THE HOROWHENUA LAKE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 June 1911, Page 2

THE HOROWHENUA LAKE.

To the Editor. Sir,—l have noticed one or two paragraphs in your paper relative to the lowering of this lake by 3ft. Gin. Whoever is responsible for this gestion of decrease (a permanent one, 1 presume) is able to placo before all and sundry his reason why and wherefore. To any one cognisant of the lake shallowness, etc., it must bo patent to such a one that the suggested reduction would reduce the lake area hy about onethird. And it would be possible in the summer season, in various placets, tor a horseman to ride from east to west. This may appear far-fetched. Well, the hike, in its deepest parts, which, lay beyond tho centre, r.vri-cs from lOl't. to 12ft. at tho present time; reduce this depth by 3ft. Bin. and allow for somewhat decreased supply hy evaporation, etc., in tho warm season, and the lako is practically reduced as above. Of course, the ■promote]- has considered the effect oil sailing boats, launch draught, from his deductions or want of them. Well, thero will bo less room for tacking, the wind knowledge existing must be altered to suit their existent conditions; for boats must be that same depth below the western hillocks as the lake is reduced ; further, the necessitous pushing out of existing piers, bathing pimt limits the area further. The end of Mr Nevin's landing (Levin side) is 2ft. deep. About a chain fiom the end' of the existing pier of the Boating Club is about-tho 3ft. Gin. present level. The Boating Club would naturally want to extend, say, have to push their pier or landing as far out beyond, tho present depth of 3ft. Gin.', as the landing is Iroin the boat-shed, unless the latter would be shifted out t-o the new line of demarcation. If a lino is drawn from the south-east portion of the lake northwards (for about a mile say) from tho 3ft. Bin. intended level; that space within such a, line and the present shore will indicate the amount of area on the east side that would be terra firina. Say that a beach would he in view from the present margin of the lake, would bo exposed for say a threochaiii depth for the mile of lino mentioned. The slope on the east is an easy grade, but on the west 3ft. Bin. would be less than 1£ chains from the shore. Xorth and south of the lake is mostly silt varying from the Hokio entrance or outlet for most of tho western shore. The necessary output at the Hokio must bo as two to one. That is, it must exceed the flow of the natural tributaries of the north aiul south and. of tho water races, plus springs (if any). Everyone knows that the lake does not get the patronage that would accrue, from the presence of a purer watery element, that's poz! To lower the lake 3ft. Bin. to get rid of most of the stagnant water, and so as tho Hokio could be gradually flushed out of it—that refaction would be not too much. I ben for the lake to fill up by rainrail and existing supplies to a rational level of, and equalling a re-duction-of 2ft. 1 believe this to be pontic, reasonable and seasonable depth. This reduction of 2ft. as against 3ft Gin. will eive ample spare for a. road for vehicles, and broad lvaJks nearest the lake edge for pedestrians, etc., etc. To specify 'that 350 acres (approximate), I presume, can he reclaimed !>v a 3ft. Gin. reduction sounds economical and' politic, but Levin's onlv existing asset needs to he considered not onlv from a reclamation point of view but supremely as a resort (par excellence) for hoatinsr. swim.mino- n nd scenic purposes. T use the tern par excellence." for when the water is purer and the smell of thines as thev are at present are eliminated and a good sound promenade is in evidence on the cost a fielded srmrt, f nr the. attrao. of victors will have been made there might be an excuse for a Mutual Admiration Society. I co , n

eider that beyond a 2ft. reduction in depth existing islands will be tih'e mainland if 3ft. 6in. motion is carried. Sir, on our local debating society lately the question of tho necessity, or absurdity, of lowering the road to the station was argued. I suggest that t'lie lowering of the lake to the promoters of 3ffc. Gin. be made a subject for debate also. — Yours, etc., W. M. F.