HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 493, 28 April 1909, Page 2

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(rnosi.oun srEciAL nEPOiiTEB.). -"■:'■: ,;''PETONE'ELECTIONS. . .. THE MAYOR-AND CANDIDATES. In the' Oddfellows ': Hall, Potorie,. '. lasi evening, , tho Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan), who has been returned unopposed, addressed a full meeting , of .ratepayers. An'invitation having. been extended , to "candidates to express their;.: views, Councillor R. W. Short, ox-Councillor J. Piper, and Messrs. J. W. List, R. H. Jones, William Trueman, and E. W. Woodbouso occupied seats on the platform. '.. ' . ■ .-' Mr, M'Ewan had a cordial reception.' Ho? said that he wished to.give an account of 'his. stewardship, during the past two years,' and to,outline what ho hoped would be.the policy followed -by- the now. council. Dealing with, financial matters, he would, point, out that'.tho debit; on the general account was £3160 (eliminating transfer ..items), or £84 .-less", than.'at the close ...of-the previous year,., Tho receipts on- Recreation Ground had beoa £288 and .the.'expenditure* £441. ; Bent-of the municipal buildings had brought in £340, and tho council offices and library (exclusive of, tho ground • floor). wore practically rent free.- . The library had cost the ratepayers £20 for the year. Maintenancoi of the Firo Brigade and contribution to: the Fire Board had absorbed £137, and the efficiency of- the brigade had improved since.the appointment .of a superintendent, Repairs fiid maintenance ;of streets and footpath's had cost £2380, about £5 in excess of the estimate. Charitable aid had involved the town to' tho. extent- of '£135, and the staff salaries amounted to , £717 v The- general account was burdened with in-' terest charges (total £231) ( on .the • Hutt Road, main Hutt Bridge, and wharf loans. In addition, there was £200 for that'portion of; tbo Hutt Road within the Onslow borough. The cost of the sanitary service had been £1796 for.tho'year, an, increase of r £B2 on:,tho - previous-.. twelve months.:. He , ,'was convinced, that the. time was ripe for' the serious consideration of a-ri up-to-date sew-a-ge, scheme./ .They,- already 'had Mr. 'Mob-. tayor's report: on -the Shone system;,similar, to that of Wellington..;, It. would'.bo ,a matter for the attention : of , the--'new .council, and if might be desirable that a schemo should be submitted to tho ratepayers, say, in twelve, months' time.; The receipts, on* the. gas' works had been £8603, and the expenditure £9128, showing a debit of £525 on the year's working! Hcn-eveiy there had been disbursements for plant, and,when.these were allowed. for,.- the year ;was seen to bo , reasonably profitable. The agreement for tho supply or Lower Hutt would terminate in August, but so far, the council's offer for anbthor lorm.hafl not been .'accepted. ;* If the Hutt ceased to be ,i customer, the-price of production would •■ be increased by * per 1000 cubic feet.! On the waterworks, the recoipts had been £1823, and tho expenditure 'was £1845. In'order to ensure; purity, the -pre-, l.sontcouncil had recoramonded that tho whole of '■■' tho catchment area of" the Koro-Korp stream should bo acquired. Under tho Catch- ? .ment; Area ..Bill'of-1007 the council had tho right to pnrchaso'a very large portion of tho catchment' area for the sum of £12,000, but' as .this, would entail an annual, charge of £600, it was considered unwise to proceed further in thi' matter of purchase, Negotiations had be*n entered into with the-Lands Department/and.the whole of the Normandalo portion of Ithe catchment area; had boon leaded at £60 per annum. ! At. the end of 1908, tho public debt of the borough had been £93,835. Additions mado during the' year had been: Recreation ground, £4100; recreation.ground improvement loan, '£2500; wharf loan No. , 2, £1000;." bringing tho total up to £10i;435. Forty-one thousand eight hundred and thirtyfive pounds of this was Government loan at 3i per cent, The.assets: wore: Sinking funds, £8771; Von deposit, £2000; cash in bank/ £1598; gas works,. £25,000 (approx.); -waterworks, - £28,000 ;recroation:ground : (incliulincTechnical ;Sohoolqsitfe>}-£80;000:; 'I'ftunicip'ar buildings, £9000;. fire depot, 4850 ?i<Hid'>cthor,citeni¥,'nitfalds(g ftp' a-£107,819.;--K'wa's.-.liot'i'possible to v ,va.luo->the>.'streots,'- drainage^ , '-sanitary* '-pliuit'-■wharf,-andrHutt road.and bridge, , although' the, • loans ~for, these purposes ■amounted' to .£33)400...:, .-w/ v':^ ; * ;-,•;.;f . :■■■■;?■■'■■ •■ _, He hoped to.see the incoming council tak-'-ing stops to, metal the- whole of the' side .streets, with the. object-of ultimately; .tarring.' i them.' In order' 'that ; the. wharf • might bo more, generally used, he would submit a scheme under which coal 'for the , borough (about.-; 2000 tons' ' ■ per . annum)'would bo brought over the wharf. It > would be necessary to consider tho laying down of a> light , ' line of rails on the wharf. Although the etep was apparently hopeless at; present,-\Hhey should not loso sight of ,'th6 project to acquire, tho foreshore 'rights for, 'Petorie. ;He intended , to urge the'• building-.of 'municipal baths on the same, lines ;as',the Christchurch baths.-; Approving -; of , Dr. ; ' Ffongley's schemo -. for tho supply ■ of''. pure ■ m'ilk in; Wellington, ho recommended ,1 '.that the ; Potono _ Council should purchase milk from dairymen,: subject to tests ; being passed, the distribution to :bu ■ carried- out by council employees. Ho ivas riot in favour of tho amalgamation of the'Hutt and Petono boroughs; there would bo rib saving at. all and Pctone would not reap-ariy benefit. I ''■;■ ■' >.Ho'would.approve of.the extension of the boundaries of the borough in-the direction ;*.of Belmont and. to .the hills. In'regard to Gear Island, he contended that as ; Potone was obliged to spend a largo, sum in the building of the pipe and traffic bridge, which, was to ; connect Gear Island' with the main street, that island should form'part of Petono. The Petone, authorities would be much better able to supply the residents with all municipal conveniences than, the Hutt. Borough would be. ■ -.-./ ''.■'■-■ .; ..* •' ... -~ *"■'. *■ ~ 'The Mayor concluded with a word of thanks and appreciation, of tho honour accorded him in being returned . unopposed -. for another term. . ... *. *~..... .- ■ .V,.-'- ■ ■■.-. .',■:/ ;■■ Councillor R.W. Short, in tho'course of a brief .speech, urged that, the best possible terms should bo arranged .ivitli tho-Uiitt for the continued supply of-gas. If baths.were not going to bo -a burden on tho; ratepayers he would .strongly support* their/ ostablish.ment. ... ' . ' .-.. .- - ; ■ , '■','- -, •: •'. - : • ■ ..Ex-Councillor Piper remarked that one reason which had impelled .him'to stand was that h'o had been disgusted with the pas agreement with, the Hutt. It would expire shortly and amendments were urgently necossary.' '■ ■ -'- :- -■;';'. •■ . .;.:. ■ .;:,■': ; ■:■ ■; .-• Mr. J. W. List, intimated that-he favoured tho policy outlined by the Mayor,.and, if it were found.possible, ho would urge tha.t tepid .baths should be -. establißbed. In his opinion ■tho suggestion to amalgamate; with the lintt was premature. - . , * :...:■ ' ' Mr. -E. W. Woodhouse, in expressing his intention to keep: rates, low, declared that a policy'of sound progress would buvo'his svnipathy and support." . - ; ■ ',;. Mr. William Trueman said. Uiat ha was'.pf-' fering himself at tho request of a large number of ratepayers, and ho would . assist- in the conduct of, the borough affairs to the best of his ability.: ■■:'. Mr. R. H. Jones agreed with the Mayor's proposal to lay rails on' the wharf to facilitate the landing of coal required by the bprojgh. He did not think it right that tho Kutt should have pns, at a lower price than thn residents, of Petone. Although not/ experienced: in municipal affairs, ho would, if elected, give all his energies towarJstho f\irtheranco of the interests ofrthe bovough/

TRIANGULAR MAYORAL MEETING. MR.'BUNNY. THREATENS PROCEED- ; ; /,, ■ \.""...■ ings:,■'■•..'■■. ;: v. . The three candidates for tho Hutt Mayor- , alty (Messrs.; Russell, , Bunny, and Hawthorn), occupied sticcetsionnl fragments of last evening's mooting in tho To« - n Hall, by arrangement, in addressing a packed. aiidiciico of ratepayers. Mr. Orton Stovons presided. Each received a good- hearing... Mr. Russell-ompliasised the necessity of omnlgnmating tho River Board with the borough, urged the _ construction of swimming baths, spoke ng.iinst any .increase of rates, and explained tho position of tho £52,000 loan. At tho end of, tho,financial year ho anticipated that tho watonrqrks portion of thoJoan (£17,800) would bo in credit:by. £.77. Tho Btvcot improvements portion had not boon exceeded. A good deal of the sovrcrngo works provided for had been finished, two septic tanks made, street outfall provided, and various sections of the drainage works finished. Thoro was a crodit of £10,375 on that por-

tior.!, .and he believed' that, would suffice to finish ■ the work. Ho hna , spoken mainly to defend the -policy of the Mayor and the engineer. (Henr, hear,) : •; : ..-. Mr. Bunny began his speech with a protest against a pamphlet which , had been circulated, making a scurrilous ' attack upon himself aud Mr. Hawthorn. That pamphlet depicted him (Mr. Bunny) as having treated the Hutt River Board and the borough as'a milk cow, and insinuated that ho forced the borough to borrow the £52,000 loan, and, as solicitor to the -River Board, drew £1900 as costs in five, years. These statements were not.correct, arid'when, the election was over.the author of tho pamphlet would havo to substantiate, his charges before another tribunal. (Applause.) Ho thought it was time this sort, of scurrility was put ,down. (Hear, hear.) 'When a public man came forward to serve tho community, ho and his wife and children should not bo_ submitted to the indignity of having theso -infamous' charges., riiado Without ono iota of.truth,in them. (Hear, hear.) Ho intended to .teach, tho man who had , circulated the statements the lesson of his life. In Regard-to the £52,000 loan; ho. was not solicitor of '■' the borough, but was solicitor. . for tho Temperance, and General Mutual Society :of Australia, which had the money to lend. .As their solicitor ho offered the loan' to the borough,' and-tho Borough Council, after trying , in vain to secure better terms in New Zealand, were told by their solicitor that tho loan on' such per'cent.: at' par and without" procuration fee—was an'.excellent bargain... He did air tho work in connection with it,, .and his charge of 100 guineas was etated'iby tho boardV soli-, citor, iMr. Sl^errctt,'to bo'as littlo as'ho ;: could possibly charge. Irr regard to tho j alleged amount of £1900 paid to his firm as; solicitors to.; the River Board in five years, tho total amount was £1200 'in' ten'" years. ■■■■.■' Mr. Hawthorn severely criticised the borough's finances, tho increased overdraft, anltlio unfinished generally, Ho.also, explained hie position lit regard to the letting-of the' Town flail arid the 'bffices of the Rher, Board, and denied that the amalgamation would injure his .interests.--Ho would, on the, contrary, .benefit byi thcf;consequent adoption, of unimproved value rafcr ing in the ilivor Board district.' : jSpeaking of the candidates for-tho council generally, ho considered the .following gentlemen',' - if elected, would make a good Dr. Ansonjand .Messrs. Kemptliorne.-rMow-bray, Pearce, Harrison, >:Clare, ■: Baldwin, Hodgius, Maulo,; and Carpsnter.'■•■' -i-■ ■•■ ■;, *-.■• Major Mac Donald, ,a former .Mayofi' l by permission, explained that the resolution! concerning the; alleged' diversion ; of. £3100 from Everest Street, as stated by: Mr. Russell, had been misread byihim.' It was-the-road,.hot the money, that was diverted, : If this 'explanation could bo proved incorrect he would.givo'£lo to tho library. ■ ;<. .--<■

; ' STr- AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH;'; > ,'. ,'u ■' ■ . ' ■ ■ ■■.'.'. ■',',''■"'-1'" ■'* This annual meeting of:' tho parishioners, or/-;.. St; Augustine's (Anglican) .Church; Potqne,,; .. was held in the hall last,evening. Tho Rev* ,' J. D. Russell presided over a largo meeting..,,;,. , Tho' annual report' and balance-sheet ;.(al-j: ready■ published) were adopted.' . . .; . /'"'■}. ',; ;■: Tho following office-bearers were elected:—'.., Vicar's churchwarden, Mr. W. Hill;'parish-,,,' ionors'' ehurohwardon,.. Mr.. F. AV. Masoii-; ~V vestry, Messrs. Brookes,. Castle, ■Kcir,,Evaiiß, .',■ Hordman,-. Sherwin,. and Wilson ;i auditor,,... Mr. W. E.Lancy. ■: :X;v . ,;\, .'■;■;' - : :.;. ; ;: r ■':' Ifc.wasi decided to pay : ;£so. pi'tho church;. > debt. ■ }'[''C : .-.-. ■ ■',■:'• ■:'-■■: .',.■ IV '';-■ ,'■■.'<:•-.'..;,

: : PETONE BAPTIST 1 CHURCH:. -•; '■■ :■:■. ; The -sixth anniversary of Pctono 'Baptist; ■. - Church'was celebrated'■ by sptoial service^'oil'';';;■Sunday- lasb)'-"-' when' ;the : 'ReT'::'H;; Sharp,.;V; preached , in the',moraiiig, the'ReV.' ';J;';. ,3: ;]:; ■ North 'in the afternoon, and tho ;pastor"(Rey,.: T.vA; Williams) in tli6 'evening J. ... ■ ;•. ;;.')'; Tho tea ami public 'mooting wpro-hcld Ja'st;,.,* evehing., Songs wcro'.-contributed by.y,Misß : ,-". : Palmor,'■llrsV Hayward,, Messrs;;. Oaslunljrd "''■ ■and Oliamborlairi;, The choir/ und6r % J.? ;;; LeH'tJiwaite, sang an appropriate anthem. ;.'■..' >- Tiuy secretiry'ii•l-opo.rij wis.read_by'.Slr, ; ;A.. *i -B. Hof]gson':4nd 'approved'.' •':' '''r':;' .'■ ■'. '>':'- ;; .Tlio "chairman .(Rev. T. i; A. Williams); in'. a r . t, brief ■•;addr^s; v fcvie'«W v tho fU 'port and. outlined the programme' fpr : tha 'new., •year ? s: ; wdrkfs ! '' J '' K V , ''.'; • <t?''" : ; V',' ; ]"''r-S ; . ; •••• ffihe';'Re^^D6wi|ne^ftW^ldß^^ } ■;^;;^ "■'! /■ ;■:' JOTTINGS, ,' hr • ■'■■ jEh^. of:::Petone''.Narals ; . ■ .was..:held'last .eycndng;;in..the-;.Drill! :■ HaU.--': About forty'members-)paraded,- under-liieu- v 'i tenants Ellis, Price, and: Robinson, and/were 'i inspected by, Captain Richardson.;. Thw 'commissioned officers.,",p'ut '■ .four;.-.sciuadß:'*.i! > through the firing exercise./ rv;: -.'- •;:•■;. ':'-ri ■■'■■ * For- lack of a quorum, '.tbe.'meeting.'.lr.'of. ■'■■ •Petone Tcdiuical School Board called for last'lT evening had to be postiwned.- iThero wero-ti> ■present: llev. A. > Thomson (chairraanjj.vv Messrs:, A., .Coles,. H.'.Findlayy;and.•-, Jv G. ..'.r; Castle, (secretary). '.. , r ■;■ >,\ ■>■..■■. ■■••>''• ■.'!'.'■ ."•' During tho.midday interval' yesterday Mr..' . : M. ; M'Donald, : fitter, of , Petono , Railway ,-i Workshops, was presented, by... his..'.fellow- ~ .workers in tho orecting-shop.witha hand- ' ' some dressing, ca«b,' together-wiih silver-. \ mounted sugar basin for Mrs. M'Donflld.' The presentation was made by-Mr. J. Valentine; lending hand. Mr. M'Donald, who was ' very popular in tho "shops, , , , , leaves to-day .for .WoodvilleVto takeup' a .position- as first' ' stationary fitter in tho running, shop which-./ has been opened tlioro. •'..■'• ; ■'■■•'' ; .■ .:'. '■■•,■ ■■'. ■■-•'.'■ The' Hutt River, tliough still ' high. -has. >;' wrought no fitrther damage, and,--thanks to ;' t : . the stop-banks .of, the.. River Boardj,- a-,'con-'...'.-siderahlo ■ extent of the banks has ; escaped/, completely..No,additienaMosses aro reported from up-valloy. ";'.. , .-. '•' . ,■ . Mr: Cliarles Pettit, employed ill tho .Gear Company's works, was presented'by his co- ... workers with a set of cutlery to mark \ the ■■ .occasion-of -his. marriage. . • _ _ •■' ■■; ; Tlio Hutt, County Council visited Plim-- ■ moiion two days agoto; consider an objec- : : tion lodged in regard , to the proposed devia; : < ;■• ition. of portion of. tho Plimmorton-Porirua, .-." ,roa<d. .'-.-■ ,';■•■' ■••■ ■■ '•■■,■;''"-■■". An early call was. answered ,by the/.Lower;,/',. Hutt Fii-o Brigado yesterday morning.. At: ■■•; 2 o'olock the plumbing .workshop of Mcssre,.: :- Holmes and-, Tobin, behind. Mr. J. v-W.vf arKain's saddlery, was gutted. The building was tho property of; Mr. W.Pringle, and the stock s and .fittings' wero insured.for £75. . A record of forty-four years! continuous service as scoretary of.Taita School Commit-,, tee has'beon established by Mr. W. Cleland. , Ho was,first olocted ill 1864,; and,-lifts dttended every mooting sirco' that date, tfitk.'Vj only one exception. • ■.. .■. ■.■.■_';.'■';