DRAINING THE RUKUHIA SWAMP

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3070, 19 March 1892, Page 2

DRAINING THE RUKUHIA SWAMP

The dry weather we have been experiencing, has been very suitable fur the prosecutioi of swamp drainage operations, and somi very important works nf this nature art being carried out in Waikato just now Ftjr some time past, the work of dr;utnn< the Hamilton portion of the great Kukulu swamp has been hold over, the swamf being of great depth and full of timber consequently any dealing with it has provei rather expensive. Recently nowavar, M Gardner, the manager cf tho estate has re sumed the drainage works which wen started, and abandoned some years ago, The outfall in this case, is into the littli stream which crosses the Whatawhat: road at Dinsdale's corner. From here thi oubfall has boon taken up through thi swamp, to the road drain on the Tuhikara mea road. This drain, which is a mile 11 length, has been deepened, and branchmi from it to the west, have been cut two nev drains each about a mile long and through J large quantity of timber. At the foot o the hilla cross drains will be cut to collec the water from the springs. By this mean it is expected that over a thousand acre will bo reclaimed and rendered available fo: grassing and carrying stock. Wherever tin swamp has been drained about here —thai is near the road and along the outfall—thi grass has done remarkably well, growini among the exposed roots in the most luxu riant manner. The way in which sheet have improved, while running here durinf the present summer, also show that thi swamp grasses suit them. The Rukuhu swamp occupies a prominent position 11 this part of the district, much of it, unfor tunately, being hitherto only a drear] waste, and its successful reclamation hasowing to the great depth and prevalence o timber—been a problem much discussed, However, tho outcome of the present drain incr experiment will be watched with ffrea' interest. We hope for the Messrs William son as well as for the surrounding districts; that its success will be sufficient to warrant largely extended drainage operations iu th( near future.