HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 234, 26 June 1908, Page 10

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

TRAMWAYS SCHEME DISCUSSED. A'joint meeting of the Petone and Lower Hutt Borough Councils was held last night to discuss tho tramways .scheme, Messrs. M'Ewan and Peterkin, Mayors of the respective boroughs, jointly presiding. Tho following were also present: — Lower Hutt — Councillors Russell, Baldwin, Judd, Hughes, Ross, Wildsmith, Ward and Hodgins. Petono — Councillors Short, Castlo, Young, Southgate, Coles, Lodder, and Harding. Tho Chairman stated that the meeting was called to discuss the proposed Tramway Bill which it was proposed to have passed'at Hi® coming session. In reply to questions, the Chairman explained that the Bill could bo brought into immediate operation with tno necessity of taking a poll. The Petone Council was in favour of inserting a new clause giving them the right to vote on tiic principle of a poll. _ _ : Sevoral councillors spoko against tho inclusion of tho clause, and a lengthy discustion followed for and against the proposal.' Councillor Lodder' (Potono) spoke in support of tho proposal, and said the proposed clause was really put. in so that a possible majority of voters in one borough would not .carry a voto which would cause tho weaker borough to bo governed by tho stronger at tho poll. ' Councillor Judd (Hutt) considered that the j proposal was a clever- mo.vo to kill the Bill. Councillor Ross could not see what differonce tho inclusion of tho clauso would make. The Chairman asked tho Borough Solicitor (Mr. E. P. Buririy), who was present, for his opinion on tho effect of the clauso. Mr. Bunny, in reply, stated that if tho proposed'clauso was attached it would practically mean killing the Bill.' Councillor Russell suggested that tho difficulty could bo ovorcomo by stating in

tho clanso that the poll in each'borough' should ba carricd by a majority, of votes, and not bo carried by the aggregate of the two boroughs. Mr. T. A. Pethcrkin (Mayor of Hutt) "stated that tho ..combined commi ttco had. held numerous meetings, and this mat-, ter of tho inclusion of tho-clauso' had nover been brought lip, but had been brought forward as a surpriso at the last , moment. . '■Mr. M'Ewah (Mayor of'Potonc) 'drew attention to tho fact that tlicro were thrc-o parties to tho matter, as • the district proposed in tho Bill included some of tho Hutt County Council's territory. ■' .. Tho Borough Solicitor explained that, tho. Bill, provided for a loan of not more than.' £120,000, but it did'not insist that tho full amount should be borrowed. ~ Councillor Russell agreed with Mr. M'Ewan with regard to the inclusion'of Hutt; Couuty Council. Tho combined .boroughs . had. not consulted tho C-ountv Council at all :in the matter, and ho considered;.it was too late now to do' so. . <

Councillor Baldwin; (Hutt) ■ hoped 'that the clauso would not'bo included in-the'Bill. ' ' Mr. 1 M'Ewan : advocated the abolition , of parochial feeling. Tho only way in which a Tramway Board could como into existence was by sinking any feeling between "tho 'two bodies, and working as ono body for tho district. / , ,

Councillor ."Ross (Hutt) thoucht one mistake' made in tho whole matter was tho omission from tho . proposed district of a larr.o tract of tho Hutt County, Council, which woiild be served bv any system of tractjor/arranged by tlio Tramway Board. Councillor Southgato ' (Petonc) ' suggested that, as they had a majority • of • Petono's councillors present .they,, might tako a vote as to tlio. rescinding of tho clause. • Councillor Russell moved, and Councillor Lodder seconded, that the proposal of ,tho Bill bo given effect to on a majority of thoso voting in cither borough. "' ' Councillor Ross suggested : tho inclusion of that portion'of the County Council's district which was' affected. . This was agreed :' to, and tho motion was carricd.