BOARD ON TOUR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32913, 24 September 1947, Page 7

BOARD ON TOUR

CATCHMENT AREA SEEN UPPER VALLEY PROBLEMS INSPECTION OF THE DISTRICT ' About 140 miles were travelled by those Who participated l in the Hauraki Catchment Board’s recent tour of the southern portion of the board’s district. Few cases of soil erosion were encountered, the main problem presenting itself in all areas being that of land drainage. In the morning a number of small streams were visited in the lower part of the district, and in the afternoon the Waihou river watershed was inspected. The cause of much concern over small streams was' the obstruction presented by willow trees, the Waitakaruru stream in the Motumaoho district being probably the worst affected. At various places willows had gained a strong hold, threatening to block the watercourse completely if not promptly removed. As it was the stream overflowed during the wet months, creating a ponding area of the adjacent low-lying strips of land. Where the Tahuroa stream crossed Starkey’s road in the Kiwitahi area, poa aquatica had 1 firmly established itself, infesting and hindering the stream to considerable extent. Poa aquatica was also noted in the Tone- . ftai stream, and together with willow trees and a heavy growth of flax the small outlet was effectively blocked, causing heavy flooding to take place in the winter months. Under Nobody’s Care En route to Matamata where the party had lunch, the Piakoiti stream at Piakowai was seen. ,Six miles of this stream was in the Piakoiti drainage district, but the further six miles to join the Piako river wag under nobody’s control. Maintenance work of a varied nature was required to adjust the flooding taking place in that area also. Lt appeared that because of the shortage of rates this work had not been done. Immediately after Matamata, Tirau was visited, where the engineer to the Matamata County Council, Mr G. Ensor, joined the group for the tour of the Waihou. watershed. On the way an informal call was made to the recently-constituted Borough of Putaruru, the party meeting the Mayor, Mr H. Martin, and the town clerk, Mr Drummond. ’ Starting at Waiohotu in the Mamaku hills, a gully typical of the watershed country was inspected. Mr Ensor at this stage remarked that as there was no visible surface stream which might feed 1 the Waihou river, the water doing so must travel by means of subterranean passages. As there was certainly no indication of a surface stream, the gully at the same time being a deep one, this appeared to be a logical statement. Although there was a lagoon in the area its outlet to the river was not visible. Slight Soil Erosion The first incidence of soil erosion to be seen was when the Omahia stream was visited. The shingle in the bed of the stream appeared to be moved by the force of the water down to the lower levels. Although erosion was apparent it was only of a minor degree. From here the party proceeded back to Te Aroha, stopping at various stages to inspect the Waihou ’river. More willow trees were again seen obstructing the flow of the river. By the end of the day the impression had been gained that improvements in the high areas would not present such great ‘difficulties, but it was doubtful what the effect would be lower down if the water from the higher levels was drained off. It was felt by most of the party that under the circumstances it was necessary, if all water was to be drained effectively into the sea, that improvement wdrk should be commenced from the mouth. Those who took part in the tour were Messrs H. M. Corbett (chairman Hauraki Catchment Board), L. E. Cooke, J. E. Davidson, J. Pohlen, H. R, Thorp, J. Motion, D. G. McMillan, W. A. Rush ton, E. G. Clark; M. J. Thomas (Public Works Department, Paeroa), F. E. Hughes (Thames Valley Drainage Board), the clerk to the Catchment Board, Mr H. Walsh, and representatives of the press. Full Inspection Made

The hoard has now completed an inspection of the whole of its area, the tour having been made in three sections. Late last year the board inspected the Piako river from the junction of the Waitoa river down as far as Ngatea, and last autumn the lower reaches of the Waihou and Piako were visited. The three trips have made ail the members of the board conversant with the whole of the large area covered' by its future operations.