WAIKATO RIVER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 290, 8 December 1932, Page 3

WAIKATO RIVER.

RECLAMATION SCHEME

DEPARTMENT'S REPORT.

NEED OF CONTROL BOARD

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. After three years' investigation the Public Works Department lias reported on the condition of the Waikato River below Huntly and the practicability of carrying out land reclamation work on the low-lying lands about Rangiriri and Mercer. The Department, in a report signed by the Under-Secretary, Mr. C. J. McKenzie, snys there is 110 need to carry out river works to improve navigation conditions. The Lake Waikare and Whangamarino Swamp schemes should both be abandoned. The clearing of the Onetea Stream of heavy willow growth is recomniendod, and the Department says £2000 couM be advantageously spent 011 this work. It also recommends substantial improvement work to the Whangape Stream to improve the drainage of an area of 6600 acres of swamp land. The cost is estimated at £7040. The proposal to protect the WaahiWhangape section of the Waikato River 011 the left bank, the Department says, would cost £42,000, and would benefit aittMirea of 8000 acres. The expenditure ot 15 an acre involved is not considered justifiable. Several other minor improvements of a similar nature are not recommended for similar reasons. The proposals to clear the willows from the Onetea Stream and dredge the Whangape Stream appear to be works that should be investigated from the standpoint of suitability for relief works.

The Department says there is need for an authority to control the Waikato River. Tributary streams require maintenance to keep willows under control and to improve land drainage, and sonic need dredging. In the main stream serious deterioration of the channel over a period of time is evident, largely due to the uncontrolled growth of willows, to the stranding of snags and live willows with the consequent formation and growth of islands. The necessity of setting up a Waikato River Conservation Board should be brought before th.; district through its Parliamentary representatives, county councils and boroughs. In the meantime any work should be undertaken only on the definite agreement by the county council in whose area the work is, to carry out proper maintenance.