WAKE UP, PAEROA !

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4557, 30 April 1923, Page 2

WAKE UP, PAEROA !

(To the Editor.) Sir. —Now that the proposals of the I Thames Harbour Board have been : settled the time is opportune to make . provision for a better use of th .: | splendid natural waterway to Paeroa : At present we are mesmerised by the , engineering “bigwigs” of the Public ; Works Department; but I contend I that the question of river navigation | is somewhat outside of their province, ; which is primarily to prevent inundation by stopbanking the river sides. I do not hesitate to affirm that there are no great difficulties to be overcome in bringing shipping to the end of what is known as Junction Road, or even tp the railway bridge. If Thorp’s Bend were closed and a channel cut from the present wharf the river would be assisted to deepen itself. if Pereniki’s cut were pu: through and the present river channel blocked at its . upper end. the residents at the far end of Maori Road could get access along the western bank of the river and the block crossing, foot traffic via the railway bridge. There is an area almost an isla’nd immediately opposite the present wharf which could be utilised for stop-banking and blocking the river where the diversions require to be made. As it was cleared it would form a slack water pond, and would assist to prevent, scouring in flood time. Thoyp’s land would be reached via Mill Road and the western side of Ohinemuri River protected, There is an alternative scheme to take the shipping up the canal to the bottom end of Mill Road, and this could be done by dredging, but it does not bring the wharf any nearer the township. At any rate, these propositions are well worth looking into, and there is no need for us to continue to immolate ourselves before that judgment, the Public Works Department. We must think and act for ourselves. If necessary get a civil enigneer from the Thames Harbour Board. I beg to propose the formation of' a Paeroa River Navigation Improvement League. PRO BONO PUBLICO.