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1945 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY DRAINAGE OPERATIONS IN HAURAKI PLAINS REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1945

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 June, 1945. Sik, — 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., R. G. Macmorran, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. the Minister of Lands.

REPORT OF CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER Sir, — I have the honour to submit the thirty-seventh annual report on the drainage and land-development work carried out on the Hauraki Plains. The report covers the year ended 31st March, 1945. The production returns for the year will show that the efforts of the settlers, assisted by moderate weather, have in a large measure been successful in overcoming the increasing difficulties imposed by war conditions. The schedule of approximate quantities and values of farm produce from the Hauraki Plains for the years 1943-44 and 1944-45 given below have been compiled from information kindly supplied by the dairy companies and merchants who handle the bulk of the Hauraki Plains produce:—

From natural and planted flax grown on Crown land, 2,165 tons of leaf was milled at Kaihere. The rainfall recorded at Kerepeehi was 47-9 in. for the year 1944. This is above the average annual rainfall for the station, which is 43-31 in. over a period of thirty-eight years. The wettest month in 1944 was March, with a rainfall of 7-41 in., and the driest January, with a fall of 0-91 in.

1943-44. 1944-45. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. :: :: :: !:SS } 736 537 !:£ } »"« Pigs.. .. .. .. 5,000 20,000 5,000 22,000 Bobby calves .. .. .. 13,488 6,990 21,136 12,731 Cattle, sheep, &c. .. .. .. 72,117 .. 32,110 835,644 872,736