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Several agricultural and pastoral shows were visited during the year and enlarged photographs of local erosion were exhibited and talkie films screened. A practical demonstration by a working model which illustrates the varying rates of soil and water loss under different conditions of cover was the subject of considerable interest. During the year numerous requests were received for publications, photographs, film strips, screening of films, and lectures, and were complied with. The public interest evinced is encouraging and the Council is building its facilities to meet future demands. Inspection During the year the Council had the opportunity of visiting the Otago, Southland, and Wairarapa districts. Works The following is a brief resume of the principal activities in the various districts :— Whangarei District.—ln the scheme for the relief of flooding at Pokapu the road and railway bridges over the new channel are completed, and the channel is complete except for deepening at bridge-sites. Auckland District. —The stop-bank work to protect the Matatoki Drainage Area, in Thames County, is well advanced, and arrangements have been made for proceeding with the Wharepoa Drainage Area. Tauranga District. —Heavy stone protection along the Whakatane River near Whakatane Borough was authorized during the year, but it has been impossible to do any of the work due to shortage of labour. Protection on the right bank higher up using willow mattress work is partly completed. Heavy protection work above the Ruatoki Bridge is well in hand. An engineering survey to prepare a scheme for the control of the Whakatane River was commenced during the year. Taumarunui District. —The stop-banking work protecting Taumarunui Borough was completed. Arrangements have been made to let a contract for 9 chains of concrete protective work. Gisborne District.—The Waipaoa River improvement work was put in hand. The mouth of this river has travelled 2| miles south along the coast and the work involves the construction of a cut-off groyne and pilot channel to form a new mouth to shorten the course. A double-pile permeable groyne 800 ft. in length is well advanced and pilot channel has been cut in readiness for development by a flood. Two small works brought about by the heavy flood of March, 1944, the repair of the Waipaoa Settlement stop-bank, and drainage-works to dewater Torries Lagoon were completed. Napier District.—No construction works were carried out, but a number of important surveys were completed. These include the extensive survey of the Tukituki River, the survey of the Manawatu River near Woodville, and the surveys of the Lower Esk and Pakuratahi Valleys for flood control. Wanganui District.—ln the Rangitikei River the development of a heavy meander in the lower reaches caused heavy erosion on the right bank in the vicinity of Flock House. Two diversion cuts totalling 130 chains in length were constructed by bulldozers through coarse gravel-beds with a view to full diversion of river to an improved centre-line. The initial development of the cats has been satisfactory. Wellington District.—Manawatu River : The major work has been the completion of the Whirokino Cut, which shortened river by 5| miles. The pilot cut involved about 400,000 cubic yards of excavation. The cut has developed splendidly and has already improved flood and drainage conditions in the lower river. A further cut comprising 30,000 cubic yards of sand and shingle is being excavated by bulldozer to improve the alignment of the river at Walker's Road, a point about 1 mile above the Longburn Bridge : an extensive survey is in hand between Palmerston North and Ashhurst. Development works have also been undertaken by the Manawatu-Oroua River Board. These represent the construction of a new flood-gate at Koputaroa and the setting-back of low stop-banks in the lower river. The excavation of Tapunga No. 2 Cut is well advanced in line with the excellent development of No. 1 Cut upstream. Further cuts at Holden's No. 1 and a pilot cut at Koputaroa were completed. Puklowski's Cut, on the Oroua River, is in hand. A considerable amount of heavy bank protection was carried out by the Makerua Drainage Board. Otaki River: Further repair to bank protective works were carried out near racecourse, also a survey of lower river in readiness for the heavy channel excavation planned for next year. Waikawa Stream: The mouth of this stream had moved for some miles south along the coast. A narrow channel was excavated by bulldozers across the coastal sand-spit and has scoured very successfully, reducing the course by miles. Ruamahunga River : Heavy repair works have been carried out on Ruamahunga River and tributaries. These include heavy gabions on the Waiohine River, earthquake repairs to Kahautara River Board's stop-banks, and routine repair work near Masterton. Hutt River : A survey is well advanced for the preparation of a comprehensive scheme for flood control of river up to the Taita Gorge. Nelson District.—Wairoa River : A survey for flood control is in hand at Brightwater and clearingwork has been completed in several places. Motueka River : The first instalment of protective work against erosion on the right bank has been carried out over a Wgth of 5 chains using heavy stone from Takaka Hill. The work required to be particularly massive, as it provides security for Motueka Borough. Farther upstream 120 chains of clearing-works were carried out in the Glen Rae Stream. Riwaka River : Willow-clearing has been carried out and also repairs to the stop-bank. Takaka River : A major stream diversion is in hand in vicinity of Takaka to develop a straight course away from a point where erosion is acute. The work is*Bs per cent, complete, representing over 20,000 cubic yards. Greymouth District.—Oparara River : Further stone protection has been carried out to check bank erosion, and the extension of the stone mole to straighten mouth is in hand. Karamea River : Stone-work protection was completed at Hird's and Simpson's, together with miscellaneous small works.

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