THE RANGITAIKS SWAMP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12, 5 May 1914, Page 3

THE RANGITAIKS SWAMP.

SUCCESSFUL RECLAMATION SCHEME. [Pbe Pbess ASSOCIATION. | Ajicland, May 4. When the Hon. Roderick McKenzie was .Minister for Public Works, he visited the Eas Coast in 1910, and a deputation laid before him u scheme for making a new outlet for the Rangitaiki river through the sandhills near Matata, by which it was claimed that some 87,000 acres of swamp laud would l)e drained and rendered ready for settlement. The Minister was impressed with the feasibility of the scheme, ami subsequently the Government had levels taken and a contract was let to carry out the work, at a cost of under £12,000. The contractor was not able to complete the work, which lias since been carried on by the Government, and it is estimated that it will he finished within the cost of the original tender. A dredge lias already made a cut right through the sandhills to the sea, and returned, cutting a second channel hack again. All the channel and hanking is now finished, and what remains to be done is sheath-piling where the cut goes through the sandhills. That the work will prove a success is demonstrated from the fact that there is a fall of the Raugitaiki river at the outlet on the beach at high water of eight feet, and at low water of from 13 to 14 , feet. This should lower the river right up to Teteko, which will mean the draining of an immense area of something like 87,000 acres of swamp land.