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Principal Works i>koposed. The principal winks proposed to be carried out, during the next financial year are as follows :— (I.) Completion of Puhanga Canal. (2.) Completion of Awaiti Canal. (3.) Dredging of Lower Waitoa River. (4.) Continuance of cart-road development, at Waikaka.. (5.) General drainage and road-development. (6.) Metalling of main loads. (7.) Maintenance of existing works. (8.) Dredging of portion of Mangawhero Canal, &c. Land proposeii to be opened.'. ' Efforts will be made this coming year to make available for settlement some 2,700 acres. It should bo noted that in past years some 38,994 acres, exclusive of town and suburban lands, have been thrown open for selection, and in the majority of instances these lands were offered somewhat ahead of completed drainage and road operations in deference to popular desire for such lands. Naturally our powers have thereafter been taxed to complete attendant road and drain construction. It should be understood that a lot of the work carried out during last year and to be done during the coming year will have an effect upon the present undeveloped swamp lands. It is neither wise nor practicable at present to prosecute extensive and costly work in any particular large swamp area of the Hauraki Plains. Much of the swamp will work out its own partial reclamation much more cheaply than if we forced it, and in a few years permit of our more easily and economically draining it. Our dredgers are now at certain work tending to make the position easier later on, and from time to time will be moved to other positions as circumstances permit. Our scheme of grazing-areas last year made available, as already stated, some 16,614 acres, capable of running over two thousand head of stock, and we derive an annual income of some .£732 from this source. This area will greatly improve and consolidate through grazing, and make our- expenditure in the future less than it otherwise would be. 1 cannot recommend forcing operations in our deep and soft peat country, and 1 think that the Department has brought into being a larger area of country so far than most people thought possible. The remaining country is .much more difficult to handle than that offered for selection up to date. Gen Ural. Field, office, and draughting staff have been very fully engaged during the past year-, and I have to record my appreciation of the whole-hearted services and loyalty of Mr. R. G. Macmorran. Land Drainage Engineer, Mr. 11. A. Joyce, Chief Clerk, and other members of my staff, who have not spared themselves in connection with the works. The attached plan shows position of works to date. I have, &c, .1. B. Thompson, Chief Drainage Engineer. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington.

Schedule of Artesian Bores sunk during the Year 1915-16.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (950 copies), including plan, £20 10a.

Authority : MARCUS F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l6.

Price 9d.]

•ifc g oo oo -a H tH -H HO CO Block. . Running a i>- j. • t Flow: Survey District. | a, " per Day. FtT" Wharekawa .. 273 9,120 Piako .. 227 3,840 Wharekawa .. 319 34,560 .. 165 1,920 Pipiroa (Town) 270 Nil. Wharekawa .. 384 8.640 Thames .. 413 1.200 .. 317 6.000 Waihou .. 297 21,600 .. 286 4,320 •Sis tn I £ J Block. o CO cc Survey Distriot. h Running Flow : Gallons per Day. 105 106 107 108 109 no in 112 113 114 105 10 1.06 M 107 6 108 4 109 I 1 110 19 111 21 112 22 LIS 7 114 8 X VI X X X X X I I 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 8 I 24 X 25 X 31 X 26 X 26 X 4 I 16 I 13 XIII 1 r Waihou Thames Ft. 332 388 390 173 258 441 260 244 511 6,000 11,520 21,600 2,400 5,760 14,400 4,800 7.200 Nil. Waihou tt ii