D.—l.

Greymouth District. Humphreys Gully Water-race. —The old section of this water-race, 10 m. in length, has now been reconditioned, and the new portion, 11 m. in length, is nearing completion. Work carried out during the year included the construction of 1,517 ft. of fluming, 8,677 ft. of tunnelling, the timbering of 3,279 ft. of race and repairs to siphons. Clearing and benching is complete over the whole length, and most of the excavation of the ditch has been carried out. The whole work should be completed by the end of October, 1936. Christchurch District. Ashley River Trust Flood-control Works. —During the year an extensive programme of work was continued on this scheme. Results may be summarized as follows : Formation—North stop-bank, sm. completed (102,548 cubic yards) ; south stop-bank, 2m. completed (41,742 cubic yards). Willow-planting : 27|- acres planted. Good growth has been made this year, although a large proportion of younger plants were lost by flood. Grassing : All completed work has been sown with grass-seed. Fencing : 14 m. completed. Clearing : 20 acres of control channel cleared of scrub. On the 20th February a record flood occurred and did considerable damage to all works. 111,466 cubic yards of stop-bank and groyne were lost. Ashburton and Hinds Rivers Flood Control. —A comprehensive survey of these two rivers is being made with a view to determining a suitable scheme for flood-control purposes. Invercargill District. Waimat.ua Drainage Scheme. —This work has been carried on in a vigorous manner, and consists of widening, deepening, and strengthening the existing creek, and the construction of an elaborate system of outfall drains. Operations were completed during the year, 51 m. of outfall drains having been constructed. SMALL-FARMS SCHEMES. Whangarei District. Mate North-Te Karae Blocks VI and VII. —Development work is being carried out on these blocks by married men, who are later to become established as settlers. The results may be stated as 47 acres cleared of fern, 51 acres of scrub-cutting, 38 acres of heavy logging, 17 acres ploughed, 200 acres sown in grass, 360 acres top-dressed, 240 ch. of fencing and 2 cow-sheds erected. Taipuha Farm Settlement.—Work in this scheme has been completed during the year. A watersupply was installed, concrete troughs being erected where necessary and connected with the main supply. Other development work was in the nature of 167 acres of surface clearing, 142 acres of scrub-cutting, 17 acres ploughed, 52 acres stumped, 305 ch. of draining, 289 ch. of fencing, 373 acres top-dressed, 22 ch. of access tracks formed, and the erection of 8 farm bridges. Onekura Farm Scheme. —With the exception of water-troughs the whole of the work on this block has been completed. The programme this year was in the nature of 107 acres of fern and scrub cut, 34 acres ploughed, 136 acres logged and cleared, 224 acres top-dressed, and 913 ch. of fencing, 7 pigsties, and 1 implement-shed erected. Newman's Block. —The whole of the development work on this block has been completed, watersupply having been provided wherever possible. The main items of the programme for the year were 236 ch. of fencing, 86 acres of fern and scrub cut, and 20 acres top-dressed. Gun's Block. —The approved programme on this block has been completed during the year, but other contemplated work is yet under consideration. The more important items performed this year were 267 acres of bush felled, 77 acres of scrub and fern cut, 85 ch. of fencing, and 395 acres topdressed and sown in grass. Auckland District. Church Mission Block.—There is now a total of 445 acres in grass on the block. 11l acres were cut for hay and ensilage during the year. Fencing has been considerably extended since last report, and total is now 32 m., made up of 10 m. of road and boundary fences and 22 m. of internal and subdivisional fences. Fortunately a suitable spring with sufficient yield of water was found on each section and an independent supply has been installed for each settler during the year, including an electrically driven pump, storage-tank, reticulation, and troughs. A start has been made with the planting of trees, and it is proposed to plant 30,000 this season. The eight sections on the block are still occupied by the original selectors, and are now in such a state as will enable them to be carried on if necessary without further attention or supervision by this Department. Mangawai Kauri-gum Reserve. —The development of this block was put in hand during the year, 3m. of road having been formed to 16 ft. width and Im. metalled. In addition, 375 ft. of 12 in. culverts have been placed, 135 ch. of side drains excavated, and the main drain measuring 18 ft. by 15 ft. has been deepened 6 ft. over a length of 54 ch. A considerable amount of engineering survey has also been carried out in connection with the roading and draining of the block. Kaipara Harbour Mangrove Reclamation. —During the year the reclamation of this area was put in hand. To date 4m. 9 ch. of drains have been excavated, the material taken out being used in the building of stop-banks over a similar distance. Six floodgates have been constructed complete with 30 in. concrete culverts, parapets, and aprons. About 1,200 cubic yards of clay have been excavated and barged for fillings at creek crossings. Also 1,050 cubic yards sandstone spalls were quarried and barged and used for facing up banks over creek crossings. A total area of 730 acres has now been dewatered, and workmen are engaged in strengthening banks to standard dimensions and generally consolidating the completed work.

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