Tutaekuri River

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 1, 16 January 1937, Page 4

Tutaekuri River

* PERMANENT M0UTH Not Enough Water to Effect Opening PREPARATIONS IN VAIN . Hopes were entertained by officials' oi the Hawke's Bay Rivers Board last evening that the opportunity would be presented to-day for the opening-up oi the proposed new, and hoped for permanent, mouth to the Tutaekuri River. in the vioinity of the Washout Bridge. However, there was not sufficient water in the river to 6erve the purpose and the attempt to carry out the project was not made, though arrangements were all ready for doing so if conditions were suitable. Settlers in the back country reported yesterday morning that very heavy rain was falling and the indications pointed to a contmuance of the rain. All the rivers rose sharply during the* day, though there was no immediate danger of flooding. In the late afternoon the Tutaekuri had reached haif-fiood and it was the possibility of a further rise in the water-level that prompted the hope that the long-awaited opportunity. of finishing off the Tutaekuri di^ersion soheme, by the diverting of the mouth from the Ngaruroro River into the sea, had arrived. Arrangements were made by the board for the men to be on hand at the scene firet thing this morning so that should there be a sufficient volume of water in the fiver an attempt to opeu up the new mouth could be made. However, the altered conditions rendcred these arrangements futile and no attempt was made. "There has to be a good rise in tha river before we can hope to parryout the proposal," said Mr. C Lassen, chairman of the board, when questioned regarding the project. "Early last night the river was only in half flood and there was not sufficient water in the river for our purpose. The engineCr, Mr Rochfort, doubted whether there had been enough rain in the backblocks tv bring the river up to the helght wa would like it. "Anyway we were ready for openmg up if there was enough water in the river to do it," he added, "We will now have to wait for a while before making the attempt."