£250 AVAILABLE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 57, Issue 4028, 9 August 1948, Page 5

£250 AVAILABLE

SILTING OF WAIHOU tree planting in komata CATCHMENT BOARD PROPOSAL “ In an endeavour to arrest the low of silt into the Waihou river the board intends to carry out conservation works on the tributaries of the Waihou river, north of the Ohinemuri river,” stated a letter from the Hauraki Catchment Board to the Ohine- • muri County Council. “ The Soil Conservation and Rivers’ Control Council has made grants available for'thta purpose, such grants not to exceed £250 in respect to any one stream. The ‘only stream affected in your county is the Komata stream. The board considers that tree planting carried out at various points on the stream will have the effect of arresting the flow of silt but before making any actual plans in the matter would ♦appreciate any suggestion or comments from your council. As the money available for the work on the Komata is only £250, the board wishes to make this sum go as far as possible and as your own council will be in a position to know the vagaries of this stream it is hoped you will be able to offer some suggestions in the matter. Planning of the actual work will not proceed until the board’s engineer takes up his duties late in July, when it is hoped that your engineer can assist him by placing his local knowledge sit his disposal.” Opinion of Engineer The > engineer to the Ohinemuri County Council, Mr E. L. Shaw, said at the July meeting that he was inclined to think there was more erosion

taking place in the Maratoto stream than in the Komata, and he pointed out that the tree known as “pussy willow ” at present being planted was taking complete charge of the streams. The chairman, Mr T. A. Barrett, said: “ I cannot understand them planting trees in a stream. When the river improvement scheme started .here they must have spent tens of thousands of pounds clearing the trees ■ out of the rivers.’’ Mr Shaw then pointed out that certain trees like poplars and those which did not spread were quite suitable. Cr. A. F. Thorp moved that the matter be left to the engineer to confer with the engineer of the catchment board when he arrives. Cr. J. A. Lowry seconded the motion which was passed.