5

o.—B.

Grass-seed for Settlers. As mentioned in last annual report, the matter of assisting the settlers to procure grass-seed to replace losses on account of ravages of crickets was to receive attention. Some fourteen settlers obtained seed-supplies at a cost of £276 7s. 5d., which amount was paid to sundry merchants by the Department, who in turn received promissory notes for the various amounts from the several settlers, and. these debts are being met as they become due or are repaid upon any transfer of sections taking place. Flax Areas. The only flax area dealt with is situated at Waikaka, a sum of £58 3s. being realized on account of royalty for green flax. If flax keeps up in value there will be a fair quantity of green flax to dispose of in the locality of Waitakaruru. Metalling of Roads. During last financial year a special grant of £3,500 was obtained for this purpose, and tenders were twice called for various lengths of road. However, only one contract was let for supply and spreading of metal on Turua Road, at a cost of £1,002 7s. 6d., and this is well under way. All other tenders were exorbitant, and it was decided to obtain quotes for supply only. One contract was thus let for the supply of 2,500 cubic yards of gravel at a total cost of £1,062 10s. delivered at Pipiroa Wharf. This metal is being spread by the Department's own day labour, a light tram-line and trucks being used. The cost will very closely approximate our original estimate. Owing to the lateness of the season, it was decided not to put in hand any further work at present, but to do so in the spring. It will be necessary to obtain some further steel rails and trucks for the coming season, as it is very apparent that metalling can be done much cheaper by the Department than by contract. In addition to the various roads earmarked for metalling last year, it is suggested that some metalling should be done on the various roads leading from the Piako River both east and west, and also that a further length of Pipiroa-Waitakaruru and Kopuarahi-Turua Roads should be metalled, these latter being important through roads. Surveys. During the year some 2,556 acres was surveyed into sections at Waikaka and Kerepeehi, for settlement and other purposes. Some of this was, however, recast, as the progress of drainage made it possible to cut the sections smaller. Surveys of some Native lands had also to be undertaken on account of boundaries affecting us. The survey of further areas is now in hand. Valuations. Up to date actual valuations have been made of some 30,347 acres that has been subdivided into rural farms, town and suburban sections, and sundry reserves, amounting in the aggregate to £160,010. No valuations of the areas it is intended to bring out during the coming year have as yet been made, but should approximate £17,000, judging from the position disclosed by present state of drainage locally. Works Expenditure during Year. Piecework contracts absorbed the sums of £7,121 os. 7d. from the Hauraki Plains Settlement Account and £462 ss. from special grants. Day labour absorbed a sum of £7,955 from the Hauraki Plains Settlement Account and £2,453 from special grants. All the above were paid from local imprest. Principal Works proposed. The principal works to be carried out during the current financial year are as follows : — (1.) Improvements to Piako River. (2.) Continuance of cart-road formation. (3.) General drainage development of new areas for settlement and opening for selection of same. (4.) Prosecution of metalling of roads. (5.) Maintenance and improvements of general works. (6.) Survey of new areas. Land for Township and Village Sites. Arrangements have been made to purchase an area of 175 acres at Kerepeehi, and 25 acres at Waikaka, for above purposes, and in due course the land will be suitably subdivided. Land proposed to be opened. It is anticipated that some 2,000 acres of land at Waikaka will be available for selection towards the end of July, and that some months later a further 2,000 acres in the neighbourhood of Torehape and Waitakaruru will be sufficiently developed to permit of opening. The above land is all of good quality. It may be mentioned that during the current year an area of probably 6,000 acres of Crown lands, consisting of swamp and hill country adjoining the Hauraki Plains and in the locality of Waitakaruru, will be ready for selection. This block will have the advantage of being roaded, this work now being in progress. Office. Both office and drafting staffs have been kept very busy during the year, and a very considerable number of engineering surveys have also been done.