HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 470, 31 March 1909, Page 8

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(FUOM ODn BrECIAL nEronTEii.) • ♦ - PETONE TECHNICAL BOARD. A meeting of Potono Technical School Board, held last evening, was attended by the Rev* A. Thomson (chairman), and Messrs. J. Q. Castle, D. M'Kcrizie, H. Baldwin, H. Eindlay. Petone School Committee wrote asking that the section of land in Beach Street, owned by the Boys'. Brigade, bo handed over to tho committee. If the request were complied with, tho committee would talcs 6teps to erect baths thereon for tho use of children attending tho primary school. Consideration was deferred. Tho Inspector-General of Schools wrote that tho Railway Department was unable to agreo to tho suggestion that pupils from Upper Eutt should be allowed to travel to Potono by mail ttains. A similar letter was read from tho general manager for railways. Mr. William Ronnie, of Petone, was appointed instructor in sign-writing and decorat* ing. There were two other applications. WHO ARE CONTRIBUTORS? REPRESENTATION ON TECHNICAL BOARD. Lively discussion took place at last night's mooting of tho Board of Managers of Petono Technical School on the matter of tho representation of contributing bodies. The Education Department wrote that tho following contributors were entitled to representation on tho board:—Petono Borough Council, two representatives j Lower Hutt Borough Council, two; Gear Meat Co., one; subscribers to Seddon Memorial, two; Petone Working Men's Club, ono; Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Co., Ltd., one; Wellington Education Board (by Act), two; the board to comprisa eleven managers.. This representation, said the letter, was based on contributions received between September, 1008, and March 10, 1909. Tho question of representation of the Boys' Institute Trustees was being held over, pending receipt of further information. The chairman (Rev. A. Thomson) remarked that tho Department ought to know that tha members for tho present year had already been elected. Could tho Government override the board, who had elected, their officers twe months ago? It would bo exceedingly stupid if they allowed tho Department to interfer* with them now.

The secretary (Mr. J. G. Castle) pointed out that in tho past the members elected liad been confirmed by tho Government, and no names had been deleted, but in April, 1908, a special clause had been drawn up controlling tho representation of contributing bodies. The Chairman: If the board is prepared to allow itself to bo interfered with in this way, then all I can say is that it is an extraordinary position for the board. I am quito willing to vacate my position on tho _ boardnow, if the board think that this action on the part of the Education Department is consistent, in regard to a public body such as wa are. I do not think that the' Minister for Education will interfere with the "Board of Managers, as elected tliiß year, and I move: "That the exact position of our board be stated to the Department, and that the Department be asked to 6ay if our action in regard to tho election iff irregular." The secretary stated that according to the new regulations, unless contributions were made regularly the bodies concerned would be denied representatic n on the board. If nono contributed in I'M, then all would stand down. Should it happen that nobody contributed, the Department would have to appoint managers themselves. The chairman (who represents tho Wellington Meat Export Co., and whoso position, according to tho new regulation, is not provided for) held that his position was quite legal, and he bo glad to see tho Department tako action to prove the election invalid. Tho director (Mr. King): Well, they are aiming at'that now, evidently; but I understand that their intention is only to block thoso bodies which made ono contribution and no more. But if_ tho representative belongs to a body which is regularly contributing, even though it misses a year, I do not think that tho Minister would go so far as to drop him out. The chairman remarked that ho had devoted his time and service to the carrying on of work of tho institution 6ince its inception, and ho considered that the Department was acting in a high-handed manner. Mr. D. M'Kenzio seconded tho chairman'* motion, which was unanimously carried. HUTT ATHLETIC CLUB. The second annual meeting of Hutt Valle* Social and Athletic Club was held la6t evening, and was attended by over 30 members. Tho Rev. B. F. Rothwell (president) was itt tho chair.

The annual report stated that the membership had reached 34 male members and 22 ladies, average attendance of about 28. The social part of tho club had been successfully managed. The club regretted that the late instructor (Mr. B. H. Parker), owing to ill-health, would bo unablo to undertake tho duties for this year., Mr. H. Tregear, ex-captain of tho Wanganui squad, had consented to undertako tho men's class, if required. Subscriptions and donations had amounted to nearly .£SO. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. It was intimated that tho winter season would commence in about a month's time. Tho following office-bearers were elected:— President, Rev. B. 1\ Rothwell; vice-presidents, Doctors Mirams and D. Purdy, Mr. T. Burt; secretary and treasurer, Mr. H. Parkerj lion, physical instructor, Mr. H. Tregear; assistant lion, physical instructor, Mr. Williamson; ex-committeo officers of club, Messrs. B. H. Parker, S. P. Skinner, G. Arson, G. Tiller, N. Judd, R. Aldersley,' L Salkeld; ladies' committee, Misses G. Jenness, F. Trcvethick, L. Malion, and W. Burt.

. JOTTINGS. A fresh of 3ft. was noticed in tho Hutt Rivet yesterday morning. It is unusual for tho rivei to rise more than a few inches when the wind is from' the south, and this increase in tho volume of water coming down is evidenco that yesterday's downpour was remarkably heavy. The river height yesterday was 18 inches abovo tho normal mark. The wholo of the vear's rates levied by Pctone Borough Council have been paid. To-day-is tho end of the financial year, and the books show that .£B6OO have been collected. This is tho second year in succession that Petono Council officials have achieved this satisfactory result. An effort to bring about tho amalgamation of tho two Petono brass bauds has failed. Th« Mayor of Petonc, Mr. J. AV. -M'Ewan, who is president of the Citizens' Baiid, waited on members of tho original Petono Brass Band, and recommended amalgamation, pointing out that union meant strength, and. in this case, increasod financial support, Tho reply was not favourable, however. It was stated that tho Citizens' Band had gono out from tho old band as tho result of a breach, and, if its members desired amalgamation, tho only method was for them all to join tho Brass Band as ordinary members. Tho allotment of football grounds at Petono for the present season will bo considered • this evening by tho committee of tho borough council set up for the purpose—tho Mayor, Councillors Short, Castle, and .Smith. It is gonerally bolieved that Association players will navo tho uso of one of tho four football grounds on ;ho Eecreation Reserve. A sitting of the Polico Court at Petono yestcrdav morning was presided oyer by Mr. J. W M'Ewan, J.P. John M'lntqsh, who was charged with being drunk and disorderly, was fined dOs., in default seven days' imprisonment A first offender for drunkenness was convicted and discharged. The total,sum collected for tho Children's Bread Fund is nearly .£3OOO, of which XISOO has already been forwarded to London. Hockey has already taken a firm hold in Petonc, and a team from the liowly-formcd club will lake part in tho Wednesday competition. It is hoped also to muster a team for Saturday matches. Members of St. David a YM.B.C. are endeavouring to form a Saturday team. On tho Recreation Ground tins afternoon, Petono men will play a second match against representatives from Wellington. < For the theft of two bags of oats, the property of Messrs. Burt and Gosse, Alt ml Oxenliain was fined 10s. at tho Lower Hutt Police Court yesterday. Messrs. John Cudby and G. A. Chapman, J.P.'s, occupied tho Bench. Tho monthly inspection of tho Petonc Navalt took place last evening. About 50 officers anc men paraded under Lieut. Robinson, the corps was inspected by Colonel Campbell. Subsequently tho company was put through infantry drill Congratulations wero received by the. coins from Captain Richardson, Colonel Campbolt, and Captain Petherick (D 'Battery), on their having again won the Garrison Artillery Shield. It was intimated that the corps would go into camp at Scorching Bay at Easter, and, with tho Wellington Navals, man Fort Bal. lance. Tho Petone Navals and their friends intend holding a picnic at Lowry Bay on Saturday next.