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Rainfall records have been kept at Kaitaia, and readings taken daily showing water-level in the Awanui River at Kaitaia. The total rainfall for the year was 55-97 in, being about 7 in. above the average for the twelve years during which the records have been kept. The schedule and graph attached to this report show that very heavy rain was experienced during the winter months, July being the wettest, when 11-35 in. were recorded. At that time the country was generally in a waterlogged condition, consequently the run-off was exceptionally high, and as a remit overflows of the river occurred above the township, causing the inundation of a large area of country for a. short period. The following schedule shows details of rainfall for the past nine years : —

Awawni River. -For eight months dredger No. 10 was employed, in removing deposits of sand from the lower reaches of this channel, during which time 34,700 cubic yards of spoil, mostly fine sand, was removed. There is a natural tendency for the sand to accumulate in this locality during normal periods of flow, but the deposition is hastened when floods are experienced. The removal of this sand is a very serious problem, and one which affects the whole district, as the continued silting affects the navigation to Awanui, which is the port for the collection and distribution of goods for the western portion of the Mongonui County. Whangatane Spilfaiay. —The enlargement of this channel was commenced last winter after the Marion drag-line (No. 27) was erected at Awanui. The scheme had necessarily to be commenced at the lower end of the Pairatahi Stream, where the stream spreads out into bold water. From this point, up to the straight cut of the Whangatane the line of the original bank has generally been followed, although a deviation of 11 chains has been made to improve the channel capacity in this locality. Throughout the above length, a distance of 107-6 chains, the bank has been raised to a point some 5 ft. above the existing Hood level, and at the same time considerably strengthened. The raising of these banks has now been completed, giving sufficient channel capacity between the bank and the hills on the eastern side to carry the flood-waters. Spoil for the construction of the banks has been obtained from a continuous borrow-pit inside the banks, which will provide a large storage reservoir for the run-off from the adjoining lands when the automatic gates are closed by flood and tide-water in the stream. The widening of the previously dredged channel was commenced towards the end of March, and from now on the progress should be more rapid, as the country will become more solid, consequently the working of the machine on pads will be rendered unnecessary. The work with this machine has been delayed owing to repairs having been found necessary to the boiler, and also to this difficulty in obtaining a good supply of fresh water. The amount of spoil removed during the year was 33,900 cubic yards. Drains. —34 miles 60 chains of drain was cleared of weeds, and 4 miles 27 chains cleared and deepened. One, shingle-trap was placed in position on the Pukepoto Creek and cleared of shingle as required. No new drains were constructed. Stop-banks.. —Ten miles of stop-banks and stop-bank drain, with eighteen flood-gate outlets, were cleared and kept in repair, and four new flood-gates placed in position. Repairs were carried out to existing gates as required. 100 chains of stop-bank drain required on reconstructed Pairatahi bank was opened up. Bridges. —Two sill bridges were erected over drains to give access to properties severed. Buildings, 4c. —Sleeping-accommodation and cooking-quarters for two crews were erected and placed on separate pontoons for dredge (-rows. A tank was placed in position at sufficient height to gravitate water to points required at the lower end of the Whangatane spillway, pumping-house erected, and two miles of pipe-line laid parallel to the line of work. A summary of the year's operations is as under : Spoil excavated by dredges, 68,600 cubic yards ; stop-banks reconstructed, 107-60 chains ; outlet drain constructed (Motutangi), 60 chains ; drains deepened and improved, 4 miles 27 chains ; drains cleared, 34 miles 60 chains ; stop-banks kept in repair, 10 miles ; flood-gates erected, 4 ; sill bridges, 2; shingle-trap, 1 ; small buildings, 3. The principal work proposed for the ensuing year is the widening of the Whangatane spillway, while the further improvement and extension of certain drains, and installing of flood-gates to prevent backflow, is being considered. Works Expenditure and General. The sum of £13,770 2s. ,Bd. was expended during the year, of which £5,536 Is. 1 Id. was spent on day labour and £1,067 Us. on piecework contract. Some 778 rate demands were sent out at the end of the period.

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Yoar. 1918 19 1.919 20 1920-21 192.1 22 1922 23 1923 24 1924 25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28 Rainfall for Year. Inches. 17-30 31-71 53-11 49-42 44-81 19-23 48-89 57-90 64-91 55-97 Wettest Month and Rainfall. Inches. Oct., 1918 .. .. 9-06 July, 1919 .. .. 7-37 May and Aug., 1920 (each) . . 8-02 Mar., 1922 .. . . 5-84 Oct., 1922 .. .. 7-40 Oct., 1923 .. .. 7-92 May, 1924 .. .. 10-34 May. 1925 .. .. 10-43 Oct., 1926 .. .. 9-62 July. 1927 .. .. 11-35 Driest Month, and Rainfall. Inches. Aug., 1918 .. 1-39 Dec. 1919 .. 0-62 Mar.. 1921 .. 1-13 Jan., 1922 . . 2-24 Jan., 1923 .. 2-02 Dec., 1923 .. 1-38 Mar., 1925 . . 0-51 Feb., 1926 .. 0-88 Dec, 1926 .. 1-51 Jan., 1928 . 0-22