D.—lA

14

Number of schemes completed and under construction in 1928, fourteen — viz., Steward Settlement, Otekaike, Galloway, Ida Valley, Manuherikia-Alexandra-Clyde (No. 1), Ardgour, Arrow River, Hawkdun, Earnscleugh, Last Chance, Tarras, Bengerburn, Teviot River, and Teviot River Extension. Acres. Areas commanded by schemes completed and under construction in 1921 .. .. .. .. 71,000 Areas commanded by schemes completed and under construction in i 928 .. .. .. .. 101,747 Areas irrigated in 1920 .. .. .. .. 3,200 Areas irrigated in 1928 .. . . .. .. 33,749 Increase .. .. .. 30,549 £ Total amount expended on schemes to 31st March, 1920 194, 835 Total amount expended on schemes to 31st March, 1928 785,401 Increase .. .. .. .. 590,566 Number of irrigators in 1928 .. .. .. 288 Revenue derived from sales of water from schemes in operation— £ Year 1921-22 .. .. .. .. .. 2,032 Year 1927-28 .. .. .. .. .. 8,527 Number of schemes under investigation in .1928, ten —viz., Maniototo, Cromwell Flat and Lowburn, Upper Manuherikia, Hawea Flats .(first alternative), Hawea Flats (later alternative), Chapman's Gully, Bendigo Flat, Miller's Flat, Luggate Burn, and Scandinavian. Area commanded by schemes investigated . . . . . . 245, 000 acres. Soil survey in the irrigation districts has been completed and plans are being prepared. 250,000 acres were surveyed last year, in addition to 625,000 surveyed in the previous two years. A deferred scale of charges was put into operation in the later part of 1925. Under this system the rate for the first year of supply is on a very low basis, the scale rising in a period of six to ten years to its maximum. This policy was adopted to assist irrigators in the early years of development of an irrigation farm and while irrigators are gaining experience in that class of farming. A demonstration plot of .10 acres was laid down at Manuherikia in 1926 for the information of intending irrigators. A demonstration plot of 15 acres was laid down at Earnscleugh in 1926 under the border-dyke system, half was sown in permanent pasture and half in lucerne. Experimental plots are situated at Earnscleugh, Springvale, Tarras, and Galloway, and were laid out by the Public Works Department with the object of ascertaining the most economical use of irrigation-water on the varying types of soils represented, a particular feature being the use of the border-dyke system of water-distribution. Last year the Government set up an investigating committee, under the chairmanship of the Assistant Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, to report to the Government. The order of reference of this committee included an examination into the question of the duty of irrigation-water, of the question of the rates of payment therefor, and of the future administration of irrigation undertakings. This committee has now completed an exhaustive investigation and has prepared its report, which, when before the Government for consideration, will be found a most valuable and constructive report. Since the return of land actually irrigated which accompanied the Public Works Statement of last year was compiled, a further 11,040 acres have been brought under water-supply. BUILDINGS. The increasing population and the expansion in Government activities has made it necessary to enlarge our public buildings of various kinds in many places, as well as to erect new buildings, the necessity being brought about in some cases by the obsolescence of the old buildings, by their decay, or by their having become too small. This has required an average annual expenditure of £283,483, without schools.