DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1924, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1924 Session I, C-08

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1924. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1924, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

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

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, sth August, 1924. 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, 1908. The wisdom of having provided up-to-date excavating machinery is increasingly noticeable, as this year's output by machines shows a substantial increase, accompanied by a reduction in cost of about Id. per cubic yard. 1 have, &c, J. B. Thompson, The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands..

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the sixteenth annual report on the progress of the reclamation, drainage, and general development works carried out on the Hauraki Plains. The report covers the wofk done during the year ending 31st March, 1924. The progress made with the works has been satisfactory, but an exceptionally wet winter, followed by a dry summer, has been the cause of somewhat unfavourable conditions for the settlers. Alluvial soil after becoming saturated and pugged during the winter was baked hard during the summer, with the result that returns have been below expectations. These conditions emphasize the need for more field drainage by lateral ditches or tile drains to quickly convoy the water to the outlets. The peat land was not affected, and settlers with peat land in pasture experienced a more favourable season. The output from the factories handling the dairy-products of the plains has been 3,987,200 lb. of butter and 2,517,7601b. of cheese. The value of stock-sales held at Ngatea, Turua, Waitakaruru, and Patetonga was approximately £26,600, and the amount of cargo carried to and from the Piako River was over 9,300 tons. The total rainfall at Kerepeehi was 52-42 in, and rain fell on 171 days during the year. The following schedule gives particulars of rainfall for the past eight years : —

The average yearly rainfall for the past eight years was 43-29. Last year's fall was therefore a good deal above the average.

I Year. Total Rainfall. { Wettest Month, and Fall. Driest Month, and Fall. 1916-17 .. .. .. 55-57 in. Nov., 1916—6-65 in. Jan., 1917—0-65 in. 1917-18 .. .. .. 4641 in. April, 1917—5-67 in. Dec., 1917—2-18 in. 1918-19 .. .. .. 41-02 in. Oct., 1918—7-47 in. Feb., 1919—1-34 in. 1919-20 .. 34-85 in. Feb., 1920—6-10 in. Dec., 1919—0-89 in. 1920-21 .. .. .. 35-93 in. Sept., 1920—5-10 in. Feb., 1921—0-72 in. 1921-22 .. .. .. 46-34 in. Feb, 1922—6-62 in. Nov., 1921—1-34 in. 1922-23 .. .. .. 33-81 in. Jan, 1923—4-14 in. Mar, 1923—1-72 in. 1923-24 .. .. .. 52-42 in. April, 1923—9-76 in. Nov, 1923—1-81 in.

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The following is a summary of the main features of the year's work : — Dredges. Two useful additions to the dredging plant have been made during the year. A Kingston grab-dredge commenced operations in June, and a large steam dipper-dredge has recently commenced work. A second plant of similar type will shortly be put in commission. All these dredges have been assembled at Kerepeebi on pontoons constructed on the works. The dredges excavated 508,654 cubic yards during the year, at average cost of 7-27 d. per cubic yard. No. 1 Priestman dredge has been working in the Waitoa River, where channel-silting is extremely troublesome. The quantity excavated was 29,250 cubic yards, at cost of 11-24(1. per cubic yard. This dredge has been working continuously for a period of over fifteen years, and is now being dismantled for extensive renewals and repairs to the machinery, and the pontoon will have to be docked as soon as a slipway can be constructed at Kerepeebi. No. 2 Priestman. dredge is on the Maukoro Canal, and is now 3 miles 60 chains from the Waitakaruru road-bridge. The machinery of this dredge has been overhauled and improved by substituting grooved-friction for the original smooth-friction drive. Electric light has also been installed, and the plant is now working two shifts. The hand-dug drains on the canal route have been deepened with the object of consolidating the land ahead of the dredge, where the peat is from 13 ft. to 25 ft. deep. This dredge excavated 36,652 cubic yards, at an average cost of 9-1 Id. per cubic yard. No. 6 Priestman dredge has been operating in the Piako River between Kerepeehi and Ngatea. This dredge has also been remodelled and equipped with grooved-friction drive, and is now a very efficient plant. The output was 47,100 cubic yards, at cost of 6-71 d. per cubic yard. No. 11. Kingston dredge is a recent addition to the plant, and was assembled in the local yards on a substantial pontoon built last year at Kerepeehi. It is doing excellent work in the Piako River, and the effect of the river-improvement works is apparent in the lowering of the low-water level at Kerepeehi. The output for ten months was 70,074 cubic yards, at the cost of 6-07 d. per cubic yard. No. 15 Bucyrus drag-line has been constructing stop-banks and roads on the Kerepeehi Block, and also widening the Awaiti Canal. This dredge handled 104,810 cubic yards of spoil, at a cost of 5-2 d. per cubic yard. No. 16 Bucyrus drag-line has been widening the Puhanga Canal, and having completed the work on the eastern bank is now removing the old stop-bank road preparatory to widening the western side of the canal. Two shifts are being worked, and a half-yard bucket is being used with extended boom. The quantity excavated was 105,980 cubic yards, and the cost 7-50 d. per cubic yard. No. 19 Michigan walking-dredge has been constructing road-drains on the Kerepeehi Block, and is now excavating a large collecting-ditch parallel to the Awaiti Canal. Good progress was made in dry country, but flood-water made operations difficult during the winter. This dredge excavated 40,733 cubic yards, at 10-lld. per cubic yard. No. 20 Rood land-dredge has commenced work on a block of land lying to the south of the Kerepeehi Block, and between the Awaiti Canal and the Piako River, known locally as the Awaiti Block. This machine handled 74,053 cubic yards, at 7-37 d. per cubic yard. No. 23 American steel dipper-dredge is a further addition to the plant recently erected at Kerepeehi, and has commenced work in the Awaiti Canal extension. This is a large steam-dredge equipped with a one-and-a-half-yard dipper, and as the operators gain experience; will prove an efficient digger. The following table shows the amount of spoil dredged and machine-excavated and cost per cubic yard for the past ten years : — v Cubic Cost por v Cubio Cost per * ear - Yards. Cubic Yard. * ear ' Yards. Cubic Yard. 1914-15.. .. 176,196 2-67 d. 1919-20.. .. 138,310 6-90 d. 1915-16.. .. 146,905 3-35 d. 1920-21.. .. 158,865 7-42 d. 1916-17.. .. 161,674 3.40 d. 1921-22.. .. 246,022 7-29 d. 1917-18.. .. 130,664 2-53 d. 1922-23.. .. 440,092 8-20 d. 1918-19 .. .. 125,196 4-87 d. 1923-24.. .. 508,654 7-27 d. Central District. In this district several miles of road-formation have"been completed, principally on the Kerepeehi Block, where the roads are formed from spoil of the machine-dug drains. The Puhanga Canal Stopbank Road has been formed on the east side, and the Ngarua Canal Stop-bank Road raised to finished level and formed. The Kaikahu and Pekapeka and some Kerepeehi Township roads have also been formed. A three-foot-gauge tramway has been laid for a distance of 4 miles 43 chains on the formation of the Puhanga-Torehape Road, and 18,190 fascines laid, and 2,270 cubic yards of clay have been carted on to this road. Repairs were effected to the Ngatea West Road. The metalling of the Orchard East and River-bank Road between Ngatea and Paul's Wharf was completed, 1,194 cubic yards of metal being used ; and 3,650 cubic yards of metal were spread on the Kerepeehi-Kaihere Road ; 900 cubic yards of metal were also used in completing the renietalling of the Ngatea East and Kerepeehi-Kopuarahi Roads. A new road is being constructed on the western bank of the Puhanga Canal, and a large collecting-ditch constructed parallel to the canal and discharging into a large twobarrel concrete flood-gate on the Piako River. A new permanent bridge, 107 ft. span, and also a temporary bridge have been built across the Puhanga Canal, and three small road-bridges and several culverts and flood-gates completed in this locality. A large amount of ditch-construction has been carried out, and also all outlet drains cleaned, and many widened and deepened. At a poll recently taken, the ratepayers of the Horahia-Opou Special Drainage District sanctioned a loan of £1,450 for drainage-improvement works, which are being carried

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out by this Department. The depot at Kerepeehi is now a busy centre, whore a large gang of men is employed receiving and distributing fuel, stores, and materials, repairing and erecting plant, and a variety of other works. Waitakaruru District. The drainage of the land in the vicinity of the Maukoro-Waitakaruru Canal has been receiving attention, and a great deal of work clone, which should hasten the process of bringing into profitable occupation a large area which, with the excellent outlet provided by the canal, will eventually be some of the best land on the Hauraki Plains. The spoil-banks on both banks of the canal have been formed into roads by team, scoop, and grader work. Maintenance and improvement work to drains and stopbanks has been carried out. Two dams were constructed in the Maukoro Canal to facilitate dredging. 13,000 sleepers were split, and 123 birch piles cut, hauled, and shipped to other districts. Pipiroa-Kopuarahi District. The principal works carried out in this district were maintenance of drains and stop-banks, widening and deepening of outlet drains, and the construction of a low-level flood-gate at the outlet of Duck Creek drain, which is being deepened and extended to a new concrete culvert across the Ngatea-Pipiroa Road. Large drains have been constructed along the Pouarua Road and Hopai Road extension, and repairs effected to the Rawerawe West Road. Awaiti, Patetonca, and Tahuna Districts. The Elstow Drainage Board has raised a loan of £34,000 for drainage-works to be carried out by the Department in conjunction with Crown - land - development works in the Awaiti district. The preparatory work for the scheme is well in hand, and construction has been commenced with two dredges. For the formation of roads in peat land in the Patctonga district 3,154 cubic yards of clay were carted on to the Mangawhero Road, 10,211 cubic yards of clay and 780 cubic yards of gravel for the Kaiherc West Road, and 4,372 cubic yards of clay for the Patetonga Tramway Road. The North Road at Tahuna was cleared and formed for a distance of 54 chains, 2,581 cubic yards of spoil being carted for the purpose. In addition to the usual cleaning, widening and deepening of drains in the districts involved the excavation of over 130,000 cubic yards of material. Freight collected for the carriage of goods on the Patctonga Tramway amounted to £621. Roads. As road-formation can only be done during the very short dry season, all available plant has to be pressed into service to cope with the largo amount of this work that has to be done. The progress made this year has been fairly satisfactory. The total quantity of metal delivered from Thames by the Department's punts was 5,175 cubic yards, and quantity obtained from other sources 1,729 cubic yards. 2 miles 14 chains of roads were metalled during the year, and 75 chains remetalled. Clay carted for the formation and maintenance of peat roads amounted to 22,588 cubic yards, and 18,790 bundles of fascines were laid as a foundation. The following roads were metalled. : — M. Ch. Ngatea - Paul's Wharf .. .. .. .. .. ..05 Orchard East Road . . . . .. •.. .. .. .. 0 24 Kerepeehi - Kaihere Road . . .. .. .. .. .. 1 40 Kaihere Road, western end .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 25 Kerepeehi - Kopuarahi and Orchard East Road (remetalling) .. .. 0 75 Total .. .. .. .. .. ..3 9 The following roads were formed : — Kerepeehi Block .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 14 Puhanga Canal Road, east side . . . . . . . . 1 60 Ngarua Canal Road .. .. .. .. .. 0 50 Pekapeka Road .. .. .. .. .. .. ..048 Kerepeehi Township roads ■ .. .. .. .. .. ..09 Maukoro Canal roads, Waitakaruru — West side .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 75 East side .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 46 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 62 The following peat roads were ballasted, with clay : — North Road, Tahuna .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 55 Puhanga-Torehape Road .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 10 ■ Total ' .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 65 The following roads were reclaycd : — Mangawhero Road .. .. .. .. .. .. ..10 Kaihere Road .. .. .. .. .. .. ..16 Patetonga Tramway Road .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 45 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 51

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Drains. One of the outstanding features of the year's work has been the large amount of drain widening and deepening carried out. No less than 146,775 cubic yards of spoil were excavated for the improvement of 75 miles 30f chains of drains. New drains, 16 miles 4£ chains in length, were completed, and total length of drains constructed on the Hauraki Plains is now 549 miles 41 \ chains. 270 miles 78 chains of drains were cleaned during the year. The following work was carried out by piecework contract: — M. Ch. Cleaning drains .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 135 17 Widening and deepening (97,128 cubic yards) .. .. 43 27| New drains (31,097 cubic yards) . . . . .. .. . . 7 46 J Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 186 11 The following work was carried out by day labour : — Cleaning drains .. . . .. . . .. .: .. 135 61 Widening and deepening (49,647 cubic yards').. .. .. 32 3 New drains (12,892 cubic yards) .. .. .. .. .. 2 60 Total .. .. - .. .. .. .. 170 44 The following work was done by excavating-machines : — New drains (93,890 cubic yards) .. .. .. .. 5 58 Stop-banks (101,800 cubic yards) ... .. .. .. .. 2 75 Total .. .. .. - .. .. .. 8 53 450 fascines were used in repairing stop-banks and drains. Buildings. The buildings erected during the year comprise—Workman's cottage of four rooms; portable hut of three rooms; carpenter's shop, 24ft. by 16ft. ; shed for wire rope and machinery; Monierpipe shed; and a large store at Kerepeehi was completed. Several buildings were painted and repaired, and most of the houses are now lighted with electricity. The total number of buildings connected with the works is—Houses and small cottages, 21 ; double huts, 15; single huts, 24 ; sheds, 24 ; quarters for stall and workmen, 3 ; workshop, 1. A small rent charge, is made for all houses and huts occupied by workmen, the total received during the year being £437. Wharves and Bridges. The wharf at Kerepeehi depot was completed, and staging and fender piles provided at the launch-moorings. A large hardwood road-bridge was constructed on the Puhanga Canal, and a small road-bridge on Phillips Road. A temporary bridge was erected at southern end of Puhanga Canal to divert traffic to eastern side while dredge is working along western bank of the canal. Plant and Machinery. Quarters for crew were erected on No. 11 dredge. A kauri pontoon, 80 ft. by 20 ft. by 6 ft, was constructed for No. 23 dredge, on which the machinery was erected and housed, and a houseboat of three rooms on pontoon, 37 ft. by 14 ft. by 3 ft, constructed for the crew of this dredge. A similar dredge pontoon and houseboat were constructed for No. 24 dredge, the machinery of which is now being erected. Two kauri punts, each carrying a one-roomed hut, were built for accommodation of crew of No. 2 dredge ; and a coal-punt, 24 ft. by 8 ft. by 2 ft. 6 in., was also built on the works ; and other plant made includes four 14 ft. dinghies, nine wheelbarrows, six 1 J-yard side tip-trucks. Repairs to dredge and metal pontoons, launches, dredge machinery, and plant have been carried out at the Kerepeehi Workshops. The plant now comprises one steamer, seven oil-launches, four metal punts, three general-service punts, four grab-dredges, two drag-line excavators', two walking land-dippers, and two floating steam dipper-dredges. Concrete Structures. Two ferro-coucrete road-bridges were completed during theyear, and the following other works : —

Road-culverts.

Number. Description. Size. Length. I 3 1 2 1 1 Concrete pipe Concrete; box culverts Concrete pipe culverts and flood-gate .. * Box culvert and flood-gate . . .. .. Two-barrel concrete box equipped with concrete sluicegates and flood-gates Two-barrel box culvert equipped with " Calco " floodgates and concrete sluices 2 ft. diameter 3 ft. diameter 4 ft, by 4 ft. 3 ft. diameter 4 ft, by 4 ft. 4 ft. by 4 ft, 40 ft. 150 ft. 40 ft. 77 ft. 22 ft, 22 ft. I 5 ft. diameter 32 ft.

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Artesian Bores. Three bores wore sunk during the year. The total number of artesian bores put down to date is 219. The cost of the year's operations was £64 14s. 4d, making a total to date of £7,185 6s. Bd, nearly the whole of which is recoverable. The sum of £829 was received during the year. A schedule of the bores sunk is attached hereto. Surveys and Classification op Soils. A very complete survey of an area of approximately 35,000 acres lying to the east of the Piako and Waitoa Rivers, and including a portion of the Awaiti basin, has been undertaken to define the topography and formation, physical characteristics, and extent of soils. Levels and soundings to determine the peat depths are being taken systematically over the whole area, and methods of reclamations adapted to the physical and economic possibilities of the land can be devised from the information obtained. The classification of soils in this area is incomplete, but the indications are that, owing to the subsidence which will take place after drainage, roughly three-fourths of the area will be more suitable for flax-production than pasture. Similar work is being carried out on the area between the Piako River and the hills forming the western boundary of the plains. One hundred and forty-two miles of levelling were carried out, and over one thousand one hundred soundings taken and samples of soils obtained at various depths up to 30 ft. Other engineering surveys required seventeen miles of traverse and thirty-eight miles of levels. Future Proposals. Piako and Waitoa river-improvement works ; continuation of Awaiti and Waitakaruru-Maukoro Canals ; widening Puhanga Canal; reclamation and roading of lands in the Awaiti district; development and roading of peat lands at Waitakaruru and Torehape. Works Expenditure. The total expenditure for the year was £91,979. Of this amount the sum of £46,996 was paid out of Thames Imprest Account, day labour (including wages of dredge crews) amounting to £37,464, piecework contracts to £15,649, and hire of teams £1,992. Valuations. The expectation of opening up new areas within the year was not realized. After going exhaustively into the question it was decided, that it would be preferable to delay opening the proposed areas pending further consolidation. These lands comprise deep peat-country on which time is an essential factor in bringing them into a state of production. The process of consolidation will be assisted in every way, and the lands made available for selection as soon as conditions permit. The total area handed over (including permanent reserves) is 43,895 acres. Flax Leases. As mentioned.previously, a considerable area of the remaining lands will be more suitable for flax-culture than for general-farming purposes, and it is intended to develop these lands accordingly. Under the existing legislation flax leases may be granted for a term not longer than ten years, but it is hoped that in the near future a more secure tenure will bo made possible by amending legislation. Under this security of tenure it is hoped that flax will be planted, cultivated, and cared for like any other crop from which a revenue is expected. I am optimistic enough to imagine that, in the not-far-distant future, instead of being considered a temporary or catch-crop as it is to-day, flax will be farmed in the true sense of the word, and. will become one of our permanent and thriving industries. No areas were opened during the year. The sum of £67 14s. 9d. was received during the period. Grazing-areas. The total area under lease is 4,847 acres, divided into seven holdings. The annual rent is £230, and the revenue received for the year amounted to £193 17s. 7d. General. Able and effective work has been carried out by the Kerepeehi office staff, which has been busily engaged preparing plans and specifications, wages-sheets, attending to correspondence, stores, and general office-work. A very considerable amount of construction and repair work has been carried out at the local workshops. All routine work in connection with wages and claims is done in the Kerepeehi. office, and the final approval of all vouchers is given in the controlling office in Auckland, where the necessary financial books are kept. The work entailed in checking and passing wages vouchers and claims for supplies, &c, is very arduous, and calls for a great degree of skill and attention in the officers responsible. Payment of wages alone on works of this size is an operation of some magnitude and usually covers a period of from three to four days each month. The possibilities of fraud in bogus wages payments are always kept in view and periodic checks made by an independent officer. Occasional checks are also made of the stocks of benzine, kerosene, and stores generally. A complete stock-taking of all machinery and tools is made every year; the total amount on charge is in the vicinity of £70,000, and the separate items run into thousands. The officer in charge is Mr. E. Taylor, M.N.Z.Soc.C.E, to whom the greatest credit is due for the energy he has displayed and the able and efficient manner in which he has controlled the operations. I have, &c, O. N. Campbell, The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. Chief Drainage Engineer.

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Schedule of Artesian Bores, 1923-24.

HAURAKI PLAINS SETTLEMENT ACCOUNT. Receipts and Payments Account for Year ended 31st March, 1924. Receipts. Payments. £ s. d. Balance as at Ist April, 1923— £ s. d. I Drainage-works, stop-banks, cleaning chanCash in Public Account £8,211 18 9 nols, and other expenditure incidental .Imprests outstanding 837 12 8 to conducting drainage operations (in9,049 6 5 | eluding metalling and formation of Debentures issued under Hauraki Plains roads), materials, supplies, &c. .. 54,48!) 11 8 Amendment Act, 1913 .. .. 80,000 0 0 Machinery and plant .. .. 3,265 19 7 Sales of land .. .. .. 3,559 8 4 Loose tools .. .. .. .. 172 9 2 Rents .. .. .. .. 8,337 14 0 Material and stores .. .. .. 9,754 10 9 Artesian bores— Fuel .. .. .. .. 4,042 0 5 Repayment of advances 680 1 2 Compensation for land acquired in conInterest .. .. 149 9 2 nection with drainage-works.. .. 9,654 9 9 829 10 4 Maintenance of completed works .. 8,986 17 1 Miscellaneous debtors .. .. 655 10 9 | Management and engineering expenses .. 1,757 17 1 Rates .. .. .. .. 7,706 15 10 Rates refunded .. .. .. 29 19 0 Rent of buildings .. .. .. 450 17 11 Rents, &c, refunded .. .. .. 142 12 7 Crazing fees.. .. .. '.. 97 17 8 Recoupment of rates to Consolidated Fund Tram freights .. .. .. 623 15 8 < under section 5, H auraki Plains AmendFlax royalty .. .. .. 67 14 9 j ment Act, 1922 .. .. .. 156 9 7 Sale of grass-seed .. .. .. 310 0 Interest on debentures .. .. 20,491 7 3 Law-costs .. .. .. .. 75 13 4 Sinking fund . . .. .. 874 10 10 Miscellaneous receipts—Credits in reduc- Balance at 31st March, 1924 (cash in tion of expenditure.. .. .. 4,055 12 4 Public Account) .. .. .. 1,694 12 7 £115,513 7 4 £115,513 7 4 Revenue Account por Year ended 31st March, 1924. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. Interest on loans under Local Bodies' Rents .. .. .. .. 12,287 2 10 Loans Act, 1908 .. .. .. 2,138 14 11 Rates .. .. .. .. 8,114 12 5 Interest on debentures issued under Hau- Interest on sales of land .. .. 171 11 10 raid Plains Amendment Act, 1913 .. 22,122 18 II Interest on cost of well-boring .. .. 126 9 0 Maintenance of completed works .. 9,660 0 9 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 1,507 11 10 Administration expenses .. .. 392 8 3 Interest on investments .. .. 97 18 6 Rebate of rent .. .. .. 658 14 11 Net loss carried down .. .. 13,714 9 1 Irrecoverable rates, &c. .. .. 172 6 11 Sinking Fund Reserve .. .. 874 10 10 £36,019 15 6 £36,019 15 6 Net loss brought forward .. .. 13,714 9 1 Balance from previous years .. .. 22,152 0 1 Adjustment on account of previous years 4,017 711 Balance .. .. .. .. 4,420 3 1 £22,152 0 1 £22,152 0 1

Bore No. Section. Block. Survey District. Total Depth in Feet. Running Flow (Gallons per Hour). 217 218 219 4 3 1 X X X Thames Wharekawa 306 203 257 1,000 250 800

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HAURAKI PLAINS SETTLEMENT ACCOUNT— continued. Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1924. Liabilities. Assets. Debentures—- £ s. d. Improved land— Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908 .. 31,000 0 0 Handed over to Board £ s. d. £ s. d. Hauraki Plains Amendment Act, 1913 529,000 0 0 for settlement .. 320,885 9 11 Hauraki Plains— Less sales .. .. 73,504 19 5 Land set apart under the Act .. 45,000 0 0 253,380 10 6 Surplus on lands transferred to control Unimproved lands not yet disposod of.. 44,474 10 9 of Land Board .. .. .. 23,905 19 11 Improvements on adjoining Crown lands 7,710 0 0 Public Works Fund— Permanent reserves .. .. .. 8,646 0 0 Expenditure under Land Improve- Works in progressmerit vote .. .. .. 4,270 0 0 Expenditure on land in process of reConsolidated Fund— clamation, including formation of Interest on debentures issued under roads .. .. .. .. 246,325 15 8 Local Bodies' Ijoans Act, 1908 .. 24,607 9 5 Artesian wells— Consolidated Fund—Liability for rates 219 9 6 Hauraki Plains Crown Interest accrued but unpaid on deben- tenants .. .. 2,150 910 tures issued under Hauraki Plains Adjoining Crown lands 169 13 8 Amendment Act, 1913 .. .. 4,817 12 (i 2,320 3 0 Sinking Fund Reserve .. .. 2,676 14 5 Buildings .. .. .. .. 7,506 15 0 Sundry creditors .. .. .. 8,480 9 8 Wharves .. .. .. .. 6,220 0 0 Rates paid in advance .. .. 0 11J Machinery and plant .. .. 69,573 1 0 Tram freights paid in advance .. 0 4 9 Live-stock .. .. .. .. 327 0 0 Suspense Account .. .. .. 126 5 0 Loose tools.. .. .. .. 1,489 14 8 Writings off in suspense .. .. 91. 2 3 Stores and fuel .. .. .. 4,618 7 0 Revenue Account balance .. .. 4,420 3 1 Sundry debtors for — Rents, &c. .. .. 9,458 4 9 Sales .. .. 2,628 10 7 Interest on sales, &c. .. 172 310 Rates .. .. 3,237 4 5 Tram freights .. 466 4 10 Miscellaneous .. 1,178 7 11 17,140 10 4 Postponed rent .. .. .. 1,258 7 0 Investments—Public Trustee .. 2,176 5 6 Sinking Fund —Proportion under Public Debt Extinction Act .. .. 2,676 14 5 Consolidated Fund—lnterest on investments .. .. .. .. 985 16 9 Writings off in suspense .. .. 91 2 3 Cash in Public Account .. .. 1,694 12 7 £678,615 12 11 £678,615 12 11 J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands. J. H. O'Donnell, Chief Accountant.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (725 copies, including plan), £46 IBs.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 924.

Price Is. 6d.]

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