DRAINING SWAMP AREAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17274, 25 September 1919, Page 9

DRAINING SWAMP AREAS

THE KAURAKI PLAINS.

PAST YEAR'S PROGRESS.

5000 ACRES AVAILABLE SOON. [BY TELEGRAPH. REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday.

The annual report detailing the land dramags operations in the Hauraki Plains for the past year states that the total area thrown open for selection to data is 37,451 acres, valued at £227,830. It is hoped to increase these figures at an early date.

The total expenditure under the Act has been £274,542, including £31,575 fvr the past year.

The report of the chief drainage engineer states that a great advance in the prosperity of the plains has been experienced during the past year. Many sales of land have been recorded at much advanced prices, as much as £80 per acre being realised. The grazing has increased not only in cattle, but in sheep. The value of stock sold in the Ngatea, Patetonga and Waitakaruru yards amounted to £71,440, and the fact that a large amount of plains stock dealing was also done at the Turua and Hikutaia yards must be taken into consideration. The trade on the plains portion of the Piako River is increasing rapidly, and altogether this trade for the year on the river amounted to 3740 tons. The total value of the cream produced from the area during the year -was £79,390. The principal work accomplished during the year was as follows ;125,196 cubic yards of spoil dredged, five miles of roads metalled, lour artesian bores sunk, 1 mile 49 chains of new road formed, in addition to a large amount of work done in grading and reforming new roads. The total length of drains constructed to date is 354 miles 39 chains, although some of these drains are now discarded. The total length, of new drains cut during the year was 19 miles 78 chains, showing a large increase, over the previous year's total

The chief engineer concludes his report : " Owing to many difficulties, my anticipation of opening up 3000 acres of land was not. realised. However, late in the year the services of two surveyors became available, and the work was at once put in hand. By the end of the year the field work of about 4000 acres had been completed and plans were expected early in April of this year. The lands will be available very shortly. " The 'field work of another 3700 acres was well in hand at the end of March, and il is expected that this will be ready in about six month 1 - time.

" It if praet iciiKy certain that about 5000 jktos nt drained and subdivided land v. ill be available lor selection before the spring of 1919. Mu> h of X is of good quality, and wdl be eagerly .sought after.

" Beyond this area we are. preparing for the development of further swamp lands, and now that cot ditions .-ire becoming more norma) good progress will be possible. "At least, three more dredges are required t.o assist, more rapid development. a.nd I would ad\o<ate the acquisition of rait able dredges of tin- 'Dipper' type 'rnm Amenta "