RIVER ENCROACHMENT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 193, 11 May 1920, Page 8

RIVER ENCROACHMENT

ENDANGERING MULLING BRIDGE. ' The Western approach to the- Helling bridge, Lower. Hutt, is situated <ra a tongue-of'land which is washed on three sides by the river. On the northern side erosion lias been continually ■taking place, and during a recent fresh in the river a portion of the bank . about three feet in depth was carried Rw»y. The land adjoining this portion is owned by a ( Jiovernment Department, riff? the borough engineer (Mr. E- A. Gumbloy) ,pointed out in his re- , ' sort last night that when this erosion tad reached a certain stage the river .■was liable to break through when flood .waters- came down. He asked that the Department's attention'bo called to the (danger. The Mayor (Mr. E. P. .Rishworth)) eaid it was a serious matter. The erosion was a menaco to the bridge. It ihad been suggested to him by the chair-! pian of'the. River Board that the Minister in charge of the Department bo approached with a view to having projective works constructed. The matter had been brought under the notice of the Lands and Survey Department, bat it had hot considered the land cf sufficient value to spend money to .protect it. He suggested that a deputation should wait, on the Minister to ask that the Lands and Survey Department hand over the ground to the Borjyjgh Council, ond.ihnt the. Government subsides r the council -to: help to put up the necessary protection. "■■ .-. Councillor Knight oxplained ' that the River Board - had approached the Dei partment, .which had declined to do any- \ i thing in the matter for the reason 1 stated. The Mayor, town clerk, and Councillor Mitchell-were appointed to wait on the Minister., '