HUTT RIVER BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1359, 9 February 1912, Page 8

HUTT RIVER BOARD.

THE AMALGAMATION PROPOSAL. The Initial meeting of tho Hutt lUvcr Board was hold on Thursday night, and war, attended by Messrs. Baldwin, Welch, Sladrlcn, Petersen, and Juiight. Mr. Baldwin was elected chairman for the ensuing' year. The question of amalgamation with the Hutt borough Council was considered alter a letter had been read relative to tlm subject from the Hutt Council. The chairman said ho was amused at Hie action of y\r. ISunny, who, up till recently, had been opposed to amalgnroation. 11 r. Sladden objected. The chairman: "I am only stating that Hie question might have been held over until this hoard had met. Por.-omilly, I am out for amalgamation." ('outinning, Mr. ISaldwin said he would like to see a committee- set up to iind out the true position. Mr. Welch said he would do bis ulmost to prevent amalgamation. He remarked that lie had seen enough muddlement in the linrough Council to object to them controlling the Kiver lioard. At this stage the clerk read a letter from y\v. Hoy, a ratepayer, who said with many others that ho was opposed to the absorption of the board. It was, he alleged, illegal, and could only be effected by Act of Parliament. The idea was not pleasing, in view of the many blunders made by the Horough Council, and the reckless waste going on. Mr. Sladden said that the thing required was a conference, and if the amalgamation would do good it ought to he brought about. He did not .see the direct benefit as yet, but lie thought it was n wedge for the amalgamation of the whole district. ]f it did no good it would do no harm. There would probably bo opposition at Taila and Pctone, but a Hill could be drafted for Parliament. He 'would support a conference. The chairman held that it wonld not be right to hold a conference until the position was defined. Mr. Welch wauled to know what was the council's idea in favouring an amalgamation. The chairman: "Well, you have Mr. Bunny's resolution before" you." After some further discussion, the chairman moved that the board form itself into a committee, to define the true position, with a view to meeting the council in conference. The clerk was instructed to request tho Hutt Park Committee to settle their rale account, The next meeting will be held on the second Thursday in March, and after that nn the first Thursday in each month. The solicitor's opinion in regard to amalgamation was held over until the committee meet. The overseer, .Mr. I'ishcr, reported that (he erection of Xo. 18 grovnc at the mouth of the river of tlio lower diversion cut is now completed. The length is 1-k'lit., and tho total cost £Si Us. lOd. There have, been, in all, i'oui' new groynes added to tho lower river channel improvement scheme this season, aggregatim' •JOOlt. lineal at the total cost of .£250 2s. 7tl. The total number of boom groynes' nowerected is twenty, aggregating 2SS9ft. lineal, and the submerged groynes aggregate 3f)oft. lineal. . The installation of these has been spread over four vears hum September, 1!K)7. The scheme is developing successfully, and lias for tho last three years reduced tho cost of maintaining the river bank protective works, in the three great bends, to a minimum, whereas prior to this the maintenance necessitated heavy expenditure. In addition to the proposed erection of the two groynes at iiingdon's and Melnug s bridge, it is considered iicccsary to extend two exislim; groynes bv 30fr.', on the east side of the river, opposite Hingdon's beach and reserve. Timber has been provided for this work. Tho river receded rapidly during the past fortnight, and is now within one inch of tlie lowest level on record. Good progress is being made with the erection of boom grovnes near Turner's land, Taita, although the country is verv much harder than was expected'for pileS n^'v^r? 1 * 0 - 1 S , ' o - VI " > i* completed, length SOft., cost .£O3 ISs. M.. equal to las. per lineal foot. The estimated cost was Ids. per foot. Xo. 2 grovnc is in progress;, and in all the erection of three groynes has been authorised.