WATERWAYS COMMISSION.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 628, 29 April 1921, Page 5

WATERWAYS COMMISSION.

SITTING AT WAIUKU. CANAL TO WAIKATO ADVOCATED DEEP-SEA PORT AT WAIUKU. The Waterways Commission havingconcluded its tour through the Waikato district, arrived at Waiuku about noon on Tuesday. After luncheon they were taken down the saltwater creek in a launch by the Waiuku Chamber ot Commerce to view the site of the Jock by means of which the Auckland Harbour Board a few years ago proposed to impound the head waters of the creek at spring-tide level. The taking of evidence commenced in the Courthouse about 3 p.m.< and continued, with an hour’s interval for tea, until 10 at night. Albert Ghezzi, of Otaua, farmer, deposed he had known the Aka Aka channel since his childhood. It had always been the navigating channel. Since the groynes were put in it had not been nearly so good. One had now to go down to the Maori canal to get into it except at high tide. He did not think the settlers would receive any benefit from a canal if constructed, nor would they be prepared to pay rates for it.

C. A. Irwin, Aka Aka, a member of the Drainage Board, gave evidence as to, the groynes injuring Mangawhero district. The usual outlet was not now available owing to the lift in the river occasioned by the groynes, and the water now had .to be taken a long way round and discharged below the groynes. The groynes also caused floods to rise higher and remain up longer. J, Sherrard thought that if a canal were put in it would not injure drainage if it were kept at low water level. Did not think it would benefit the settlers or that they ought to pay rates fo.r it. F. Hull, chairman of the Otaua Drainage Board, said that if a canal were put in it would not injure drainage if it were kept at a. low tide level. Could not see any benefit in it for the settlers or that they should be -rated for it.

Wm. L. West, Otaua, thought the canal would be a detriment rather than a benefit. It would prevent* drainage into the Awaroa. He could not see any benefit likely to accrue from a canal, as the creeks provided what w'ater carriage was needed and, with the railway, fully provided for the needs of the district. There was no demand among farmers for a canal in fact they were all opposed to it. Certain business people, however, favoured the project. Mr S. Sellers gave evidence on similar lines.

Asked if he had any further evidence. Mr Wily said that there were two or three witnesses he wished to cali in the evening, but they were not yet in attendance.

Mr H. O. Mellsop, County Councillor for the Awhitu Riding, said he did not think any system of river ti aining would either injure or benefit the Aka Aka and Otaua. The canal would be an improvement to drainage if the lock was put on the high land. He would always have been willing to pay rates for a canal, but he believed he was exceptional in this respect. He favoured putting a lock at Karaka Point and impounding the waters of both the Waiuku and Mauku creeks. A lock at the Needles would be of no use to his district. With a road across the embankment at Karaka Point, Awhitu people could reach the railway at Papakura. It would be possible to establish a hydro-electric power station from the overflow from the lock. If the interest and sinking fund on this proposal came to £IO,OOO annually he did not think Awhitu Riding could pay it. Their present rates came to under £2OOO per year.

R. J. Harris, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, said he wished to state that the Chamber consisted ns much of farmers as of business men. The Chamber strongly desired a canal with a lock at the Needles or further down. This would be a link in the chain of waterways between Helensville and Hamilton. He said the lock had been a proposal of the Auckland Harbour Board. He was unable to furnish any statistics as to what trade there would be on the canal, but he considered that the hulk of the goods now carried by the railway would go by water. It was, however, possible that the rates would he higher. The Waikato largely supplied Auckland with cereals The Chamber of Commerce had no estitmate of the cost of tin? canal and lock. (To be continued in Tuesday s issue).