BAY OF PLENTY LANDS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 883, 1 August 1910, Page 5

BAY OF PLENTY LANDS.

, ,; ■ y ■ BIG DRAINAGE-SCHEME. ■ ' ■'\ . Some interesting particulars ■as to tho proposed scheme in connection with the unwatcring of the Rangitaiki ' swamp, Bay of Plenty, were ' furnished to a Dominion representative by Mr. W. D. S. Macdonald, member for the Bay of Plenty."-' Ho said that if the Government's measure on the subject was passed, the first contract would probably be let in September, and the work pushed l on vigorously. In all about three years would, bo occupied in the work, and the cost would bo about ,£120,0(10. The operation of greatest urgency was the opening of a channel for 'the Rangitaiki Rivor, which went off at right angles a short distance from the sea and followed a very tortuous course. About three-quarters of a mile of dredging would be required to give it a straight channel to the sea about eight' miles from . Matata. This operation, which was estimated to cost .£'sooo, would lower the water in the swamp by about six feet, and would give relief to a largo number of' settlers on the upper part of the swamp. Tho principal streams draining tho swamp were the Tarawera, Raugjtaiki, and Orini Rivers, and these would either have to .bs deepened or new channels cut. The greatest difficulty was presented by the Tarawera' River, tho course of which had been completely altered by deposits from Lake Tarawera. A new. channel would have to bo opened for some distance in this case. Mr. Macdonald added that the drainage operations were estimated to cost from £1 to .41 10s. per acre. Besides the Rangitaiki swamp in the Whakatane County which tho Government proposed to drain, negotiations were proceeding for ninety thousand acres of Uie TJrewora Reserve, fifteen miles away. This was .'aid to be vr>ry fine pastoral country, and very easily workable. On the. north side of Opotiki there were lai'ge areas ot Crown and,. Nativo land under survey. In addition there were areas on tho east and west boundaries of the Urcwora Nativo Reserve which wculd be opened for selection -within the year. Including swamp and' Native laud, Mr. Macdonald estimated that between' three hundred thousand and four hundred thousand acres would be opened in the Bay of Plenty within twelve mouths.