5

G.—B

A new single-span bridge (II ft. fry 15ft.) was built across the Ngarua Stream at Kaihere, and at Patetonga concrete retaining' lace walls were erected at tins concrete bridge-culvert over the Patetonga Stream. Flax Leases. Four areas, totalling 2,010 acres, were surveyed during the year, and three of these were disposed of, but unfortunately most of the standing flax on these areas perished in a disastrous lire in February last. Apart from this a good deal of cutting has been done, the revenue received during the year being £1,176 10s. 3d. Area thrown open during Year. Some twenty sections, comprising an area, of 1,775 acres and valued at £25,680, were opened during the year, and selected by discharged soldiers. During flu l ensuing year it is expected that about 4,500 acres will be offered, of an approximate value of £60,000. , Valuations. The total area thrown open for selection to date is 42,166 acres, which is valued at £307,630 for selection purposes. Grazing-are as. The total area held under temporary grazing lease is rrow 6,124 acres, divided into seven sections. The annual revenue produced by these is £450. Works Expenditure for the Year. The total amount expended during the year on the area (not including special votes) was £70,836 7s. I()d. The sum of £72,875 3s. Id. was paid out of local imprest in payment of Hauraki Plains expenditure and special votes, the principal of the latter being the metalling and maintenance votes. Day labour• amounted to £23,031 13s. (id., piecework contracts to £27,751 lis. Id,, and team-hi re to £339 Bs. 2d. Future Proposals. The principal works (apart from road-metalling) to be carried out in the future are as follows : — (1.) Continuation of Waitoa River dredging. (2.) Continuation of Waitakaruru Maukoro Canal. (3.) Continuation of Awaiti Canal. ,(4.) Establishment of depot at Kerepeehi. (5.) New areas for settlement. (6.) Concrete bridges, flood-gates, and culverts. (7.) New wharves. (8.) General development work. General. The books in connection with the works are kept, in the Auckland Office, where all vouchers for wages, contracts, supplies, and general purposes are prepared, The local office is situated at Kerepeehi. The local officer in charge is Mr. I. S. Logan, Land Drainage Engineer, under whose supervision development work has been carried on energetically. 1 have, &c., J. B. Thompson, The Under-Secretary Eor Lands. Wellington. Chief Drainage Engineer.

Schedule of Artesian Bores, 1920-21.

2—C. 8.

Bore No. 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 171 175 176 177 178 17!) 180 181 182 183 Section. 30 36 3:1 Eastern portion 19 3 is 2a Maiora No. 2 23 1 23 2 2 12 12 25 26 26 26 11 ! Block. I X X XI XI XI XI XI II II XI XI XI XI XI XI XI Survey Distriol. Waihou Thames j? • - Kopuarahi Thames j? - ■ ? j . • Total Depth ' Running Flow (Gal - (Feet). Ions per Hour). 279 100 (about) 400 300 401 400 302 400 156 2,500 384 800 250 600 231 400 231 400 162 doo (pumping) 161 600 218 600 382 800 248 500 397 loo 331 loo 264 400 213 400 (pumping) Waihou ,, Thames >i - - >> • • ,, ... ,, • ■ ,, • •