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Waiotapu Stream Diversion (Tempo County).—The object was straightening to reduce flooding of farm land and consists of ten diversions in the present stream and deepening and straightening throughout. The work has been completed. Waioeka River Erosion (J. G. Murray).—Willow protection work is 85 per cent, complete, the balance being deferred until fencing-wire is obtainable. Otara River Erosion (Mrs. Wingate and Mrs. Steel). —Willow protection planting and fencing to protect valuable dairy land has only just been commenced, but is deferred until next willow-planting season. Otara River Erosion (A. G. Thompson).-—Heavy willow protection work is 75 per cent, complete, but a small portion of the planting and fencing has been deferred until next year. Stage Recorders (Woimana River and Rangitaiki River). —Sites for these gauges have been selected, and it is intended to erect these two stations by contract as soon as the special iron work required has been fabricated. Tide Ganges, Tawanga and Whakatane. —Tentative sites for these two gauges have been selected and observations of tides have been undertaken, and it is hoped to erect these two gauges at the same time as the stage recorders for the Waimana and Rangitaiki Rivers. Napier District Waipaoa River Flood Control: Diversion of River-mouth.—Preparation to open a new mouth for the Waipaoa, shortening the river by two miles, and reducing the flooding on the lower reaches was put in hand in 1944. The work entailed building a groyne 675 ft. long and cutting a pilot channel to the sea. The actual releasing of the water through the pilot cut had to be done while the river was sufficiently in flood to establish a new mouth. This was carried out successfully on the 29th June. Waipaoa River, Te W air an Bend.—Work consists of protection of the river-bank with fascines covered with anti-torpedo nets. Preparatory work on the site has commenced. Waipaoa River, Survey.—s miles of completed survey with cross-sections has been done this year, finishing half a mile above Matawhero Bridge. Hikuwai River: Willow-clearing.—6 miles 58 chains of trees forming obstruction have been cut and disposed of. Trees which could be left for a while have been ringbarked. About 40 per cent, of the work is complete. Stream and Drain Clearing, Cook County Council.—The following work was completed. Ngatapa Stream: 4 miles willow-clearing. Clearing stream and widening. Totangi Stream: Three-quarters of a mile clearing and widening. Te Arai Stream: 3 miles willow-clearing. Manutuke Drain: 3| miles clearing, widening, and regrading. Kaiti-Wainui Drains: 4 miles drains clearing and widening. Clearing blackberry and willow. Taruheru and Waiherere Drains: 12 miles cleared. Taruheru Stream Clearing. Work commenced. Clearing, widening, and regrading 2 miles have been completed. Tapuumeroa River, Waiapu County.—Construction of three groynes almost completed.
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