THE WAIKATO RIVER.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17783, 7 August 1929, Page 7

THE WAIKATO RIVER.

SERIOUS SILTING. THE MINISTER TO* INSPECT. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The serious position which is said to have arisen as a result of the silting of the Waikato River will be investigated shortly by the Minister of Public Works, Hon E. A. Ransom, who has arranged to visit the Waikato district on August 17. Representations on the problem have already been made to .the Government, and the Minister of Lands, Hon. G. W. Forbes, during a recent visit was rnet by a deputation at Rangiriri. It was then stated that the drainage of contiguous areas into the river and the hydro-electric development scheme at Arapuni were believed to have been the principal contributing factors to the silling.

It was urged that the Government should take in hand a comprehensive scheme which would guard against the low-lying areas between Hamilton and the'mouth of the river being placed under water Already, it was stated, hundreds of acres of farming lands had been lost through the rising of the river, consequent on the gradual silting process.

Mr Ransom will spend the dgy in making a trip on the river to gain first-hand knowledge of the position. In the evening he will meet a deputation of settlers, either at Mercer or Rangirirl.