HUTT RIVER BOARD.

Hutt News, Volume 9, Issue 26, 4 December 1935, Page 2

HUTT RIVER BOARD.

ENGINEER'S REPORT-

At the "last meeting of the Hutt Kiver Boaid the engineer, Mr. H. Siadden, -reported" as follows: On the 29th ultimo a flood occurred, being the biggest for several years and the river has since then been almost continuously considerably above normal level. Considerable flooding <zf the lower lands in the upper teaches occurred, but in the lower reaches, due to the greatly improved channcl and to the peak of the flood occurring at the period of low tide there was scarcely any flooding of the berm areas between the stopbanks. No damage occurred to the stopbanks and' nothing of a very serious nature to other worit. Flooding across the main highway occurred at Silverstream beyond the Board's jurisdiction. A subsidence took place at the lower end of Seagar's paddock some days after tho flood.. A short length of the old established willow protection was carried away, but repairs were promptly effected. The works at Taita Gorge stood well and all is secure. Flood waters lapped on to the main highway to a small extent. The works stood well at Manor Parlt Golf Links and no damage accrued. The links were flooded but tho deposit of silt will be a considerable benefit.

About 10 chains of recently constrict ed willow and cable work at R-outlcy's in the beud of the channel, subsided and is buried in the shingle. Erosion occurred behind it; but the stone weir below functioned well in ponding the flood water and prevented more serious damage. Conditions are favourable for opening a pilot cut en the line of the schemed channel, and this will be put in hand. A short length of tethered willow work and two stouc spurs at Barn?s' will be constructed to check a side ?ct from the main channel on to the low gorsc covered ground. Flooding occurred here but no damage accrued. The willow and cable work and the bed of planted willows at Huse's opposite Eoutley's have established wed and no damage occurred. The success of these willows is in large measure due to co-operation of the land owner in fencing and keeping stock from them. Further erosion has taken placo at August's and most of the recently constructed cable and willow work has subsided and is embedded in the Single. The main channel has, however, loft this bank and is now more central. Repairs will be effected and it *s anticipated that serious further trouble is unlikely. About 10 chains of cable and willow work is required and this is now being put in hand. Some erosion at Walker's Island from a side set occurred in a section wlnre the willow belt has not yet been established and also at Dickie's for a short length below the junction of the old Dexton channel. The latter look awfy a small area of the pine plantation and a short, section of willow protection. Repairs arc being attended to. No change to cause serious trouble is likely. ' ' 1 '* Generally, the channel conditions are quite satisfactory and further accumulation has taken place in the formerly troublesome channel at Belmont Extension on the opposite side of the river. .At the end of Mabey Road on the board's strip of land giving access to it's Dickie area, unauthorised deposit of rubbish has been made by some person. It is desirable that a notice warnin against the practice be erected mil action taken' against offenders in faturc. ' t 1 ' . At Dickie's, lower portion and ;veilins' all is satisfactory. The willows and other works are in good order nnd the channel conditions are excelled.. The troubles 0 f post J™" ore not likc "

ly to recur. At Belmont Shingle Co., channel conditions hav 0 further improved. The scouring set against the bank nas practically ceased. Some tethered willow work will be carried out where the cable and willow work has settled into the bed. At the Ic-vrer end where the bank had previously scoured close to the railway siding all is satisfactory and the protective work is intact. At Adams' paddock two boom groynes have been damaged and willow work on the face scoured. This one of the most difficult places in the river. The width is restricted and the bend is very acute. Until the diversion cut

and the new bridge at Melling can he constructed there will be a certain amount of recurring damage and expense. Repairs arc being attended to. At Kindon's beach and railway siding the work stood well and the channcd conditions are good. About three chains of new willow and cable work in extension of existing work havo been carried out, the development of the channel being now opportune. At the Convent the works stood woll and the channel is in a good state. The long boom groyne at €lendon ed some damage to the two end l bays, but this is not a serious matter. ■ In the lower reaches no- damage oci curred and the channel is in good order, i Flooding of the High School lower phying area and of the depression in St. Alban's Avenue occurred, through failure of the floodgate at the culvert under the stopbank to closc. This was due to the iron balance weights on the timber gate becoming detached. Temporary measures arrested the inflow, and tho gate was repaired as scon as the flood had recedcd sufficiently.