40

H.—l9

extended, and the water sold on other portions of the field not using the channel, the expenditure and loss of water referred to would not be required. The Trust, in January last, dispensed with the services of its secretary and treasurer, making the manager do the work. This will effect a saving of £75 per annum. The Trust hopes that, either through funds being placed at its disposal for the extension of the head-race, or through the discovery of fresh payable auriferous ground in the country at present commanded, or from both causes its position may, during the ensuing year, be improved. During a great part of the year all the water that can be brought in is fully employed, but a large proportion, as has been stated, in the non-remunerative work of flushing the channel; and an increase of sales, either from the extension of the head-race or the sale of the water elsewhere, would, with the same supply, greatly increase the Trust's revenue on the one hand, and reduce its expenditure on the other. With the settlement of the land the Trust anticipates that a demand for water for driving machinery and purposes of irrigation will spring up, but the day is still distant when any great revenue may be expected from that source. For such purposes the head-race commands the whole of the Maniototo Plain and Ida Valley, as well as a considerable portion of the valley of the Manuherikia. I have, &c., N. P. HiOREING. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Chairman.

Mount Ida Watee-eace Trust. —Receipts and Disbuesements from 30th April, 1881, to 30th April, 1882. 1881. Receipts. £ b. A. 1881. Disbursements. £. a. A. April 30. To Balance at Bank ... ... 11 6 7 April 30. By Maintaining head-race ... 608 16 0 Dec. 31. Cash for water sold and chan- Maintaining channel ... 407 18 6 nel fees, from 30th April to Extra labour ... ... 108 10 6 1882. 31st December, 1881 ... 1,130 19 0 General management, manager _Teb. —. Cash received from Government 500 0 0 and waterman's salaries, office April 30. Cash received for water Bold and rent, &c. ... ... 535 14 6 channel fees, from Ist Janu- Forage account ... ~. 15 9 1 ary to 30th April, 1882 ... 548 10 10 Tools and implements ... 28 511 Secretary's salary to 31st Dec. 50 0 0 1882. Timber account ... ... 56 8 6 April 30. To Printing and stationery .., 11 1 9 Postage and receipt stamps ... 2 14 Law charges ... ... 5 16 10 Balance at Bank ... ... 360 13 6 £2,190 16 5 £2,190 16 5 Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. To Balance at Bank ... ... 360 13 6 Nil. Accounts owing for water and channel fees ... ... 1,169 0 0 £1,529 13 6 N. P. Hjoeeino, Chairman. David Baeeon. Riciiaed Webbeb. R. Johnstone, Secretary and Treasurer. I hereby certify that I have examined the books and vouchers of the Mount Ida Water-race Trust, and compared the accounts with the same, which are found correct. John F. Garvey, Auditor, Ist June, 1882.