AMONG THE DREDGES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4486, 1 November 1922, Page 1

AMONG THE DREDGES.

INSPECTION OF GREAT WORK.

BY DRAINAGE BOARDS’ MEMBERS

To view the great improvements to the swamp lands and to see tlie hew dredges .working were the objects of a visit, being made to the centre of the drainage operations on the Hauraki Plains by members of the Elstow, Hungahunga, and Waitoa drainage boards on Monday. The party consisted of Messrs G. Stewart, F. R. Hunt, and F. T. Row? (Elstow Drainage Board), W. Hallett, W. Harvey, and R. Burke (Hungahunga Drainage Board), and F. W. Walters, G. W. Horn, and D, F. Watson (Waitoa Drainag? Board).. Another interested sectiop of the party, consisted of Mesdames F. H. Barnett, A. Barnett, and Dalzeil;'Colonel S. S. Allen (Parliamentary candidate for Ohinemu-ri electorate), Mr W. R. Johnson (engineer and clerk to the three drainage boards’), Messrs A’. Barnett (of Waimate, South Island), t F. H. Barnett, F. Dalzeil, and F. G. Hunt. Representatives pf the Morrihsville Star'-(Mr EA. Butt), Te Arolia News (Mr A. 4Reese, and the "Gazette” accompanied the party- Mr J. McGlynn, foreman of works’, acted as guide and explained the workings of the wonderful machines.

VAST UNDEVELOPED AREA. \

The party boarded a launch at Mr Barnett's residence ,whtc,h, about a mi’le from Tahuna, nestles snugly among the trees on the banks of the upper reaches of the Piako River. Soon the last traces of settlement were left behind, the river winding its way through desolate swampy wastes,. on which was see.n only a dense grow.th of> ti-tree, flax, and raupo. Weeping willows at places overhung the river, and the launca had to brush past these to continue its journey. The first sight of civilisation for many miles was the Patetonga lands, but after that there was more swamp. The launch had travelled for a couple of hours through nothing but useless’ land —thousands of acres of it awaiting development. THE DREDGES. Nearing the Kaihere Landing the first glimpse was obtained pf the vast work which is at present In progress, converting the swamp into fertile dairying land. About a mile from the river at the Kaihere Landing was seen working the machine which literally walks. This is the Michigan-Wilson-i Walker dredge. It straddles the drain and with, a huge bucket takes a “b.ite” of over a ton of earth at a time. It is digging a receptacle drain right ran nd the AWaiti block, which contains’ about 2500 acres, to make the land availably for settlement. The area is to be cut up into 50-acre lots. The dredge started its work at Kerepeehi and followed the niver to Kaihere Landing. It then turned inwards towards the centre of the swamp, and is about a mile from the river. At the time of its trial, about a year ago, a Veport of its capabilities and a description of its working appeared in the "Gazette,” as did descriptions of other new dredges from time to time as they were assembled. After the party had viewed the "walking” machine in the execution of its work the launch went further down stream, passing the recent widening and deepening works on the western side of the river from the Kaihere Landing to the Puhanga Canal. The party stopped at a point on the eastern bank to inspect a Bucyrus dredge which was building a stop-bank to protect the Await! block. This dredge had worked its way along the riverbank from Kerepeehi. \ Further downstream the party alighted and witnessed another Bucyrus machine improving the Puhanga Canal. This dredge had widened ,apd deepened the Ngarua Canal and done similar valuable work to the river in that vicinity. Its present work will make the Puhanga Canal navigable, cutting off the seven-mile bend in the river .which touches* Kerepeehi and reducing the distance to two miles. *

Then there was the Rood machine, which has made most wonderful progress. Near Keerpeehi it commenced the work of digging a drain and forming a. road. It reached the river near the Kaihere Landing, and is now back again near Kerepeehi. It. will continue its work along the drain on the eastern side of the reserve. A BUSY CENTRE. At any time Kerepeehi is a busy centre, as far as the Lands Department’s work's are concerned, but on Monday the party struck it at a particularly busy time. Tractors, drawing a couple ofl trucks, and a powerful motor-lorry were arriving, loading metal for road work, and departing again with little delay. A short distance away men were building a huge pontoon for. a new dredge, others were building a vzharf, and others again were working in a large building which acts as a depot and workshop. The party viewed the industrious scene, and taking a supply of boiling water for a welcome “drpp” of tea rejoined the launch, which returned up the river. It was an enjoyable and instructive trip for each member of the party.