Waitara River Report.

Patea Mail, 14 April 1881, Page 3

Waitara River Report.

The Waitara Harbor Board, Taranaki, has received the report of Sir John Coode for the improvement of the river. For the improvement of the entrance he proposes to run out a breakwater or curved training wall 1600 feet on the south head, and a similar work 1500 feet on the north, with a width of 200 for water way. The south pier would terminate in 12 feet at low water and 21 feet at high water of spring tides, the northern at 9 and 18 feet respectively, which latter depths could be relied upon as available for navigation on completion of the piers to the full extent named. “Training piers of less length would fail to afford such an appi'oach to the Waitara as would be desirable if any material improvement is to be effected.” Estimates were not furnished on account of the improbability of the Board being at present able to incur such a large expenditure. Plans for training the current and deepening the river channel from the bridge towards tbe heads, estimated to cost £13,760, were furnished. The present tidal compartment, or range of tide from the heads, is about 3 miles, the range of ordinary spring tides 9 feet at the bar, and 6 feet 8 inches at the bridge.