DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1932, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1932 Session I-II, C-08

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1932. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1932, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 20 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926.

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist July, 1932. 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, 1926. I have, &c, W. Robertson, The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands.

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sib, — I have the honour to submit the twenty-fourth annual report on the Hauraki Plains works for the financial year ending 31st March, 1932. During the period under review low export prices for dairy-produce prevailed, and though the position is becoming increasingly difficult for many settlers they show a spirit of fortitude and determination to overcome difficulties that is the best augury for the quick recovery and permanent prosperity of the district when normal times return. Low prices are being to some extent counterbalanced by increased production from enlarged and improved herds. The very satisfactory increase in production is, however, generally due to systematic herd-improvement carried out over a period of years rather than the result of extensive farm-improvements. It can be said without hesitation that few, if any, of the farms on the reclaimed land are producing to full capacity. It can also be said that with due attention to the important matter of herd-improvement, the most promising means of stabilizing returns by increasing production to offset reduced prices is by farm-development, closer subdivision, and more intense cultivation. While every effort possible under present economic conditions is being made to maintain the uninterrupted progress of the district by improving drainage conditions, roads, and other public utilities, the individual settlers with farms in the process of development have found that their plans for farm-improvement must be curtailed or deferred on account of reduced returns. The effect of the depression would be reduced to a minimum as far as most of the plains settlers are concerned if the unused acreage of the farms could be brought into a state of production. The scheme now being inaugurated by the Unemployment Board to allow for farm-development work offers a practical means of carrying out these farm-improvements and at the same time to provide employment for a large number of men.

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The rainfall at Kerepeehi was 43-23 in. in 1931, and rain fell on 167 days. The rainfall records supplied by a voluntary observer show a fall at Kopuarahi of 44-97 in for the year. The winter and summer rainfall distribution during the last three years has been remarkably uniform on the plains, and this has had an important bearing on the production for these seasons. Rainfall records for Kerepeehi covering a period of sixteen years are given below : —

Records of Daily Precipitation, Kerepeehi, Hauraki Plains.

Average annual rainfall over sixteen years is 44-05. A land ballot was held in December for six sections in the Awaiti district, which attracted over two hundred applicants. A considerable amount of permanent improvement has already been carried out by the successful selectors, and next season these new farms should be entering the stage of actual production. An area of 1,600 acres adjoining the Kerepeehi Block-has reached the stage of development when it could be offered for selection as soon as a pumping-station is provided. The early installation of a special low-lift land-drainage pump is necessary for the protection of this area, and also the occupied portion of the Kerepeehi Block, which would be seriously affected if high stage of the Piako River prevented gravity drainage for many days. The dry summer produced the usual succession of destructive peat fires. Fires in the Kaihere district burnt about 300 acres of grassland and also 250 acres of planted flax. As a means of preventing and controlling fires, I have for many years urged that the peat areas of the Hauraki Plains should be constituted fire districts. The fire-district principle has for many years formed an important feature in the protection of forests, and similar protection is absolutely essential for the successful development of the peat lands for flax-production. The experience this year has shown conclusively that grassland is not free from the fire menace. A review of activities of the past year shows a decrease in the volume of work accomplished by the departmental forces as compared with the years immediately preceding. Contraction of public works has become essential as a matter of national economy, and the expenditure from the Hauraki Plains Settlement Account has been scaled down to meet the times. The problem of unemployment is, unfortunately, still compelling, and in the search for work that will employ large numbers of men and can be undertaken quickly land-reclamation offers a most fruitful field. For several years alj available funds have been used by the Department for the carrying-out of work requiring hand labour and providing reproductive employment for the largest possible number of workers. The number of men accommodated in camps and engaged on unemployment relief works on the 31st March, 1932, was about eighty, and plans have been formulated for increasing this number during the financial year 1932-33, if funds are made available. One of the works undertaken to relieve the shortage of employment is the Miranda drainage scheme. This is being carried out by the Department for the Hauraki Plains County Council under an arrangement with the Unemployment Board, and the scheme will provide main drainage for 4,000 acres of rich littoral swamp near Waitakaruru. The main drainage-channel is 3 miles 37 chains long, varying in width from 32 ft. to 10 ft., and is being constructed entirely by manual labour. This work was commenced on the 24th November. Insufficient funds delayed progress during the first three months, but excellent progress is now being made. Works carried out by this Branch outside of the Hauraki Plains area include the formation and metalling of 75 chains of road in the Wairakau Estate, near Te Aroha, and the formation of 35 chains of road in. the Paritu Block.

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Number of Days, with given Daily Precipitation in Inches. o ■-* o* ■* a* -rfi o" o" os* o" oi a" d „ , , m , . Year. % % % V * * » J g g » g 9 Total Total Wettest Month. Driest Month. o oooooooooooo -P P+i.p.P.p.p+J-P-P.p-P+5 O OiftOiOOiOOOOOOO O iOt~0(M'Ot^O>00000 Ô OOTHTHTHtHtNOJCOTtHibcb Inches. In. In. 1916 .. 109 12 9 7 2 3 .. 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 144 52-19 Nov. 0-65 Feb. 1-05 1917 .. 131 II 4 4 3 .. 1 1 1 156 45-61 Feb. 6-26 Jan. 0-65 1918 .. 145 14 6 4.. 1 .. .. 1 17.1 44-06 Oct. 7-47 May 2-24 1919 .. 122 9 1 3 2 137 27-36 July 4-52 Dec. 0-89 1920 ..85 7 10 3 1 1 3 2 112 43-16 Feb. 6-10 July 1-73 1921 .. 93 12 5 3 2 .. .. 1 116 34-41 Oct. 5-89 Feb. 0-72 1922 .. 101 17 9 3 .. 1 1 .. 1 133 42-81 Feb. 6-62 April 1-73 1923 .. 151 6 5 4 .. 1 1 169 47-04 April 9-76 Mar. 1-72 1924 ..132 8 10 5 2 5 1 1 .. 2 166 60-37 April 8-55 July 1-87 1925 .. 142 15 4 2 1 164 37-64 June 6-67 April 0-84 1926 .. 149 15 6 4 5 2 2 183 55-53 May 8-86 Feb. 1-79 1927 .. 159 10 6 5 .. 4 184 45-33 July 6-29 April 2-01 1928 ..125 7 9 2 3 2 2 1 151 47-30 May 7-52 Jan. 0-01 1929 .. 124 19 8 3 1 155 41-05 April 5-09 Feb. 0-74 1930 .. 131 4 2 2 3 146 37-72 Jan. 6-87 Dec. 0-80 1931 .. | 144 10 7 .. 4 2 167 43-23 July 7-80 Mar. 0-98 1932* ..I 2 1 2 1 .. 1 25 8-00 Feb. 4-95 Jan. 1-37 * First three months of year only.

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Dredges. Eight dredges have been engaged on river-improvements, canal, stop-bank, and drain-construction in connection with the Hauraki Plains reclamation scheme, but not all of these plants have been operating continuously during the year. The total quantity excavated by these machines was 390,611 cubic yards, at an average unit cost of 7-99 d. per cubic yard. The following schedule gives the quantities excavated by the dredges during the past twelve years :— Year. Cubic Yards. -.'., . £ , Cubic Yard. 1920-21 .. .. .. ..158,865 7-42 d. 1921-22 .. .. .. .. 246,022 7-29 d. 1922-23 .. .. .. ..440,092 8-20 d. 1923-24 .. .. .. .. 508,654 7-27 d. 1.924-25 .. .. .. ..822,286 5-86 d. 1925-26 .. .. .. ..856,653 6-32 d. 1926-27 .. .. .. ..647,182 7-42 d. 1927-28 .. .. .. ..652,413 7-32 d. 1928-29 .. .. .. .. 619,911 6-540, 1929-30 .. .. .. ..595,565 6-25 d. 1930-31 .. .. .. .. 536,692 8-32 d. 1931-32 .. ".. .. .. 390,611 7-99 d. No. 1 Priestman dredge has been operating in the Piako River deepening the channel between 18 m. and 20 m. 40 ch. The willows on both sides of the river are being removed to allow the dredge to deposit the spoil on the banks. The marked depression of the low-water level both in and above the improved reach is a sure indication that the work will have the desired effect of reducing local flooding. The quantity of material removed by this dredge during the year's operations in the process of deepening the river-channel was 38,800 cubic yards, at a unit cost of 8-54 d. per cubic yard. No. 2 Priestman dredge worked in the Maukoro-Waitakaruru Canal during the months of April and May only. Before the plant was laid up a bench was excavated on the side of the canal on which the dredge was beached when the canal water-level, which is controlled by dams, was lowered. After repairs to the hull had been effected the dredge was refloated and used to remove one of the dams in the canal. During two months operation the dredge excavated 7,700 cubic yards of material at a cost of 8-54 d. per cubic yard. No. 6 Priestman dredge : The pontoon of this dredge has for some time been unsafe for use in deep water owing to general decay of the timber, and the machinery has been removed and stored at Kerepeehi. No. 11 Kingston dredge was employed in the Awaiti Canal during April and May. In June the plant was completely overhauled and the boiler removed and replaced with the boiler from No. 6 dredge. Early in July this dredge was again put into commission between the 6-mile peg and the Ngatea bridge (8 m. 8 ch.), where shoals and slips were removed. While deepening the channel in the neighbourhood of Ngatea wharves and bridge, pontoons were used to dispose of the excavated material. During part of November and December the dredge crew was temporarily transferred to No. 2 dredge, and during the last quarter of the year the plant has been operating in the Piako River between Kerepeehi and Kaihere, and in the Puhanga Canal. The output for the year was 40,100 cubic yards, and the unit cost 9-63 d. per cubic yard. No. 15 Bucyrus excavator completed the widening of the Waikaka diversion channel in August. During the period September to November the machine was engaged widening and deepening the Piako River between Kaihere Wharf (14 m. 45 ch.) and the lower end of the Waikaka diversion (15 m. 50 ch.), operating from the left bank of the river. Since December the plant has been operating from the right bank on the same reach. The internal-combustion engine was completely overhauled and new cylinder heads fitted in October. On the diversion channel a 35 ft. boom and 1-cubic-yard bucket was used, but for the river-improvement work a5O ft. boom with half-yard bucket was used. The output for the year was 70,800 cubic yards, and the average cost 6-79 d. per cubic yard. No. 16 Bucyrus excavator completed a section of stop-bank on the left side of the Awaiti Canal early in April, and was shipped to Kerepeehi for extensive overhaul, including renewal of the caterpillar traction equipment. During the period August-October the machine completed the stop-bank on the left side of the Piako River, between the Ngatea bridge and the Puhanga Canal (8 m. 19 ch. to Bm. 57 ch.). Since November the plant has been engaged widening the Piako River upstream, from Kerepeehi between 11 m. 41 ch. and 12 m. 10 ch., also strengthening the right stop-bank with the spoil removed from the river. Using extension boom of 50 ft. and half-yard bucket, 40,300 cubic yards of material was handled during the year at average cost of 11-71 d. per cubic yard. No. 19 dredge has been working downstream on the right bank of the Piako River from 14 m. 33 ch. to 13 m. 18 ch., widening and deepening the river-channel. This machine excavated 81,300 cubic yards of material during the year at unit cost of 6-35 d., which is a very creditable performance in view of the fact that most of the excavated material is transported 200 ft. No. 23 steam dipper dredge has been out of commission practically the whole year. As the country through which the Elstow Canal is being constructed is exceptionally soft peat, it was found advisable to lower the water-level in the canal to allow the land to drain and consolidate. No. 24 steam dipper dredge commenced work in April on the Pouarua Canal above the temporary dam at Ngatea West Road, and during the year constructed 85 chains of new canal and deepened 34 chains of existing canal. Owing to the soft nature of the country, excessive bank-caving could be avoided only by maintaining a high canal water-level and gradually deepening the canals. By

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working the dredge alternately in the Railway and Pouarua, Canals very satisfactory progress has been made, and it is anticipated that after allowing a period of a few months for consolidation of the country it will be possible to complete the upper 94 chains of the Pouarua Canal, remove dam at Ngatea West Road, and deepen the lower section of the canal, 4 m. 66 ch. in length, which has become impassable for coal-barges. This has caused some difficulty in supplying the dredge with fuel, which had to be carted over soft peat for a distance of over a mile. The dredge excavated 81,600 cubic yards during the year at average cost of 8-10 d. per cubic yard. No. 28 Bay City dragline excavator, after completing a large volume of useful work enlarging drains that would have been difficult and costly jobs to carry out by manual labour, was transferred to the Rangitaiki works on the 29th March. This machine was used to deepen the Mangawhero Eoad drain for a distance of 328 chains. When the material removed from the drain was suitable it was used for ballasting the road, which has a peat subgrade, and sufficient gravel was removed from the upper end of the drain to surface the road for a distance of 156 chains. The quantity excavated during the year was 29,300 cubic yards at a cost of 6-72 d. pei cubic yard. Central District. River-improvement work has been the principal construction activity in this district. Four dredges have been operating on a reach of seven and a half miles, completing stop-banks and enlarging the river-channel. The Torehape Tramway'has been'repaired, sleepers renewed, and loop-lines constructed preparatory to commencing the ballasting of Centre Road ; 6,052 sleepers have been cut for additional tram-line and the rolling-stock repaired. Parties of workmen have been employed spraying and grubbing blackberry on flax plantations, sowing grass-seed, and ring-barking willows. Some 1,987 chains of drains were cleaned in this district, including 500 chains in the Orongo Settlement. The Kerepeehi-Kaihere Road was resurfaced for a distance of 216 chains. The river ferry service at Kaihere has been maintained during the year. The depot at Kerepeehi is the centre at which all goods and materials are received and despatched to the various jobs, and all repairs to machinery and plant are carried out in the workshops at Kerepeehi. Patetonga District. The Patetonga Riding roads metalling scheme, comprising the metalling and improvement of 9J miles of roadway commenced in 1929, was completed in July. During the year under review 1,674 cubic yards of metal was laid on the Patetonga main roads, and 919 cubic yards of metal was quarried and spread on the Patetonga Landing Road. Some 1,440 cubic yards of clay ballast was delivered along the last-mentioned road by tramway. This tramway was afterwards removed and the material transported to Torehape to be used for ballasting peat road in the Pouarua Block. For surfacing 156 chains of the Mangawhero Road 1,335 cubic yards of gravel was used, and the roadway was widened with the material won from the road drain/ A party of four men was employed during the summer ring-barking willows on the Piako River, above Patetonga, and cutting and hauling logs required for sleepers and general construction purposes from the bush on the banks of the Waitoa River. Drains to a length of 2,566 chains were cleaned and 19,300 cubic yards of material excavated in widening and deepening 362 chains of existing drains. Systematic attention has been given to the maintenance of the reconstructed and newly metalled roads. Throughout the year a Priestman dredge has been operating in the Piako River deepening the channel above Patetonga Wharf. Awaiti District. The work in this district has been principally connected with the development of Koromatua Block, an area of 941 acres of Crown land adjoining the Otway Settlement. The block has been subdivided into six sections. The formation of 135 chains of access road is completed, and also the primary construction of a drainage system that will be progressively improved as the land consolidates. As the converting of raw swamp land of this kind into pasture is an undertaking that can only be carried out by the settler possessing a considerable amount of capital, it has been decided, before offering this land for selection, to fence four sections and sow an area of each with grass-seed after cultivation and treatment with manure. By the end of March 232 acres had been cultivated with swamp ploughs and tractors, disks, harrows, and roller, 50 acres had been sown in grass, 164 acres cleared of scrub, 162 chains of fence erected, and 15,631 cubic yards excavated in the construction of 501 chains of new drains. At the northern end of the Awaitr district 1 mile 70 chains of new roadformation was completed and 60 chains partly completed. Some 298 chains of existing drains were widened and deepened. The formation and metalling of 75 chains of road in the Wairakau Block, near Te Aroha, was carried out during the first quarter of the year, and 940 cubic yards of crushed river-gravel was used for surfacing this road. Waitakaruru District. In addition to the works connected with the Miranda drainage scheme previously mentioned, the principal undertakings in this district have been the construction of the Pouarua Canal, the clearing of 180 acres of scrub in Sections 38, 40, and 42, Block IV, Piako Survey District, preparatory to burning and surface sowing, the excavation of 5,069 cubic yards in the improvement of 162 chains of drains, construction of 206 chains of field drains requiring 3,112 cubic yards of excavation, and the cleaning of 2,625 chains of drains for maintenance purposes.

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Structural Work. Three small hardwood bridges, each 20 ft. span, on pile abutments were constructed on the Awaiti Canal Eoad. Three 4-ft.-diameter flood-gates were installed at Netherton, and a large two-barrel concrete culvert with sluice-gates constructed on the Kerepeehi Block. A large goods-shed has been moved from Patetonga to Kerepeehi, where it is being used for the storage of plant and machinery. A number of temporary dams and some temporary bridges have been required in the process of canalconstruction. Surveys. Engineering and hydrographic surveys carried out during the year required 656 chains of theodolite traverse, 1,506 chains of levels, 758 chains of magnetic traverse, and 330 cross sections of the channel of the Piako River. A continuous record of river stage at several control points has been kept throughout the winter months. Summary. The total length of the subsidiary drains constructed in connection with the Hauraki Plains scheme to date is 741 miles 75 chains. The principal works carried out during the year under review are summarized in the following schedule : — Length. Excavation. Miles oh. Cab. yd. Drains cleaned by manual labour .. .. .. .. .. 89 58 Drains widened and deepened by manual labour .. .. .. 614 10,013 Drains, new construction by manual labour .. .. . . 10 49 33,599 Total quantity of drainage excavation by manual labour .. .. .. 43,612 New canals constructed by machines .. . . .. .. ..15 23,875 River and canal improvement, machine construction ... .. ..13 48 337,477 Drain and canal improvement, machine construction .. .. 6 32 29,259 Total quantity excavated by machines .. .. .. .. .. 390,611 Stop-banks constructed or partially constructed in connection with river-improve-ment and canal-construction . . . . .. .. 2 52 Miles oh. Cub. yd. Roads metalled .. . . .. . . .. . , 2 71 2 339 Roads metalled, top course only .. . . . . .. . . .. 542 2,593 Roads resurfaced with metal or gravel . . . . .. .. 256 643 Total quantity of road-metal laid . . . . . . .. . . 5 ; 575 Roads reconstructed and improved . . . . . . .. . . 240 New roads formed .. . . . , . . .. . . ..35 Clay carted for ballasting peat roads and haunching metal .. .. .. .. 1,633 Fences erected . . .. .. . . . . . . ..25 Levels taken for road and drainage work . . . . .. .. 48 35 Traverses for road and drainage work . . .. . . .. 24 23 Acres. Area cleared of scrub . . .. .. . . .. . . .. ~ .. 344 Area cleared of blackberry .. .. . . .. . . .. .. .. 385 Area ploughed, disked, rolled, and harrowed , . .. . . . . . . . . 232 Area sown in grass .. .. . . . . .. .. .. . . .. 57 Bridges— _ Number. Road bridges, 20 ft. span, pile abutments . . .. .. . . .. . . 3 Reinforced concrete culverts, two 4 ft. by 4 ft. barrels .. . . .. .. 1 Concrete flood-gates, 4 ft. diameter .. . . . . . . . . .. 3 Cross-sections of Piako River and canals .. . . . . . . . . .. 791 Flax Leases. Some 6 areas, totalling 2,474 acres, are leased for flax-growing purposes. Annual rental amounts to £336, and £117 10s. Bd. was collected. Grazing-areas. The area leased for grazing purposes under temporary tenancies is 6,770 acres, let in fifty-seven holdings. Annual rental totals £511 75., and £349 19s. 4d. was actually collected. Works Expenditure. The total expenditure recorded totalled £25,488 15s. 2d., of which day labour accounted for £13,284 18s. Id. Drainage rates struck totalled £2,314 Is. Id., and £2,745 2s. lid. was collected. General. The staff, as usual, has rendered loyal and efficient assistance. I have, &c, R. G. Macmorran, Chief Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington.

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HAURAKI PLAINS SETTLEMENT ACCOUNT. Rate Account as at 31st March, 1932. Dr. £ s. d. Or, £ s. d. To Cost of maintenance .. .. .. 1,749 12 1 By Balance .. .. .. .. •■ 547 18 4 Rates written ofl .. .. .. .. 17 14 6 Rates levied .. .. .. .. 2,314 1 1 Penalty, 1930-31, remitted .. .. .. 11l 4 4 Penalty, 10 per cent. .. .. ... 93 0 0 Balance .. .. .. .. .. 1,076 8 6 £2,954 19 5 Revenue Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1932. T)r Cr. £ s. d. To Interest on debentures issued under Hauraki £ s. d. By Accrued rent .. .. .. • • 9,427 4 9 Plains Settlement Act, 1926 .. ..32,722 13 11 Accrued royalties .. .. .. .. 42 6 3 Interest on expenditure from Public Works Fund 202 16 0 Grazing fees .. .. • • ■ • 162 5 9 Administration expenses .. .. .. 385 10 7 Tram freights and ferry fares .. .. 252 16 4 Remissions of rent .. .. .. .. 136 8 0 One-half loss, Kaihere Ferry, recoverable from Rebates rent and interest .. .. .. 578 13 0 County Council .. .. .. .. 816 5 Interest on temporary loan .. .. .. 615 10 Interest on investments .. .. .. 190 18 0 Irrecoverable rents, &c. .. .. .. 172 10 7 Interest on sales of land .. .. .. 530 3 2 Interest allowed on sinking-fund contribution .. 365 18 1 Miscellaneous services .. .. .. 644 19 6 Net loss carried down .. .. .. 22,579 19 8 £34,205 7 11 £34,205 7 11 £ s. d. £ s. d. To Net loss brought down .. .. .. 22,579 19 8 By Balance carried forward .. .. ..146,339 1 1 Balance from previous year .. .. 123,759 1 5 £146,339 1 1 ' £146,339 1 1 Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1932. Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ s. d. To Balance, Ist April, 1930 .. .. .. 13,941 6 1 By Drainage works—Stop-banks, clearing channels, Rates .. .. .. .. • ■ 2,778 15 6 and other expenditure incidental to conductInscribed stock issued—Hauraki Plains Act, 1926 800 0 0 ing drainage operations (including formation Temporary loan from other accounts .. .. 1,000 0 0 and metalling of roads), material supplied, &c. 15,972 6 0 Sales of land .. .. .. •■ 231 0 11 Machinery and plant .. .. .. 641 15 0 Rents .. .. .. .. ■■ 7,666 19 5 Material and stores .. .. .. 2,030 2 8 Interest on sales of land .. .. .. 333 11 9 Fuel .. .. .. .. .. 3,879 18 4 Artesian-well boring— £ s. d. Maintenance, completed works .. .. 1,815 13 1 Repayment of advances .. 136 9 1 Management and engineering expenses .. 2,487 311 Interest on advances .. .. 15 13 1 Refund of rates .. .. .. .. 95 12 4 152 22 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account —Re Tram freights and ferry fares .. .. 285 12 6 coupment in respect of merged transactions.. 26 5 1 Interest on investments .. .. .. 190 18 0 Consolidated Fund —Interest on debentures .. 4,000 0 0 Instalments on buildings .. .. .. 15 6 9 Temporary loan from other accounts repaid .. 1,000 0 0 Credits in reduction of expenditure .. .. 4,603 16 2 Interest on temporary loan .. .. 615 10 Rates paid in advance .. .. .. 013 6 Balance—Cash in Public Account .. .. 44 10 4 £32,000 2 9 £32,000 2 9

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Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1932. Liabilities. Assets. Capital Account— £ s. d. £ s. d. Improved land handed over to Land Board for Debentures issued under Hauraki settlement— £ s. d. £ s. d. Plains Act, 1926— Leased .. .. .. 194,227 911 Debentures at— £ Unleased .. .. .. 5,609 17 8 3J per cent. .. 60,000 199,837 7 7 3f per cent. .. 25,000 Unpaid purchase price of land sold on deferred 4 percent. .. 592,300 payment .. .. .. .. .. 13,388 10 7 4J per cent. .. 122,500 Unimproved value of land not disposed of .. 42,326 14 11 5J per cent. .. 10,000 Improvements on adjoining Crown lands .. 7,710 0 0 809,800 0 0 Permanent Reserves .. .. .. .. 8,851 0 0 Expenditure from Public Works Works in progress—Expenditure on land in process Fund .. .. .. 5,070 0 0 of reclamation, including formation and metalling Value of Crown lands set apart of roads .. .. .. .. .. 521,540 16 10 under the Act .. .. 45,000 0 0 Artesian wells — £ s. d. 859,870 0 0 Crown tenants, Hauraki Plains .. 433 2 5 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account —Merged Permanent reserves and Crown interests under section 20, Discharged Soldiers lands .. .. .. 216 10 9 Settlement Amendment Act, 1923 .. . . 435 6 9 649 13 2 Consolidated Fund— Buildings .. .. .. .. .. 5,328 16 3 Interest on debentures under £ s. d. Wharves .. .. .. .. .. 3,959 5 0 Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908 22,083 6 8 Machinery and plant .. .. .. .. 43,379 18 2 Interest on expenditure out of Live-stock .. .. .. .. .. 65 5 0 Public Works Fund .. 4,867 4 0 Loose tools .. .. .. .. .. 271 10 9 Interest on temporary loans .. 628 911 Stores and fuel .. .. .. .. 4,773 11 3 Rates unpaid, 1917-21 .. 31 13 2 Stamps on hand .. .. .. .. 110 Interest on debentures under Sundry debtors— £ s. d. Hauraki Plains Act, 1926 .. 123,833 14 3 Rent .. .. .. 3,401 3 4 151,444 8 0 Rates .. .. .. 3,273 9 10 Interest on debentures accrued but not due .. 6,134 11 1 Instalments of principal on deSundry creditors— £ s. d. ferred-payment sales .. 129 15 11 Miscellaneous .. .. 1,840 0 2 Interest on deferred-payment sales 163 19 0 Departmental .. .. 39 14 3 Interest on well-boring .. 103 16 5 1,879 14 5 Law-costs .. .. .. 92 10 10 Rents charged in advance .. .. .. 2,375 0 0 Ferry fares and tram freights .. 79 16 9 Rate Account .. .. .. .. .. 1,076 8 6 Grazing .. .. .. 80 8 8 Suspense Account .. .. .. .. 71 13 11 Royalties .. .. . . 247 14 1 Writings-off in Suspense .. .. .. 193 11 2 Miscellaneous .. .. 6,275 12 7 Payments in advance — £ s. d. Departmental .. .. 749 1 6 Rent .. .. .. 50 5 5 14,597 8 11 Interest on deferred - payment Postponed rent .. .. .. .. 627 11 3 sales .. .. .. 0 17 Losses in Suspense .. .. .. .. 193 11 2 Rates .. .. .. 14 11 Interest accrued but not due on sales .. .. 134 0 0 51 11 11 Investment in Public Debt Redemption Fund .. 9,513 11 3 Revenue Account —Balance forward .. .. 146,339 1 1 Cash in transit from Post Office .. .. 0 13 Cash in Public Account .. .. .. 44 10 4 £1,023,532 5 9 £1,023,532 5 9 W. Robertson, Under-Secretary for Lands. W. E. Shaw, Accountant. I hereby certify that the Receipts and Payments, Rate and Revenue Accounts, and Balance-sheet have been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly state the position as disclosed thereby. The following comments are appended: (1) In the opinion of the Audit Office interest charged on works in progress should be capitalized. (2) A Bad Debts Reserve should be created. (3) Suggestions in reference to the treatment of expenditure on lands already handed over for settlement were made to and are at present under consideration by the Department.—J. H. Fowler, DeputyController and Auditor-General. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (665 copies), £8 10s.

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 932.

Price 6d.]

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