D.—l

64

The number of irrigators and the total area irrigated on all Government schemes for the past year is as follows :—

The totals as above compare with figures for the previous year of 306 irrigators and 32,949 acres under irrigation. New Schemes under Construction. HaivJcdun Scheme.—This scheme is, for all practical purposes, completed, and a full service can be given next season. The work for the year comprised construction of distributory races, of bridge crossings, gates, measuring-boxes, measuring-weir, and similar details. Arrow River Scheme. —All pipes for the gorge pipe-line and the numerous siphons on the distributory races have now been delivered on the site, and the erection of these is making good progress, the work of erection including construction of pile bridges across the Arrow River in the gorge, of concrete saddles and anchorages, &c. Detail finishing-work 011 the races is in hand. It is anticipated that a partial supply early in the irrigation season will be available, and that a full supply to the whole area will be available about the New Year. Ida Valley Scheme. —Owing to the very heavy demands on the Manorburn reservoir for the supply to Ida Valley and Galloway, the quantity of stored water has been very seriously depleted. It has become evident that the construction of the Poolburn dam, which was part of the original scheme, should be undertaken without loss of time. Necessary surveys and plans have been made with a view to the early commencement of construction. As an emergency measure a temporary low-lift pumping installation is being put in alongside the Manuherikia River, capable of pumping 16 heads of water to the Galloway races for supply at the Galloway area. This will reduce the demand on the Manorburn dam. Surveys and Investigations. Investigations and reports on several small proposed schemes have been made. River-gaugings and meteorological records have been fully kept up. The several demonstration plots that have been laid down on the border-dyke method have been maintained and kept in operation to demonstrate the results and economy in use of water that are obtained by that method. TRAMWAYS. Auckland.—l 4 ch. of new track was laid and inspected in Halsey Street. No new cars were inspected, but sixteen cars were inspected following accidents. Napier.—One car, converted to one-man operation, has been passed and is now in operation. Wellington.—s6 ch. of new track was inspected during the year, comprising 19 ch. of Chaytor Street duplication, .Karori, and 37 ch. of the Northland extension. Wanganui.—Two one-man cars have been inspected and passed for traffic. Christchurch. —During the year two small sections of new line were constructed, the first being a curve connecting lines in Moorhouse Avenue and Colombo Street, the second an extension of 4ch. of the Quarry Road at McCormick's Bay. The following linos were relaid : (1) Addington line, Lincoln Road, 61 ch. of single and 6 ch. of double track ; (2) on the New Brighton line, 53 ch. of single track ; (3) Colombo Street, between Moorhouse Avenue and Hereford Street, 40 ch. of double track. All of these works were duly inspected and passed. The North Beach line between Burwood and North Beach was reopened for traffic after having been closed, for some considerable time. Invercargill. —During the year four of the regular two-man cars were converted to one-man operation and inspected accordingly. All cars on this system are now under one-man operation.

0 , Number of Acres under I)™™ ,*.1™ Scheme. T • ± t • Kemarks. Irrigators. Irrigation. Acrcs Ida Valley .. 49 11,441 Galloway .. 21 2,403 ■ Manuherikia .. 73 5,627 Maintenance work continues heavy. Principal j items, new 30-in.-diameter siphon across Chatto Creek and new length of iron fluming in Manuherikia Gorge. Earnscleugh .. 51 1,843 Ardgour .. 12 1,494 Tarras .. .. 17 4,373 Last Chance .. 27 2,960 Teviot River .. 41 2,850 Teviot River Ex- 6 647 Construction work completed during the year, tension Bengerburn .. 14 144 This scheme operates under a Board of control. Hawkdun .. 24 4,473 Totals .. 335 38,255 j