HUTT AND PETONE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 451, 9 March 1909, Page 8

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS

(from odr special reporter.). PETONE FOOTBALL GROUNDS. Tho Petono Borough Council received a letter last evening from W. G. Talbot, secretary of the Wellington Rugby Football Union, stating that, at a special meeting of the cqmniitteo, the leasing of tho I'etono Recreation ground to tho union had been discussed. Tho committee considered that tho amount asked (£250) was too high, and tho secretary had been instructed to mako a counter-offer of £175, asking the council to supply the gatekeepers and keep the ground in order as in tho past. The writer continued: "As your councillors are no doubt awaro, the average takings over tho last three yoars have been about £150 per year, and, working on thesb figures for future guidance, my union is offering the council all tho takings and an additional £25, and also taking tho risk of tho receipts falling off. Wo usually uso the ground from 3 o'clock to 5 o'clock on about fourteen Saturdays throughout the year, our offer working out at £12 10s. each afternoon. Tho union is far from strong from a financial standpoint, but despite shortness of funds, wo have always endeavoured to meet your council, and I feel, sure that your members havo.no desire to be otherwise than considerate in dealing with us. Tho union is not a profit-making concorn, any fuuds that may bo gathered together being at the disposal of the players who mako up our mombership." Tho Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) remarked that tho cost of running the gates last year had been £12 12s. Councillor Lodder' moved: —"That tho offer ho accepted, but the council tako no responsibility regarding tho gate-keeping." Tho mover pointed out that if this were agreed to, there would be no disputo as to where tho first-class matches were held. Tho Mayor stated that tho council's caretaker would act as in the past, without any payment from the Rugby Union. Tho motion was agreed to.

WANDERINC STOCK. Two Hutt residents waited on the Borough Council last evening and asked tho council to take stops to stop prosecutions that had been initiated against them for straying horses. Thoy said their horses wero deliberately lot out of their paddocks by somo persons unknown. Tho ranger said that ho had not had trouble with these, residents' animals during tho past year. Councillors admitted that the letting out of animals at night by mischievous persons was not rare. Councillor Ross: "I have had my horse turned out and another man's turned in. A pretty cool thing, I thought." Councillor Russell: "Did you turn the other man's horse out?" Councillor Ross: "I , did, quick and lively." (Laughter.) Tho ranger said he had 20 other cases ponding. Tho Mayor (Mr. Peterkin) said the other twenty would bo sure to want their cases withdrawn too. Councillor Russell thought the explanation should bo mado to the magistrate. On the motion of Councillor Ross, it was resolved to withdraw tho informations in tho two cases.

MOTOR SPEEDS ON HUTT ROADS. A "hill climb for motor cycles" sounds suspiciously much like a road race to the ears of some members of the Hutt Borough Council. When a request for permission for members of the Hutt Valley Motor , Club to hold a "hill climb for motor cycles oil the Hutt side of Wainui Hill" came before the council last evening considerable interpretation of tho phrase was found to be necessary. "Wo intend to have the hill well patrolled by officials of tho club," wrote tho secretary, Mr. A. E. Pattison, "so that there shall be no danger to other users of the road." Tho Town Clerk observed that tho cars would "go slow." Councillor Ross: "They can't do otherwise up that hill." The Mayor (Mr. Poterkin): "But they'll have to come down again." Councillor Ward said even if the council gave permission the police could intervene and prevent it. They had dono that in road races elsewhere. Councillor Hughes: "This is not a road race." Another councillor remarked that motor cycles went six times faster than motor cars. Finally it was resolved to sanctioii the climb.

JOTTINGS. The final fori tho President's Fours of tho Petono Rowing Club was rowed last evening, when White's crow (A. White, str., T. Williams 3, H. Parrant 2, and R. Cunliffo bow) defeated Tremain's crew (Tremain str., P. Fitzgerald 3, S. Bland 2, and A. W. Packard bow) by a length. Senior Constable Cox, of Pctone, leaves today for Jolmsonvilie, Sergeant Forstor having arrived from Dunedin to relieve him. Tho Petone Citizens' Band has been granted permission to give a benefit concert on tho Recreation Ground to-morrow evening in aid of tho Penguin fund. At 9.30 last night, the Petono Fire Brigado was called out to Cook's cooperage in Kelly's Lane. The outbreak was very small, and was put out in a couple of minutes. Tho return of Councillor Peterkin (Mayor of Hutt), after illness, to civic duties at tho Borough Council meeting last evening was the subject of congratulatory remarks from Councillor Russell and other councillors. His Worship thanked tho councillors for their welcome.