FLOOD NUISANCE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 14 September 1928, Page 8

FLOOD NUISANCE

IN HUTT PARK AND MOERA STEPS FOR ABATEMENT Tho Lower Hutt Borough Council, desirous of preventing a recurrence of tho recent bad flooding in the Moera district and just north of Hutt Park, has obtained a report from tho Borough Engineer (Mr. Bush) and from the engineer of the Hutt River Board and tho Wellington Trotting Club (Mr. Sladden) embodying various seh'eines to abate tho flood nuisance caused by the Awamotu and Waiwhetu Streams in and around Hutt Park. The report as yet is confidential, but the position was explained to the members of the Hutt Park Committee at its quarterly meeting last night by the Mayor of Lower Hutt (Mr. W. T. Strand). Mr, Strand said that it was very necessary that something should bo dono at an early date, and knowing that tho Trothing Club's intention was to alter Hutt Park, he thought the time opportune for all interested to come together for a common object. The club had suggested that it might be possible to divert the Awamotu Stream, which ran through the Park, so that it need not run under the racing tracks. According to tho engineers this would be possible. Tho scheme favoured by the speaker, however, was that of widening tho existing culverts under the tracks and deepening the stream. Tho water, instead of meandering slowly as under present conditions, would come down more quickly. Mr. J. W. Longman asked if it would not be better to divert the Awamotu Stream at right angles into the Hutt Park. Mr. Strand replied in the negative, saying that it would be a costly job and would necessitate pumping. The scheme as outlined by him would be ineffective only when a heavy rain and a strong southerly came together. Mr. D. M'Carthy said that at one time it was very rare for that stream to be flooded. More water was coming through the stream now than there was five years ago. Mr. Strand did not agree with this, saying that it was tho ■'general opinion, but was contrary to fact. Mr. Strand said that he did not want to ask the Hutt Park Committee for. a subsidy, but wanted the committee to co-operate by giving permission for the work to be done. Members of the committee expressed their views on the subject, and it was finally decided that the executive, consisting of Messrs. A. J. Hobbs, D. M'Carthy, and the secretary (Mr. W F. Sturmau), should attend a conference on tho matter between representatives of the Hutt River Board, the Wellington Trotting Club, the Lower' Hutt Borough Council, and possibly tho Wellington City Council.