a—B.

1929. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 20 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926.

SiR, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist July, 1929. I have the honour to present herewith the report of the Chief Drainage Engineer on operations carried out during the past year on the Hauraki Plains in accordance with the provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926. I have, &c., J. B. Thompson, The Hon. G, W. Forbes, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands.

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the twenty-first annual report on the Hauraki Plains land reclamation and general development works carried out during the financial year ended 31st March 1929. Climatic conditions have been exceptionally favourable for good progress with the development works, and a survey of the year's activities shows a satisfactory volume of construction work accomplished. The settlers on the reclaimed swamp have experienced a profitable year, but, though the production of dairy-produce was satisfactory, and increasing in proportion to the active development of the farms, it has not generally come up to expectations based on the season's high record of production for the Dominion. The copious rainfall in September and October retarded the spring growth on the alluvial grass land, and consequently there was not the usual abundance of feed in the fields prior to the dry months of January and February. Conditions have been more favourable for the peat lands, and generally the returns from the good peat sections have been very satisfactory. Hereunder are particulars of produce returns from the area for the year, and a perusal of same undoubtedly proves what a great benefit the Hauraki Plains drainage-works has been to the Dominion. For comparative purposes the previous year's returns are shown in parentheses:— Tons Estimated Value. Butter produced .. .. .. .. 2,405 (2,300) 407,000 Cheese produced .. .. .. .. 1,331 (1,296) 83,000 Fibre and tow .. .. .. .. .. 1,000(1,200) 24,000 Estimated value of stock sold .. .. .. .. 61,100 (59,170) Total .. .. .. £575,100 Freights, including metal to and from Piako River and Waitakaruru (tons) 24,225 (11,426) A new cheese-factory has been erected at Waitakaruru, having been completed about December, whilst the erection of a similar factory at Kerepeehi is under consideration.