0,-8.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 20 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926.

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist July, 1936. Sro, — I have the honour to present herewith the report of the Chief Drainage Engineer on operations carried out during the past year on the Hauraki Plains in accordance with the provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926. I have, &c., W. Robertson, The Hon. Frank Langstone, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands.

* REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sib, — I have the honour to submit the twenty-eighth annual report on the land-drainage and development works carried out on the Hauraki Plains during the year ending 31st March, 1936. The year's rainfall has been excessive, particularly during the summer, when, with the exception of December, the fall each month has ranged between 3 in. and 6 in. Though the growth of grass has been abundant, most of the settlers have found that, owing to the vagaries of the season, production has been below normal, and the increase in dairy-produce will probably be below the average rate of increase for previous years,