CATCHMENT BOARD ACTIVITY REVIEWED

Putaruru Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 1403, 23 November 1950, Page 2

CATCHMENT BOARD ACTIVITY REVIEWED

FOUR YEARS’ OPERATIONS Piako River Improvements The annual report of the chairman of the Hauraki Catchment Board, Mr H. M. Corbett, who represents the combined boroughs of Morrinsville, Matamata, Putaruru and Te Aroha, and who has been re-elected unopposed for a further term, has been released. The report covered proceedings since the inaugural meeting of the board on August 29, 1946, and briefly set out what had been attempted and accomplished since then. In the early part of its existence the board’s administrative work was performed by the Piako County Council, and its engineering work by the Ministry of Works. However, with the growing demand for attention to problems within its province it soon became apparent the board should engage _ its own staff, which now comprised a secretary-treasurer and typiste, three engineers, four survey assistants and two plant operators. The chief engineer was in charge, while his first assistant and three survey assistants were working on the survey and investigation of the Piako river improvement scheme, which also included the Maukoro canal project. The second engineer and one assistant were ‘working on proposals for internal drainage authorities and on minor river works. Contracting Difficulties In the early stages all work was done by contract, but owing to the difficulty in obtaining suitable contractors, or of getting them at the right time, it was necessary for the board to obtain its own plant. Acquisition of sufficient plant would take many years, but a start had been made v/ith a dragline excavator and accessories. A bulldozer, equipped with blade and winch was on order, with delivery expected this j r ear. All plant was purchased by short term loan through the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Despite the board’s acquisition of plant, however, much work was still let by contract as existing plant could not possibly cope with it. However, possession of plant meant that urgent works would not be held up. The board’s first priority problem was the unsatisfactory state of the Piako river with its recurrent flooding of parts of the Hauraki Plains and Piako basin. In June, 1949, a start was made on the investigation and survey of the river improvement scheme with which was associated the possible completion of the Waitakaruru-Maukoro canal. Steady progress had been maintained, and within the next few months field work should be completed. The chief engineer would then draw up several alternative schemes for improvement,. They were required for comparison for economic purposes. Willow Spraying Proposed willow spraying and clearing on the Piako river this summer and the proposed enlarging' of the Waikaka canal, would ail’crd some immediate benefit to the Hauraki Plains, and allow minor wori' to be carried out in the upper reaches of the Piako river without detriment to lands on the . lower reaches. No full scale benefit could be expected until major improvements were completed. A detailed survey 6f the Waihou river had not yet been made. Although considerable capital works were performed between 20 and 30 years ago by the Ministry of Works under the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Act, 1910, it was apparent that further capital works would be required in places on the Waihou, but until a detailed survey was made no reliable information could be given. The survey would be tackled when the Piako was completed. ' However, minor stopbanking works had been carried out and it was proposed to clear willows this summer between Te Aroha and Mangaiti, placing the river in a reasonably satisfactory condition. It was hoped when investigations proceeded that some improvements could be made on the lower reaches, similar to the immediate proposals for the Piako. That should allow minor work on the upper reaches where deterioration caused several drainage problems which, pending a better outlet, required immediate attention. Year’s Work Reviewed The following construction and reconstruction works were carried out by the board during the year ended September 30, 1950: Maratoto river (Gabion groynes), cost £502; Warhou river (minor stopbanks), £582; Waitakaruru stream (willow clearing), £1069; Starkey’s road stream (reconstruction), £750; Waikumete stream (reconstruction), £708; Topehaehae stream (reconstruction), £136; Tauhei road drain (reconstruction), £470; Johnson’3 drain (reconstruction), £343; Matatoki canal (topping stopbanks), £625; treeplanting, £258, a total of £5443. Works to bo performed this summer included: Waihou river willow clearing, £2000; Kauaranga river erosion control, £6377; Mangamaire stream reconstruction, £2922; Piako river, willow spraying and clearing, £904; Piakoiti stream reconstruction

(part only this year), £3000; minor works, £2OOO, totalling £17,203. Referring to pest control the report said those which caused most damage to bush clad hills were goats and opossums. In 1949 a compai gn was inaugurated to reduce tlie number of wild goats on the Colville range, 1200 being destroyed. Representations were made this year for funds to pay a bounty on the destruction of opossums.. Stability of the soil on the Colville Range relied to a considerable extent on its protective bush covering, 'and it was the board’s responsibility to ensure that that covering was not intefered with by damage from goats and opossums. Fire Control By-laws were passed in 1949 dealing with fire control and care of water courses generally. The only practical method of fire control was to obtain the co-operation of the farming community, and Mr Corbett thought that once farmers appreciated the necessity for control the problem would gradually disappear. The board’s policy was to move slowly and be sure it was on the right lines before going ahead with any project. Had it wished the board could have gone ahead with many scheme and plunged the district into considerable debt, but it would expend nothing on majorworks until satisfied it would solve the problem. The new board would take office unencumbered with debt.