IN THE HUTT VALLEY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 107, 7 May 1923, Page 8

IN THE HUTT VALLEY

RIVER RISES RAPIDLY.

No material damage has been done in the Petone and Lower Hutfc district.' The Hutt River rose rapidly from about 5.30 a.m. to-day till 9 a.m., the highest point reached being only just less than' that of the-' flood of July, 1921. The rapidity of the rise prevented the River Board's staff from shifting to a safer position a pile-driving pun.t containing the engine and other gear. The punt broke two stout cables and floated to" just below the .pipe bridge, where, fortunately, it came to rest on a shingle' bank.' Two employees of the board had' a narrow escape, having been' on the point of boarding the punt when it broke its moorings. No damage has been ' done to the riveT banks, the protective works put down by the River Board having done excellent service. At the rear of Mason's Gardens a long groyne carried away and threw the river somewhat out of its course, ■ but apart from the loss of the groyne no serious dam-., age was ' done, though the stock-owners had a strenuous time in the early morn-' ing hours getting pigs and other animals safely removed from the low-lying land. The protective works done in the gorge just south of the Silverstream Bridge' did good service, though a short extension of the work will probably be found to be necessary.