C. —11

1925. NEW ZEALAND

RANGITAIKI LAND DRAINAGE (REPORT OF THE COMMISSION APPOINTED TO INQUIRE INTO AND REPORT UPON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

CONTENTS. Warrant appointing the Commission .. .. .. .. .. . . 1 Extension of Commission .. .. .. .. . . .. . . 3 Investigations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 General History of Drainage Operations. . .. .. .. .. . . 4 Physical Features, Land and Drainage .. . . ~ . . .. . . .. 5 Quality of Land .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. fi Floods .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Drainage-works . * .. ■ .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Kopeopeo Outfall Drain .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Awaiti Drain . . . . .. .. .. .. ... .. 8 Finance .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Mortgages .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Conclusions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .11

COMMISSION. Charles Fergusson, Governor-General. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Ashley John Hunter, Esquire, A.M.1.C.E., of Auckland, Civil Engineer; William Duffus Hunt, Esquire, of Wellington, Company Manager; and Heathcote Beetham Williams, Esquire, of Gisborne, Farmer : Greeting. Whereas it is considered expedient to inquire into matters connected with the drainage of the district set apart for the purpose of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910, and with the financial difficulties now being experienced by settlers in the said district: Now, therefore, I, General Sir Charles Fergusson, Baronet, Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908, and of all other powers and authorities enabling me

I—C. 11a.