5

C—B

Buildings. The total Dumber of buildings of all descriptions used in connection with works is thirty-three, and are in occupation by workman, &c. ; or are being used as stores. Additions were made to Engineer's and Foreman's quarters during the year. Floating Hi-ant. Tliis consists of two I'riestman dredgers, one steamer, five oil-launches, three pontoons, and sundry small punts. All are in good order and In constant use. Artesian Boring Plant. The total number of artesian bores Mink to date is thirty-one, of which number twenty-seven have been sunk for settlers. Arrangements have been made for tune repayment of actual cost of bores sunk for settlers. Flows have been obtained ranging from 3,000 gallons per day to 115,000 gallons per day. The water still continues to be mineralized, but the settlers arc more than satisfied with it as a supply Eor stock. It will probably In , necessary to purchase another plant shortly, as the demands are too great upon one plant. Schedules of each bore (twenty-two) sunk during year are attached hereto, and are of interest geologically. Light Railway. In order to economically deal with the formation of roads in peat country where sufficient spoil could not be won from the drains, authority was obtained for the purchase of necessary plant to enable a light railway-line of "2 ft. gauge being laid down. One [2 B.H.P. Universal oil-locomotive and ten steel side-tipping wagons are now under order, and should shortly arrive m the Dominion. A supply of 50 tons of light rails is to hand, and a further quantity of 20 tons is on order. Many miles of accessroad- leading to the Piako River will be formed by this plant, as spoil must be brought from the foothills for purpose of making roads in deep peat country. It is intended to also utilize spoil from \\ aitakaruru-.Vlaukoro Canal for road purposes. When the metalling of roads is taken in hand the plant will be invaluable. WoKKS PERFORMED. The following works have during the last year been executed by co-operative, piecework, and special contracts: Excavation Puhanga Canal. 32,002 cubic yards: combined new drain and road formation. 21 miles |:> chains : forming township roads (Pipiroa), 37 chains: road-formation (Waitoa), 7 chains; spreading spoil. IS chains: combined road, drain, and bank, 36 chains: new road-drains. 7 miles 55 chains: deepening and widening road-drains, 17 miles 28 chains: clearing bush and scrub on road-lines. B miles (il chains: cleaning road-drains. 1(i miles II chains: new subdivisional and outlet drains, 8 miles il chains: deepening and widening subdivisional and outlet drains. .'l2 miles II chains: Waitoa main outfalls. I mile Mi chains : cleaning subdivisional drains. I i chains: moving timber from drains. 2 miles .'57 chains : combined drain and stop-bank. 10 chains : deepening stopbank drain. 2 miles 46 chains: cleaning stop-bank drain, fi'.i chains: clearing Waitakaruru Stream, 2 miles 75 chains : sluicing peal. Waitakaruru Canal. 10 chains : clearing bush on section lines. 3 miles H chains; snagging Piako River, 5 miles .'.I chains: fencing, M chains; cutting and supplying 600 bundles fascines. The following works were performed by day-labour: Snagging Waitoa River, (i miles 30 chains: road-formation, 6 miles Id chains: new road-drains, 2 miles 7 chains: deepening road drains. S miles 27 chains : cleaning road-drains. 7 miles 55 chains : clearing scrub on road-lines, il) chains : deepening and widening Whakahoro Dram. •'! miles 5 chains: deepening and widening subdivisional drains I miles 7 chains: strengthening stop-banks. 15 miles 71 chains: Eencing, 78 chains: Mood gates erected, 17: one motor-launch built : wharves erected, 5 ; bridges and culverts built, 54 ; supply of poles for protection-works. 1,830 poles: supply of fascines for protect ion-works. 3,520 bundles: artesian bores sunk for settlers. 22: sheds elected. 7: spoil excavated by dredgers, 131,902 cubic yards. Many other works too numerous to mention have been performed by day-labour. A daily average of about a hundred men have been employed upon day-work, and a daily average of about 145 men upon co-operative and piecework. &c. Experience on this class of work has shown thai day-labour-is entirely satisfactory. A great deal of work has been given to settlers, both as regards day-labour and general contracts. Cattle. A total of sixty-nine head of mixed young cattle are now on the ground. During the year some hundred and fifty head of cattle were purchased at a cost of £350 1 Is., and subsequently eighty-one head were sold at suitable times, realizing a net sum of £202 Is. (id., so that the sixty-nine bead mentioned above stand at a cost of £88 9s. 'id., but should eventually realize about £200. thus showing a good profit upon the transaction, as grazing costs nothing. Gka.ss-.skkd fob Settlers. In accordance with the recommendations of the Lands Committee, assistance is being granted settlers in procuring grass-seed to replace that lost through ravages of crickets last season. Orders for grass-seed are now issuing, and repayment will be made by promissory notes.