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Southland Catchment Board Much of the land in Southland responds readily to improved drainage, and this type of work has been the Board's chief concern. A number of river-works, including twenty-seven minor ones, have also been carried out, and a major scheme prepared for the Makarewa River. Other comprehensive schemes are being investigated. Much of the drainage work has involved the clearing and enlarging of natural streams to provide better outlets for farmers' main drains. During the year Kingswell Creek (2 miles 47 chains), Taunamau Stream (1 mile 73 chains), Ota Creek (2 miles), and Opahaka Creek (5 miles 6 chains) have been improved in this manner. Work is in progress in two others —Moffett's Creek, where 60 chains has been completed, and Terrace Creek, a large scheme covering 18 miles 78 chains of natural channels, of which 2 miles 34 chains has been improved. River-works have comprised 2 miles 36 chains of heavy weighted tree protection, 51 chains of light protection, 1 mile 11 chains of diversion cuts, and 3 miles 32 chains of stop-banks in the Aparima, Oreti, and Waikaia Rivers. In the Waimatuku River 1 mile 60 chains of channel has been improved. Work Done Under Ministry of Works In addition to the works done in catchment districts, the Council has subsidized jobs in other parts of the Dominion. These have been done either directly by, or under the supervision of, the Ministry of Works. Auckland District The Raupo Drainage Board has cleared 2 miles 48 chains of main drain, restored the Ruawai Stop-bank, and faced a length of 22 chains with spalls, and has removed a blockage caused by slumping at the mouth of the Muddy Mouth Deviation. The Otamatea County Council has cleared willows from 8 chains of the Kikiwhiti Stream as an experiment before embarking on a more ambitious scheme. In the Aka Aka Swamp 2 miles of drains have been reconstructed, and at Otaua, on the Waikato River, 1| miles of stop-banks have been repaired. Hamilton District Works done directly by the Ministry of Works and the Lands Department in the Hauraki Catchment District have been included in that part of the report. Willows have been cleared from a total length of 1-9 miles 29 chains in the Mangapu, Te Onetea, Mangaorongo, and Waipa Rivers and in the Koromatua, Ohote, and Mangaiti Streams. Further lengths have been poisoned. Bank-protection works consisting of 2 miles 14 chains of heavy anchored tree work, 19 chains of light work, 49 chains of rip rap, and 34 chains of diversion cuts have been completed in the Whakatane, Rangitaiki, Waiotahi, and Waimana Rivers. Extensive drainage works have been carried out in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas both-by Drainage Boards and by the Lands Department. A total of 5 miles 60 chains of new drains have been dug and 31 miles 29 chains of existing drains reconstructed. Napier District At Wairoa 40 chains of drain has been reconstructed. Two small river-works have been carried out.

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