HIGH TIDES IN PIAKO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5354, 21 November 1928, Page 3

HIGH TIDES IN PIAKO.

EXTENT OF DREDGING. • IMPROVING THE CHANNEL. Whereas at the beginning of this month the tides in the Piako River, ' as elsewhere, were- abnormally high, the tides in the Piako ar,e now exceptionally low. Above Ngateja this is particularly apparent, and although to a great extent due to the dry weather, the amount of dredging and river improvement being carried out below the; bridge has some bearing bn this condition of affairs. A Priestman dredge has bepn engaged for many months t in improving the channel between Rawera.we and Ngatea, and in reprieving slips, and a Bucyrus drag-line dredge has been ■laying, back the left bank from Rawerawe, and is now betweep .the Ngatea, wharf and the bridge. This work has necessitated the removal of the telephone cables at Ngatea. and the shifting of several Lands Department’s huts. An effect of the low tides is that the berthage for the ferry at ■ Ngarua has had to be deepened. Further extensive improvement to, the Piako River below Ngatea will be undertaken when the recjcmstruction of ithe Michigan walking dredge; at Hor,a'hia is completed. A 100 ft arm is being fitted to enable the midchannel to be dredged and a stop-bank constructed well back from the formal bank.