AFTER THE FLOOD

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 94, 22 April 1931, Page 7

AFTER THE FLOOD

KIVER BOMtD WORKS

DEMANDS FOR PROTECTION

DAMAGE TO GOLF LINKS

Goad Friday's flood in the Hutt Valley and its results were the principal topics of" dismission at, the meeting of the Hutt River Board last night. There were present Mr. y. b. Hewer (chairman), Messrs. G. H. Chapman, U. B. Leighton, C. Gostclow, and J. Mitchell, and the dork '(Mr. A. J. Gearing), and tho engineer (Mr. H. Sladclen). An opinion -nas received from the board's solicitor that there was no liability on the part of the board for damage caused by Lho erosion of tho main highway in the Taita Gorge. Members agreed that (he board would not be justified in admitting any liability ill that respect. A letter from the Upper ITutt Borough Council stated that tho flood had caused considerable damage to properties in the Upper Hutt district. Four interested parties, including the council, had decided to share equally in the cost of river protective works, the council's decision being .made on the understanding that the Hutt Eiver Board engineer approved of the class of work to bo done. The council asked whether the engineer would view tho property. Mr. Hewer pointed out that tho place affected was outside the board's area, so that the board would not be justified in asking the engineer to inspect it. Those concerned could negotiate _ with tho engineer privately if they wished. 11, was decided to reply to the Upper lIuM Borough Council on these lines. DAMAGE AT STRAND PARK. 'Jlit- Wellington Rugby Union wrote that its property, Strand Park, had suffered very severely by erosion and by having large quantities of shingle deposited on the playing areas. Approximately fifteen yards had been taken off tho width of the ground by 'the flood, and it was feared that unless something was done quickly future floods would cany away the whole of the property, which comprised 14 acres. It seemed to tho union that the pylons of .the new bridge directed the river to the northern .end of th,e park, with the rebult that when a flood came the land was rapidly eaten away. The board was asked whether it would take immediate steps to ]iavo a large break groyne erected at the'northern end of the union's grounds ■with" a view to preventing further damago to the property. The board resolved to carry out protective- willow works at that place. SHINGLE ON GOLF LINKS. The Hutt' Valley Development', Company, Ltd., wrote, that in addition to the "flood erosion on the company's property at "Hay-wards an area of about mine acres was covered with boulders and shingle to a depth varying from 9 few inches to several feet, the estimated quantity being about 18,000 cubic yards. That area was part of the Manor Park Golf Links and was_ completely ruined^ for golfing purpose's for many years. The company expected that the Eivcr Board would take measures to prevent further erosion. ■ Mr. W. 11. George, governing director of the Huit Valley Development Company, also wrote on the same subject. The Golf Club had suffered such severe damage that it had intimated that unless it could be assured of protection against the effects of a similar future flood it conld Hot see its way'to continue in occupation of the linkg. For the club to move would bo a, most serious matter for it and for the company. Mr.' George trusted that the board would take steps to safeguard the golf dub as far as possible from further erosion and flood.

In reference to the damage to the golf links, Mr. Hewer said that protection against erosion might be necessary, but to try to stop flood waters from extending over low-lying lands was not reasonable. Such lands were relief areas for the whole valley, and it was inadvisable to build stop-banks to protect them from flooding. Their owners must know that they were subject to floods. The engineer (Mr. H. Sladde'n) said that protective groynes could be built in that locality. ■ In the opinion of Mr. C. Gostelow, the function of the board was to employ the money it got in giving the greatest protection to the greatest number. There were many things to be done by the board in the more populous lower districts before attention could be given, to comparatively isolated places. Mr. Sladden said he had told a deputation of golf club and company representatives that when their district would receive attention depended upon the funds the board had available. The board's reply to the letters of Mr. George and the company was that ,the question of giving protectionwas under consideration, and that as requested ljy Mr. George, Mr. Hewer and Mr. Sladdon would meet him on the spot to discuss protective works. BOROUGH'S APPRECIATION, Appreciation of the board's work was expressed in a letter received from the Lower Hutt Borough Council. "At the last meeting of the council the recent flood in the Suit Eiver. was referred to," wrote th{>: Town Clerk, "and during discussion tho opinion was expressed that ■ the work which the board had been carrying out on the river in recent years was amply justified, and the town's safety assured. I was directed to write and express my council's, appreciation of your board's work, and its gratification at the fact that the works referred to. above have stood the supreme test of Good Friday's flood."'

"It is very gratifying to have a letter of appreciation/ said the chairman (Mr. P. S. Hewer). "We get very few." It. was\ decided to thank the council and assure it of the board's co-opera* tion in future works. ...