Willows Pulled Up

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 20, 25 October 1939, Page 5

Willows Pulled Up

VANDALISM ON HUTT RIVER BANKS It was reported to the Hutt River Board by the engineer, Mr. H. Sladden, that some thousands of willow stakeß planted on the. recently built-up beaches, adjoining the Hutt golf links, had been pulled up by vandals. Considerable trouble of this kind was experienced each year, but this was the worst case that had occurred. Mr. E. P. Bunny, the board's solicitor, advised, that he was preparing an extension of the lease at present held by the Shandon Golf Club of a portion of Gear Island, the extended lease to expire in December, 1945. Mr. N. H. Routley complained of the erosion of his land in the Taita Gorge, and asked that steps be taken by the board to improve the position. The board's engineer, Mr. Sladden, said he was quite sure Mr. Routley was sincere in his fears, but at the same time he was quite certain that the work the ooard was carrying out would ultimately be of benefit to Mr. Routley. If the board put in groynes the result would be to set the river abruptly over to the opposite bank, from which it would rebound to strike Mr. Routley's property lower down. The work the board was doing would gradually set the current into the centre of the river-bed, and Mr. Routley's land would be Improved by silt. The board, in company with the engineer, decided to view the land and explain the position to Mr. Routley.

There were present at the meeting, Dr. B. J. Dudley (chairman), and Messrs. F. J. Jones, J. W. Andrews, and W. R. M. Pearce.