THE WAIKANAE WORKS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 41, 15 September 1887, Page 2

THE WAIKANAE WORKS.

THE work at the Grey-street bridge, by which the tide is kept back, although exceedingly simple in construction proves >o be efficient. The two doors by which the flow of the salt water is kept back act very well. The designer has h.id them con* structed of light material, and it is inter* esting to watch the closing of the same when the flood tide is making. The upper portion of the Waikar.ae above the bridge is now dry, no sea water passing through the gates, which shut perfectly tight by the force of the inflowing water. Ths question will soon be solved as to whether that part which was daily covered with the tide will become dry and covered with vegetation. There is a constant soakage from the flat land adjacent thereto and it is not unlikely, unless a drain is made to intercept this soakage tinder the bank, it is more than probable that the bank will not be covered with the green sward, which is so desirable. While writing on this subject it may be remarked that the whole of the light sandy soil on that portion of the Waikanae, Wai* o-Hikarone block, to the left of Grey street might be made very ornamental if fenced in and planted. The willow stumps put in by the iron seats are putting out shoots, and if the same plan were adopted as has been done in Wanganui, viz., all the sandy portions covered with the common mesantryanthimum instead of the sand heap and the receptacle for all the rubbish of back yards and abominations of all kinds as it is now, it would become much enhanced in value and be an ornament to the town. The matter is worth the consideration of those who have an eye to the beautiful. •