HUTT RIVER BOARD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2531, 4 August 1915, Page 11

HUTT RIVER BOARD

DAMAGE CAUSED BY FLOOD,

There were present at last evening's meeting of the Hutt Hiver Board, the chairman (Mr. H. Baldwin) and Messrs. Knight, Kennedy, Bowers, and Welch. Tlie overseer (Mr. i\ Kershaw) reported that on July 20 the river 'had risen to a height of 20 feet 6 inches, this being a record since tho erection of the stopbanks. The works stood tho strain of the flood well, although a good deal of damage had been done in vari cus places, 'i'lie report then dealt with tho particular damage done at various places, and recommended that groynes should be put in at several points on the upper district. Two groynes and two extensions should bo erected at Welch's property., At the back of Duxtou's property two booms gave way on the groyne. 'This allowed tho river to outflank the groyne at Mabey's and allowed the river to cut through' at Mason's Gardens. Two extensions were wanted there. At Melling Settlement' a small scour took place. The beach just below tho Hutt Bridge had almost disappeared, and. at Alicetown tho bank had stood well.' "The stopbank. howover, wanted raising, and several more groynes should be erected. Owing to the high flood a slight leakage showed on the footpath in Tama Street; the wall itself was just the same as before tho flood. At the top end of Gear Island a scour took place, and a groyne should be erected to save further trouble. The report was adopted, and the board decided, to carry, out all urgent work.

The engineer, Mr. G, Laing-Meason, reported that ho had thoroughly examined the concrete wall near the school.' The cracks, which were now to be seen, appeared on tho wall shortly atfer it was built, some 15 years ago. During the recent flood, .water for the first time _welled up through the footpath, just inside the wall at one place, but there was no leakage through the wall itself. Ho had the foundation uncovered at three places,, and there was nothing in the bottom to indicate settlement. He was quite sure the wall was sound and stable, and beyond making them up with cement noihing. need to bo done to it. The report summarised the following works as necessary to bo carried on this season:—Grouting up tho cracks in tho concrete wall, Alicetown ; raising the embankment between Fako'a and, O'Sullivan's; removing the growth and loosening tho ground opposite Alicetown ; extending first • groyne below bridge by one bay,, and second . • .' i ■

groyne by two bays; constructing, a . boom groyne at mouth' of old'wostern-v channel; removing willow-grown-point near mouth, of upper diversion out; axtending two groynes in lower cut; build- • ing one new groyne at Calcinai's; building two groynes opopsite Pitcaithley's; protecting tho damagod bight at Mason's.

After considering the report fully, It was decided that another poll-of ratepayers bo taken for tho purpose of raising sufficient money to carry out protective) works.