HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 200, 21 May 1931, Page 6

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Items of Interest From All Sources

WORK ON HUTT RIVER

Report of Engineer

The Hutt River Board engineer, Mr. H. Sladden, reported at last meeting that the staff had been engaged during the month on works arising out of the recent big flood. In the higher reaches low groynes or weirs had been constructed at Seagar’s, Routley’s, Dickie’s (now Taita Township Co.), Stellin’s and Belmont Extension. Some willow work had been carried out at ■ Seagar’s and at Mrs. McLaren’s. In the lower reach the pile-driving plant had been put into commission; the engine and the winch which were lost in the November flood had been recovered. The winch was undamaged and had been reinstated on the punt and was in use. ■ The engine had not. suffered greatly, and was being reconditioned and would shortly be fit for use. Convent Washout. Fair progress had been made at the Convent washout, work so far comprising repair to the damaged boom groyne above the washout, construction of a five-ibay boom groyne, "logs and debris cleared from the channel, reducing the tendency to scour the bank, gorse and other growth cleared from the berm area on the right bank, making improved flood relief area. During the ensiling month pile driving for the breastwork would be pushed on and packing of -willow fascines, etc., would follow as the breastwork proceeds. The Taita Gorge Road washout repairs had been put in hand by the Public Works Department. Boulders for the work were being systematically collected from the high spit on the right bank and wheeled across on a small temporary bridge. Above the washout at Seagar’s the river had developed, a bad side fall toward the road, as a result of .the accumulation at Manor Park. Steps had been taken toward checking possible scour and further work was being carried out. Boat Harbour Proposal.

Proposals by the Heretaunga Boating Club for dredging a boat harbour in the closed western arm in the mouth were examined on the ground with members of the club, and a further proposal was to be submitted. Proposals by the Manor Park Golf Club and the Development Company were viewed on the ground with representatives of each. About five chains of willow work, being portion of the work provided for in the estimates submitted last month, would shortly be, put in hand as soon as work that was* deemed more, urgent, had been attended to. A belt of willows was to be established by the club and the company. Investigation of probable flood gradients under various conditions of tide and flood volume had been made, and engineering details were well in hand for proposed work in connection with the stopbanks downstream from the Hutt bridge.

LIQUOR AFTER HOURS

Hotel Licensee Fined

On Match 14 last, Senior-sergeant McHolm and Constable Nalder called in at the Taita Hotel of which the licensee is George James Tracy. The time was 6.30 p.m. In the lounge were five men, and in front of them were five glasses, each containing varying quantities t>f liquor.

Yesterday Tracy -was convicted in the Magistrate’s Court, Lower Hutt, by Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., of selling liquor after hours, and fined £5. A charge of keeping the bar open after hours for the sale of liquor was withdrawn.

Constable Nalder, in his evidence, said that when Senior-Sergeant McHolm asked the licensee what the men were doing in the lounge at 6.30 p.m. with liquor, Tracy replied that they had been served with the drinks a few minutes before six o’clock; that they had taken the liquor out into the lounge because they were stopping for tea. The licensee considered that the men, under those circumstances, were entitled to be served. Tea was served from 5.45 o’clock to 7 o’clock. When the police arrived several people left the hotel, and in the dining room were about 15 men, one of whom was being served with soup. The five men in the lounge lived either in Petone or Lower Hutt.

Corroborative evidence was given by Senior-Sergeant McHolm.