DRAINING THE PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5009, 4 August 1926, Page 2

DRAINING THE PLAINS.

ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN PUMPS.

POWER BOARD INTERESTED. At yesterday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board the question of draining poittio’ns of the Hauraki Plains by means, of electrically driven pumps was introduced by Mr W. B. G. Willy. Referring to the report which appeared in Monday's issue of the “Gazette” Mr Willy said that the proposal ha,d been talkqd of ! for some time past. The suggestion had been made that if the board cotild arrive at a system whereby power could be purchased cheaply it would be possible to pump large volumes of seawater off the land. The project was worthy of serious consideration by the board. If the undertaking could be successfully carried put the. board would be amply safeguarded by the fact that the farmers within the areif would be able to increase their production bf butter-fat. Electrically driven pumps might also be used successfully in getting rid of the water that came from the upper parts of the valley and proved such a me.nace to portions of the northern end of the Plains. If the board could fix a cheap rate for electricity for the purpose an inestimable boon would be. conferred On the farming community, as by increased production the revenue off the board would be accordingly swelled. He a.sked that the engineer go. into the matter and bring down a) report for the next meeting.

Mr J. B, Thomas said that the question of pumping fresh water for farm and domestic use w,as also worthy of consideration.