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1928. N E W ZEA L A N I).

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1928, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 13 of the Suamj) Drainage Act, 1915.

Str, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 30th June, 1928. In pursuance of section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, I have the honour to forward the report of the Chief Drainage Engineer covering operations on lands proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act and amendments. Illustrative plans are also attached. I have, &c, J. II Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands.

REPORT BY CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir, — I have the honour to submit my annual report on the areas proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, and amendments. Kaitaia Drainage Area (61,430 Acres), Monconui County. During the previous year legislative authority was obtained for writing down the capital cost of the works to £125,000, of which £15,000 was to be chargeable against the Kaitaia Town Board area, the balance of £110,000 to be a charge against the county portion of the district. The classification of the district was also completed as required under the Swamp Drainage Act, whilst a revaluation, with the exception of the Town Board area, was carried out by the Valuation Department. Objections having been heard by the Assessment Court, the preliminaries to the striking of the rates were completed, and the rates for 1927-28 were struck in February. Judging from the butterfat returns of the Kaitaia Dairy Co. this district has made steady progress during the year ; but the productivity of the flat lands can be considerably increased provided the necessary financial assistance is available for development work. The very dry summer doe- not appear to have affected this district as seriously as lands farther south, for, although the rainfall was very light, paspalum has been used as the standard grass, and provided good feed when the English grasses were parched up. Owing to the scheme nearing completion the programme of works has necessarily been curtailed. The most important works carried out comprised the maintenance and improvement of drains, natural channels, and other works, erection of flood-gate, dredging in Awanui River, and enlargement of stop banks on the Pairatahi Stream. This latter work was rendered necessary by the decision to increase the carrying-capacity of the Whangatane spillway, anil previous to the arrival of the Marion drag-line there was no suitable excavating plant available on the works for carrying out improvements in this locality. The proposal to divert the river through the school and other properties in the Town Board's aiea has been investigated. This diversion will be of great assistance in reducing the overflow above the township.

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