HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 219, 9 June 1908, Page 8

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

LOWER HUTT BOROUCH COUNCIL. The usual meeting of tho Hutt Borough Council was held last night,- when there wcro present:—Sir. T. A. Peterkin (Mayor) in the .chair, and Councillors Russell, Baldwin, Judd, Ross, Wik'smitli, O'Sullivan, Ilughos, Ward, and Hodgins. ' Correspondence was as follows;— l'rom the Petonc Borough Council, notifying _ its intention to connect up tho new station meter for registering the supply of gas to the Lower Hutt Borough, and stating that tho meter was connccted on Monday last.

I'rom the Railway Department, giving permission to cart material over tho railway I at ilelling Settlement. ' \ From tile Wellington Hospital Board, intimating that nothing further can be dono i|4 tho matter of providing a cottage hospital a? tho Lower Hutt this year, but the matter would be referred to tho incoming'board for consideration, when making the now estimates lor next year. Councillor Ward was uliable to understand 011 what basis tho Hospital Board had based their calculations, and considered some explanation was necessary. From Mr. 0. S. Watlrins, intimating 'that he will assist Mr. HanSctt in the matter-of ascertaining what support will be given to tho gas department in the event of the main being extended to Pretoria' Street.— Referred to Gas Committed to report. ' From the Wellington' Meat Export Co., in further reply regarding cattlo driving, to tho effect that the company cannot see tTicir' to send their stock via tho back Waiwetu Road and White's Lino. The engineer reported that tho cattle droving on tho main street was causing great damage to the. new formation of footpaths, and the cleanliness of tho footways was affected. ; It was resolved, on'the motion of Councillor ' Ross, that the Council obtain , tho opinion of the borough- solicitor as to its power to make a spccial by-law with regard to stock driving in tho borough. From Mr. Routley, to the effect that 110 cannot think of accepting tho Council's amendment to Jiis offer 111 the matter of the proposed exchange of land at Alicetown. Tho letter was received. From Mr. A. R. V. Ladder,, drawing attention to the condition of the kcrbing from Woburn Gate to tho Bollevuo Gardens, arid also the state of the footpath.—lt was resolved that, owing to the owner of tho adjoining frontage not having dedicated the land, tho Council cannot do any permanent repairs. ' ' . Tho following return showing the number of cases of infectious diseases recorded in the Borough during tho past six years' (from 1902) was presented by tho Town Clerk:— Scarlet fever, 52 cases; typhoid fever, 8; consumption (in various forms), 11; diphtheria, 21; measles, 79; influenza, 3. Councillor Russell considered this 1 table showed that tho Borough held a high position compared with others:

The River Board wrote stating, that tho Borough might removo shingle to any extont. It was resolved that an agreement bo drawn up in accordance with tho 'River Board's offer. - Councillor Ross asked if this bound tho Council to. removo the shingle within a given time. . Tho Mayor replied, that'there was no defined time.'within which tho shingle must be removed. , Councillor Ross, as .a layman in the matter, mentioned that he noticed tho Engineer was, using' shinglo to top-dress the main road.. He did not think this went to make a good road. Councillor Hughes supported tho contention; and considered that the money was wasted if not spent in the best motal. ' With regard to tho tenders for attention to Town clock, Councillor Ward moved that the only tender received, from Mr. Jenness, be accepted. ■ ' ■ ■ Tho Ranger's report showed that 29 head of cattle had been impounded, and two stray dogs destroyed. Councillor Russell gave notice of motion that a return be raad,o showing tho amount of premiums paid $or. accident insurance, and tho amount of claims mado for compensation. !-.■ It was that tho road \at the Cemetery corner boone'of the'first works to. be' taken up after the completion of-the main north road.

iV breeze arose over a question of; standing orders. A proposal was made to admit Mr. H/B. Gordon as a deputation with referenco to a strip of land at BlackbridgOjtOj be .transferred to tho' Council.. After some' considerable discussion on the-, matter, Councillor Ross demanded that tho standing orders as shown bo adhered to. .Tho Councillors, insisted .that ho was within his rights in demanding that tho business sheet should be adhered, to. ... Tho Mayor: You may insist, but I have tho. opinion of tho Comicil behind 1110. ! ' Councillor Ross: I ask your Worship .to order the production of tho standing orders. This was done, and tho discussion was continued. Eventually it was decidcd that Mr. Gordon be not admitted, but that his letter bo read. Finally it was decided to refuse Mr. Gordon's .offer, and to inform him to that effect. •The Engineer reported as follows:—Main Road Kerb and, Channel—This work is proceeding satisfactorily. The kerb channel and pathway, including sumps and drainage, are completed to tho northern. end of Knox Churchy ' Waterworks—Two hundred house connections have been made'with the mains up to date. The cleaning of Racecourse Creek is completed. Melling Bridge—The construction of this bridge is now well in hand. The'whole of the ironbark, with tho exception of one pile', together with a quantity of jarrah,. is 011 tho site. The orders are placcd ■ for tho steel ropes and ironwork.

PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tho regular fortnightly meeting of .the Potoiw jßorough Council was held last evening. There were .present:—His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) and Councillors Cole, \oung, Lodder, ' Southgate, Castle, Colouhoun, and Smith. A letter was received from Sir. E. W. Hursthpuso in connection with a steam motor 'bus service if tho electric tram service is not gone 011 with, and offering to giVe particulars if required of steam motor'buses for public service. Councillor Lodder moved, and: Councillor Colquhoun seconded, that the letter be received. This was carried. With regard to the lamp post damaged by a Volunteer, the Defence Department notified that it was willing to pay £,5 in full settlement of. the claipi, and that it considered charge for escape of gas not a fair charge against the .•Department. Councillor Lodder moved that' the Engineer bo instructed to again write the Department that the' Council cannot' see its way to make any reduction., This was agreed to. Mr. T. F. Martin, solicitor, sent the following opinion with regard to motor traffic: Every person .commits an offence who drives a motor car 011 a public highway recklessly or negligently, or at, a speed or in a/manner which is dangorous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of tho case, including- the nature, conditions, and use of'the highway, and to the amount of the traffic which actually is at the time onjyhich' might reasonably bo expected to be on tho highway. An application for a license to sell secondhand furniture was received from Messrs. Aspin and Co., and was granted. The secretary, Koro Iyoro School ConVmittee, wrote enclosing a copy of a letter from the Education Board stating that tliey cannot make a grant for assistance , with regard to a sanitary service, and asking what can be dono in the matter. It was decided that the engineer report on the matter;- and see what can be done. . ' ■> ,■ Councillor Colo was appointed to represent the Council 011 tho Petono Technical School Board in place of ill'. Nicholson, resigned. The bandmaster of tho Salvation Army Band wroto asking tho Council to. subsidise them as they wore prepared to give the samo number of freo concerts as other bands, and. the money would bo spent on instruments and music. Messrs. : Hewscn and Toomath, bandmaster and deputy bandmaster, waited 011 the Council in reference to tho request. His Worship promised that when tho estimates camo,np for consideration, tho matter would be attended to. Mr. J. Walsh asked tho CouncilHo pay half the cost of a fenco at tho back '-of his section 011 the boundary of .tho stop bank. Tho Council decidcd to do this. Councillor Southgate moved that it be lawful to ercct two shingle houses 011 "a fiftyioot section, mm-idituj t,he buildine be erected,!

of concrete or brick. Councillor Cole spoke against the motion, and did not see why the by-law should ho altered every six months to suit any one. Ho failed to see how it would benefit the working man, and'trusted the motion would not bo carried. Council-' lor Castlo also spoke against the motion. On the motion being put it was lost. On tho recommendation of the Gas Committee it was decided that a gas cooker and heater , for tho Technical School be granted. Tho Gas Committee also recommended that the Council import its gas meters, and that an order bo sent Homo for 100 at once. This was carried.

. Messrs. Townsend Del alum ty(canvassing agent), and Daniels, of the NoLicense Leaguo, paid a visit to tho Upper ,Hutt- on Saturday afternoon. An open-air meeting was held in 'the' main street at 8 p.m., when Messrs. Towiisend and Daniels addressed the crowd for an hour and a half on the No-license question/. .