AWANUI STREAM

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 90, 3 May 1937, Page 8

AWANUI STREAM

Clearing Work To Be Put In Hand Clearing work to improve the condition of the Awanui Stream is being put in hand by the Hawke's Bay Rivers Board. At to-day's meeting, Mr W. H. Campbell raised the _ question of widening and straightening' the stream. The chairman, Mr O. Lassen, said that the board had approached the Minister with a view to obtaining a £ for £ subsidy for this work on account of the large quantity of water that was coming down from Te Aute. Mr Campbell said it would be a big help towards improving the stream if four extra men were put on immediately to do necessary clearing work. The engineer, Mr G. Roclifort, explained that the main trouble with the stream was the lack. of fall. From the survey made there was only about three feet of fall from Pakipaki to the moutli of the Awanui. He considered that the water level survey should be extended down the old Ngaiuroro. For any great benefit to be derived from the extra men put on( the clearing work shouJd start at the Havelock bridge, which Was the only means of giving relief to the blockage at the mouth of the Awanui. Mr Rochfort explained that the actual service level at Pukahu was higher than that at Pakipaki. During the 1897 flood, Pukahu was an island which held a large number of stock in safety. The channel at Pukahu was 15ft. to 16ft, deep, while at Pakipaki there was not more than two to three feet of water. In addition to the man already employed in clearing work, four other men are to be put on immediatelv, so that the position will be improved before .the winter.