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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1929, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

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

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist July, 1929. In pursuance of section 13 of the Swam]) 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. B. Thompson, The Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for 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), Mangonui County. During the year the Swamp Drainage Amendment Act was passed, the principal provisions being as follows : (1) The area was to be reclassified, and the ratepayers given the right of appeal against such classification ; (2) the striking of rates in the drainage district was suspended until after the 31st March, 1929. In accordance with the provisions of this amending Act two classifiers were appointed, and they have practically completed the classification of all lands within the drainage district. The principal works carried out during the year have been the maintenance of drains, installing of flood-gates, and enlargement of the Whangatane spillway and stop-banks. Rainfall, &c. —Rainfall and river-gauge readings have been recorded daily at Kaitaia, and schedule and graph are attached giving particulars of data obtained. On the 14th May, 1928, 3-20 in. of rain was recorded in a period of eight hours in the Kaitaia Township, but the rainfall in the hill country was at least twice this figure. As a result flood-waters reached the highest level yet recorded up-stream from Kaitaia, and all low-lying areas were inundated. A large part of the country that was flooded remained under water for a few hours only, but the Tangonge basin and surrounding area, also some low-lying land about Awanui, was inundated for several days.

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