HAURAKI PLAINS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 211, 12 October 1909, Page 3

HAURAKI PLAINS.

PROGRESS. OF A GREAT SCHEME. An interesting paragraph in the Lands Report presented to Parliament on Friday deals with the Haurxki or Piako Plains, stating that excellent progr;;s has been made with the drainage works carried on under the direction of Mr. William C. Breakell. C.E. Briefly to summarise the operations up to March 31, 127 miles of drains have been constructed, and the work of forming roads and tracks of access is being proceeded with. From the Piako river mouth to its junction with the Waitoa, all snars have been removed; for the next three mjlcs the stream has been cleared of logs to a width of 25 feet, and all willows removed along the whole distance. From the Waitoa river all logs have been removed for three miles. The main canal, fifteen miles long, has been opened along its entire length by a drain Oft wide at surface, Oft wide at base, and 3ft deep. Of the two Priestman dredges of special make, imported dirsct from the makers, one is now at wort at the north, or Waitakaruru end, an 1 the other will shortly be at work at th'. south end. Eight flood-gates have been erected, and twenty more are to follow. Two wharves have been constructed, and two more are under construction. One office, one cottage, and nine workers' dwellings have been erected at Waitakaruru, and a cookhouse is now in hand. About 145 men are now employed on the works; the average for March was a. hundred. The amount expended during the past year was £25,683, and the amount expended since 1900 to date if '±"30,702. In order to prepare the Wand for opening for settlement, two survey parties have commenced work, and these will be further increased. It is hoped to have 20,000 acres offered for selection in nine months, and another 10,000 acres within six months after. II the demand for flax again becomes general, tne Crown will be able to furnish a supply from a large .and extending area at the lowest royalty rates; and, the waterways ftr tie carriage of the green flax being so extensive, the cost will be much minimised.