D.—l.

Paraparaumu Camp. Beach Road.—The workmen who have been retained in this camp since the last period have made further satisfactory progress with the drainage, clearing, and stumping of farm lands in the vicinity. Nelson District. Awatere Water-supply to Seddon District.—Proposals prepared by the Awatere County Council in connection with a water-supply for Seddon and the adjacent district were approved, and work commenced during the year under a contract let by the County Council. Picton Foreshore (Reclamation). —The Picton Borough Council submitted proposals having as their object the reclamation of approximately 1 acre on the foreshore of Picton Harbour. These were approved, and the work was completed during the period. This scheme was designed to beautify the foreshore and to provide increased recreational facilities for visitors to this popular summer resort. Wai-iti River (Protective Works). —During the year repairs to the Wai-iti River stop-bank in Waimea West were carried out by the farmers concerned with the assistance of Government grants made to the Waimea County Council. The work which has been done will assist in protecting the Waimea West Road as well as the adjacent farm lands, and will ultimately form part of a major scheme of stop-banking which is now being fully investigated. Wairoa River, Brightwater (Protective Works.) —During the year a detailed investigation and survey was made in connection with protective measures in this river. Most of the plans have been completed and the necessary stop-banking located. Greymouth District. Karamea River (Flood-control). —Good progress was made during the year with the large floodcontrol scheme which has been about half completed. The operations carried out during the period comprised : Trestle work, 4,800 lineal feet; stone training-wall, 27,711 tons ; stop-banking, 134 ch., containing 37,000 cubic yards ; and fencing, 141 ch. The following plant was obtained during the year to facilitate progress : One 3-ton crane, one Diesel locomotive, one tractor, one Diesel excavator, and one Diesel winch. Oparara River (Control). —The control and improvement of this river is to be undertaken in conjunction with the Karamea River control works, and it is proposed to construct a timber trainingwall and stop-bank early in the coming period. Ngakawau River, Hector Township. —A large stone groyne was constructed at the mouth of the Ngakawau River to prevent sea erosion, which was endangering the Hector Township, together with nearby road and rail communications. Christchurch District. Ashburton and Hinds Rivers. —Additional survey information was obtained during the year in connection with proposed flood-control measures in these two rivers. Ashley River Trust (Flood-control Works). —Construction work on this river-improvement scheme has now been almost completed. The work carried out during the period under review comprised : — Excavation : On the north bank 28 ch. of groynes and stop-banks have been built or raised, representing a quantity of 24,670 cubic yards. On the south bank sm. 60 ch. of groynes and stopbanks have been built or raised, representing a quantity of 109,556 cubic yards. Total quantity excavated is therefore 134,226 cubic yards. Gabion Heads : A total of 1,898 cubic yards of stone gabion work has been placed at the channel ends of groynes as protection against erosion. Willow-planting : A further 80 acres have been planted with willows, which are all showing good growth. Cuttings are now all planted in holes or trenches, which have been sunk right down to permanent moisture. Only 18 in. or 2 ft. in the bottom of the hole is filled in again. While this method takes longer than shallow planting, it has been found by experience to be the only one which will ensure a reasonable number of newly-planted cuttings surviving, the dry autumns usually experienced in this district. Clearing of Control Channel : Traction engines are employed to remove all trees from the control channel and thus ensure an effective waterway. The trees are uprooted bodily. The useful portions are corded for firewood and the remainder is burnt. By this means 263 acres have been cleared. Sowing of Grass-seed : All banks and groynes are sown with a good mixture of grass-seed to assist consolidation and reduce lateral erosion. In practically every case a very good strike has been obtained. During the period 20 acres have been sown. Culverts : Three concrete-pipe culverts have been installed with flood gates or valves to carry surface water from adjoining country under the bank. Stony Stream : During flood-time this stream has always carried a large amount of shingle and debris. Formerly this was trapped by a lagoon. In the process of time, however, this lagoon had filled and the floods were diverted on to adjoining farm land, which was threatened with ruination on account of swamping and the deposition of shingle. To prevent this the channel and stop-bank system was extended 4 ch., involving an excavation of 561 cubic yards. Avon River Protection, Bexley. —A stone wall was built on the Avon River at Bexley to prevent the erosion of the river-banks. Little Rakaia Culverts. —The first of two culverts has been constructed to allow the banked-up waters from the Little Rakaia Creek to pass through the shingle bank to the sea. Little River Township. —A flood-control survey of the rivers for 4 m. above the township has been carried out, and the design of a comprehensive scheme is being prepared. McKenzie Estate, Woodbury.—loo ch. of drains have been excavated.

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