HUTT HARBOUR

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 196, 17 May 1944, Page 6

HUTT HARBOUR

Petone Sets Up Committee

The Petone Borough Council, at its meeting on Monday night, was asked if it desired to give evidence before the commission which is to report on the proposal to establish a harbour at the mouth of the Hutt River. The deputy-mayor, Cr. 11. Green, said it was most unfortunate that the commission would commence its sittings before the newly-elected council could consider the question. Cr. A. G. Steffensen proposed that a coinmitee composed of the deputy-mayor and Cr. R. Fox, and the engineer. Mr. C. L. Jackson, be set .up to report to the incoming council. Cr. A. M. Macfarlane. who seconded tiie motion, said the position was difficult. hut was serious enough to demand immediate attention.

Cr. J. Cuinniini; opposed the setting up of a committee just as the council was going out of office. The new council should be allowed a free hand to settle its own policy, he said. It was nonsense to suggest that the foreshore would be damaged, Harbour facilities would be a wonderful thing for the district. It would mean that the valley would save on the heavy haulage from Wellington. As chairman of the gas board, ho Welcomed the -prospect of saving on coal cartage. He hoped to be able personally to offer some suggestions to the commission. Cr. Huggan said he considered that all the present council should do was to let the commission know that the council would be giving evidence. Cr. R. Fox said time was needed for consideration of many questions which would arise, among them the disposal of sewage from the Hutt Valley. 'The proposed diversion of the river would give trouble unless the channel was properly controlled. The deputy-mayor said that the construction of a harbour was a matter for the whole valley, but Petone was concerned to know if it. would affect the artesian water supply, if it would not create two sewage areas for Petone. and also how if would affect AlcEwnn Park and the foreshore generally. x Cr. Anderson favoured the setting up of the committee.

Ultimately, after it was explained that the committee would merely report and not dictate to tlie incoming council, the motion was passed without dissent.