C—B

4

One new wharf and shed was constructed at Ngatea, on the western side of the Piako River and abreast of the new butter-factory, the dimensions being —wharf, 50ft. by 12ft.; approach, 30 ft. by 10 ft. ; shed, 24ft. by 18ft. The llorahia Wharf was braced and generally strengthened for the discharge of road-metal. The wharf and shed on the canal at Waitakaruru was dismantled, and will lie re-erected at the junction of the canal and Waitakaruru Stream. The number of wharves at the present time is fifteen. Floating Plant. During the year several additions were made to this plant. A new oil-launch (" Waiomo ") was purchased, dimensions of which are as follows : Length, 27 ft. ; beam, 8 ft. 6 in. She has a 20-horse-power heavy-duty Zealandia engine. One new metal punt was built on contract; dimensions, 60 ft. by 18 ft. by 3 ft. 5 in. The floating plant now stands as follows: One steamer, seven oillaunches, four metal pontoons, three general-service punts, two coal-punts, three dredges. The oil launches " Moehau " and " Pipiroa " are at present out of Commission. During the coming year- the plant will be increased by the addition of one walking-dipper dredge and other machines which were purchased in America dining my recent, visit. Artesian Boring Plant. The number of bores sunk during the year was eighteen, making a total of 183 to date. The value of the year's operations was £842 18s. lid., giving a total expenditure to date of £5,209 4s. 5d., practically the whole of which is recoverable. The sum of £614 13s. Id. was received by the Receiver of Land Revenue during the year. A schedule of bores sunk is attached hereto. DIIA INS in operation. New drains of a total length of 39 miles 48 chains were constructed during the year, making a total of 183 miles 32 chains of drains constructed on the Hauraki Plains to date. Metal. The total amount of metal received was 17,358 cubic yards (Kauaeranga, 4,833 ; other, 12.525). Works performed during the Year. Drains. By piecework contract: — M. oh, M. oh. Cleaning drains .. .. .. .. .. ~ ' .. 98 55 Widening and deepening drains (29,207 yards spoil removed) .. .. 31 59 Constructing new drains .. .. .. .. .. 37 9 170 43 By day labour : — Cleaning drains .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 101 12 Widening and deepening drains (13,008 yards spoil removed) .. . . 15 75 Constructing new drains .. .. .. .. . . .. 239 119 46 Stop-batiks. Stop-banks repaired .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 15 Roads. New peat roads clayed ).. „„ ~ , - ... (2 41 Reclaying roads J- (40,33U cumc yards spoil) j g m New roads formed .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 536 Grading and disking roads .. .. .. .. .. 14 15 Gravelling roads .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 040 Metalling roads .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 420 Remetalling roads .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 75 Erecting fences .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 117 40 9 Dredges. Cubic Yards. Spoil excavated by No. 1 dredge .. . . . . . . 42,115 No. 2 „ .. .. .. .. .. 62,820 No. 6 „ .. .. .. .. .. 53,930 Total .. .. .. .. .. 158,865 Reinforced-concrete Flood-gates and Culverts. ROAD-CULVERTS. Size. Number. Length. 3 ft. (Monier pipes).. .. .. .. .. ..6 192 ft. 2 ft. 6 in. (Monier pipes) .. .. .. .. .. 2 64 ft. 2 ft. (Monier pipes).. .... .. .. ..2 56 ft. FLOOD SATES, 3 ft. (Monier pipes).". .. .. .. .. ..8 204 ft, 2 ft. 6 in. (Monier pipes) .. - .. .. .. ..2 44 ft. 4 ft. by A ft. (Monier pipes) . . .. . . . . .. 2 MS ft.