SCABEY ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 105, 31 October 1933, Page 11

SCABEY ISLAND

SUGGESTED RECLAMATION

PETONE DISCUSSION

A feeling has been growing in the Hutt Valley for some time past that Seab'ey Island, at. the mouth of the Hutt River, should be reclaimed. The lion. Mark Kigali, M.L.C;, is a strong advocate of the reclamation sehcuio, and in the Legislative Council • last week lie gave 'notice 'to ask tlio Government whether it would give favourable consideration to putting the proposal into effect. The Petone Borough Council discussed the matter last evening. Councillor E. T, T. Hogg stated that tho reclamation had been advocated for the purpose of providing a site for an aerodrome. All had been concerned at the nature of the extravagant relief works which of neccs-j sity they had! had recourse to in the ! •last year or so,. and tHe reclaiming of the area in question would be a most useful work as apart from a measure for the relief of. unemployment, it would serve to supply a want as the Valley progressed. Rongotai aerodrome had, been strongly coiirdemned by many of tho more prominent visiting aviators, and the other alternative was drear Island, which had a disadvantage-, 'from, .the point of view of the training of pupils, in, that it was. a wedge between two closely settled areas. There was less danger of this at Scabey Island, and, besides -this, Gear Island had other disadvantages.

The Mayor (Mr. D. McKenzie) suggested that experts, should go into the question of the velocity of winds, as there had been discussion as to how the Hut't Valley differed from Eorigotai in this respect, and there had also been some talk of having an • aerodrome further up the valley. He agreed with • Councillor Hogg that the council should take an interest in the subject. ;.■■. ■ '■ ■

Councillor A. Scholeflcld said it was a problem ivhether the area should "be reclaimed for on aerodrome or for supplying valuable sites. He suggested that the reclamation should be from Point Howard to East Street, in the Petone borough. If tho idea was to find work for the unemployed, would it not be best just to reclaim tho area and settle its use afterwards? ■■■

Councillor Hogg said he would ngrcp with Mr. Scholefield's proposal.

The1 Mayor said it would be a, good idea to get the opinion of the member for the district (Mr. W. Nash), and it was decided to communicate with Mi". Nash, urging upon him the desir r ability of reclaiming the area between Point Howard and East Street. It was also decided to write to the Hon. M. Fagan on tho subject.