b.—t

In order to dry tie land sufficiently to enable the building of stop-banks to be carried out extensive drainage operations were necessary at Puninga. The result of this has been very satisfactory, the whole of the swamp area there being now in a practically dry state. In addition to this, heavy willow plantations at Chesterhope and Puninga have been cleared. During the year approximately 11 miles of levee have been built, absorbing 379,000 cubic yards of spoil. In addition, over 50,000 cubic yards were handled in repairing flood damage, and 80,000 cubic yards were raised by the excavator from drains and borrow pits. Ten miles of fencing have been erected and 9 miles of protection belt planted. Some 75 chains of fascines have been put in and established for the purpose of maintaining channel-alignment. Wellington District. Hokio-Manawatu Rivers (Sand Dunes Reclamation). —Satisfactory progress has been made during the period. During the season 395,220 trees of various kinds were raised and planted out. One hundred and twenty acres were planted in marram-grass, as well as blanking up old work. Paraparaumu Gamp.—The useful work of draining, clearing, &c., is still being carried out by single men in this camp. Hutt River Estuary Reclamation. —Except for maintenance-work, &c., the reclamation has been completed, 92 acres being reclaimed. During the year 119,007 cubic yards were dumped, making a total of .1,042,793 cubic yards which was excavated from the river-bed and from quarries close at hand. Ahikouka River Board. —The 14 chains of new stop-bank protecting the Ahikouka Settlement has been satisfactorily constructed. Colombo Street Bridge, Masterton Borough.—A reinforced-concrete bridge of four 40 ft. spans has been lengthened by the addition of two 40 ft. spans to one end and a new approach formed. Nelson District. Awatere Water-supply to Seddon District. —This work, which has been designed mainly to serve farm lands in the Seddon area, has been under construction during the year. The headworks have been completed, 97 chains of 12 in. pipe-line and 37 chains of 10 in. pipe-line have been laid. Work on the difficult crossing of the Awatere River is in hand, 23 chains of 10 in. pipe-line having been laid and 18 chains concreted. Wai-iti River (Protective Works).—Further repairs to the Wai-iti River stop-bank in Waimea West were carried out by the farmers concerned with the assistance of Government grants made to the Waimea County Council. This work is designed to form part of the major protection scheme, the investigations for which are now complete. Waimea River. —The detailed investigation survey, covering this river and its main tributaries, the Wairoa and Wai-iti, which has been in hand during the past two years, has now been completed. The area of the plain is approximately 30 square miles, and of this area about 10 square miles is affected by flooding, including two State highways and various other roads. Plans, reports, and estimates for a comprehensive scheme of control have been prepared. This work entailed the traversing and levelling of 7 miles 71 chains of river-bank on the Wai-iti River, 6 miles 76 chains on the Wairoa River, and 8 miles 30 chains on the Waimea River, making a total length of survey of 23 miles 17 chains. In addition to this work, numerous cross sections of the river have been taken, involving approximately 3| miles of pegging and levelling. An aerial survey of the floodable area has also been made. Takaka River. —During the period a survey of this river in the Lower Takaka district was carried out by contract let by the Takaka County Council under Government subsidy. The work comprised traversing, levelling, and cross-sectioning over a distance of 3 miles 63 chains on the right bank, and for approximately 1 mile on the left bank. This survey was carried out to determine a scheme for river-control in relation to farm lands and highways. Greymouth District. Karamea River (Flood-control). —This work is nearing completion. The work done for the year included Otumahana wall 42,800 tons stone, stop-banking 50,000 cubic yards, bank-protection 25 chains, and trestle work, 1,032 ft. The diversion of the river from the Otumahana Lagoon has restored the original mouth, but an extension of Otumahana wall was necessary to confine the river-mouth to a reasonable width. The works have already considerably improved the carrying-capacity of the river, and the stop-banking has eliminated the flood menace. Oparara River (Flood-control). —Two large river cuts and 1 mile of embankment were constructed. A timber training-wall at the river entrance is nearing completion. Hokitika River (Erosion). —Further work was carried out to prevent the erosion of farming lands at Koiterangi. Arahura River (Flood-control). —The work consists of three large gabion-headed groynes and subsidiary bank-protection. Unemployed labour was used, and the work is nearing completion. Grey River (Erosion at Coal Creek Flat). —This work was necessary to prevent a disastrous erosion which threatened Coal Creek Flat and the road communications. The work is completed, and consisted of 1 mile of heavy stop-bank and. 1 mile of heavy stone river-bank revettment. Grey River (Groyne at Raupo Soldiers' Settlement). —A large groyne and stop-bank was constructed at Raupo Settlement to close a large overflow channel which threatened the destruction of this settlement.

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