C.—4.

1943. NEW ZEALAND,

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1943.

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

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist May, 1943. 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, R. (!. M'acmorran, „ _ Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. the Minister of Lands.

REPORT OP THE 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, for the year ended 31st March, 1943. Kaitaia Drainage Area (61,430 Acres), Mangonui County. Only a limited amount of drain-maintenance work was carried out during the year. Early last autumn tenders were called for drain-cleaning contracts, but only one tender was received. The restricted supply of labour available was consequently employed on cleaning the most important drains. It was not possible to carry out any drain-improvement work. Fortunately, the year was a fairly dry one, and very little flooding was experienced. The stop-banks around the Awanui foreshore were maintained during the year and are in a fair state of repair. When conditions return to normal and labour and machinery again become available it will be essential to have a light dredge working on the Whan'gatane Spillway and the Waipapakauri outlet. These canals have deteriorated during the past year, the former owing to silting and the latter due to the consolidation of the country and slips. The rainfall for the year was 44 in. (approximately), an increase of 6 in. on the fall for the previous year. Rates.—A Committee of Inquiry was set up during the year to investigate and report on the rating position in the rural subdivision. As a result, and following conferences between the Committee and representatives of the Kaitaia Ratepayers' Association, an agreement was reached regarding payment of arrears of rates and future rates. The majority of the ratepayers have taken advantage of the liberal concessions granted by the Government, and it appears that this long-outstanding problem has now been solved. "Of a total of 339 European ratepayers, 224 have cleared all arrears of rates to 31st March, 1942, and 47 are paying by annual instalments. Rates struck, 1942-43— Town . Bural α-i £ £ Special .. .. . . .. .. 440 3,184 General .. .. .. .. .. 200 2,692 Rates collected— Special .. .. .. .. 771 6,938 General .. . . .. .. .. 329 3,455 Hikurangi Drainage Area (50,000 Acres), Whangarei County. No work was carried out in this area during the year.