HUTT RIVER BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1691, 6 March 1913, Page 6

HUTT RIVER BOARD.

-4 LOAN PROPOSALS. A meeting of ratepayers'of the Extended Hult River District was held in tho Anglican Schoolroom, Taila, last evening. Mr. 11, Baldwin occupied tho chair. The chairman explained that the meeting had been called in' connection with sanctioning a loan of ,£2OOO for river protective works. Ho felt .that if works of this description were not carried out. the land would be all washed awav. .Should the proposal be rarriH. it was proposed to erect 10 groynes mid 20 chains of earthwork, while on the west side it was proposed to erect eight groynes and 18 chains of earthwork. The ostimalod cost of oil these works would bo ,-421 M. He wished the meeting to understand that they would not lw responsible for any expense ill the lower reaches.of the river. Air. M. W. Welch, who is a member of the board, said that if the people of Taita wanted their properly protected, then they must vote foiv the loan. In answer to a .question, Mr. Baldwin said that if Iho western .side of the river were protected and not the eastern bank, then the Taita people would suffer. Mr. Fisher (foreman of the board) then gave a detailed account of the proposed new works. At. this stage the meeting became n little "rowdy," several ratepayers firing off interjections. The chairman reprimanded some of the intorjcctors, and (lie meeting proceeded. Mr. Rowe asked if the. board would protect the Main lioad, as a previous chairman had said that the board would repair the road. Mr. Baldwin s\iid that Hie board had no jurisdiction over the roads. Their duty was to protect property. : • A rather heated passage between two of those present followed. The chairman remarked that it. was poor recompense for a member: of the River Board, who gave his services gratis, to hear such remarks as those passed by one of the speakers. After a number of questions had been answered a hearty vote of, thanks to tho chairman and tho River Board terminated the meeting. The poll will l)e taken next; Wednesday, and the booths will lie at till) Church of England. Taita. and at the offices of tho Hutt County Council.