PUBLIC MEETING AT THE HUTT.
A public meeting of the ratepayers of the Hutt Valley was held in the schoolhouse, Lower Hutt, on Saturday evening, for the purpose of considering the advisability of having a Board of Conservators established for the Hutt River. There were about 30 ratepayers present, and Sir William Fitzherbert occupied the chair. The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said it was unnecessary for him to say much. All present were aware of the object for which they had met, as it affected the whole of the inhabitants of the valley—a valley which was one of the most delightful residences in the district. The encroachments of the river, however, had became a serious matter, and it was absolutely necessary that some steps should be taken to protect propel ty. There could be no question that further protective works were necessary, and he thought the best mode to be adopted was to establish a Board of Conservators and levy a rate. But this would be no use unless the whole of the inhabitants coincided. The question of forming a River Board of Conservators was no uew project. It had often been spoken of before, but the old road boards then in existence did not look at the matter in the proper light. _ Any one looking from the hills and seeing the damage and devastation dona to property by the river could not but form the opinion that something must be done to prevent more valuable land being washed away. He remembered eighteen or nineteen years ago, when Mr. Buchanan was alive, that gentleman lost a largo --number of sheep, and altogether in that year there was property lost to the extent of £2OOO. Though so much had not been lost in any one year lately, still the damage was continuous. He believed that if a Board of Conservators was formed it would greatly enhance the value of property in the neighborhood. He referred them to the River Thames in England, and pointed out the great works that had been carried out there through having a Board of Conservators. He was willing himself to act in any way in so worthy an object, but it was no good forming a board unless they had the spirit to work together. Mr. Milne said he felt deeply interested in the proposition of forming a Board of Conservators. He cautioned those present that unless something was done to prevent the river washing away its banks the results would be more 'serious than at first thought. The land was being washed away little by little. He considered it was no use for one person having a frontage to the river to lay out money in protecting his property unless his next door neighbor did the same. He had heard it said that a number of persons would be willing to subscribe and got a sum of money to protect the banks of the river from washing away. He, however, was of opinion that very little good would result from spasmodic efforts of that kind. They should declare a special district, and levy a rate in that district. He had expended a considerable amount of labor himself in trying to keep the river within its proper channel, but a fresh always washed his labor away. If they could once get the river within its bounds, it could be kept there after with very little expense. The same thing had been tried elsewhere, and carried out successfully. Ho would move—That the ratepayers of the Hutt Valley are of opinion that it is desirable and necessary that a Board of Conservators should be established for the Hutt River, and that steps bo taken accordinfjly. • , ~ Dr. WIU'OKD, in seconding the motion, said it was useless acting in the matter unless au concerned worked together. He considered that a special rate of Is. in the £ would be quite sufficient. If the affair turned out useless they would at any rate have the satisfaction of knowing that they had made tho atte Mr." Bonny thought it would be desirable to appoint a committee, and moved,—That a committee be appointed to collect information and prepare plans of a proposed district, and report to a future meeting. The committee to consist of Sir W. Fitzherbert, Messrs. H. Bunny, M.H.R. ; T. Mason, A. Fringlc, W. S. Milne, J. G. F. Wilford, and Fitzherbert. Mr. Mason seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5517, 2 December 1878, Page 2
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750PUBLIC MEETING AT THE HUTT. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5517, 2 December 1878, Page 2
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