TUTAEKURI RIVER MOUTH

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 142, 3 July 1937, Page 4

TUTAEKURI RIVER MOUTH

Recent Work Proving Succes8ful GOOD FRESH WANTED General satisfaction with the manner in which the Tuteakuri river is new emptying itself into the sea from its new mouth is felt by officials of the Hawke's Bay Rivers Board. All that is required now to make a thorough clearance of the opening is a good fresh or flood in the river. It is now just over two weeks sin'ce tlc river waters were turned through the specially constructed channel and made to open up a mouth for itself, instead of entering the sea through the mouth of the Ngaruroro river, as has been the case during the past two years or so. During the last ten days workmen have been engaged in oompleting the south bank, ensuring a oomplete severance with the other river. This work has now been completed and both banks are among the major works in the £100,000 diveajsion scheme, are now: finished. "All "we want to make a, thorough job of the whole thing now is a_ good flood," said Mr O. Lassen, chairman of the board this morning, when queationed regarding the new mouth. "Everything has been ontirely satisfactory so far and the Tutaekuri is behaving itself wonderfully. The mouth opened up splendidly and gurprisingly enough it has never been blocked. "Consideriug the mouth was opened under normal conditions with no more than average pressure from the river waters, it has been rather a , surprise to find that there has been no blockage,'' he said. "Witix the two banks finished there wijl not be the slightest trouble now, and a good flood would clear away all .the metal and open up a good month for the river." It was just over two years ag-o that the Tutaeknri river was diverted et Meeanee from its original course into the Inner Harbour and made to flow to the east and enter the Ngaruroro river in the vicinity of the Waitangi Washout. Then followed months of work preparing ihe channel, constructing banks, and erecting a groyne aeross the mouth. Some months ago it was hoped to divert the Tutaekuri river again to give it'a separate mouth into the sea but sufficient waters could not be accumulated in th© river. However, tbe task of steadily weakeningi the barrier to the sea was successful in having the desired result, about two weeks ago.