5

C—B

Wharves. The total number of permanent wharves erected to date still amounts to fifteen, the same as last year. Owing to the construction of the Orchard Bridge, now being gone on with, it will be necessary to shift, the wharf on the eastern side of the river at that point. A site has been laid oft about 3 chains below the present site, and the construction will lie gone ahead with at an earlydate. Later on the wharf at the western side will also have to be removed. Flood-gates. Two flood-gates were constructed during the year, bringing the total number on the works up to fifty-eight. As in the past, all these gates have been inspected at intervals, and maintained in. fair working-order. Bridges, Culverts, etc. The total number of sill-bridges is 99, small bridges on piles 10, three-span bridges 2, twospan bridges 2, and culverts 18. The most important bridge constructed during the year was across the Hopai Creek. The totara decking in the Waitakaruru Stream Bridge was replaced by kauri, and at, the same time new wheelguards and handrails were erected. Timber for the Ngarua Lake Bridge is now on order, and this structure will be completed very shortly. Private Telephone to Works. This line between Kerepeehi and Waitakaruru, a distance of fourteen miles, has been most useful, as in the past, in carrying out tho works. Especially is tin's so since the postal line has been extended to Patetonga. Buildings. The total number of buildings on the works is thirty-seven, the same total as at' the end of last year. Owing to the proposed Orchard Bridge interfering with the foreman's cottage there it was dismantled, and additions were then made to the carpenter's old quarters at Kerepeehi. This alteration has proved most satisfactory in every way. Floating Plant. This plant is the same as last yeai- —viz., two l'riestman grab dredgers, one steamer, four oil-launehes, six pontoons, and several small punts. This plant is being utilized as stated in last annual report, no alterations having been made during the year. As found necessary, and when convenient, the plant has been overhauled, arid so maintained in fail- working-order. Artesian Boring Plant. The total number of bores sunk by the Department's plant is now 123, the year's operations accounting for nineteen. The greatest depth drilled was oil ft., whilst the least was 165 ft. The largest flow was 34,560 gallons per day, the smallest being 1,200 gallons per day. In two of the bores the water did not rise above the surface of the ground, but in both these instances water was obtained by pumping. In all cases with the' exception of an isolated one at Waikaka (he water was mineralized. The bore at Waikaka was sunk as an experiment, anil (he water obtained, although if did not rise to the ground-level, appeared to be perfectly clean and fresh. If there is fresh, unmineralized water at a reasonable depth below the plains I am certain that a How would have been obtained by now. The cost of the work for the year was £735 4s. 3d., bringing the total spent to date to £3,016 19s. 2d., which amount, however, has to be refunded by the settlers. Schedules of all bores sunk are attached. Works performed during the Tear. The following works were carried. out under either the piecework or co-operative contract systems : — M. eh. Double drain and road formation ... • • • , ■ ■ • ■ • ■ 2 55 New drain and road formation... ... ... ... ... 0 2 Deepening and widening road-drains and spreading spoil ... ... 7 65 Clearing and grubbing roads ... ... ... ... ... 0 70 Cleaning road-drains ... ... ... ... ... ... 28 .) Outlets ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 17 Deepening and widening outlets ... ... ... ... 17 6 Cleaning outlets ... ... ... ... ... ... 28 69 Cleaning stop-bank drains ... ... ... ... ... 14 27 Weeding Waitakaruru ('reek ... ... ... ... ... 2 20 Road-formation ... ... ... ... ... ... 055 Shelling roads ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 73 Distance covered ... ... ... ... ... 111 68 Supply of shell for roads, 1,870 cubic yards; supply of shingle for roads, 12,637 cubic yards; supply of sleepers for tram, 1,790 sleepers; supply of fascines for roads, 2,367 bundles.