HARBOUR RECLAMATION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 231, 12 September 1922, Page 2

HARBOUR RECLAMATION.

POSSIBILITY OF MORE LAND SHORTLY. With reference to cuts being made by the dredge “C.D.K.” and the reclamation scheme generally, the engineer reported to the Napier Harbour Board to-day as follows:— Now that the dredge is nearly free from work in the vicinity of the High School site and Hastings street south, 1 wish to make the following recommendations for a programme of operations which, when carried out, will enable a greater benefit from floods to accrue tiian would be obtained at the present time. The next work proposed to be undertaken is the cutting of a channel about 15 chains long, about 25 chains north of the Richmond cut, to discharge material on to the south side, and thereby allowing floods to convey silt on to the low areas. The next succeeding work for the dredger should, in my opinion, be to cut in through the river bank south of the Richmond cut, making an easier run into the low area. If it is not intended to alter the present course ot the river, then the above proposals, when carried out, would render certain large areas suitable for cutting up for permanent settlement in the very near future, and to this end it is desirable to adopt a scheme of planning and laying out that will fit in with the whole area when ultimately completed. Referring to the Awatoto section of the block, 1 suggest that preparatory stop bank be constructed approximately on the line indicated, so that as soon as available the drainage channel south of the High School reserve be continued to connect with the Awatoto cut. The construction of stop banks should be undertaken at once. When these banks and channels are prepared the placing of a temporary dam in the river to concentrate the diversion of silt-laden flood waters to the respective channels would be very beneficial, and the sympathy of the Rivers Board should be solicited. Arrangements could be made for demolishing the dam electrically in case of emergency, it will also be desirable to have the capacity of the Meeanee bridge increased by the clearing out of the spans that are at present blocked.