C—B

1948 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY Drainage Operations in Hauraki Plains REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1948

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 20 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 24th June, 1948. Sir, — I have the honour to present herewith the report of the Chief Drainage Engineer on operations carried out during the past year on the Hauraki Plains in accordance with the provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926. 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 the fortieth annual report on drainage and landdevelopment operations on the Hauraki Plains. The report covers the year ending 31st March, 1948. Despite the handicaps imposed by the prevailing shortages of materials and labour, I have to report that the district has experienced a very good year. Dairy production from all parts of the Hauraki plains is increasing, and the season has on the whole been very favourable for production. A slight drought between the middle of January and the middle of March, when less than 1 in. of rain fell, caused production to fall off somewhat. A severe plague of crickets also affected production this year. These pests have done considerable harm in some parts of the plains, but I understand that a satisfactory method of control has now been developed by the Department of Agriculture.