WAITAKARURU CANAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4452, 11 August 1922, Page 4

WAITAKARURU CANAL.

JTS VALUE AS A WATERWAY.

INDISPENSABLE TO DRAINAGE

Working in the north-iwcst .corner of the Hauraki Plains, secluded and little thought of, is a Priestman (floating) dredge engaged in digging a canal from Waitakaruru to Maukpro. It is a big undertaking, and the total length when completed will be about 15 miles, but its value as a waterway and the benefit it will be to swamp lands which it will drain are enormous. It is undoubtedly the key to the drainage of the Plains western portion, most - of which is yet in an undeveloped and unsettled state. The Waitakaruru-Maukoro canal will be the means of opening up for settlement all that land still undeveloped between the Piako River and the •western hills, and between Waitakaruru and Taliuna.

Evidence of the absolute necessity of this canal is that numbers of small streams which come from the hills flow into and lose themselves in the swamp. The canal will give an outlet for these streams and for the intermediate drains of the Department. It is certain to be many years yet before the canal is completed, and the length of time it takes must depend upon the number of dredges the Department puts on the work. The canal joins the Waitakaruru Stream near the point where it empties itself into the sea. About three miles of the fifteen miles have been completed. The dredge is' now nearly level with the Rawe Rawe Road at Ngatea, and about 5% miles from the Ngarui Road, which the canal will cross near M” McLoughlin’s farm. This stretch is practically all virgin swamp, comprising probably several thousand rficres. The canal will also cross the

Mauhga.whero Road and the Patetonga tramway. It will cross the latter about miles from the landing. NAVIGATION. At a waterway the canal, when completed, will be of untold value. It will be the main outlet for the western portion of the Hauraki Plains, and in time to come may prove to be as valuable as the Piako River, The exact width and depth of the canal are rot yet decided upon, but the dimensions will be such as to permit of the passage of launches, barges, scows, and possibly larger coastal craft, which will be able to penetrate into the heart of the swamp country with the minimum of delay. To Maukoro the distance will be 1!) miles, whereas the present distance by the Piako River must be double that. The canal "will join the Piako River at Maukoro, so that when ,the work is completed the coastal boats will be enabled to make a complete circuit, going up .the Piako River and returning by the canal, or, vice-versa. NEW DREDGE. The Lands Department is now waiting for material to complete tjie con-’ struction of pontoons fbr two new dredges, which are to be assembled at Kerepeehi. One of these dredges will be used to replace the old Priestman dredge now working on the WaitakarurU’Moukoro canal. The old dredge will, when relieved, undergo a necessary overhaul.