C.-11.

1933. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. RANGITAIKI LAND DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1933, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly in -pursuance of Section 10 of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910.

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist August, 1933. I have the honour to submit herewith the report of the Chief Drainage Engineer on drainage operations in the Rangitaiki Plains for the year ended 31st March, 1933, pursuant to the provisions of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910. I have, &c., W. Robertson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands.

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. I beg to submit report on the Rangitaiki drainage works for the year ending 31st March, 1933, in accordance with the provisions of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910. During the year maintenance work only was carried out in this area. This embraced the keeping in order of all hand drains, repair and maintenance of flood-gates and stop-banks, and maintenance of canals with light walking-plant and floating weed-cutter. It is proposed to utilize the walking-plant to work progressively throughout the area, removing accumulated silt and growth from the main outfalls. This plant is most suitable for this class of work, and, with the occasional use of a larger plant, it is hoped to maintain all outfalls in reasonable order at a low annual cost. No flooding was experienced during the year under review, although both the Rangitaiki and Whakatane Rivers were at a high level on two occasions. The mouth of the Rangitaiki River through the sandspit has moved steadily eastwards since it was straightened last year. In the absence of any permanent control works it will be again necessary to cut it through on the straight as soon as the water-level begins to aflect the country draining this way. Some two years ago relief workers were employed ring-barking willows on the length of river from Te Teko northwards, and large numbers were destroyed. This work should again be put in hand when funds can be made available. The Tarawera River mouth has remained stable since the placing of an extension to the stone groynes, and very little trouble has been experienced in the channel proper of this once troublesome river. Minor repair to the stop-banks is desirable at a few points, and this will be carried out in the coming year. Daily water-level readings taken over the past eight years indicate that the bed has remained stable, with no tendency to raise its level.