AHURIRI LAGOON

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 299, 4 December 1935, Page 4

AHURIRI LAGOON

Drainage Work Progress

The draining of the Ahuriri Lagoon lands, which has been carried on for some time, has now reached a stage when tho benefits from some of the more important aspects of the work can be visualised.

In particular is this noticeable in connection with the area in Greenmeadows contiguous to Saltwater Creek, and extending from there to tho lagoon’s main outlet drais to the Inner Harbour.

In the carrying out of this work a drag-line power-operated scoop, a remarkable tool eminently adapted to the class of work required for the job under notice, was used. Two shifts per day have been at work, and when it is noted that during each shift two chains of channel, with a width of 18 feet at the top and eight feet at the bottom, have been cut, it will be seen that the job has been executed at a minimum cost and is well worth the outlay involved

This channel, which is about 60 chains in length, has been cut by tho Public Works Department, under an arrangement with the Hawke’s Bay County Council, across the Ahuriri flat from the lagoon’s main outlet drain to tho inner harbour, to the outlet of Saltwater creek at the Wharerangi road, a distance of 45 chains from the starting point to the Wharerangi road bridge, and a further. 10 chains from the bridge up the channel of Saltwater ereek towards Park road, at the back of the Napier Park Racecourse in Greenmeadows

There is stated to be a fall of about seven feet at the Wharerangi road bridge, and this fall is maintained to the terminus of the cut.

From the point where Saltwater creek enters the cut, tho creek is in course uf being widened and deepened

by hand labour, and it is calculated that the fall secured in the cut will be maintained in the creek to its junction with the Taradalo main drain in Gloucester street.

The drainage work already completed should have a very beneficial effect on the outflow from Saltwater creek, and provide a sufficient outlet for flood waters to minimise the effect of very heavy rainfalls, from which tjie district suffered heavily several times during the present year,