HUTT RIVER BOARD.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 35, 6 February 1930, Page 7

HUTT RIVER BOARD.

The -first meeting of the new board was held-last Tuesday evening. There were present Messrs F. S. Hewer, H. E. Leighton, C. Gostelow, J. Mitchell; G. A. Chapman. T&e Engineer was also in attendance. The Clerk called foi* nominations for position of chairman. On the motion .of Mr. J. Mitchell, seconded by Mr.* Gostelow, Mr.. F. S. Hewer was unanimously-elected chairman. ■ , . In thanking the members for the honour Mr Hewer expressed t»he hope that' the office of chairman would be held by ' each • memfoeT in. 'rotation. He' took the opportunity of congratulating Messrs Mitchell and Gostelow up6n their re-election and welcomed the new members- —Messrs C. Chapman and H.E. Leigßton.' . • . . /," . / v. O4itlie motion of Mr Gostelow^ the board unanimously approved .of the following motion: "That this board desires Lo place on record its appTeeiation of the work done by Mr W. H. Smith when a member oi' the Board."

The following cpmiriittees were set up:.—Finance: Messrs Mitchell and Gostelow. Plantations: Messrs Hewer arid Chapman.

- A legal report was received from t&e board's solicitor, Mr E.. P. Bunny, on the position.'with. Messrs Ellis's Flock Mill dam. On the motion of Messrs Leighton an""I Chapman it was agreed that no further action be taken in the meantime. . . .... ■ A -arge deputation representing the Waiwetu Progressive Association, waited on the Board in regard to the flooding of the' Awamutu Stream. Mr "W. Nash, M.P., in introducing the deputation said that the flood trouble was. a serious one and a menace to health. Mr. A. Anderson said he would like, the board to take the matter in hand and give relief as soon as possible. There Tras no doubt that the. flooding of this stream'was a menace, to the health of the ..people. They -had .one suggestion to make as to what should' be done; they would leave that to the board members andexperts^

- Mr Sullivan said that tile stencil from' the creek was something awful, and they demanded that the board take immediate steps to remedy it. The water -was almost stagnant

Mr. Bramwell /said, he believad the trouble was-with i>he pipes at the racecourse which were top small. The con-

dition of the stream, was! a menace to health., Dozens of dead eels could be seen and.the stench.was very bad. It had been reported that, sewerage was going down t>he stream, and that sometimes +he No 2 Pumping^ Station sewerage of the Lower Hutt Borough Council was turned into the creek.

Qther members of the deputation stated that the flood waters covered their sections to a depth of 18 inches.

Mr Leigiton said that some of the 'sections now occupied should never have been sold for building purposes. The land was only fit for grafting pur-

poses. . Mr. Gostelow said-it was a question of who was responsible—the Borough Council or the Biver Board. The Fngineer said the Wainui water pipes were in a large measure, responsible, nor- the trouble. There was .very little fall in t-he river. The chairman said-the board would give .'She' matter full consideration immediately. The people had a real grievance and if it Was the Biver Board's duty to' remedy .the matter it Would be done. ' Tht? chairman moved and Mr JLeigh-' ton -seconded that the Engineer make a report on the creek and if necessary to engage extra labour'to clean out tha wes-ls. ,'• ' . _ "; . - ,A report on the Western Arm was received from the Engineer; - - On the motion of Mr LeigJitori seconded <by Mr Gostelow, it was agreed ! that the Engineer be-asked to lan estimate of the cost of filling in the northern end of the "Western Arm. It was resolved to inform Messrs t MeAJliim Bros that accumulations of shingle are' increasing in their area, and' that they be asked to T9moviei same. . •■ -■ .. :: .' ■' •. ■'■'"'; ' . Letters were,received from tha Shari- | don Golf Club and 'the Wellington Aero Club 8 gain .asking' for leases of- Gear Island. '". Mr Chapman moved and Mr Leighton seconded '*that fresh tenders -be caDed £ot the lease for alternative

I terms of 5, 7 and 10 years.'* The mo- . ttpn \ras carried, Mr Gostelow dissenting- .. Mr Leighton was of t»he opinion that it was not the function of the River Board to x provide sports grounds, tout that the Board should endeavour to get the most revenue possible for Gear Island. Mr.' Gostelow: "Woull you let it foLan industrial area?" , .... ■ Mr. Leighton: ~''^°> .because that would'close the ground for all time."1 Mr Gostelow pointed out «hat in five" years time the finauees of the boards would be in so much better position, owing to the reduction of loans to enable the board to deal with the*question »-f spoTts grounds.