HUTT RIVER BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 881, 29 July 1910, Page 8

HUTT RIVER BOARD.

A meeting of the Hutt River Board was held last evening, there being present Messrs. li. Stevens (in the chair), Orton Stevens, Sladden, and Pinny. Most of the business was done in committee. The engineer (Mr. Laing-Meason), in reporting on the threatened change in the river's course, at Tnita, stated that hitherto the main channel of the river has trended to the westward, but of late it lias been showing a strong tendency to turn eastward, and preventive measures should be taken at once. The old groynes at the point in question require replacing. If the settlers decide to build a substantial groyne, the enginee.advises the board to assist them, the work,' of course,, to be under the supervision of tlie board's overseer. The overseer also reported that, in connection with the river encroachment on Messrs. Johnston' and Sneedy's land at Belmont, owing'to av "fresh," it was necessary to extend the protective works by two chains. The work will be completed in a fortnight. At.Gem Island a gradual erosion has .taken .place at the back of the defence works, this being caused by southerly storms. The defending work is in hand, 'i'wo "freshes" were recorded during the month, these being from "3ft. to sft. above summer level. The boom groynea continued to show good results with every "fresh" in the river. Tho engineer also announced that, acting on instructions, he had ordered from Sydney thirty-eight booms, in addition to those now contracted for.