DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1921, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1921 Session I-II, C-08

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Session 11. 1921. NEW ZEAL A N D.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1921, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented In both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 10 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908.

Str, — Department of Lands and Surrey, Wellington 10th June, 1921. I have the honour to submit herewith the report on the drainage operations in the Hauraki Plains for the past year, in accordance with the provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908. The total area thrown open for selection in previous years was 10,391 acres, valued at £281,950. During the past, year the area, was 1,775 acres, valued at £25,680, whilst it is hoped that 4,500 acres, valued at £60,000, will, be opened. The detailed report of the Chief Drainage Engineer is attached, together with a statement of accounts and balance-sheet. These disclose a very satisfactory state of affairs, and show that the reclamation of the old Piako Swamp by the State has been more than justified. 1 have, &c, T. N. Brodrick, Under-Secretarv. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands.

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sib — I have the honour to submit the annual report on the operations carried out on the Hauraki Plains in connection with, the land-drainage scheme for the year ended 31st March, 1921. It will be noticed by the detailed schedule that a very large amount of work has been accomplished during the year. The value of the stock-sales held at Ngatea, Waitakaruru, and Patetonga yards was £79,496. The cheese-production for the three factories on the plains amount to 1,745,2521b., while the butter produced at Kopu Factory totalled 1,420,8791b. A very important acquisition to the plains is an up-to-date butter-factory, which was constructed at Ngatea during the past year. The amount of tonnage carried to the Piako River by the two steamship companies trading direct to Auckland was approximately 6,560 tons, in addition to which the trade between Thames and the plains comprised some 741 tons of general cargo, 284,000 superficial feet of timber, and 12,000 bricks. With the advent of the new types of machinery lately acquired in America it will be possible to greatly expedite development of the undrained area. Much of the present expenditure will not come to profit for some time, this being obviously unavoidable, as it is quite impossible and impracticable to unduly force swamp areas of this nature. The principle of " cut-and-come " system is well recognized by those who have to deal with swamp lands so wet and deep as those of Hauraki. After viewing similar lands in America, the results achieved at Hauraki are very satisfying, and the conclusion is formed that Hauraki cannot be beaten for fertility and productiveness. Nothing was seen to equal the alluvial area of Hauraki. Time is the essence of successful drainage of deep swamp areas, and it would not be out of place here to refer to the many doubts expressed by certain laymen some years back as to the .wisdom and practicability of undertaking this project. These doubts have been thoroughly exploded. It was realized that, this area would have to be nursed and coaxed, if the settlers were to make good, and that, our operations would have to cover all the functions of a, local authority as regards public utilities. The provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act did not provide for the metalling of roads, it being considered that special-rating areas would cover this matter. Although up to last year Hauraki Plains formed portions of two counties, yet no county funds were expended therein. It, was recognized that without metal or gravel roads the settlers could not possibly succeed, and direct assistance by way of giants has resulted in the installing of forty-eight miles of roadway in the

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plains. This covers the most closely populated area thereof. It is not possible at the, present stage to metal the peat roads, as they are slowly consolidating, and receiving skins of clay spoil from time to time. The various public utilities supplied are necessary, and have been appreciated. The difficulties of quickly bringing into condition for settlement areas of peat are ever increasing. It is quite, the simplest, portion of the work to excavate the outfalls and laterals. These immediately cause shrinkage in the adjoining lands, and have to be followed up from season to season to obtain freeboard and lower the general water-table. Then, it is impracticable to place settlers on areas merely served by bare peat roads, and these must be fascined and spoiled. The spoil is won, if possible, from the drains, upon clay being bottomed therein. If there' is no chance of this being done, then it has to be conveyed distances involving from three- to four-mile leads. Necessarily this all takes time, and represents capital not yet brought to profit; The foregoing remarks as to drainage difficulties are equally appropriate, to all similar Government projects, and will not be referred to in the various other parliamentary reports, as Hauraki Plains represents quite the largest undertaking in hand presenting special peat features. Dredges. The No. 1 dredge, is still engaged on the Waitoa Canal, which has been completed for a total distance of 205 chains, 38 chains having been completed during the year. The total amount of spoil shifted was 42,115 cubic yards'. The exceptionally dry weather experienced during the year made it difficult to keep sufficient water for floating and keeping the dredge supplied with coal. The No. 2 dredge completed the Waitakaruru Canal and the tnmming-up of banks and bottom. The dredge was then placed in the Waitakaruru Stream, and worked down from the wharf to the Maukoro Canal, widening and deepening the stream, and connecting same with the Maukoro Canal by a short cut at Preston's. The dredge is now working in the Maukoro-Waitakaruru Canal, and is widening and deepening same southwards. This end of the canal will be shortly reached, when the dredge will continue on with whole-cut work. The spoil from this work will be utilized in constructing the road to the soldiers' sections adjoining, while from a drainage point of view this canal will exercise a most beneficial effect on the land between the oanal and the hills, which lias always been difficult to efficiently drain. The total amount of spoil shifted was 62,800 cubic yards. The No. 6 dredge, which is now in good order, is continuing the construction of the Awaiti Canal. The dredge, was taken off this work for some months in order to widen and deepen the Patetonga Canal, The total amount of spoil shifted was 53,930 cubic yards. These machines only worked one eight-hour shift per day, as it was not possible to obtain coal-supplies to run extra shifts. The following table shows the amount of spoil dredged and cost per cubic yard for the past nine years : — Cubic Cost per Tarda. Cubic Yard. 1912-13 .. .. .. .. ..131,902 3-25 d. 1913-14 .. .. .. .. ..147,740 3-20 d. 1914-15 .. .. ... .. .. 176,196 2-67 d. 1915-16 .. .. .. .. .. 146,905 3-35 d. 1916-17 .. .. .. .. .. 161,674 3-40 d. 1917-18 .. .. ...* .. .. 130,664 2-53 d. 1918-19 .. .. .. .. .. 125,196 4-87 d. v 1919-20 .. .. .. .. ..138,310 6-90 d. 1920-21 .. .. .. .. .. 158,865 7-42 d. Increased cost of wages, coal, repairs, and supplies is reflected in dredging-cosfs. Awaiti Block. The usual maintenance of drains in the above block was carried out, while grading-work on the roads was extensively undertaken during the year, and all the clay roads kept in a good state of repair. The main Awaiti Road was also cleared of stumps along its southern portion. In the main Awaiti outfall drain, rickers procured from adjacent bush were driven in the sides of the drain in order to arrest, the fraying of the banks, and the result has been very successful. A great handicap to the drain-work and stability of this main drain is the want of a flood-gate; to the, Waihou River, but this will no doubt be soon constructed in connection with the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers improvement scheme. The metalling of the Awaiti Road was continued, and 85 chains completed during the year, making a total of 125 chains. In addition to this the county portion of the, road, from the junction of the Paeroa Road to the Hauraki Plains boundary, was also metalled by this Department, the distance being 42 chains. This work was to have been done by the Ohinemuri County Council out of loan-moneys raised by the settlers (£300) and subsidy by Public Works Department (£300), but owing to the inability of the Council to obtain the metal the work was undertaken by the Department. Several new culverts were constructed, and the works generally kept in good order. Central District. The work in this district consisted principally of maintenance. The remetalling of the Kere-peehi-Wharcpoa Road (county portion) was completed, 17 chains being laid down during the year, making a total of 35 chains. The remetalling of this road from the, Hauraki Plains eastern boundary towards Kerepeehi was proceeded with and 80 chains completed. The formation of the new Puhanga-Torehape Road was attained by drain spoil for 35 chains at the Puhanga end, and 40 chains constructed at Torehapo end by clay carted from pit.

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PLAN SHOWING LANDS DEALT WITH Under the Provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908.

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The clay roads in the district were all graded, and the road along west side of Piako River from Pnhanga Canal to Ngarua Wharf was considerably raised by plough-and-scoop work in order to present an\ encroaeliinent on the soldiers' sections by the river in Hood-time. From Kerepeehi northwards the Piako River has I n cleared of willows along its bank's where these were a menace to navigation.. Patetonga District. The carting of spoil for the construction of the Ngarua Road was continued and the peat portion linked up, thus completing the formed clay road from Ngatea to Patetonga. Owing to the settlement of the clay filling put, down the previous year on the Ngarua Road it was necessary to lay down another skin from the end of the Ngarua Canal to the western boundary of Section 30. The (lav construction of the IVlangawhero Road was also continued, and 80 chains completed, while 85 chains received another coating of clay. On the Patetonga Road 75 chains was recoated, and on all of these roads a solid bed of clay has now been laid down. Several new drains were constructed, and the usual maintenance work- carried out. The relaying of the tram-line was completed, and a start made with the oil locomotive in hauling the trucks, although some alterations will have to be made before the locomotive takes up full running. The freights received during the year amounted to £542 13s. 6d. Tahuna District. The roads in this district have received special attention during the year, new spoil formation for a distance of 65 chains being completed, while 310 chains received another coat. The, drains have all been kept in good order', while tin; main drain along the Whakahoro Road to the Piako Paver was considerably widened and deepened, and new concrete flood-gate arranged for same. This drain should now deal with the water from the Waitoa district and cut off same from the Crown block. Pipiroa District. The metalling of the llorahia Road was carried out from the 37-chain mark, and completed to the eastern end of road—a distance of 53 chains, or a total for the road of 90 chains. The metalling was carried on from llorahia Road along the Kerepeehi-Kopuarahi Road to the north and south respectively for' a distance of 90 chains. This road will shortly be completed, completing the through metalled road from Kerepeehi to Kopuarahi. The Turua-Kopuarahi Road was scarified and freshened up with new metal and rolled. The stop-bank along Piako River was raised in several places and repaired, and the general maintenance of roads and drains attended to. Waitakaruru District. The construction of new drains in the above district was considerable, these being principally in connection with the soldiers' settlements, and genera] development work. A temporary road leading to the soldiers' sections was formed alongside the canal. Twenty-five chains of footpath was laid down to the Waitakaruru School. The formation of the access road to the soldiers' sections at Torehape was completed. With the exception of a gap of about a mile in the Pipiroa-Ngatea Road, Waitakaruru is now linked up by metalled road with Wharepoa Ferry and the Thames-Paeroa Road. Motor traffic has been exceptionally.heavy on the plains roads during the past year, and the road through Waitakaruru and Maramarua Valley to Auckland was constantly in use by motorists. Metalling Roads. A. considerably increased supply of metal was received during the past year, 7 miles 55 chains of roads being metalled. Repairs to several metalled roads were effected, a fairly large amount of metal being used for 1 this purpose.. A White "Good Roads" truck was purchased during the year for use in connection with the metalling of roads. Reports indicate, that the truck is working satisfactorily, and the saving of time and labour in delivering metal will fully justify the initial expenditure. During one month alone if covered a distance of 358 miles. The total length of roads metalled or gravelled is now 48 miles. The following is a schedule of roads metalled and remetalled during the year: — Metalled. Remetalled. M. eh. M. eh. Waitakaruru-Pipiroa Road .. .. .. ..10 1 75 Horahia Road.. .. .. .. .. 0 47 Xcthertorr-Awaiti Road . . . . .. 1 47 Kerepcehi-Wharepoa Road (remetalling) .. .. .. .. 10 Kerepeehi-Kopuarahi Road .. .. .. 1 13 Patetonga Road .. .. .. .. 0 33 The roads which it is proposed to metal during the year 1921-22 are Kerepeehi-Kopuarahi (continuation) ; stop-bank mad, Ngatea ; completion Pipiroa Ngatea, Road and Orchard East Road. Buildings. The foreman's cottage, at Awaiti was remodelled, and the four-roomed cottage at Pipiroa was transferred and reelected at Kerepeehi. A 30ft. by 21 ft. building was purchased at Ngatea, and turned into workers' quarters. Several sheds and huts had roofs renewed with corrugated iron, while all buildings were painted and overhauled generally. Two overhead stagings were constructed at Kerepeehi, and one each at Ngatea and Netherton, for the unloading of metal-carriers. A wheeled hut was built to accommodate the men working the boring plant. ' The number of buildings (excluding wharf-sheds) is now Houses and small cottage:', 15; quarters (staff and workmen). 2; double huts, 13: single huts, 18; sheds, 22: total, 70.

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One new wharf and shed was constructed at Ngatea, on the western side of the Piako River and abreast of the new butter-factory, the dimensions being —wharf, 50ft. by 12ft.; approach, 30 ft. by 10 ft. ; shed, 24ft. by 18ft. The llorahia Wharf was braced and generally strengthened for the discharge of road-metal. The wharf and shed on the canal at Waitakaruru was dismantled, and will lie re-erected at the junction of the canal and Waitakaruru Stream. The number of wharves at the present time is fifteen. Floating Plant. During the year several additions were made to this plant. A new oil-launch (" Waiomo ") was purchased, dimensions of which are as follows : Length, 27 ft. ; beam, 8 ft. 6 in. She has a 20-horse-power heavy-duty Zealandia engine. One new metal punt was built on contract; dimensions, 60 ft. by 18 ft. by 3 ft. 5 in. The floating plant now stands as follows: One steamer, seven oillaunches, four metal pontoons, three general-service punts, two coal-punts, three dredges. The oil launches " Moehau " and " Pipiroa " are at present out of Commission. During the coming year- the plant will be increased by the addition of one walking-dipper dredge and other machines which were purchased in America dining my recent, visit. Artesian Boring Plant. The number of bores sunk during the year was eighteen, making a total of 183 to date. The value of the year's operations was £842 18s. lid., giving a total expenditure to date of £5,209 4s. 5d., practically the whole of which is recoverable. The sum of £614 13s. Id. was received by the Receiver of Land Revenue during the year. A schedule of bores sunk is attached hereto. DIIA INS in operation. New drains of a total length of 39 miles 48 chains were constructed during the year, making a total of 183 miles 32 chains of drains constructed on the Hauraki Plains to date. Metal. The total amount of metal received was 17,358 cubic yards (Kauaeranga, 4,833 ; other, 12.525). Works performed during the Year. Drains. By piecework contract: — M. oh, M. oh. Cleaning drains .. .. .. .. .. ~ ' .. 98 55 Widening and deepening drains (29,207 yards spoil removed) .. .. 31 59 Constructing new drains .. .. .. .. .. 37 9 170 43 By day labour : — Cleaning drains .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 101 12 Widening and deepening drains (13,008 yards spoil removed) .. . . 15 75 Constructing new drains .. .. .. .. . . .. 239 119 46 Stop-batiks. Stop-banks repaired .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 15 Roads. New peat roads clayed ).. „„ ~ , - ... (2 41 Reclaying roads J- (40,33U cumc yards spoil) j g m New roads formed .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 536 Grading and disking roads .. .. .. .. .. 14 15 Gravelling roads .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 040 Metalling roads .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 420 Remetalling roads .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 75 Erecting fences .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 117 40 9 Dredges. Cubic Yards. Spoil excavated by No. 1 dredge .. . . . . . . 42,115 No. 2 „ .. .. .. .. .. 62,820 No. 6 „ .. .. .. .. .. 53,930 Total .. .. .. .. .. 158,865 Reinforced-concrete Flood-gates and Culverts. ROAD-CULVERTS. Size. Number. Length. 3 ft. (Monier pipes).. .. .. .. .. ..6 192 ft. 2 ft. 6 in. (Monier pipes) .. .. .. .. .. 2 64 ft. 2 ft. (Monier pipes).. .... .. .. ..2 56 ft. FLOOD SATES, 3 ft. (Monier pipes).". .. .. .. .. ..8 204 ft, 2 ft. 6 in. (Monier pipes) .. - .. .. .. ..2 44 ft. 4 ft. by A ft. (Monier pipes) . . .. . . . . .. 2 MS ft.

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A new single-span bridge (II ft. fry 15ft.) was built across the Ngarua Stream at Kaihere, and at Patetonga concrete retaining' lace walls were erected at tins concrete bridge-culvert over the Patetonga Stream. Flax Leases. Four areas, totalling 2,010 acres, were surveyed during the year, and three of these were disposed of, but unfortunately most of the standing flax on these areas perished in a disastrous lire in February last. Apart from this a good deal of cutting has been done, the revenue received during the year being £1,176 10s. 3d. Area thrown open during Year. Some twenty sections, comprising an area, of 1,775 acres and valued at £25,680, were opened during the year, and selected by discharged soldiers. During flu l ensuing year it is expected that about 4,500 acres will be offered, of an approximate value of £60,000. , Valuations. The total area thrown open for selection to date is 42,166 acres, which is valued at £307,630 for selection purposes. Grazing-are as. The total area held under temporary grazing lease is rrow 6,124 acres, divided into seven sections. The annual revenue produced by these is £450. Works Expenditure for the Year. The total amount expended during the year on the area (not including special votes) was £70,836 7s. I()d. The sum of £72,875 3s. Id. was paid out of local imprest in payment of Hauraki Plains expenditure and special votes, the principal of the latter being the metalling and maintenance votes. Day labour• amounted to £23,031 13s. (id., piecework contracts to £27,751 lis. Id,, and team-hi re to £339 Bs. 2d. Future Proposals. The principal works (apart from road-metalling) to be carried out in the future are as follows : — (1.) Continuation of Waitoa River dredging. (2.) Continuation of Waitakaruru Maukoro Canal. (3.) Continuation of Awaiti Canal. ,(4.) Establishment of depot at Kerepeehi. (5.) New areas for settlement. (6.) Concrete bridges, flood-gates, and culverts. (7.) New wharves. (8.) General development work. General. The books in connection with the works are kept, in the Auckland Office, where all vouchers for wages, contracts, supplies, and general purposes are prepared, The local office is situated at Kerepeehi. The local officer in charge is Mr. I. S. Logan, Land Drainage Engineer, under whose supervision development work has been carried on energetically. 1 have, &c., J. B. Thompson, The Under-Secretary Eor Lands. Wellington. Chief Drainage Engineer.

Schedule of Artesian Bores, 1920-21.

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Bore No. 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 171 175 176 177 178 17!) 180 181 182 183 Section. 30 36 3:1 Eastern portion 19 3 is 2a Maiora No. 2 23 1 23 2 2 12 12 25 26 26 26 11 ! Block. I X X XI XI XI XI XI II II XI XI XI XI XI XI XI Survey Distriol. Waihou Thames j? • - Kopuarahi Thames j? - ■ ? j . • Total Depth ' Running Flow (Gal - (Feet). Ions per Hour). 279 100 (about) 400 300 401 400 302 400 156 2,500 384 800 250 600 231 400 231 400 162 doo (pumping) 161 600 218 600 382 800 248 500 397 loo 331 loo 264 400 213 400 (pumping) Waihou ,, Thames >i - - >> • • ,, ... ,, • ■ ,, • •

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Hauraki Plains Settlement Account. Statement of Transactions during the, Year ended 31si March, 1921. Receipts. £ s. d. ! Payments. £ 8. d. Balance forward at Ist April, 1920 .. 2,332 11 2 Drainage-works, slop-banks, clearing chanDe Dentures issued- -Hauraki Plains Amend- nels, and other expenditure incidental to ment Act, 1911! .. .. .. 54,000 o o conducting drainage operations, materia], Cash sales .. .. .. .. 19,404 19 I supplies, &o. .. .. .. 67,196 I 3 Rents .. .. .. .. 13,106 14 1 Erection of buildings .. .. .. 819 1 0 Artesian bores— Machinery and plant .. .. .. 3,807 (I 3 Repayment of advances .. .. 582 510 Loose tools .. .. .. .. 141! 1 6 Interest .. .. .. .. 02 7 3 Artesian wells, cost of sinking .. .. 857 (i 11 Miscellaneous receipts— £ s. d. Compensation for land acquired in conneeTram freights .. 514 1 ti tion with drainage-works .. .. 333 8 2 Rent of huts .. 6 18 9 Stores, fuel, &c. .. .. .. 7,213 5 2 Grazing fees .. 07 2 2 Management and engineering expenses .. 1,936 4 3 Flax sales .. .. 11 0 0 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 326 15 5 Timber royalties .. 10 0 Interest on debentures.. .. .. 8,053 10 3 Grass-seed.. .. 5 0 0 Balance .. .. .. .. 9,378 2 11 — 605 2 5 £90,064 0 1 £90,064 0 1 Revenue Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1921. Dr. £ s. d. (Jr. • £ s. d. To Interest on debentures issued under By Rents accrued during the year .. 14,178 4 11 Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908 .. 1,240 0 0 Interest earned — £ s. d. Interest on debentures issued under Investments .. 106 12 5 Hauraki Plains Amendment Act, 1913 10.693 17 10 Outstanding accounts 04 19 2 Rebate of renl .. .. .. 905 18 2 171 II 7 Artesian Wells Account — Amounts Freights . . .. .. . . 535 2 .'! written off ulnae bores not effective 58 (i 2 Rent of huts .. .. .. 6 18 9 Net revenue for year carried down .. 2,077 17 6 Grazing fees .. .. .. 67 2 2 v Max .. .. .. .. 11 0 0 Timber royalty .. .. .. 10 0 Grass-seed .. .. .. 5 0 0 14,975 19 8 14,975 19 8 By Balance forward from previous year . . 26,324 15 4 To Balance .. .. .. .. 28,402 12 10 Net revenue as above .. ' .. 2,077 17 0 £28,402 12 10 £28,402 12 10 Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1921. Liabilities. Assets. Debentures — £ s. d. Improved lands handed £ s. d. £ s. d. Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908 .. 31,000 0 0 over to Land Board Hauraki Plains Amendment Act, 1913 239,000 0 0 for settlement .. 308,150 0 0 Public Works Fund Expenditure under. Less (-ash sales .. 61,372 13 9 Land-improvement vote .. .. 5,070 0 0 246,777 6 3 Consolidated Fund — Interest on deben- Unimproved lands not yet disposed of .. 22,385 0 0 'tures issued under Local Bodies' Loans Improvements adjoining Crown lands .. 7,710 0 0 Act, 1908 .. .. ... .. 17,773 10 2 Works in progress—Expenditure on lands Interest accrued but unpaid .. .. 2,640 7 7 in process of reclamation .. .. 46,744 7 3 Hauraki Plains—Land set apart under the Artesian wells — £ s. d. Act .. .. .. .. 45,000 0 0 Hauraki Plains Crown Rents paid in advance .. .. 674 5 0 tenants .. .. 1,736 0 2 Suspense Account .. .. .. 120 5 6 Adjoining Crown lands 169 13 8 Revenue Account .. .. .. 28,402 12 10 1,905 19 10 Buildings—Wharf-sheds, cottages, huts, houses, &c. .. .. .. 4,399 5 0 Machinery, plant, tools, and stores .. 25,025 6 3 Sundry debtors, rent, interest, &c. .. 2,493 6 111 Investments —Public Trustee 2,176 6 6 Consolidated Fund —Interest on investments .. .. .. .. 092 1 3 Cash in hand .. .. .. 9,378 211 £369,687 1 1 £369,687 1 1 3rd September, 1921. J. H. O'Donnell, Chief Accountant. T, N. Brodriok, Under-Secretary. Approximate Oost t>l Paper. —Preparation, no! given; printing (660 copies, including plans), £ao.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government; Printer, Wellington.—l92l.

Pride Is. 3d.]