THE MOKAU RIVER.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1916, Page 7

THE MOKAU RIVER.

CONDITION BROt*OHT BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT. The condition of the upper reaches of the Mokau river, owing to the floods of •luly and November of last year, has been brought under the notice of the Government bv the Mokau Harbor Board, Mr. W. T. Jennings (M.P. for the district), the Clifton County Council and the Taratip.ki Chamber of Commerce. The navigation of the river is impeded owing to a large number of trees and logs being swept down below the coal mines (22 miles from the ferry), and the result id the stoppage of steamer traffic for the past four months. Mr. Jennings has received .communications from the Prime .Minister and the Minister for Marine (Hon. Dr. McNab), who writes:—"At my request, a .eport is being obtained regarding the work necessary to be done to clear the river. At present there is a vote of £IOO, subsidy ill for £l. on the Estimates for the snagging of the river, but such would be quite inadequate to do the required. 1 purpose submitting a proposal for the establishment of some local body that will deal with the Mokau river, as at present no body having any powers for raising revenue haß any control over the waterway.'' Mr. Jennings understands that a sum of £2500 will be required to clear the river, and suggests that the work sbeuld be done by the Public "Works Department. The abolition of the Mokau River Trust Board three years ago was, in his opinion, a mistake, as that Board had done a fair amount of "snagging" work, with the limited funds at its disposal.