PETONE AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 121, 16 February 1926, Page 9

PETONE AFFAIRS

COUNCIL’S MONTHLY TWEETING.

The Petone Borough Council met last evening, the Mayor (Mr. J- AV. MeEwan) presiding. Councillors C. 1. Brocklebank. I). McCarthy. A. I. Scholefield, A. Campbell, V. Jacobson, AV. A. Edwards, and G. Cook were also present. Councillor G. Troup and Mr. O. b. Watkins, two directors of Porcelains, Limited, waited upon the council icgarding the erection of the company s proposed factory at Petone. The chief inspector of explosives, AVeltington, advised that the Department endorsed the underground tank storage of petrol. It was stated that the new system made for greater safety, and the inspector hoped that favourable consideration would be accorded applications for permission to install petiol bowsers and kerbside pumps. Messrs. F. T. Okeby, J. AV. Sharpe, and Barber and AV hitton sought permission to provide for petrol in bulk. It was decided to grant permits m each instance, subject to the proprietors removing the footpath obstructions it iequested by the council to do so, no cornpensation being payable. A letter was received from the ton n clerk, Lower Hutt, asking the Petone Council’s reconsideration of the question of a. hospital for the Hutt Valley. The communication stated that the Hutt Borough Council never intended that the pioposed hospital should entirely supplant the Wellington institution, but Should be inoro in the nature Of a casualty ward, where accidents could be treated prior to the case being to the city hospital. The Plunkct Committee at Petone, to whom (he question of the. proposed houpitai ws* inferred for their views,

reported that th?y considered a district or maternity nurse would better meet the requirements of the district. It was decided to take no action in the matter of the proposed hospital. The secretary, Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce, Wellington forwarded the terms of resolutions passed nt its recent conference, wherein alarm was expressed at the ever-increas' ing indebtedness of local authorities, and the opinion expressed that Government contirol should be exercised ia checking unnecessary borrowing. Mr. McEwan said he considered there was more alarm for Government, indebtedness than that of local authorities. The letter was received. The Mayor suggested that a stretch of "layhold” be tried on a portion of roaxling footpath immediately it was available, and that Mr. Nattrass be asked to supervise the laying of the material. This prop'.snl approved.