PETONE BOROUGH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3069, 3 May 1917, Page 7

PETONE BOROUGH

■ The installation of Mr. J. W. M'Ewan as Mayor of Petone for another term, took place last evening. Thore wore, present: The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) and Councillors Brocklcbank, Churchoiiso, Cox, Foster, Jones, M'Ddugall, M'Kcnzic, Nowland, and Tovey. Tlio Mayor congratulated the, told ■anil new members on their election to tho council, and said that tlwo' was no doubt about their assisting "him to carry out the business of tho council with' credit to tho town and for tho good of the community. In referring to the work, ahead of the council for tho year, ,ho stated that the loan for the sewerage scheme ran into £4000, and tile council had money in sight at. 5 per cent. 1 The new work at the gasworks was n en ring completion, and when completed tho council could say that it had every cvidonco to consider the money well spent, and for tho size of the work in Relation to the (own. it had one of' the best works in tho Dominion. It was necessary to devote attention to reticulation, aud no doubt it would bo possible with caro to save 5 pe;r cent, of tho gas which was at present unaccounted for. Ho did not suggest that any .loan proposals should be submitted to the ratepayers for tho purpose of augmenting the water supply.. He thought that the council could satisfactorily meet all of its requirements. Tho augmentation of tho water supply should bo taken into account by the council and dealt witji at a later dale. The question' of dealing with Ihn hill water trouble was referred 10, and tho Mayor thought the mailer was one which ought lo bo tackled. The most effective scheme should he. developed, and in due course a proposal mado io the ratepayers. Thore wore many other minor works which should be done, such as further improvements te tho sea front, recreation ground, soul the footways. In view of the present financial position of the country, which would affect the expenditure of local bodies, he did not favour leaning upon the hankers 100 much in tho matter of works of that nature. The council should also make every effort to increase I he ratins; area. Tim council approached the Government on many occasions for the payment oT rates on Government land, but so far without success, and I,ho borough was the loser to the extent of £7000 Thereby. He did not favour an increase in the rates this year, and the council would have to try to keep lhi> expenditure within the amount of revenuei available, and would have to see in what nther direction it. could be obtained. Councillor Brocklcbank congratu-

lated the Mayor 011 his re-election. He thought that the policy of the council should be to carry on as well as possible, and that new work should not he undertaken now, but the way prepared, so that when the proper time came it could be commonced without delay. Tho new committees are:—

Gas and Coal Committee. —Councillors Jones, Foster,. aud Churchouso. Works and' Motor-bus Committee.— Councillors M'Kciizie, Cox, Tovcy, and Brocklebank.

Reserves and Library Committee?— Councillors Foster, Cox, M'Konzie, M'Dougall, Tovoy, and Nowlantl. .Representatives on the Hutt Park Committee.—Tho Mayor anil Councillors Brocklebank and Nowlantl.

Representatives on the Potono Fire Board.—The Mayor, and Councillors M'Dougall and Nowland. MINION PAHS— —fiyoOs Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., advertise particulars of their aiitumn cattle fair, to bo held at Levin on May 8.