BARE HILLSIDES IN HUTT VALLEY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 223, 21 June 1928, Page 10

BARE HILLSIDES IN HUTT VALLEY

RIVER BOARD’S PLANTING SCHEME PROPOSAL CONSIDERED BY WATER BOARD Being of the opinion that tree planting on the hillsides adjoining the Hutt River is desirable in the near future, the Hutt River Board has approached the City and Suburban Water Board with n view to leasing 5000 acres for afforestation purposes. While members of the Water Board were willing, provided a contributory scheme could be arranged, they were averse to allowing any property belonging to the Board to pass out of its control, or to allowing any other authority to derive profit from timber rights following afforestation. At tho meeting of the City and Suburban Water Board yesterday, the following resolution passed by the Hutt River Board was received :— "That this Board considers the question of tree planting on a more extensive scale, and that with this object in view, the Wellington City and Suburban Water Board be approached with regard to leasing that portion of the Hutt River watershed contained in Section 15, an area of approximately 5000 acres.”

The land referred to comprises the hills east of Kaitoke station, and the River Board asked under what conditions the Water Board would be prepared to hand over the area referred to for planting purposes. More Information Desired.

Mr W. T. Strand, who is chairman of the Hutt River Board, said that the Board desired more information. In the Act it said the River Board might contribute to reafforestation, and there was a general desire that something should be done in that direction. The Board controlled so much of the river at important points where hills were denuded, and they would like to come to some arrangement by which they could have a certain area to plant from time to time. If the Hutt River Board contributed to the funds of the Board there should be some financial arrangement between the two Boards. The River Board, after discussing the matter, thought it might be desirable for a certain portion of that denuded country to be handed over on certain conditions to the Hutt River Board to re-afforest, and any timber should be the property of the River Board. He thought the two boards might work hand in hand in the interests of reafforestation, which would tend to prevent the flood waters coming down at the rate they did at present.

The chairman: This means that the board hands over 5000 acres of freehold to the River Board. Mr. Strand: Not the freehold.

The chairman: In effect it is. We hand it over to you, you plant trees and the benefit of the trees is yours. Any benefits from forestry would go to you.

Mr. Strand: “That is a point to be considered.” The River Board desired information and terms upon which the land could be taken over for reafforestation. The River Board had faith in the planting of these hills.

“Should be Very Careful.” “We should be very careful before we give away any of our rights to another board,” said Mr. J. McKenzie (Petone). “We have just appointed an officer to conserve and look after our interests, and we must guard our possessions. We have an officer to direct the planting of trees, and when they grow to maturity and become a source of profit we should have that revenue.” The Hutt River Board would gain an 'advantage by tree-planting, which would prevent the water coining down so fast.

Mr. IL A. Huggins agreed that cooperation between the two boards,was desirable, and if the River Board was interested in afforestation along the river it would further the, objects of the Water Board. Mr. P. Robertson supported Mr. McKenzie's views that the board should take care of its rights. If the Hutt River Board hail surplus finance there were hundreds of acres it could get if it wanted a commercial outlet for its surplus funds. "To Open the Ball.” Mr. Strand replied that the River Board wanted to see the hillsides planted, and if the Water Board was not rendy to do it just now, this proposal would “open the ball” to see if something could not be done. There was no thought of taking freehold and never bad been, and should not be entertained for a ipoment. but some arrangement was necessai'.v before the River Board could baud over sums of money ad lib to the Water Board without any benefit.

The chairman agreed that the two

bodies could work together for their mutual benefit. He saw no objection to leasing the land for a short or long period on terms under which it would remain the property of the Water Board. If they were to give the land and the River Board planted it with trees and look the profit, it would mean they would get land for which they paid nothing at: all. He was sure that was not what they wanted. He suggested that a sub-committee should look into the matter and reFinally it was left to the chairman and Mr. Strand to confer and report to the next meeting.