HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1430, 3 May 1912, Page 5

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) 4- —■ :

The monthly meeting of tho Hutt River Board was held last evening, and was attended by Messrs. Baldwin (chairman), Ivniglit, and Welch, Mr. Sladden forwarded his resignation as e member. He stated that he entirely disagreed with the action of members in practically dismissing the consulting engineer, In moving tha acceptance of the resignation, the chairman stated he was very sorry to lose Mr. Sladden, as he coul<* ill afford to bo spared from tho liivcr Board. Other members concurred. The question of erecting a boom groyne near Silverstream Bridge was held over, pending a consultation with the Hutt County Council's engineer. Mr. Ward wrote intimating that he was prepared to assist the board in regard to protective works. It was also announced that Messrs. Hooper and Millie were agreeable (o pay their share -towards tho works. The overseer said that the contribution of those ratepayers would bo about JCIO each. Mrs. Kinpdoii auvisod that she would not further aliow the River Board's employees to pass through certain land ill going to and from work. It was pointed out by the clerk that tho board was ivithin its rights in this matter. There was, however, a letter from Messrs. Stafford and Treadwell which stated that tlio board was exceeding its rights, and if this practico were continued further steps would be taken. Mr. Welch \vas in favour of compensating Mrs. ICingdon. Tho chairman hold -that tlio board was only carrying out tho work vested in them by the Act. After some discussion tho matter was dropped. Mr. Baldwin was appointed delegate for the board at the public meeting of local bodies' representatives to be held in Wellington next Monday. Sevcra» letters were received from other river boards stating that they were opposed to having their rivers controlled by any body other than local river boards. The chairman then moved: "That in the opinion of this board it is inadvisable that river boards should be abolished." 'The overseer reported that the new work in the lower district was progressing _ satisfactorily. Tho two groynes opposite Kingdon's block had been completed at a_eost of £14 "10s. 3d., the estimate being .£ls 3s. Vd. The protective work on the Hutt Borough Council's land would be finished within a week. Tho groynes at Mclling's Bridgo and at Kingdon's beach were operating well. The lower river groyne scheme south of White's Lino had further improved the river channel by -t.Ho action of the flood. In tho upper reaches of the river tho boulder sills had been prepared, hut the recent flood had caused an erosion and had weakened one of ilic* sills. The excavation at Pithcaithly's had now been completed. As a Tesuit of thc-reeent flood, considerable erosion had taken place hi the vicinity of Messrs. Ward and Milne's land,'there being about a quarter of an acre washed away. By way of winding up the bazaar held under the auspices of the Hutt Catholic Church,' a concert and dnnco ivere held in King George's Theatro last evening. There were nbont 100 present. Items »\vere contributed by Miss O'Forrell, Mrs. Wilson, Messrs. Stevens, Hiekmolt, Haybittle. and Dr. I'urdy. After the concert tlio hall was cleared for danein?.