LAKE ROTOKARI.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 370, 14 December 1882, Page 2

LAKE ROTOKARI.

The following letters were read at last night's meeting of the Borough Council : From Lands Department to Mayor. •' Sir, — Referring to your personal interview with Mr. Kolleston, with respect to reserving Lake Eotokari for a water supply for the Borough of Hawera, I am directed to transmit for your information a copy of a report by the Crown Lands Ranger, irorn which you will learn that the lake, is not suitable as a source for a water supply for Hawera. " Mr. Rolleston does not, however, propose at present that tbe site of the lake should be sold. — I have, &c, 41 H. J. H. Eliott, " Under Secretary." Crown Lands Ranger to Commissioner. "Sir,— l have never visited Lake Rotokari, aud therefore cannot state from persoual observation whether it would be suitable for a water supply for Hawera or not. To visit it aud examine the country around it would require at least four days. " I have, however, obtained trorn Mr. H. M. Skeet, who surveyed (trig.) all the country around the lake all the information that I believe is required. "He states that the water is of a swampy nature, the watershed very limited, no streams flowing into the lake ; it is simply surface water confined in a hollow with swampy bush around, and near the edges not more than two or three feet deep. " He considers it unsuitable for a water supply for Hawera, inasmuch as by the route the pipes would be laid the distance would be about 13 miles, principally through rough bush country, the water not being fit for consumption, it being full of decaying vegetable matter, tbe supply very limited, and the pressure inadequate, the height of the lake being only about 200 feet above Hawera. " Mr. Fiuuerty, surveyor, who has also seen the lake, agrees with Mr. Skeefc in the above matter. " I think tbe above evidence to be conclusive against using the lake for a water supply. Should you require further information, or desire me to make a per* sonal inspection, I will try to do so when the weather settles. — I remain, &c, " G. F. Robinson, " Crown Lauds Ranger."