C.- 4.

1939. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1939, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS.

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

Department of Lands and Survey, Sir, — Wellington, Ist July, 1939. In pursuance of section 13 of the Swamp 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. I have, &c., R. G. Macmorran, The Hon. Frank Langstone, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir, — I have the honour to submit my annual report on the areas proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, and its amendments. Kaitaia Drainage Area (61,430 Acres), Mangonui County. The maintenance of completed works together with the widening and deepening of Puckey's drain, protection of the bank at the Whangatane Spillway, and construction of approximately 60 chains of improvements to the Waipapakauri outlet were the main features of the year's work. The rainfall for the year amounted to 52 in., showing an advance of 11 in. over the previous year, July being the wettest month, with a fall of 11-31 in. Records, including river-gauge readings for the year, are shown hereunder : —

Rainfall and River-gauge Readings for Year ending 31st March, 1939.

Highest Rain- Kaitaia River-gauge, Wai- „ „ Rainfall Wet Days m M ! f °5 kuriki Bridge. Month - (Inches). in Month. Twenty-four - Hours tj. , , T (Inehes). Hl S hest ' j Lowest " 1938. April .. .. .. ! 3-97 11 2-03 57-7 52-2 May .. .. 5-58 13 1-58 71-4 52-4 June .. .. .. 4-81 12 1-29 59-6 53-2 July .. .. .. 11-31 19 2-81 65-5 53-5 August .. .. .. 8-43 18 3-40 69-6 54-1 September .. .. 2-92 18 0-47 58-7 54-1 October .. .. 2 ■ 17 9 0-57 55-4 52-9 November .. .. 3-76 16 1-32 57-9 52-3 December .. .. 3 • (36 11 0-93 59-0 52-8 1939. January .. .. 3-22 7 1 -06 58-2 52-2 February .. .. 2-03 4 1-25 60-3 52-2 March.. .. .. 0-15 3 0-06 52-2 52-2 Totals .. .. 52-01 141