THE WAIHOU RIVER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4447, 31 July 1922, Page 3

THE WAIHOU RIVER.

TOUR OF INSPECTION. OUR WATERWAY THREATENED. On Wednesday representatives of various local bodies interested made a trip on the Waihou River in the Public Works Department’s launch for the purpose of viewing the accretions that have accumulated during the past few years, and which, it is contended, are gradually threatening to render the Waihou unnavi gable. The following were included in the party: Mr G. Buchanan (representative of the New Zealand Dairy Co ), Mr J. W. Silcock (agent for the Northern Steam Ship Co.), Mr W. Dykes (assistant engineer P.W.D.), Mr H. Hill (Farmers’ Union). Mr A. R. Robinson (chairman of the Ohincinuri County Council), Mr A. Alley (representing Thames County Council), Mr W. Madgwick and Mr P. Henry (Turua Ratepayers’ Association), Mr H. Wynyard (Auckland Chamber of Commerce). Mr R. Baker and Mr D. G. MoMUlan (Hauraki Drainage Board), Mr L. E Cassrels (Paeroa Ratepayers’ Association), M" E. W. Porritt (Paeroa Chamber pf Commerce), Mr Gibbs (engineer, Piako County Council), Mr Bold (Public Works Department), Mr J. Couper (Reference Board). Mr Baker (district engineer), Mr L. May (resident engineer, Paeroa), and Captain Freeman (Northern Steam Ship pany)The party left Paeroa in motor-cars for Wharepoa ferry, boarding the Public Works Department’s launch there, and proceeded a little way downstream, subsequently turning and “ punching the tide ” towards Paeroa. Keen interest was shown by all on board in the evidences of silting, which was particularly noticeable as the tide was flairly low, thought not completely out. During the journey, during which the launch frequently touched bottom, Captain Freeman, whose knowledge of the river extends over very many years, commented on several localities where steamers at one time had no difficulty in navigating, and which are now dry land. At Cryer’s landing in front of which' was a bank of mud or silt, he used to take his steamer alongside .at low tide about nine months ago. At another place known as Dong Reach near Wharepoa, steamers at one time used a passage which is not now navigable, the silting here, according to Captain Freeman, taken place within the last three years. Many portions of the river could not now be navigated at times pf a poor tide. The river was gradually but surely becoming worse and worse, and Captain Freeman estimated that in another twenty year,s *t would be practically impossible to run a lauhc.i up under normal conditions. A small drain was pointed out at Kari Island, which was, about 30 ago, a river through which steamers were accustomed to pass, While near Hikutaia the banks have made fully 25 feet, the places where steamers then passed being now high and dry.

One conspicuous spot was indicated where a large island has formed m the centre of the river—an island that is said to be growing rapidly and likely to considerably hamper shipping in the near future.

Nearing Paeroa enormous accretions were noticed. These were of silt, and said to be largely composed of “tailings.”

The launch endeavoured to get through to Paeroa, but grounded, and the attempt was abandoned. Ultimately the launch got free, and was turned dowjnstream, where a landing was effected on the bank of the river. The party then walked about a mile and a half along the stop-bank—a necessity which impressed them with the advisableness of having the river made navigable—and later proceeded on to Paeroa, arriving here shortly before 6 p.m.

The journey undoubtedly impressed those who made it with the fact that the river is, from one cause or another, rapidly becoming extremely difficult to navigate, suggesting the possibility of it at no distant date becoming useless as a waterway to serve the interests of Paeroa.