I).—1.

Christchurch District. Ashley River Trust (Flood-control Works). —This extensive work was completed during the year and handed over to the Ashley River Trust for maintenance. New Brighton (Sand-dune Fixation). —The fore dune along the New Brighton Esplanade was fixed by means of scrub fences and marram grass planting over a length of 1 mile. Unemployed labour was used for the work. Ashburton River (Flood-control). —The completed work on this scheme consists of 5 miles of floodway clearing, I \ miles of stumping, and 4 miles of stop-banking containing 21,900 cubic yards of excavation. Three tractors and accessory plant were used on this work. Opihi River (Protection Works). —This work is 92 per cent, completed ; it consists of 14,200 cubic yards of stop-banking and 700 cubic yards of rock-protection over a length of 70 chains. Broad Gully and Dog Kennel Creek (Flood Channel). —This scheme consists of 6 miles of flood channel 100 ft. wide to carry a flood-discharge from two creeks to the sea and prevent damage to crops. The work is almost completed and involved 150,000 cubic yards of mechanical plant excavation. Dtjnedin District. Call-ins River Erosion (Pounawea Domain). —Protective work is in hand at the Pounawea Domain to prevent the destruction of the beach amenities. The work is nearing completion.

SMALL-FARMS SCHEMES. Auckland District. Mangawai Kauri-gum Reserve.—Satisfactory progress was made during the year with the development of this block, in continuation of the work carried out in previous years. A considerable area has been cleared of scrub, gum-holes have been filled, and the land drained, ploughed, and grassed. To date, 637 acres are in pasture, while 155 acres have been ploughed and are in fallow. Some 500 chains of shelter-belt trees have been planted. All grass-lands are in a satisfactory condition, and at present the block is carrying 186 head of run cattle and two horses. Kaipara Harbour Mangrove Reclamation (Glorit Section), (Peterson's Block).—A further 300 acres were cleared of mangroves during the year, the whole of this area being double-disked and left to fallow. The area has also been drained by spider drains at 2-chain intervals, involving a total length of 57 miles of drains. To give access to the various sections, eight bridges, 13 ft. by 12 ft., were built over the main drain. The buffalo-grass planted on the four miles of stop-banks has made good growth, resulting in little maintenance being required to keep the banks in good order. Kaipara Harbour Mangrove Flat Reclamation (Kukutango Block), (Jordan's Block),— The dewatering of 272 acres of this area and the building of 2 miles 73 chains of stop-banks were completed during the period. Some 12 acres of mangroves were cleared by machines but the advent of wet weather necessitated the postponement of such work until conditions were more favourable. Oyster Point Section.—This area is now dewatered, stop-banking is almost completed, and three floodgates have been placed in this section. During the period an additional length of 17 chains of access road was completed, making a total length of road 3 miles 1 chain. Mill Road Block.—An area of 43-|- acres has been cleared of blackberry &c., and sown with grass, with excellent results. Forty chains of new drain were excavated and 154 chains of old drain opened up. One hundred and four chains of fencing were completed. Taumarunui District. Ngatamahine Block.—The developmental work undertaken during the year was as follows : 13 miles 30 chains of fencing, 420 acres laid down in permanent pasture, 340 acres ploughed, and 450 acres of scrub cut and burnt. A large main drain, 382 chains long, was constructed, whilst 23 chains of additional internal roading and metalling were completed. Pururu Block.—The Lands Development Branch took over this block at the end of January, 1939. The development work carried out during the year comprised 14 miles 27 chains of permanent and subdivision fencing. Three hundred acres were ploughed, of which 80 acres were put in crops and 220 acres in grass. In addition, 122 chains of drains were constructed. Piu Block.—This block was taken over by the Lands Development Branch at the end of January, 1939, prior to which date good progress had been made with the development work. During the period 100 acres were cleared and stumped, 117 chains of fencing were erected, and 120 chains of main drains excavated. Some 205 acres were sown in permanent pasture and 78 acres in crops. Roadwork was continued for a further 25 chains, and 50 chains of last year's roading were metalled. Stratford District. Makaranui Scheme.-—During the past year 590 acres were stumped and cleared in readiness for ploughing, and stumping was carried out over an area of 115 acres. The length of drains constructed totalled 826 chains, and creeks were cleared over a length of 527 chains. Old fencing, totalling 473 chains, was repaired, and 169 chains of new fencing were erected. Sixteen chains of roading were formed,

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