SAND DUNE RECLAMATION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 86, 22 September 1915, Page 3

SAND DUNE RECLAMATION

The Waikato Heads.

The following appears in the annual report, just published, of the Departmitt of Lands and Surveys with respect to Saul Uune reclamation at the Waikato viz.: During the last winter a belt one mile long and 9ix chains wide (48 acres) was planted with marram at the noith Waikato Head. The contract was let to Mr J. H. Herrold (who wa*the only one who tendered) tor £31)0. Th 3 bunches of marram were planted two feet apart, or abiut 10,900 to the acre. It must be that in this case all the marram had to be carted about twelve miles along the beach from Waipipi.

Though this dune is reported to be one of the wordt in New Zealand, it is pleasing to say that the marram has taken very well there. '1 his is probably largely attributable to the fact of the sand having a higher specific gravity than that at Kangitikei;, and also the rainfall is Hreat.r. However, though the grass haa taken very well, the heavy gales of the spring caused the sea to undercut the bank just at the mouth of the river, and though a kind of retaining wall of manuka boughs was built to protect the bank and a short groyne of stout manuka poles erected down to low water.mark, they have proved ineffective, and the erosion on my last visit was still going on. Protection at this point could be ensured v if a pile groyne were built about 60 chains up the river from the mouth, to as to deflect the current to the south side of the Heads, but it would cost more money than the circumstances warrant, so it has been decided not to attempt to stop the erosion, but to run the chance of the current reverting to its former course on the south side. Whether this occurs or not, reclamation-work may be continued up the coast and to the rear of the belt planted. To the rear of the marram already established there it is proposed to plant a belt of tree-lupin, and if sufficient marram can be procured at a reasonable cost in the district the belt will be extended up the coaßt. As the land rises to an elevation of about 300 feet it would be top exposed for tree-planting. An attempt, however, will be made to establish suitable grasses on the reclaimed area.