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1922. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SWAMP DRAINAGE. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1922, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

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

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 19t.1i Juno, 1922. In pursuance of section 13 of the Swamp Drainage, Act, 1915, I forward herewith the report of the Acting Chief Drainage Engineer upon the operations carried out under the above Act for the past year, together with a statement of cash transactions and balance-sheet. - A satisfactory state of affairs is disclosed, and the works are proceeding on good lines. Three plans showing operations are attached. I have, <fee, The Hon. 1). H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands. J, B. Thompson, Under-Secretary.

REPORT BY ACTING CHIEF DRAINAGE ENGINEER. Sir,— 1 have the honour to submit annual reports on the areas proclaimed under the Swamp Drainage Act, 191.5. Kaitaia Drainage Area (39,665 Acres), Mongonui County. The progress of the works has been steadily maintained during the past year, and a large area of the land affected by the operations of this scheme has received a direct benefit—in fact, some of the land has received practically the full benefit that will be obtained even on the completion of the works. Consequently it should not be long now before the rating clauses of the Swamp Drainage Act are applied to at least portion of this area, as at the present time the maintenance of finished works, as well as interest on the capital expenditure, arc charged up to the capital account. The key to the successful drainage of the whole area is the improvement to the Awanui River, and as this work progresses a larger area is benefited, and consequently is able to be more fully developed. This work has been progressing satisfactorily, and during the coming year progress should be more marked, as the dredging will not be so difficult. The Whangatane spillway is of great importance in this connection, and the dredging of this channel to the requisite depth has been commenced from the upper end. The design of the concrete weir at the junction with the Awanui River has been practically completed, but the construction will not be undertaken until the dredging is further advanced, when the concrete-work can bo carried out without being interfered with by the water-level in the spillway. The unwatcring of the Tangonge Lake should be commenced in June, and this work will enable the drains on the I'ukcpoto portion of the area to be deepened, and so improve a large area of land which is at present useless. Rainfall, <&C. —Tie fall for the year as recorded by the gauge at the Kaitaia office was 4942 in., the wettest month being March, when 5-84 in. were recorded, and the driest January, when the record was 2-2-1 in. From this it will be seen that the year has been far from a dry ono. A gauge

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was installed on the Kaitaia River near the office, and readings taken throughout the year. The average reading of this gauge was 57 ft., whilst the range of readings was from 56 ft. to 67-5 ft. The last tiood occurred on the 2nd February, after a fall of 2-08 in., the flood reaching its height in ten hours, but started to subside almost immediately afterwards, reaching its normal level four days later. Further gauges will be installed so as to obtain accurate information as to the height and period of the floods. Certain data as to the run-off from the area has been obtained, but further investigations in this direction require to be made. Awanui River. —The main work carried out on this river has been the dredging of the channel, which is being widened, deepened, and straightened. The total distance dredged was 125 chains, entailing the removal of 58,809 cubic yards of spoil, at a cost of 1016 d. per cubic yard. Eight diversions of the river were completed whilst carrying out this work, and each diversion makes an appreciable difference in the lowering of the flood-level. This dredging has been especially difficult on account of the amount of timber in the channel of the river. Some of the clay country has also been exceptionally hard, but it is anticipated that this class will not be so pronounced as the work proceeds. Fortunately there has not been the same difficulty with the high banks as during the previous year, and consequently the work has been much easier. At the end of the year the dredge was about 30 chains below the Waihoe Junction. The snagging of the Kaitaia River was continued above the Kaitaia Township. Some 229 chains of the river were cleared of willows, <fee, and the logs removed from the bed, all this timber being topped and piled so as to be burnt as soon as it is dry. A small portion was burnt, but the greater part will now have to wait until next summer before a good job of the burning can be expected. This work has had a most beneficial effect on the land in the vicinity of Johnson's store. The flood-level in this vicinity has been lowered by at least 4 ft., taking similar rainfalls into consideration both before and after this last season's snagging was carried out. Until the Whangatane spillway is completed it will be unwise to continue this snagging farther up the river without very close investigation, for the removal of the obstruction in the river naturally increases the intensity of the floods lower down. One diversion in the river near Awanui was deepened by hand so as to temporarily improve the drainage of adjacent lands. This measure will have to be resorted to in several other cases, as it will be two years before the dredging of the river in the vicinity is completed. Whangatane Spillway--This channel was opened up to an average depth of about 5 ft., and although not opened up into the Kaitaia River the effect of the work has been felt in some of the Awanui country. A Bay City dipper dredge was obtained for this work, and the construction of the necessary pontoon was commenced in November. The pontoon is 60 ft. long, 20 ft. wide, and 5 ft. deep, and some 22,000 superficial feet of timber were used in its construction. The dredge is oildriven, the engine being a 45 horse-power two-cylinder opposed type, sta-rting on benzine and, after warming, running on kerosene. The machinery has all been erected, and a trial run was given at the latter end of February. For a start the clay to be removed was very hard. During March some 2,500 cubic yards of spoil were shifted ; but it is satisfactory to note that since then the rate of progress has improved, and it is anticipated that when this dredge turns round into the maunga the progress should be very marked. Scoops have been used to construct the channel through the clay country, and will be used again later in places where widening is required. Dredges. —Three dredges will be at work on this area during the next season —two Priestman grab and one dipper—all of these being of the floating type. A. pontoon for the new Priestman is well under way. This pontoon will be 62 ft. long, 24 ft. wide, and 5 ft. 6 in. deep, entailing the use of 27,000 superficial feet of timber. The erection of the machinery should be completed early in June, and then this dredge will commence* to deepen and widen the present outlet from the Tangonge Lake. The costs of the dredges for the year were — Yards shifted. Cost per Yard. Dredge No. 7 (Priestman) .. .. .. .. 58,809 10-I6d. Dredge No. 10 (Priestman) : Not erected. Dredge No. 22 (Bay City) ■.. .. .. .. 2,500 10-7ld. Drains and, Roads. —The system of drains has been extended farther afield during the year, some 467 chains of new outlet drains having been constructed. Practically all main drains have been constructed or are in course of construction, although a large number will require deepening when the water-level in the Tangonge Lake and Kaitaia River permits. The maintenance of drains has been attended to, and this item alone entails quite a large expenditure. One matter that increases the maintenance charges is the neglect of settlers to fence off outlet drains; consequently cattle wander promiscuously in and out of the drains, and do damage that is very expensive to rectify. The formation of roads from the spoil thrown out of the drains was continued, and. to date some 680 chains of road formation has been spread. Most of the formation was in peat country, which later on will require to be ballasted with clay so as to make a satisfactory foundation, as peat itself would only make a temporary and unstable road. It will thus be seen that the formation of these roads, without even metalling, will be an expensive item, as the spoil in most cases will have to be carted or trucked for some miles. The first road connection on to the Crown land will be obtained by the road leading to the Waihoe channel from Kaitaia, and the next by the Wireless Road. In carrying out the ballasting of these peat roads it will be advisable to obtain a supply of rails and trucks, as any other means will be too expensive. Ballast-pits in the most convenient places have been laid off in the subdivision of the Crown land so as to facilitate the execution of this work. Slop-banks. —To date six and a half miles of stop-banks have been constructed along the foreshore and the banks of the Awanui River, Pairatahi and Waimanone Streams. Throughout this distance a drain has been'constructed alongside the bank, so as to provide for internal drainage and the leading of the water to the flood-gates. In addition four and a half miles of bank have been constructed with the grader, but this will later be converted into the bank-and-ditch type as described above. The policy during the coming year will be to link up as far as possible the different sections

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that have been completed. Owing to erosion taking place at some points it will be necessary to construct small protective works, as the line of the stop-banks will otherwise be eventually threatened. The construction of the necessary concrete flood-gates was also undertaken, and so far seven of these have been completed. Supplies. —Last winter puriri had to be used in place of coal as fuel on the Priestman dredge. This was due to the difficulty in the previous summer in obtaining coal; and when coal was obtainable the Awanui-Kaitaia Road was unfit for carting. However, this winter there will be no difficulty about fuel, as six months' supply for all dredges has been obtained and carted on to the most convenient points. The position with regard to the supply of timber lias eased considerably, and it is not anticipated that there; will be the same difficulty in obtaining the supplies required for carrying out the work. Surveys. —During the year six and a half miles of road was surveyed, also one mile of riverdiversions. The subdivision of 4,1.00 acres of Crown land was completed, and the boundary between two other sections was adjusted to conform with the drainage scheme. The field-work for eleven miles of stop-bank along the Pairatahi, Awanui, and Waipapakauri Rivers was completed. Proposed Works for Year 1922-23. —The following is the list of major works proposed to be carried out during the next year: (I) Dredging Kaitaia River; (2) dredging Waihoe; channel; (3) dredging Whangatane spillway; (4) deepening drains, Pukepoto district; (5) linking up stopbanks and construction of flood-gates. Works Expenditure. —The total expenditure for the year was £32,158 75., which sum includes the price of the new dredges. The principal items were—Day labour, £7,562 ; piecework, £7,316 ; and hire of teams, £1,259. During the year the Engineer, Mr. R. J. Cornwell, resigned his position with the Department, and the works are now carried out under the supervision of Mr. R. G. Macmorran, Land-drainage Engineer. Wauh Drainage Area (22,720 Acres), Tauranga County. The development of this scheme was advanced a further stage during the year, as Priestman dredge No. 5 reached the Main East Coast Road whilst engaged in excavating the Wharere canal. The dredging of 108 chains of this canal cost £1,995 lis. Id., whilst the total spoil removed was 77,535 cubic yards, averaging (M7d. a cubic yard. This dredge is now engaged in deepening this canal as it proceeds down towards the Waihi estuary. The construction of this canal has enabled some of the subsidiary drains on the western side to be undertaken, but the full effect of this canal will not be felt until the dams in the canal are removed. These dams were constructed behind the dredge so as to keep the water-level at an even height for the flotation of the dredge. The following table shows the amount of spoil dredged and costs per cubic yard for the last five yca,rs:— Cubio Yards Cost per J Cubic Yaiila. Cubi(J Yara 1917-18 .. .. .. .. .. ..55,538 4-57 d. 1918-19 .. .. .. .. .. .. 20,780 7-67 d. 1919-20 '.. .. .. ... 4.4,250 9-29 d. 1920-21 .. .. .. .. .. .. 63,495 7-77 d. 1921-22 .. .. .. .. .. ..77,535 6-17 d. The new drains constructed between the Wharere and the Kaikokopu total 240 chains. These drains form part of the scheme for draining the area which was surveyed into sections last summer. Some 75 chains of the Mangatoetoe Stream, from its junction with the Kaikokopu Stream, were improved, so that now the final depths have been obtained. This work will have to be continued during the coming year. The clearing of 120 chains of drain was also carried out. At the beginning of 1922 two American steel dipper dredges, with steel pontoons, were transhipped *to this area. One was delivered at the upper end of the Pongakawa River, near the railway, whilst the second was delivered in the Waihi estuary. The erection of the former was commenced, towards the end of January. The steel pontoon was launched, and the erection of the machinery is now well under way, and this plant should be working in May. This dredge will commence on the straightening of the Pongakawa River, working from the upper end. This work will necessitate the construction of practically a new channel, as the old channel is very narrow and tortuous. The dredge will use kerosene instead of coal as fuel, and consequently this will reduce to a minimum the cost of transportation. As soon as the first dredge is completed the erection gang will shift down to the estuary and commence the erection of the second dredge, which will carry out work at the lower end of the Pongakawa River. The development of the roading and draining of the area of Crown land that has been subdivided will be carried on during the coming year, whilst the draining of the freehold lands south of the railway will also be attended to. With regard to land for selection, certain sections along the Main East Coast Road are now available, and by next summer still more sections should, be available. The total cost of the works during the year (including the new dredges) was £22,324 19s. Day labour amounted to £2,342 15s. 9d. The Engineer in charge is Mr. R. G. Macmorran, Land-drainage Engineer. Poukawa Drainage Area (13,567 Acres), Hawke's Bay County. Owing to the dispute with the Native owners of portion of the area affected by this scheme being still unsettled, it has been impracticable to start operations on this area. The pontoon and buildings are in good order, and are in charge of a caretaker, who takes readings of the rainfall and the lake-level. The rainfall for the year was 29-31 in., which is practically an average rainfall, as our records show an average fall of 29-56 in. during the past five years. The expenditure for the year was £165 12s. Bd.

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HiKijRANCi Drainage Area (50,000 Acres), Whangarei County. The preliminaries in connection with the excavating-work were put in hand about the end of July, 1921. This work consisted of the selection of sites for the main camp, blacksmith and machine shop, store-sheds, &c, also the locations for the different machines on arrival. The erection of the camp, etc., was commenced in August, about five-men being employed. The tents erected for the men were-8 ft. by 10 ft., with 10 ft. by 4 ft. flies, being built on wooden frames, with similar flooring and skirting. Two scow-loads of machinery arrived during August, and the work of erecting the three Bucyrus shovels was arranged for with the Whangarei Engineering Company, the erection being done at the Whangarei Town Wharf. It was decided to run these machines from Whangarei to the works under their own power. This distance is about sixteen miles —thirteen and a half miles by road and two and a half miles through private property. An inspection of the route disclosed several bridges of insufficient strength to carry the steam-shovels (about 32 tons each), but by diversion of the route through private property it was only necessary to erect two bridges on the main road, while another four small bridges were erected over creeks having to bo crossed adjacent to the works. Two of the shovels were erected by the middle of November, and the journey from Whangarei to working-sites accomplished without mishap of any kind —each shovel taking about five and a half days on the journey. According to the makers this is the longest continuous run that this class of inachinc has ever undertaken, and several heavy grades were encountered en route. Tenders were called for the carting of the locomotives, compressors, and other plant, also for the delivery of coal, timber, and general goods, and very satisfactory prices were received. The third Bucyrus shovel arrived at the works on the 24th December —also under its own power. A fair amount of workwas necessary on these shovels before they could commence digging-operations. It was found advisable during the journey from Whangarei to keep the stiff-arm jib on machine, and these had to be removed and drag-line jib erected at works ; the boilers were also lagged, and machines put in running-order. Two of the machines were in full working-swing at the beginning of December, and were engaged in stripping the No. 1 cut. The third machine, which had to ford the river, commenced work at the beginning of February. The particulars of the shovel-work are as follow : - Cut No. 1. —This cut runs from the initial point of the work for a distance of about 9 chains, where it links on to the No. 1 lagoon —an old crater. The stripping on this cut was carried out by two steam-shovels to their full jib capacity, and until the main reef was met with an average depth of 9 ft. was got out, the work being completed at the beginning of February. The No. 12 shovel was then fixed with the stiff-arm jib and bucket, and worked into face at beginning of cut, while the No. 13 was placed at the opposite end in order to clear large boulders with the grips. The strippingwork on this cut was much more difficult than anticipated, large boulders being freely mixed through the clay right to the surface, while a seam of hard pan was also encountered. This necessitated a considerable amount of drilling and explosives. Two of the lngersoll-Rand compressors were put in position, and air-leads coupled up for five jackhiammers. Owing to the awkward lay of the rock at this end some time was occupied before a working-face was obtained. This also proved to be much more difficult country than anticipated ; the rock was found to be split up into large blocks, the seams being filled with clay, making both boring and shooting difficult, very little actual solid rock being met with. Under the circumstances, however, good progress was made in spite of the difficulty in procuring wheels and materials for trucks, these being only available this month. Cut No. 2. —The No. 14 Bucyrus shovel commenced the clay-stripping on this cut on the 3rd February. The rock here is on a higher level than that in No. 1, consequently the stripping is more shallow. Better going was experienced, although in some places heavy boulders ran to the surface. Cut No. 3. This cut was commenced by the No. 13 steam-shovel on the 7th March. Similar country to" that in cut No. 2 was met with, although the rook was heavy at the start. The following is a summary of the output of the steam-shovels for the different (Hits. As a considerable amount of changing was done at the commencement of excavation-work the output of each cut is shown, and the steam-shovel working-hours. ~ , ~ , , ('lay- Rook. Total Output. Cut I)a y S WOrked Cub. yd. Cub. yd. Cub. yd. No. 1 .. .. ..74 6,040 5,260 11,300 No. 2 .. .. ..29 3,400 1,150 4,550 No. 3 .. .. ..6 560 140 700 109 1.0,000 6,550 16,550 The approximate cost of excavation is Is. 9-74 d. per cubic yard. Water-supply.- -A considerable amount of time was lost by the shovels in having to stop and probably shift positions in order to draw water. This has now been overcome by the installation of two 'rams for No. 1 cut, and delivering to two 600-gallon tanks at a high level, thus enabling the machine to draw from tanks while working. During March an engine (oil) and pump were procured and installed in a central position on cut No. 2, and are now delivering to tanks for the same purpose. From these tanks a line is also being run to the machine on No. 3 cut. About 1,700 ft. of piping has now been installed. Compressors. —Altogether seven of these machines were procured, two being placed on No. 1 cut and two on No. 2 cut, and one at the blacksmith's shop for driving drill-sharpening plant, the remaining two being at present held as spares. Bridges. —In order to get the steam-shovels from Whangarei to works and over the creeks adjacent to works the following bridges were constructed : One 24 ft. by 12 ft., and one 18 ft. by 12 ft., on main road ; one 27 ft. by 12 ft., one 18 ft. by 12 ft., one 15 ft. by 12 ft., and one 13 ft. by 12 ft., inside working-area ; one 35 ft. by 2 ft. footbridge at camp. The timber for these bridges was got from bush in the locality. Several approaches had also to be made, and in places fascined and metalled.

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Buildings and Tents, die. A punt 21 ft. by 10 ft. is under construction. This will be used for communication from eastern side of river across No. 2 lagoon to No. 2 cut, and the conveying of coal, &c. A concrete septic tank was installed at camp, and discharge-pipe run overhead across creek to lagoon No. 3. Blacksmith's Shop.- -This shop is in full working-order, and the machine-sharpening (compressedair power) plant doing good work. The class of rock met with has been very heavy on the drills, owing to the seams and honeycomb. Fitting-shop. —This shop is now fairly well equipped for ordinary jobs : a good lathe and power drill have been installed. An oil-engine was purchased to give the necessary power, and this is being installed. Locomotive and Trucks-Two oil-locomotives are on the works, but at present only one has been in use on No. 1 cut. About 300-odd feet of tramway has been laid in this cut, and the locomotive has been doing satisfactory work. The truck-bodies were built on the works, the bodies being kahikatea and the bearers kauri. These were built as cheaply as possible, but it will soon be advisable to procure metal bodies, as the price of same is falling considerably. Some platform tipping-trticks constructed of hardwood will also be necessary in order to deal with large boulders, and the design has been got out for same. General. -The steam-shovels have done very satisfactory work. Their output, of course, was considerably reduced on account of the water trouble, while the coal-consumption has been very high owing to the firebars being too open for the class of coal used. Orders have been placed for new grates with smaller spaces. One of these has been delivered, and has made a very considerable reduction in the coal-consumption. Several minor breaks have occurred, and a fair amount of wear noticed in the bucket-teeth and caterpillar sections, also the drag-bucket frame. The drag buckets, of course, are not designed for rock-work, but the country being so mixed they had to deal with a large amount of same, causing wear and straining of the frame. As is natural in works of this kind, and where operations were commenced without all the necessary materials, &c, the breaking into solid-face work is somewhat slow ; also, the machines were new to the drivers ; but for the coming year better progress should be made. The compressors have so far given satisfactory running, although a fair amount of repair work has been done, principally on account of overheating. The fan-belts also caused trouble, and all had to bo renewed. Now that the buildings are nearly completed and the odd. jobs done about the works it will be possible shortly to reduce hands. Works Expenditure.—The total expenditure during the year (including the new American machinery) was £39,620. Of this amount day labour accounted for £2,226 ; the greater part of the remaining expenditure was for plant and machinery. The local officer in charge is Mr. R. S. Logan, Land-drainage Engineer. I have, &c, 0. N. Campbell, The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. Acting Chief Drainage Engineer. SWAMP LAND DRAINAGE ACCOUNT. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended the 31st March, 1922. Receipts. £ . j Payments. Cash in hand, Ist April, 1921 .. .. 29,057 011 Kaitaia Drainage District— £ g. d. £ g. d Debentures issued under Swamp Land Drainage-works, &c. .. 17,434 18 1 Drainage Act, 1915 .. .. 95,000 0 0 Loose tools .. .. 77 11 1 Stores and fuel .. 3,937 2 3 Management and engineering expenses. . .. 1,304 1 10 — 22,753 13 3 Waihi Drainage District — Drainage-works, cfec. .. 2,719 16.11 Loose tools .. .. 8 0 6 Stores and fuel .. 809 7 7 Management and engineering expenses. . .. 743 4 (i 4,340 9 g Poukawa Drainage District— Drainage-works, &c. .. 91 5 0 Management and engineering expenses.. .. 72 0 0 163 5 0 Hikurangi Drainage District — Drainage-works, &c. .. 2,882 611 Live-stock . . .. 6 10 0 Loose tools .. .. 122 13 9 Stores and fuel . . 2,168 3 10 Management and engineering expenses.. .. 1,319 14 5 6,499 8 11 Plant and machinery . . .. 58,299 0 7 Interest on debentures .. ... 13,779 11 9 Cash in hand, 31st March, 1922 .. .. .. .. 18,221 11 11 £124,057 0 11 £124,057 0 11

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SWAMP LAND DRAINAGE ACCOUNT— continued. Balance-sheet as at the 31st March, 1922. Liabilities. Assets. Debentures issued under Swamp Land £ s. d. Kaitaia Drainage District— £ s. d. £ s. d. Drainage Act, 1915 .. .. 223,000 0 0 Drainage-works .. 97,351 18 8 Public Works Pund—Land Improvement Interest Account (proporvote .. .. .. .. 4,563 19 7 i tion chargeable to disSundry creditors for interest on debon- trict) .. .. 13,335 15 7 tures .. .. .. .. 3,989 16 4 [ 110,687 14 3 Sundry creditors .. .. .. 4,389 16 4 Waihi Drainage District — Drainage-works .. 21,522 15 6 Interest Account (proportion chargeable to district) .. .. 3,205 17 4 24,728 12 10 Poukawa Drainage District— Drainage-works .. 2,396 2 11 Interest Account (proportion chargeable to district) .. " .. 492 7 8 2,888 10 7 Hikurangi Drainage District— Drainage-works .. 9,198 8 4 Interest Account (proportion chargeable to district) ... .. 736 I. 6 9,934 9 10 Luildings .. .. .. 546 5 0 Plant and machinery .. .. 66,447 10 10 Looso tools .. .. . . 384 1.5 8 Stores on hand .. .. .. 2,009 10 0 Live-stock .. .. .. 85 4 0 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 9 7 4 Cash in hand .. .. .. 18,221 11 11 £235,943 12 3 £235,943 12 3 J. 11. O'Donnell, Chief Accountant.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (6-5 copies, including maps), £45.

Authority : W. A. G. Skibnek, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 922,

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Hikurangi Drainage Area.

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PLAN OF KAITAIA DRAINAGE DIST.

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PLAN OF WAIHI DRAINAGE DIST.