RIVER EXTENSION

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22682, 9 August 1945, Page 4

RIVER EXTENSION

WATERWAY TO AUCKLAND PROPOSAL BEFORE COUNCIL A scheme for providing a waterway from Hamilton to Auckland was suggested by Mr P. Hodgkins, of Auckland, in a letter to the Hamilton Borough Countil last night. He said that this would be achieved by diverting the Waikato River near its mouth into the Manukau harbour and providing a shallow draught channel to the Tamaki estuary for river steamers and barges. The cost of the scheme, it was contended, should be counter-balanced by the enhanced value of the large area reclaimed and by the unearned increment accruing on the land that would necessarily have to be acquired. The work should be done by contract. Canal-borne traffic had proved an economical success in England, and in New Zealand, where petrol had to be imported, water-borne traffic should be encouraged. The deputy-Mayor, Mr E. G. Scrimshaw, moved that the letter be referred to the works committee. Regional Planning The proposal concerned the Regional Planning Council, said Mr W. R. Shattock. It was a huge scheme and had been talked of for many years. No good purpose would be served by referring it to the works committee. Mr Shattock moved an amendment that the letter be referred to the Regional Planning Council. It was seconded by Mr Arthur Fow, who said that in 1912 a commission had investigated the question of the Waikato River and canals. There was a very complete scheme drawn up and a considerable amount of data compiled. “If all major problems of the borough council are to be handed over to the Regional Planning Council I do not know where we will finish as a city,” said Mr A. J. Denz. “We should be very chary of passing anything to the Regional Planning Council. The matter should be discussed by the council before going to any outside body.” Mr Shattock’s amendment was lost. Mr D. C. Street then moved a fuj*ther amendment that copies of the letter should be circulated to councillors and that the matter be held over for consideration at the next council meeting, with members being given an opportunity of perusing the previous data compiled. This amendment was also lost. The matter was then referred to the works committee.