1

1947 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SWAMP DRAINAGE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1947

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915

Department of Lands and.Survey, Wellington, 30th June, 1947. Sir, — In pursuance of section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915,1 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, D. M. Greig, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. the Minister of Lands.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER Sir, — I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1947, on the areas proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, and its amendments. Kaitaia Drainage Area (61,430 Acres), Mangonui County Work in this district has comprised the maintenance of drains, stop-banks, and floodgates, the deepening of a small portion of the main drains to relieve flooding of the lower areas, and some land-development work. As the result of subsidence of the peat swamp, most of the drains require widening and deepening, and this work can be carried out economically with a drag-line excavator. A machine of this type is also required for reconstruction of stop-banks on the Awanui River and foreshore, which are being undermined by erosion and wave action. During the year all maintenance drains were cleared of growth, and the following were deepened : portion of Church Gully Drain, Awanui Drain, Spains Drain, and all of Subritzkys, Maimari, and Abbots Northern. A number of Calco culverts used for flood-gates are becoming badly rusted and will require replacing in the near future. Repairs to the Whangatane Spillway are not yet completed, but the material is now on the site and it is hoped to have the work carried out before the coming winter. The winter of 1946 was a prolonged wet one, and owing to the subsidence of the peat country causing further deterioration of most of the main drains a considerable amount of flooding on the lower areas was experienced. Expenditure and Rates. —Expenditure on maintenance for the year amounted to £1,680. Rates struck : Special, £2,710 ; general, £2,213. Rates collected, including arrears : Special, £2,213 ; general, £2,243. Rebates (33J per cent.) allowed on special rates (1946-47) on account of prompt payment, £578. Maori rates struck (gross) were £323. Of this amount, £173 has been paid,, and rebates allowable amount to £37. Hikurangi Drainage Area (50,000 Acres), Whangarei County No work was carried out in this area.