RTVER EROSION

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 133, 3 December 1930, Page 16

RTVER EROSION

TROUBLE AT BELMONT

Complaints that the operations of the Hutt River Board at Beluiont Extension had caused erosion of property there were made to the board at its uicctiug last night. Mr. John T. Chalk wrote stating that the river was washing the bank away and encroaching on his section, through the board's diverting it by groynes. lie asked the board f.o remove the groynes or else build another gro.vuc as a, protective measure. Mr, D. L. Bedingfield wrote complaining that the board's operations, in conjunction with tho recent rising of the river, had caused considerable cro-j sion to his property in Bclmont Extension. He objected particularly to n groyne which diverted the river directly towards the Belmont Extension, and ho thought that the board should consider removing it. His own view was that an extended groyne to protect the Extension was called for, but, lie realised that the board had "but little interest in the protection of that locality, and might consider the expense unjustified." The. chairman of the board (Mr. ]?. S. Hewer) challenged Mr. Bedingfield's statement that tho board had no interest in that locality. It was a remarkable statement, because the board's policy was to protect every locality, as ' best it could. Mr. Bediugfield was* not fair in his statement. A deputation of five waited upon the board, also complaining of erosion at Belmont Extension. By means of plans the}' explained their grievances to the board. Ttu board's engineer (Mr. H. Sladden) said that to prevent erosion the board could put in a 60ft breastwork of iron railings. The board was watching all river matters, and would take ia baud anything requiring attention. Tho residents near the river could help by preventing cattle from eating the young .willows. Groynes were only temporary expedients until the willows —the only permanent pro-: teetion—were, established. Mr. Hewer said that all the major works done by the board were not to protect any one locality, but all localities., Rverything done was in accordance with a plan to control the river along its entire course. There were places far worse than Belmont to look after. The engineer was instructed to proceed with the protective work at Belmont immediately.