DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. RANGITAIKI LAND DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1925, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1925 Session I, C-11

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1925. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. RANGITAIKI LAND DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1925, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly in pursuance of Section 10 of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910.

Sib,— Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 12th June, 1925. I have the honour to submit herewith the report upon drainage operations in the Rangitaiki Plains for the year ended 31st March, 1925, pursuant to the provisions of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910. The accompanying statement of cash transactions and balance-sheet shows the financial transactions for the year, and the position of the account as at the 31st March last. A plan showing operations is attached. I have, &c., The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands. J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary.

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. SiR, — In accordance witli the provisions of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910, I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1925. The period under review has witnessed the completion of practically all scheduled construction and improvement works. The area which will benefit from the further authorized construction works has been reduced to a minimum, and work under this heading will be completed during the coming period. As is universally the case with all land-development undertakings, there is no finality to possible improvements, and consequently additional works will become desirable from time to time ; and, as the country develops and progresses sufficiently to warrant the further expenditure, provision will have to be made for carrying out these improvements. In certain localities the drained swamp has not come up to full expectations as regards quality of soil, and in others, after consolidation, sufficient freeboard has not remained for wholly successful cultivation. Dairying is gradually becoming the premier industry, and smaller holdings are tending towards more intensive cultivation. The amount of butter manufactured by the new Rangitaiki Dairy Company was 776 tons, an increase of 143 tons over last year's production. The amount paid to suppliers was approximately £90,500. The Tarawera Cheese-factory's output for the year was 300 tons of cheese and 9 tons of whey butter, the amount paid to its suppliers being approximately £24,000.

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All existing works are being maintained to their full efficiency, and the remaining construction work will be pushed on to completion as early as possible. Rainfall: The total rainfall for the year was 62-27 in., rain falling on seventy-one days. The wettest month was April, with a fall of 8-06 in., and the driest March, with a fall of 0-57 in. The average rainfall for the past seven years was 50-97 in. ; from which it will be seen that this, like the past year, has been an abnormally wet one. Eastern District. Maintenance work on the various drains and outfalls in this locality has been carried out periodically, also improvement and deepening where necessary. The completion of the dredging in the Orini Stream, and the consequent deepening of the various subsidiary hand drains, has made a decided improvement in this area. The dredging of the Waioho Stream and deviations, and the erection of a stop-bank to prevent flooding, which work is now nearing completion, should be of immense benefit to this area of first-class land. Generally the works in this district are in good condition, and on completion of the construction work now in hand will require only periodical maintenance to serve the areas depending on them. Western District. During the period dredging was completed in the two main areas requiring attention —namely, Awakaponga district, to the west of the Tarawera River, and the area served by the Tarawera floodgate. The deepening and improvement of the subsidiary drains in these areas is well in hand. The stop-banking of the Tarawera River was completed northwards as far as the railway, and Priestman No. 9 is operating from the railway to the coast, completing the stop-banking of the eastern bank. The danger from flooding in this river has now been considerably minimized. Widening and deepening work, together with the erection of a stop-bank was carried out in the lower reaches of the Awaiti Stream, to provide both a better outlet for the large area southwards, and as a preventive against flooding in the flood-gate area. The stone groyne which was completed early in the period has been very effective in keeping an open channel at the mouth of the Tarawera River where it enters the sea through the sandhills. Last winter considerable erosion took place in the Rangitaiki River stop-banks owing to the continued high level of the river. In many places protective willowing was resorted to, but at McCracken's Bend it was thought advisable to provide a flood-channel across the bend. This work was put in hand late in the period, and a 50 ft. channel was scooped out for a length of 16 chains. In this district, as in the eastern district, any future work, apart from the construction work already in hand, will be purely maintenance of existing drains and stop-banks. Dredges. Altogether six dredges, comprising three Priestman, two Monighan drag-lines, and one Bay City dipper dredge, have been continuously employed on works. A total of 626,762 yards of spoil was lifted during the period, covering a total distance of 1,999 chains. The cost per cubic yard of spoil removed was 6-lld. The following table shows the total amount excavated, with the cost per cubic yard, for the past ten years : — Cubic Cost per Cubic Cost per Yards. Cubic Yard. Yards. Cubic Yard. 1915-16 .. .. 224,740. 4-54 d. 1920-21.. .. 215,768 8-82 d. 1916-17 .. .. 261,751 4-36 d. 1921-22.. .. 473,994 6-68 d. 1917-18.. .. 320,614 3-72 d. 1922-23.. .. 540,802 8-13 d. 1918-19 .. .. 229,659 5-70 d. 1923-24.. .. 788,059 5-56 d. 1919-20 .. .. 176,672 6-62 d. 1924-25.. .. 626,762 6-lld. No. 4 Priestman completed the dredging of the old Rangitaiki River bed up to the Matata Road crossing. The plant then worked back up Seccombe's drain to Section 110 drain, and along this as far as the eastern boundary of Section 108. This completed the programme in the locality, and the plant is now being dismantled in the Tarawera River. During the period this plant dredged a distance of 568 chains and removed 113,249 yards of spoil. As this year probably finishes the career of No. 4 on the Rangitaiki Swamp, it is fitting to mention that this machine has been in service since March, 1913, and during the twelve years has lifted no less than .1,159,595 cubic yards of spoil. In that time the dredge had one thorough overhaul and. no major breakages. This is a very creditable record, and demonstrates the value of the Priestman type of dredger on works such as these. It is anticipated that with a further overhaul the plant will be ready for another twelve years on some other area. No. 8 Priestman dredge has been working throughout the year erecting stop-banks to prevent flooding in the Tarawera River. Late in the period the plant completed work as far north as the railway, and the machine was then taken back to open up the Tumurau drain on the western bank of the Tarawera River, where previously a private dredge had been operating. During the period a total distance of 300 chains was covered, and 122,680 yards of spoil lifted and deposited to form stop-banks.

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No. 9 Priestman dredge : Early in the year this plant completed work as far as it was economically possible for it to operate in the Awakaponga drain, and then worked back to the Tarawera River, cleaning up, leaving the remainder of the cut to be excavated by the Bay City dipper dredge. The machine was then put on erecting a stop-bank and improving the lower reaches of the Awaiti Stream. This work was completed late in the period, and plant was then moved to commence on the Tarawera River stop-banks, from the Railway Bridge northwards. During the period this plant completed a total distance of 455J chains of dredging, and lifted 123,968 yards of spoil. No. 17 Monighan dredge commenced work in the and deviations at the beginning of the period, and has done splendid work in this area. Late in the period the machine had reached the head of the work in this stream, having erected a substantial stop-bank to prevent flooding on the western bank, and made a splendid 40 ft. cut throughout. The plant will commence cleaning up on the way back early in the coming period. A total distance of 188 chains was covered during the period, and 119,363 yards of spoil were lifted. No. 18 Monighan dredge : This plant completed work in the Kopeopeo Canal during the year, having linked up with the work done by Priestman No. 3 the previous year. The machine was then shifted across to the eastern drain to take up the fall through a deep sand-ridge where great difficulty was previously experienced in keeping an open channel. Splendid work was done, and as a result the low country above the sand-ridge has its freeboard increased by another 4 ft. This work was completed at the end of the period. After a few days overhaul this plant will be available for transfer. A total distance of 245§ chains was dredged during the period, and 91,910 yards of spoil lifted. No. 21 Bay City dipper : This plant has been working throughout the period under great difficulties, and in exceptionally treacherous country. The transfer to the Awakaponga drain and re-erection was delayed considerably owing to the flood conditions prevailing at the time. Commencing work in June at the railway, the machine linked up with the work done by Priestman No. 9, and worked south again across the railway to the head of the Awakaponga drain. This work was completed late in the period, and plant is being transferred to maintenance work east of the Tarawera River. During the year a total distance of 242 chains was covered and 55,592 yards of spoil lifted. Floods. Severe floods were experienced in this district during May last, when two heavy rainstorms occurred with a two-weeks interval. The rainfall was exceptionally heavy in the Tarawera watershed, and that river broke its banks in the vicinity of the cross-road and overflowed the low-lying country generally along the Tarawera western drain and in Sections 108 and 110. Considerable damage to drains and small sill bridges resulted. The flooding was also severe in the White-pine Bush area, and water overflowed westwards from this locality into the Kopeopeo Canal via the eastern drain. The works in this locality are now much further advanced, and a similar visitation would not have such far-reaching effects. Roadwork. No new road-formation has been carried out during the year. Roads to the length of 150 chains were graded preparatory to handing over to the local body, and 120 chains of formation from spoil removed by dredges was carried forward on the Kopeopeo Canal. The spoil removed by Monighan No. 17 on the White-pine Bush Road was levelled and surfaced for a distance of 80 chains to form a combined road and stop-bank. Bridges. One bridge gang has been employed continuously throughout the period erecting permanent pile and sill bridges, laying temporary structures for the passage of walking dredges across drains and canals, and dismantling and re-erecting bridges to allow for passage of floating dredges. Nine new pile bridges were erected during the period, three were dismantled and re-erected, and fourteen temporary structures were laid for walking plants. In addition to this, ten sill bridges of varying widths were placed. Stop-banks. Maintenance and protective work has been carried out where necessary throughout the completed lengths of the Tarawera stop-bank, and these banks are in good order as far north as the railway-bridge. Protective work was also carried out on the Rangitaiki River banks where erosion was taking place. The Te Rahu bank was also and raised where excessive subsidence had taken place. A length of 80 chains *of new bank, from spoil deposited by dredge, on the White-pine Bush Road, was formed and surfaced to form a combined road and stop-bank. Drains in Operation. The total length of drains in operation is as follows : Dredge cuts, 64 miles 42 chains; main outlet drains, 103 miles 26 chains; road-drains, 29 miles 20 chains. Roads Opened. The total length of roads opened is still 113J miles, of which 85 miles have been constructed by the Department.

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Buildings. These consist of Engineer's cottage and twelve cottages and huts for workmen, office building, machine-shop, blacksmith's shop, store-sheds, &c. These are kept in good order and condition. All men occupying quarters are required to pay rent for same. Workshops. Practically all the repair work for the six dredges and general machinery has been done in thg workshop and smithy at Thornton, and a very creditable amount of work has been put through in this connection, with a corresponding saving in time and cost. Rolling-stock. The Thornycroft lorry has been continuously employed in running coal and benzine supplies to the dredges, and in general cartage of timber and supplies throughout the works. With the improvement in roads the Department is now able to use this lorry for the bulk of its cartage. Plant and Machinery. One Priestman grab dredger was transferred early in the period, and the plant now consists of three Priestman grab dredges, one Bay City walking dipper, and two Monighan walking drag-line excavators, four coal-punts, three oil-launches, one towing-barge, and seven small boats and punts. Summary of Work done. M. Ch. Cub. Yd. New drains .. .. .. . . .. .. 150 4,700 Widening and deeping .. .. .. .. .. 940 13,160 Cleaning drains .. .. .. .. .. .. 72 0 Road-formation .. .. .. .. .. .. 430 Fencing . . . . . . . . . . .. 340 Stop-banks (new) .. .. .. .. .. ..10 Stop-banks (repairs) . . . . .. .. ..40 Spoil dredge .. .. .. .. .. ..24 79 626,762 Levels taken .. .. .. .. .. .. 52 0 Survey traverses .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 40 Pile bridges, 9 ; sill bridges, 10 ; flood-gates, 2. Proposed Works. Completion of Tarawera River stop-banks by No. 9 dredge ; dredging Tumurau drain by No. 8 dredge ; completion of Waioho Stream and White-pine Bush Road and stop-banks by No. 18 dredge ; general maintenance, and minor construction works. Works Expenditure : General. The total amount of expenditure recorded in the books for the year was £29,758. Of this amount £11,849 represents day-labour (including dredge crews) and £5,128 payment for piecework contracts. The sum of £20,845 was paid out of Whakatane Imprest Account. The local headquarters are at Thornton, where the subsidiary books are kept. All payments of wages and supplies, &c., are made by the controlling office in Auckland, where the financial record books are kept. The sum of £255 9s. lOd. was received during the year on account of miscellaneous revenue. The officer in charge is Mr. R. L. Innis, Acting Engineer, who has carried out his many duties in a very able and efficient manner. 1 have, &c., 0. IST. Campbell, Chief Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington.

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RANGITAIKI LAND DRAINAGE ACCOUNT. Receipts and Payments Account fob Year ended 31st March, 1925. Keceipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ s. d. Cash in Public Account, Ist April, 1924.. 1,148 7 2 Drainage - works, stop - banks, clearing Debentures issued under— £ s. d. channels, and other expenditure inciRangitaiki Land Drain- dental to drainage operations .. 23,057 15 8 age Amendment Act, Engineering and administration expenses 1,087 12 2 1913, and Finance Act, Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 75 1 2 1923, section 5 .. 27,100 0 0 Legal expenses .. .. .. 93 17 0 Rangitaiki Land Drain- Plant and machinery .. .. 27 13 1 age Amendment Act, Loose tools .. .. .. .. 30 5 11 1913, and Finance Act, Material and stores .. .. .. 2,020 10 3 1924, section 5 .. 10,000 0 0 Fuel .. .. .. .. 3,519 510 — 37,100 0 0 Refund of rent .. .. .. 2 0 0 Rates paid as remission Refund of overpaid rates .. .. 0 14 10 from Consolidated Interest on debentures .. .. 20,915 7 4 Fund under section Balance at 31st March, 14, Appropriation 1925— £ s. d. Act, 1924— Cash .. .. 42,013 7 2 Year 1921-22 .. 15,314 510 Investment Account .. 7,000 0 0 Year 1922-23 .. 20,254 12 8 49,013 7 2 Year 1923-24 .. 23,003 13 9 — 58,632 12 3 Rents .. .. .. . . 121 9 8 "Thirds" .. .. .. .. 18 14 6 Proceeds from transfers of plant to other works .. .. .. .. 1,479 18 9 Rates— £ s. d. 1917-18 .. .. 1 16 8 1918-19 .. .. 2 3 1 1919-20 .. .. 14 4 9 1920-21 .. .. 13 18 7 1921-22 .. .. 29 18 8 1922-23 .. .. 54 14 4 1923-24 .. .. 1,079 18 10 1924-25 .. .. 6 7 1 Suspense Account .. 0 7 0 1,203 9 1 Sundries .. .. .. .. 138 19 0 £99,843 10 6 £99,843 10 6 Revenue Account as at 31st March, 1925. £ s. d. £ s. d. Interest on debentures .. .. 21,447 19 2 Rates levied.. .. .. .. 28,414 14 1 Administration expenses .. .. 289 7 0 Penalty on overdue rates .. .. 2,184 15 5 Remission of rates .. .. .. 2,187 7 7 Accrued rents .. .. .. 119 3 0 Principal contained in rates transferred " Thirds" .. .. . . . . 18 14 6 to Suspense Account .. .. 6,485 0 0 Interest on investments .. .. 34 10 5 Balance transferred to Drainage Works Account .. .. .. .. 362 3 8 £30,771 17 5 ; £30,771 17 5 Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1925. Liabilities. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. Loan Account .. .. .. 510,000 0 0 Drainage - works—Expenditure in conUnpaid purchase-money, sundry Natives 210 1 1 nection therewith, including wages, Suspense Account .. .. .. 8,486 16 1 supplies, administration, and engineerSundry creditors .. .. •• 2,620 14 2 ing expenses, and depreciation of plant 449,456 16 7 Consolidated Fund, for interest, &c., paid 4,932 II 7 Less principal contained in rates levied Interest on debentures (unpaid) .. 5,157 18 4 to 31st March, 1924 .. .. 22,461 12 3 Suspense Account—Principal contained in rates levied for year ended 31st March, 426,995 4 4 1925 .. .. .. .. 6,485 0 0 Plant and machinery .. .. 26,280 19 3 Live-stock .. . . . . .. 64 10 0 Loose tools.. .. .. .. 563 11 7 Buildings .. .. .. .. 1,458 19 0 Material and stores .. . . .. 594 19 6 Fuel .. . . .. .. 349 18 6 Investment—Public Trust Office, sinking fund .. .. .. .. 904 5 4 Land for Settlement Account.. .. 20 0 0 Sundry debtors, for rates .. .. 31,580 6 9 Sundry debtors, for rents .. . . 7 15 4 Sundry debtors, for interest on investments .. .. .. .. 34 10 5 Sundry debtors, for miscellaneous .. 24 14 1 Cash in Public Account, 31st March, 1925 42,013 7 2 Cash in Investment Account .. .. 7,000 0 0 £537,893 1 3 £537,893 1 3 J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary. J. H. O'Donnell, Chief Accountant.

Approximate Cost o/ Paper .—Preparation, not given ; printing (725 copies, including plan), £34.

T?y Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92s.

Price la. 3d.]

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PLAN OF RANCITAIKI DRAINAGE DIST.