C—4.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1936, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915.

Department of Lands and Survey, Sir,— Wellington, Ist July, 1936. In pursuance of section 13 of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, I have the honour to forward the report of the Chief Drainage Engineer covering operations on lands proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act and amendments. I have, &c, W. Robertson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. Prank Langstone, Minister of Lands.

REPORT OP CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir,— I have the honour to submit my annual report on the areas proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, and its amendments. Kaitaia Drainage Area (61,430 Acres), Mangonui County. Maintenance of completed works was the only work undertaken during the year. Drains and stop-banks were kept cleared and repaired, and some stone-work carried out at the Spillway intake to correct scour by flood-waters. No new work was done in the area except for drainage of the Kaitaia small farms. Bainfall. —Rainfall and river-gauge readings were taken throughout the year as shown on schedule hereunder: —

Rainfall and River-gauge Readings at Kaitaia for Year ending 31st March, 1936.

I—C. 4.

Highest Rain- Kaitaia River-gauge, Wai--p . . fall for kuriki Bridge. Month. (Inches). Wet Twenty-four (Inches). Hi g hest " Lowest 1935. April .. 6-26 13 2-12 64-5 53-6 May •• 5-78 21 1-30 59-7 54-5 June . .. 4-60 25 0-42 61-4 54-9 July .. .. 7-35 16 2-05 65-8 54-5 August .. ■■ 5-32 17 1-60 64-2 55-0 September .. .. ■■ 11-57 19 5-29 70-5 53-9 October 4-66 15 1-48 61-3 53-5 November .. .. .. 4-29 20 2-03 65-3 53-7 December .. .. .. 4-30 5 2-33 69-8 53-6 1936. January .. .. •• 12-08 14 2-59 70-5 53-0 February .. .. •• 6-13 11 4-56 70-8 53-1 March .. .. 2-08 8 0-79 59-7 52-6 Totals .. •• 74-42 184