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Irrigation Farms. The time lias now arrived for the Government to establish an experimental and instructional farm to be worked wholly by irrigation, in order that farmers may be able to ascertain and study the correct methods of irrigation and the crops best suited to each particular locality. Until steps such us this are taken it is hardly possible to ensure a successful future for any broad irrigation scheme. Waihou and Ohinhmuiu Rivers Improvement. Dredging. —During April, 1916, portion of the Waihou River between the Junction and Puke was dredged, the material being used to form stop-banks. On the 17th April the dredge commenced work at the lower end of the Ngararahi Cut, a canal 6;S chains long, 80 ft. wide, and 12 ft. deep, which will cut out a large bend in the river. Work lias since been fairly continuous, the output of the dredge being a total of 180,899 cubic yards of clay and sand. At the end of March, 1917, there remained llf chains of this out to be excavated. The material is pumped ashore to form stop-banks. A new barge, 36 ft. by 18 ft., with lifting-gear, has been constructed, and has proved very useful. An electric lighting plant has been installed on the dredge, enabling two shifts to be worked during the summer months. StO'p-ha-nks. —The dredge has constructed 26 chains of stop-bank near Thorp's Bend. A. stop-bank in continuation of the Paeroa stop-bank has also been made for a distance of about 6 chains. A length oi' I mile 60 chains of stop-bank between Paeroa and To Aroha has been let in small contracts at various dates, but the contractors have been greatly hampered in consequence of the abnormal rainfall, which caused the river to rise and flood the excavations repeatedly. It is expected that the completion of the Ngararahi Cut will enable these contracts to be carried out expeditiously. Flood-gates and Drains. —At Paeroa Main Drain two reinforced-concrete barrels, 70 ft. long by 4 ft. 6 in. diameter, fitted with automatic gates, have been constructed, and a large deviation drain over 15 chains in length has been excavated. Flood-gates similar to the above were constructed at Te Tawa Stream Drain. At Wilson's Drain a single flood-gate of the same type was completed. Sundry other flood-gates have been maintained. Ngahina Bridge. —A detailed plan of the Ngahina Bridge across the Waihou River was made, with a view to its alteration to suit the river-improvement scheme. Ngahina Wharf, —Sundry additional buildings are being erected in connection with this new wharf. Surveys. —A large amount of survey work lias been done in locating lines of stop-banks, also in connection with a proposed canal at Pereniki's Bend, the Tirohia-Rotokohu land-drainage area, Awaiti Eidge stop-bank, &c. General. —ln addition to works and surveys, easements and land-acquisition have been dealt with. Several buildings have been removed from lines of stop-banks, punts and gear have been overhauled, and a new pile-driving derrick has been built. The whole of the works on the rivers-improvement scheme have been much hampered by local floods, the rainfall having been far above the average of recent years.

WANGANUI RlVElt TRUST. During the year an exhaustive inspection was made of the Wanganui liiver from Taumarunui down to Raorikia, a little above Upokongaro, by the Inspecting Engineer, assisted by the Resident Engineers of the districts through which the river passes, the object being to ascertain what is necessary in order to properly maintain works which have already been carried out, and what further works are required to render the river navigable by the river steamers at all states of the stream. The River Trust has been furnished with a copy of the report.

MUNICIPAL TRAMWAYS. . Auckland. —A siding 3| chains in length, of single track, has been laid from the main line to the Tramways Office in Customs Street West. The alignment of 12 chains of double track in Customs Street West, between Queen Street and Hobson Street, has been altered to conform to street improvements carried out by the City Council, the result being a decided improvement in the tramway. The Queen Street extension, comprising 41 chains of double track from Wellesley Street to Karangahape Road, was completed. An automatic points-control apparatus was installed at the junction of Queen and Wellesley Streets. Gisborne. —A new storage-battery car is under construction in Christohurch. Wellington. —The large new car-shed in Onepu Road, Kilbirnie, has been completed, with the necessary sidings. Christchurch. —On the Sumncr route the tramway has been completed along the causeway across part of the estuary, as well as a deviation between Monck's Bay and Shag Rock, an extension of the W T oolston loop, and the construction of a new loop at the junction of Sumner Road with Mount Pleasant Road. On the Worcester Street route the line has been duplicated between Manchester Street and Stanmore Road. A proposal for a new loop in Moorhouse Avenue is under consideration. The plans of seventeen new trailers have been approved. Dunedin. —The Maryhill Cable Tramway, which had been acquired by the Dunedin City Council, was inspected and found to be unfit for traffic, and accordingly an order was issued forbidding its use. The Council's proposals to remedy the defects have since been approved.