HUTT RIVER BOARD

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1924, Page 6

HUTT RIVER BOARD

A meeting of-the Hutt River Board was held on Wednesday afternoon. Present : Messrs. W. T. Strand (chairman), J.; Mitchell, W. .Smith, S..Clenden, and j; B. Mabey.' - ' ~: *. Mrs. Deckston wrote stating that the river was encroaching on her property, and asking that protective works be erected. The engineer reported that he had-visited the place, and was satisfies! - there was no danger, and protective i works were not necessary. v It was decided that a copy of the en- j 'gineer's report be forwarded to Mrs. Deckston. ■. ■ • - ; ; C; M'Arthur and Co., Ltd., who have ,a lease for four years for taking gra\Ll from the Hutt JRiver, applied to the board for an extension of their lease for an additional s'even years, , making eleven years in all, as they intended installing expensive crushing plants. i The chairman stated that ten-year licenses should be 'granted to anyone willing to put in'crushing plant capable of 'i treating the gravel as it conies. What was wanted to-day was crushed metal. The chief function of the board was to remove the gravel from the channel so as to make the,river safe, but if they could get revenue, then it was a good thing for the board. . .Mr. Mitchell moved that anyone desiring to put in a crushing plant to take the gravel on a face be granted a ten-years' license at one shilling per yard royalty; and that an extension of license be granted to M'Arthur and Co., Ltd., on a rise and fall basis. Mr. Mabey seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Mitcheß reported that th« bluegums planted near Gear Island needed attention, and he suggested that the secretary should write to the Forestry Department to see if it was wise to continue planting gums, m view of so many dying in the Rangitikei district. It was decided to write to the Forestry Department as saggested, also to have the gum trees attended to. Mr. Mitchell moved that the tenant on Gear Island be written to and asked to clear the property of California thistle and ragwort. Mr. Young seconded tne motion, which was carried. The. following committees were set up: Finance—Messrs. J. Mitchell aid S Uendon; plantation—Messrs. Mitchell and Smith; river inspection—Mr. J Mabey; estuary—Messrs. Strand-and ulendon.