THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1921. RIVER NAVIGATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4302, 10 August 1921, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1921. RIVER NAVIGATION.

A remarkably interesting feature of the evidence given before the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Commission during the past few days is that informed witnesses have backed up the finding of the 1910 Commission in respect to the means x that should be adopted to restore the Ohinemuri River to its former degree of navigability. !t has been made plainer than ever that it requires only about a mile of dredging to enable vessels of moderate draught to traverse up to the old railway wharf again. Readers of the “Gazette” will recollect that the 1910 Commisron recommended the clearing of the river from Ngahina wharf upwards, in order that vessels drawing five feet could reach Paeroa town at low water. Just why the Government -has treated this.portion of the previous Commission’s finding with the utmost contumely it is hard to say ; perhaps it has been stupidly advised by some inexpert so-called “expert” ; or maybe it desires Paeroa to lose for all time its once valuable navigation advantages in order that the river shall rib longer compete successfully with the railway. Whatever the cause, the present state of affairs refleets the gravest discredit on the powers that be, and the agitation for elementary justice in respect L o the town’s birthright must be continued with unabated vigour until Paeroa regains its old position as a river port.