HUTT RIVER BOARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11163, 20 March 1922, Page 6

HUTT RIVER BOARD

A PROGRESSIVE POLICY. X EECLAIMING TUB FORESHORE. Some timo the Hutt River Board, under the chairmanship of Mr W. T. Strand, decided on carrying out a progressive which, included placing shingle on tn«K market at a moderate figure, and a comprehensive echemo for river improvements, three-planting and reclaiming portions of the foreshore at the mouth of the river. The venture of the shingle works has prayed a groat success, and hae returned the board a very handsome income for the ten months it has "been in operation, and it is certain that about ,£BOOO a year profit can. be obtained from the river shingle. When tho present board took office a little over a year ago it was found there was no plan of the river in existence and the practice had been to put a groyne in here, there, and everywhere. This has now 'been altered, and Mr Lang-Meason (board's engineer) has drawn up a plan for straightening the river, and in. future all work of river protection carried out will he part of the general scheme. The board has before it at present a most important scheme of reclaiming about 300 acres bf foreshore, and at tho last meeting bf the board the chairman explained that full survey plans had been prepared and he had consulted with Sir Francis Bell and tho Hon. G. J. Anderson on the matter. The scheme was to divert the Waiwetu stream into the main Hutt river, which would bo kept in. a straight course from the pipe bridge to the sea. Piles would be driven and the mud flats extending as far as Lowry Bay would bp reclaimed. Sir Francis and the Hon. Mr Anderson expressed themselves favourable to tho scheme.

. On the motion of Councillor Mitchell it was decided that the Hon. G. J. Anderson be asked to grant the board'*! engineer permission to consult with Mr Furkett, Engineer-in-Chicf, and go Into the ooheme.

The chairman stated that when the board -received the Minister's sanction a local bill would have to lfe drawn up vesting the fee simple of tho land in the board.

Mr Mitchell remarked that everything pointed to the board becoming a strong financial body i Several of the members expressed their appreciation of Mr Strand's efforts on behalf of the board.