LIQUOR ON HUTT PARK

PETONE COUNCIL’S UNEXPECTED ACTION

SUBSIDY REFUSED

As is well known, the Hutt Park is maintained principally by the Petone, Lower Hutt, and Eastbourne Borough Councils, which bodies contribute annually towards the funds of the committee controlling the reserve. This year the Petone Borough Council decided to donate the sum of £55, and at its meeting last evening an application for an advance of £3O on account of the subsidy was received from tire committee. Councillor Cox moved, and the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) seconded, that the amount asked for be paid.

This course, however, was strenuously opposed by Councillor Anderson, who severely criticised the action of the Hutt Park Committee iu turning down the offer by the Hutt Valley Trotting Club for a lease of the park. The committee, lie said, had had an offer from the trotting club, and had it accepted that offer there would have been sufficient revenue to keep things going. The committee had insisted upon the insertion of the clause prohibiting • the sale of liquor on the park, and he thought it unfortunate that there were so many nolicense advocates on the board, expressing their own personal views and ignoring the wishes of the community. It was not right, in his opinion, that the committee should usurp the powers of the Licensing Committee. The Mayor: Well, you appointed your own representatives on the committee. Councillor Anderson: But not to express their own personal views. The Mayor; I might explain to Councillor Anderson that the Hutt Park Committee is a corporate body and has power to say under what conditions it shall lease the park. Councillor Anderson: The matter is well left to the Licensing Committee. I will vote against the payment of the £3O.

Councillor Findlay supported Councillor Anderson’scontention that the Licensing Committee was the body to judge. Councillor List: The whole thing is out of order. We agreed to donate £55 and the question of no-license should not enter.

The Mayor: I think it is no use discussing no-license or anti-no-license. Councillor Anderson: I will move-—I know it will not be carried—that the resolution granting £55 be rescinded. The Mayor: You will have to give notice of that.

Councillor Anderson: Oh, no; not if I have the unanimous consent of councillors.

The Mayor: What chajice have you of getting that? On being put, the motion to pay the amount asked for was defeated by a majority aof one. The voting was as follows:-—For: Councillors List, Cox, Brocklebank, and the Mayor. Against: Councillors Anderson, Findlay, Jones, Forsyth, aria * Trueman, Councillor Townsend was net present when the division was taken.