WAIKATO RIVER.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17980, 27 March 1930, Page 7

WAIKATO RIVER.

GOVERNMENT RE-SURVEY. A BIG UNDERTAKING. WORK BEING PUSHED ON. (Special Reporter.) RANGIRIRI, Thursday. For years Ministers of the Crown and . members of Parliament have made.periodical tours of the Waikato River from Hamilton to its mouth. Commissions have taken evidence on the potentialities of the stream as a waterway f6r shipping, and its possibilities as an. outlet for the drainage of vast areas of land lying along its banks. The engineering and financial difficulties have been investigated, and

reports have been prepared, and last year the present Alinister of Public Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom) authorised a re-survey of Hie stream, and a grant of £ISOO was placed on the Estimates for this purpose. No time was lost in getting to work on the survey, which, however, lias not yet been completed. Last night, during his stay at Rangiriri, the Alinister was waited upon by a deputation of settlers and representatives of interested local bodies, who asked for information as to the progress of the work, and, if possible, for an interim report. Important Schemes in Hand. It was pointed out to the Alinister that there were several important drainage schemes in hand, for which loans had been or were being raised, and which depended for their success upon the effectiveness of the Waikato as a -main drainage outlet. Mr A. Cook, secretary of the River Board Committee, thanked the Alinister for the expedition with which the survey work had been commenced. A number of drainage schemes had In the meantime been put in hand, and the settlers and local bodies were anxious to know what had been done by the Department, and how the survey was progressing. Air Campbell Johnstone, Raglan County chairman, in supporting the requ’est, said the opening of the river as a main drainage outlet was a matter of vital importance to the settlers of the whole district from Hamilton to the Heads. The Alinister said he had as yet received no report on the work, and did not expect one until the survey was completed. Air F. Dyson, District Engineer, Auckland, said the work was being pushed along. Cross-sections were being taken, but the job was a big one, and it would be difficult, to prepare a report of any value until the work was completed. The Alinister said that while he was aware that the erosion as the result of the works at Arapuni had caused some silting of the stream, there was a compensating factor in that the dam would have the effect of trapping the natural flow of silt from the river above, in the lake. To the extent of the amount of silt thus trapped would the 'river below the dam benefit. Air J. Furniss, said that assuming the engineer’s report was favourable, and showed that the level of the river was an economic proposition, could the settlers rely upon the Government dealing with the problem? Working at Full Pressure. The Alinister said that while he was not prepared to give any assurances that he might not be able to live up to later, he could say that he did not authorise £ISOO for the survey without some motive. Asked -when the report might be expected, Air Ransom pointed out that the engineering department was working at full pressure. There were at present 3000 more men employed by the Department than when,he took office, and without any increase in the engineering staff these men had to he catered for. All this work and the survey of the Waikato River, and other jobs, were “extras” thrown upon the Public Works engineers. Various speakers complimented the Alinister on the promptitude with which the survey had been commenced. Air Dyson reiterated that the scheme was a big one, and to be done thoroughly due time must be allowed. The scheme, if entered upon, would run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, and it was necessary that any report should he thorough. The report would ’be a comprehensive one, and the work would, as Air Furlcert had said previously, be one of the biggest things of its kind the Department had ever tackled.