LINKING THE COASTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19676, 30 June 1927, Page 12

LINKING THE COASTS.

WHAU CANAL SCHiEME. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSALS. PREMIUM BONDS SUGGESTED. What were considered the advantages of the Whau Canal scheme over the Tamaki scheme, and the necessity for immediate action in connecting the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours and the Manukau Harbour and Waikato River, were explained, to a meeting at A von dale last evening by Mr. D. G. Russell. Mr. 11. Tiarks, Mayor of Avondale, presided. The Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. F. IT. Potter, was present.

Mr. Russell stated that the canal proposal had been mooted as far back as 65 years ago. At several times starts had been made with proposals, but none had more than passed the initial stages. It was now high time to embark on the best and most economical scheme.

This was undoubtedly the Whau scheme. It- required a canal only one mile long to connect the Waitemata with the Manukau by this scheme, but the latest survey for the Tamaki scheme showed that a canal there would be five miles long. The presence of rock and scoria in the country through which the canal would have to pass had to be taken into consideration, and the scheme would be very costly. Again,-at the Mangere Bridge, which would be the Manukau end of the Tamaki Canal, there was only 4ft. of water at low tide, and only 2ft. at the Tamaki end. None of these difficulties beset the Whau scheme, and there was a good channel from its Manukau end right round to the Manukau end of the canal which was to connect Waiuku and the Waikato. Produce from the rich farmlands of the Waikato and supplies to tho farmers could be carried as far as Cambridge by water. A means of financing tho scheme was outlined by Mr. W. Noton, who said it would mean cheaper transit for farmers with a corresponding reduction in overhead costs. Ho recommended premium bond issues for financing the scheme. At present what he called a technicality in the Gaining Act prevented the issue of premium bonds, but he thought the public would be largely in favour of them and that the Government would sanction their use. The flotation of such a loan in New Zealand would help to combat the gambling evil in the. country.

On the motion of tho chairman it was decided to bring the matter before local bodies and councils interested, so that the entire scheme could be discussed fully at a subsequent meeting.