THE HUTT RIVER

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 21 November 1931, Page 15

THE HUTT RIVER

RAISING THE STOPBANKS

BOARD'S LOAN PROPOSAL

Interviewed regarding the necessity for raising a loan for Hutt Biver protection purposes, Mr. F. S. Hewer, chairman of the Hutt Biver Board, said the flood which occurred last Easter showed that in places the stop banks were short of tho necessary marginal safety, one of the danger points being in the vicinity of Moora, ana therefore this district and tho low-lying land to the twist would be one of the first areas to suffer if a flood got over the bank. The work of raising the bank, said Mr. Hewer, could not bo done out of revenue, and in spite of the inopportune time, the board was forced to consider the question of a loan. It has in addition been considered necessary to strengthen and increase the height of the exiting concrete retaining wall from the western approach to the Hutt Bridge, and thence south, as well as to provide for additional works in the upper reaches, principally boom groynus. That the work is considered necessary added Mr. Hewer, is shown by the fact that the Local Government Loans Board has authorised the Eiver Board to take a poll. The proposed additional height ot the stop bank ranges from six inches to two feet eight inches on the west aide and from six inches to two feet to in- inches on the east side. On tho question of the possibility ot an increase in the rates the chairman said that every member was anxious to avoid this, where possible, and although the board had pledged a rate equal to as 3d per £1000 value on class 1 and class A, Is 8d per £.1000 on class 2 and class IS, and lOd per £1000 on class 3 and Class C, it would be seen that any increase would not bring the rates to as much as in tho year 1930-31. l'<>r 1931-32 the rates were reduced by os Jd downwards per £1000 of value.