HUTT RIVER BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1745, 9 May 1913, Page 6

HUTT RIVER BOARD.

RECENT FLOOD DAMAGE. The monthly mooting of tho Hutt River Board was held last evening, and was attended by Messrs. Baldwin (chairman), Welch, Kennedy, and Knight. Messrs. D. A. fay and Co. made apSlication for the leass of an area of md on Gear Island for the establishment of works for wool scouring, fellmongery, tallow making and refining, bone-crushing, etc. The writers are to bs informed that tenders are to be called by public auction for the lease of the land.

The overseer reported that No. 9 boom groyne on t"ho east eido of thi? river at Dexton'a had been completed at a cost of £141 2s, 9d. All the groynes in. the upper district authorised had been completed at « total cost of .£345 18s. sd. (estimate £353 145.). In fh'e lower district the groyne at Specdy's was at present Tinder construction. In a lengthy report on the recent flood, tho overseer stated that the highest which the river rose to was 10ft. above summer level. This was unprecedented during tlia past 12 years; There -was an abnormal rise between the Hutt Pipe Bridge and White's Lino of 18 inches in gaugQ at the main bridge. Again .at Jones's camp and Mclling Bridge there was an abnormal riso of Ift. The flood area between the stop banks proved adequate for the disposal of the flood waters, with a \ciy good margin to spare. Iteloiv White's Line tho flood level was within 2ft. of the limit, but generally the flood (water ranged from 3ft. Gin. to sft. under tho limit. The extra flood area available between tha stop banks was an ample margin for "safety"," and although the strain on the stop banks in, places was jfreat, they resisted without damage. Nothing of a eerious nature occurred to the protective works in tho lower district. About six chains of bank at Belmont sustained eonio damage. Tho estimated cost of the damage in the lower district is £74. In tho upper district the damago was somewhat serious. At Hooper's, Hayward Land Company's, and Belmont Land Co.npony's land, abou; four chains cf pile and willow breast Trork were badly damaged, causing erosion to tho bank. Tho "damage in this part is estimated at £80. The report recommended that pending tho nirival of tho groyne timber tho board should make n temporary protection with a filling of trees. This would cost about .£3O. Tho tkrea dliains of 4 willow protection put in.by the Hayward Company hnd been washed clean out, and an additional three chains of this work was affected. The cost of. repairs would be £50 approximately. Six chains of the Belmont Company's land had b:en washed away, and'it .would be necessary to put in protective works at once. The expense ivonld run into £50. Tho total cost of the damage done in the upper ■readies would,, approach £182 or an aggregate total of damage done £25G. The reports were received, and inr structions wero given for repairs to proceed immediately.