HAURAKI PLAINS DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4511, 5 January 1923, Page 2

HAURAKI PLAINS DRAINAGE.

FUTURE WORK ON PIAKO RIVER.

Tn an interview with a “Gazette” reporter on the work to be carried out in the near future on .the Hauraki Plains Mr E. Taylor, of the Lands Department, mentioned that the most important thing was to lower the low-tide level in the Piako River. As there is no rail in this river, he said, the only thing to cause drainage is the drag of the outgoing tide. - Whereas at the “Old man” near . the mouth of the river the difference between high and low tide averages ten feet, the difference at Patetonga Landing is barely six inches. Better drainage of the southern part of the Plains cannot be accomplished until, by straightening, widening, and deepening the river, the effect of the tide is made more appreciable in the upper reaches. To this end more dredging in the river will be started as soon as practicable. In all probability the Priestman dredge from, the Waitakaruru-Maukoro canal and the dredge that is working in the Awai.i will, after being overhauled, work in the Piako River, together with a new Kingston dredge that is shortly to be assembled at Kerepeehi. Two American dipper dredges are also tp be erected, and may .take the place of • the Priestmna dredges. The timber for the pontoon for one of these - dredges is on the ground at K(erepeehi. The pontoon will probably be eighty feet by twenty.