The Ohinemuri Gazette. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1921.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4228, 14 February 1921, Page 2

The Ohinemuri Gazette. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1921.

PROPOSED CANAL. I One of the very important projects mooted in this district and dropped-because of the stress of war was that of the Awaiti canal, functioning the Waihou and Piako rivers, the route lying between Paeroa and Patetonga. As pointed out by the Thames Valley Drainage Reference Board in the course of a letter to the Minister of Lands, under date of 19th October,' 1917, the large district that would be served by such % canal would have Paeroa as its centre. The cream from the dairy- firms, instead of being carried down the Piako River, across the Hauraki Gulf and up the Waihou, would be brought in direct by a short route, avoiding the tidal bars and delay occasioned by waiting for tides. Metal could be cheaply- and quickly .transported for roading- purposes on the Hauraki Plains lands, and there would be inproved communication generally throughout the district. Another aspect of the matter is that the proposed canal would serve as a safety valve for the surplus flood waters of the Waihou,. which, with regulation by means of suitable gates, *could be passed into the Piako when the latter river is low.. By this method damage would be avoided, and also an outlet would be provided for the drainage works further south. Moreover, the cana] would to some extent relieve the reading difficulty. The whole question needs opening up again by the Thames Valley Drainage Reference Board and by the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce. Tne proposed canal would bring Paeroa within nine miles of Patetonga by- both waterway ami. road, as sßoil thrown up in dredging the canal would form a road. Access to thousands of acres of the richest land in the province would be made to Paeroa, the gain to the farmers and business people would be so great that it is well,worth a powerful and sustained effort to bring the canal proposition to fruition.