DISCOLORATION OF TARUHERU RIVER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 349, 25 February 1902, Page 2

DISCOLORATION OF TARUHERU RIVER.

(To the Editor of tho Times.) Sir, —Our community has of late been much concerned to know the reason why tho Tarnheru river is at times of a dirty brown or blood-red color. Many causes have been suggested, and perhaps the most popular is that it is caused by tho local freezing works discharging tho blood from the works into tho river. It may be interesting for the Gisborno people to know that while at Tolago Bay last Wednesday, I observod the same discoloration in a small stream running through the Hauiti Pah into the Uawa river near tho ferry. I also noticed a larger stream (which you cross going to Tolago immediately beforo getting on to the Paremata sand-hills) draining the Paremata flats and discharging towards Cook’s Cove, discolored in the same way. Along the banks of both these streams thero is raupo and other swamp vegetation growing. I enquired from the Natives the reason for this discoloration and they stated that it is caused by tho bad discharge from the roots of various plants, such as flax, raupo and other plants which grow on the edge of fresh water and that at certain times it is more marked and noticeable than at others. Sometimes one will hardly notice it, while again at other times the water will be the color of dark blood. The Natives (so they told me) will never drink this water for tho reason that in tho discoloration are certain medicinal properties drawn from tho roots of the plants which affect you. As one old Native said: “ If you had a complaint for which you required that kind of medicine, it might bo good ; but if you had something else wrong with you it might do you harm.” Another Native, who had for very many years lived on the bank of one of these discolored streams told me that he would never drink this water, but instead drew his water from a well near by. After seeing the discoloration in these Tolago streams (where there is absolutely nothing to contaminate them except vegetation), and after hearing the views of tho Natives on the matter, I have no doubt whatever that the discoloration of the Taruheru river is purely caused through the discharge from tho roots of the plants which grow and decay on its banks, for where the Taruheru river runs through tho Taruheru and Makauri Blocks, there is a considerable amount of raupo and other vegetation growing upon its banks, and at that portion of the river the water is comparatively still, especially when the tide is backing up the fresh water. After all this discoloration is characteristic of all fresh water throughout the district where such water is held in a comparatively still condition such as in a lake or swamp. Examine the water in Kempthorne’s Lake, Repongaere Lake, or tho Tiniroto Lake, and you will find it of an uninviting, dirty brown color, discolored, no doubt, in the same way as the above mentioned Tolago streams. Similarly when we get the dam constructed at the Waihirere water works (and should it by chance or b.y the expenditure of a very large sum of money —not yet contemplated—hold water) you will find that - the water there will have the same appetising look, for there is a very nice nucleus in a raupo swamp within the area which is to hold the water behind the dam, which will give all swampy vegetable life a splendid start. It is also to be borne in mind that ’Waihirere is the head of the Taruheru stream, and what affects Taruheru water lower down may affect it it its head. This perhaps is beside- tho question, for Gisborne people can swallow ixtraordinary things at times, so, no loubt, they will see their way to swallow i little raupo or other vegetable juice with heir Waihirere water with a good relish tnd pleasant smile. However, this Ido rust, that none of the supporters of Vaihirero, when they do get their water, nd find it of a chocolate hue, will e so unkind as to say that through ome mysterious way one of the freezing •’orks has been discharging the blood :om its works into their water supply, lor would I suggest for a single moment • sat the supporters of the Waihirere '.- iheinc would be so sceptical and thinsinned as the natives are about using it, ut on the contrary, I hope they will be ole to drink it with a good relish and be ole to say the color makes no difference rd it is really good and pure water, and lat what is not good enough for the laori is good enough for the white man, id that the Maoris are too particular to what they will and will not drink.— am, etc., Douglas Lysnar.