WAIHOU RIVER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4343, 13 October 1950, Page 9

WAIHOU RIVER

SURVEY TO BE MADE

POLICY CHALLENGED

WHERE START SHOULD BE MADE

“When improvements in the higher areas are (being contemplated the effect they will have on the land lower down should be taken into consideration—before doing anything I think that the flow of the Waihou river at the mouth should he checked,” maintained Mr D. G. McMillan, at the September meeting of the Hauraki 'Catchment Board when a report dealing with the preliminary inspection of work in the Matamata area of the board’s district was submitted by the board’s engineer, Mr G. Davies.

Mr McMillan said that when he first came on the board he thought the major improvement works should start at the lower end of the board’s area, gradually extending to the 'higher -areas provided they did not have a detrimental effect lower down.

“What I am concerned a/bout is the fact that these small improvements higher up must eventually affect people lower down. I am very concerned (indeed with every drop of ivater that goes downstream.,’ Mr McMillan said he had been called “the watchdog of the lower district.” This may or may not be correct, but he did think that matters like those at present being discussed by the board should be considered very carefully. Mr H. M. .Corbett (chairman) remarked that.it was difficult to define the dividing line and the board should not hold up works which would have no effect lower down. However, he agreed with Mr o‘. G. Thornton, Public works engineer, that it should be standard practice when considering works in higher districts to obtain an indication of the likely increase in the flow of the rivers in the lower regions, because as it was, the stopbanks were fully taxed now. Mr Davies stated that the Matamata inspection had been made with the assistance of Messrs Davidson and Carter in response to written applications to the board. . ’ Details of Proposal At Te Poi from a good vantage point the drainage difficulties of a large peat area were explained and briefly the position was that the area had a fair altitude draining naturally in three directions. A drainage scheme could be arranged from either of these outlets which would have to be constructed through other properties. There was about 200 acres ol good quality peat land which would benefit apart from isolated areas that might be improved along the course of the stream.

The area was similar to the TirohiaRotokohu drainage area, but smaller in size. Main drains should be located in the best positions to serve the area when the peat would-have been consolidating for a long period of years. A comprehensive survey involving peat borings would be required to determine a reasonable location for the main draft and to find out what length of outlet would need attention.

Willows Gaining Hold

Another area at Te Poi was inspected where a small section of land vzas reverting to rushes due to lack of drainage. At Matarpata a stretch of land along the Mangawhera stream was viewed. This land had no clearance- over the water level in normal wiinter conditions, and was deteriorating as far as drainage was concerned, and pussy willows were gaining a hold.

TWo other areas (one of about 100 acres and the other of about 120 acres) of good flat country in fairly tall manukau were seen at Hinnera. These two sections were close to the Mangawhera stream also, and they could be brought into pasture when the stream had been reconstructed or cleared. The channel of the stream was at present well filled with weeds, bull rushes and willows and it had been considered that it could be effectively opened up with the board s new weed bucket.

Big willow trees growing out over the water in the Waihou river from the opposite bank of one Matamata property had diverted flood waters towards the banks on other neighbouring .properties and had recently taken away as much as a 14ft. strip about three chains long of good pasture country. The willow trees causing all the trouble could be cut off at the stumps and these could be left to grow to protect the bank which held them. The work was urgent and could be done by two axemen, aided by a small boat, together with tractor and winch.

Discussion on the proposals concluded with a decision being made to carry out a preliminary survey of the work;