NOT YET COMPLETED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 138, 6 August 1941, Page 5

NOT YET COMPLETED

WORK AT MOUTH OF RANGITAIKI UNEXPECTED HOLD-UP Commencing some three weeks ago the Land and Survey Department at Thornton expected' to have the cut through the sand bank at the mouth of the Rangitaiki River completed last week, but unexpected difficulties were encountered when it was thought only a few hours work remained' On Thursday last it was fully anticipated that the cut would be completed' and that instead of the river winding its way around the forty chain sand bank it would have ;> straight run to sea but this did not eventuate and the workmen ■ have been busy each day since endeavouring to bring about the desired result. This task is undertaken periodically by the Department so that the best drainage possible is obtained for the Rangitaiki Plains, and during the past six years has been undertaken on four occasions. The sand bank builds up from timei to time as a result of the river and sea action, and, when it reaches it forty or so chain limit, then the workmen again correct its course. The canals of the Plains clear more speedily when the straight course carries the large volume of water of the Rangitaiki straight through, but it is stated by the engineer that the backing up of the river water by the tidal action is not as great as commonly believed, as the fall provided through the Plains is sufficient to prevent this occurring. However, although the benefit of the work is not as far reaching inland as might be thought by many it is of considerable value to the lands nearer the coast.