MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 170, 2 May 1916, Page 3

MERCER.

RIVER BOARD'S OPERATIONS. AKA AKA'S SUGGESTIONS DENIED. At the meeting of the Waikato River Board on Saturday Mr P. Sellars, the Board's Foreman, reported that he had made investigations in regard to the representations of injurious effects to the Aka Aka drains that were put before the Minister of Marine by a deputation from Aka Aka ou the occasion of his (the Minister's, inspection of the river.

Mr Sellar's report was as follows :

" I have, as directed by the Board, taken data of the Aka Aka drain. On April 3rd, throe days before spring tide, Capt. T. Lapwood in charge of the s.s. Excelsior, with 2500 ft of timber and about four tons of coal on board went as far as Mr Hall's house ant} Afr Lapwood gives assurance that Aka Aka ia as deep as ever.

On Saturday, April 22nd, Mr A. Lapwood was able to navigate the " Queen of Beauty " and two large barges on the Eastern Drain side of the drain, proving conclusively that there is still sufficient depth of

channel. The levels taken at the Western drain on Monday, I7tli April, were as follow 8: - Arrived at drain 225 p.m. ; low water therein, 3.30 p.m. Time soundings were taken at 3 10 p.m. (a) Inside the drain 24 ft up there was Ift Gin of wat»r (b) Outside the drain, clear of the line of the river bank- 6ft of water. ('•) Width of channel running in front of the drain, clear of river bank at narrowest portion— H chains, (d; Below the drain— (5 ft 3 ins of water. Down the river the average width for 3 chains was one-and-a-half chains, but thereafter it opened out to the full width x»f the river with an average depth of channel of from sft to 12 ft. Left the drain at 3.15 p.m.

On the Eastern drain

Soundings were taken at 3.35 p.m. (a) Water inside the drain-was Ift. (b) Water outside the drain was 4ft 2in. In connection with Mr Hall's statement to the effect that the water travelled greater on the Motutieke side, such was incorrect as a greater body of water travelled on the drain side. Left the Aka Aka drain for the river at 4 p.m. The Chairman of the Aka Aka Drainage Board promised to join the party at 1 p.m. but on account of a member of the Eiver Board being late the drain was not reached till 2.25 p in., consequently no representative was there.

These soundings were taken in the presence of Mr A. Lapwood, the oldest trader on the river and of Mr Aithur Lapwood, as representative of the Board.

It was resolved that copies of the report should be forwarded to the Minister and to each member of the inspection party that journeyed on the river with Dr McJJab.