GATES IN PATEA RIVER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1728, 19 April 1913, Page 5

GATES IN PATEA RIVER.

CHEAP WAY TO SCOUR, CHANNEL. . (By.Telegraph.-Special.Correspondent.) Wanganui, April 18. ■' Considerable interest is. being evinced Sn South Taranaki in regard to the Patea harbour proposals which have been al-' tered considerably. The former scheme which involves an expenditure of between .£IOO,OOO .and .£150,000 has been abandoned for a scheme providing for the erection of in the Patea. When the tide is fully in it is proposed to close the gate down and to -release tho. water at low tide. It is. anticipated that,the 'outrush of water .would then create a big scour and have the same effect, (but in a somewhat lesser degree) that would be obtained were Sir John C'oodc's scheme carried out. : • Tho. engincerrin-chief looks upon tho proposal favourably and' estimates .that 'the work could be done at a cost of not more than ,£20,000. The Works Commit.tee intends to vfcommend to the Pull' Board that the idea be adopted and that h loan ; of between .£50,000 and .£(50,000 be raised for the, dual purpose of carrying but. tjie work' and consolidating existing. Joans. .■>,■•■ ~ .J; i'lt is anticipated that, if the proposed scheme is adopted, ib will not be necessary to,collect the rate that would.have to be struck to. pay interest and'provide' sinking fund on the loan. ' The present revenue received from port charges ex-1 coeds the expenditure by about ,£IOOO a year, or. nearly -.sufficient to meet the charges on'the now loan.- :