the year the Engineer in charge, Mr. R. S. Logan, was transferred to the Hikurangi works, and Mr. E. Taylor, M.N.Z.Soc.C.E., was appointed to succeed him. I have, &c, O. N. Campbell, The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. Acting Chief Drainage Engineer.

Schedule of Artesian Bores, 1921-22.

Bore No. Section. Block. Survey District. Total Depth in Feet. Running Flow. (Gallons per Hour.) 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 5 Lot 2, Sec. 3 4 7 21 Lot 2, Sec. 3 Lot 1, Sec. 3 21 30 27 20 20 6 6 31 30 32 28 16 37 16 12 18 18 6 31 8 25 8 5 XI I I I X 1 I X X X X X I I I I I I I I I II X X III X 1 X I I Thames Waihou JJ • " Thames Waihou j? • • Thames i> • • a '' Waihou )5 * * a ' • 264 378 264 366 440 243 265 374 341 341 226 272 258 257 403 105 247 339 269 272 287 302 334 443 104 301 458 104 252 220 400 to 600 (pump) 200 250 700 600 1,200 1,000 800 300 1,500 900 700 100 750 150 200 (pump) 500 300 200 700 400 400 (pump) 800 300 600 (pump) 600 600 600 (pump) 500 400 j, . . )> • ■ jj • • >i • • J? • ' 5) • * Kerepeehi Township Thames j? * ■ Pipiroa Township Thames Waihou Thames Waihou >> • •