MID-HUTT INTERESTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 183, 29 April 1924, Page 11

MID-HUTT INTERESTS

ANNUAL MEETING OF RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

The first annua) meeting' of the Trentham, Heretaunga and Silversiiream Ratepayers’ Association was held in the Soldiers’ Club, Trentham camp. Thirty-five members were present, Mr. J. K. Johnston being in the chair. The annual report stated that negotiations were in progress with the Hutt County Council for unrestricted public access to the Hutt River, over Whiteman's Valley Bead extension ;■ a public railway crossing at Gloucester Road, Silverstream; the construction of a footpath in Whiteman’s Valley Road, Silverstream; and a new valuation of the districts. The committee suggested that the following matters should be considered by the incoming executive :—A reduction in suburban railway fares; the issue of flee passes on the railway to all children in these districts attending the Upper Hutt school; that workers’ weekly tickets be made available till 9 a.m.; more trains and a quicker service; the erection of a public hall in the Trentham district; representation on the Hutt County Council. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman stated that the first, year’s operations had proved very satisfactory. It had taken the whole year to. obtain from the Hutt County Council a definite assurance that a footpath would be constructed along the main road, and that the storm water nuisance in Granville Road and Sutherland Avenue would ’oe dealt with. It was some months since the Postmaster-General had promised that the Heretaunga and Upper Hutt telephone exchanges would bo amalgamated, but so far, apparently nothing had been done in the matter. When the undertaking was completed, telephone sub" scribers throughout the whole district should benefit‘in many ways. A new valuation of the districts was urgently needed, and the executive was working to have this completed, as soon as possible. The construction of a public railway crossing in Gloucester Road. Silverstream, was a very important matter which was at present under consideration, and which would undoubted!}' take a great deal of negotiating. The present unsatisfactory state of affairs could not be allowed to continue- Endeavours to have a footpath constructed in Whiteman’s Valley Road had so far proved unsuccessful. notwithstanding the fact that the public school in that locality was nearing completion. The footpath would have to be constructed very soon for the safety of the school children. There was plenty of work, ahead to occupy the incoming committee, one of the most important matters being the erection of a public hall in the Trentham district, as at present there was very inadequate provision for public meetings and entertainments. Mr. Ritzema seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Griffen considered that in a quickly growing suburban district such as this adequate provision should be made for public recreation before suitable land became too dear or was built upon. He moved that it be an instruction to the incoming executive to make representations to Mt. Barton with a view to obtaining all or portions of his property to be preserved as a public park and domain. The motion was seconded by Air. McCurdy, who thought it would be nothing short of a crime if the native bush bn this property was ever destroyed. The motion was carried unanimously. The following members were elected to represent Trentham and Heretaunga on the executive: Messrs. Jameson, Howell. Thomas, Kitchen. Jackson, Johnston, Mumby, Shout, Ridgway, and Scott. As only Messrs- Langdon and Ritzema were present from Silverstream they were elected, and it was ® decided to leave the election of three more from that district until’ the next general meeting, to be held in July. On the motion of Mr. McCurdy, a hearty vote of thanks for tho services rendered was accorded those members of the retiring executive not re-elected.