City and Suburban Items

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 245, 17 July 1928, Page 6

City and Suburban Items

News and Notes of Interest

The 'Minister of Justice (lion. 1 • J. Rolleston) has written to the Petone Borough Council stating that the council s suggestion that bloodhounds should form part of the police equipment will be given due consideration.

A petrol-electric driven crane has been construct cd at the Petone Workshops lotuse at New Plymouth. It has just been tested at the workshops, giving satisfactory results.

Tragedy associated itself with the victory of Fairy Herald in the Winter Oats llajidicap at. Trantham on Saturday afternoon for Mr. P. Carmody, a grocer, of Mitchelltowu, who had two tickets on the horse,'dropped dead just as Fairy Herald reached the winning post. Deceased, as the horse on which he had his money, shot out to the front, flung up his arm and cried excitedly "Fairy Herald! Fairly Herald!” and then suddenly collapsed, the excitement evidently proving too much for his heart to stand.

As the result of a letter received last night by the Petone Borough Council, from the Palmerston North Council, suggesting that city borough councils should have direct representation on the hospital boards the following motion was carried: "That, since this council is of opinion that the charges made upon councils are becoming unduly heavy, this council communicate with the Prime Minister, suggesting that a commission be appointed to review the present system of levying upon local bodies for the finance required bv hospital boards.” The Mayor. (Mr. D. McKenzie), stated that Petone's levy had lumped from £1768 18s. 4d.. for 1919-20, to £3565 15s. 2d. for 1928-29.

Whether Petone’s kerbside pumps shall remit in after December 31 next, or not, was Ihe subject of some discussion nt last night’s meeting of the Borough Council. Councillor Campbell moved that the resolution passed on April 30 of this year, to the effect that licenses for kerbside pumps be not renewed after their expiry on December 31 next, be rescinded. Councillor Jacobson-pointed out that so far there had been no accidents, and said he thought that the pumps should be allowed to remain. Other councillors were of opinion that the kerb.side pumps were a danger to the public and should be removed. On a show of hands it was decided that the pumps must go.

Petone's desire for. a revaluation of the borough is not to be realised just yet. A letter received from the ValuerGeneral at last night’s meeting of the Petone Borough Council intimated that no assurance could be given as to how soon a revaluation of the borough could be undertaken. The Mayor (Mr. D. McKenzie), stated that from time to time applications had been made to the ValuerGeneral for a revaluation, and that he had recently waited on the ValuerGeneral in person. Mr. McKenzie remarked that he was disappointed at the reply received, particularly as revaluations had been, and were, being, made of Wellington City, and of the neighbouring Borough of Lower Hutt. In Mr. McKenzie’s opinion the Department should be prepared to express its willingness to have a revaluation of the borough in time for next year’s rating. A letter to this effect will be sent to the ValuerGeneral.

The monthly meeting of the Seatonn and Bays’ Progressive Association was held recently, Mr. W. L. Palmer presid- , ing. Members of the Miramar Progressive Association, at the invitation of the chairman, attended with their president, Mr. Thornton. , Matters in connection with the improvement of AVorser Bay and adjoining foreshores were discussed at length. It was decided to formulate a dual course of action, and to wait upon the council at the earliest opportunity in preference to above. A letter was sent to the city engineer’s department thanking it for the great improvement effected through the laying down of many new footpaths, and the expeditions' manner in which the work was done. The department was also asked when the long-de-layed repairs to the footpath fronting the Marine Parade would be done; a favourable reply was received stating it was hoped to complete the work this month. It wfls stated that the bus service .to Karaka Bay had been the cause of considerable dissatisfaction amongst residents of the Bay, owing to the taking off of the through 1.20 p.m. bus to Wellington. It was hoped the department would again put the bus into that particular running. The urgent necessity of having the Marine Drive from Scorching Bay to the Pass of Branda at least tar-sealed this coming season, was stressed. Members complained that the road immediately adjoining Scorching Bay was altogether too narrow to carry the traffic, and no provision had been made for footpaths, which was'a very real danger.

Every seat at the rows of tables in the conference hail of the Farmers’ Institute was occupied last night, when the Wellington Working Men’s Club held their annual smoke concert, over which the president, Mr. F. D. Morris, presided. The only toasts were “The King” and “Kindred Clubs,” after honouring which the evening was given over to an entertaining programme of musical items. Songs were given by Messrs. B. Mayall, A. B. Brockfenshire, T. Bohlson. D. Hall, A. Mazengarb, G. Tynan, and J. Wilkinson ; a duet for Messrs. Hull and Patterson ; and a number of topical selections by the Working Men’s Club orchestra, under- Mr. Cummings. In proposing the toast of “Kindred Clubs,” Mr. B. Swain expressed pleasure at seeing so large a gathering, which, he said, certainly showed a feeling of club comradeship. “Convivial evenings such as these,” said Mr. Swain, “tend to promote a spirit of unity and good-fellowship, which must be to the benefit of all dubs.” Mr. M. Carr, vice-president of the associated clubs, and Mr. Shirley, on behalf of the Commercial Travellers’ Club, replied. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from' the president of the associated cubs, Mr. D. O. H. Tripp, and from Mr. Selby, of the Commercial Travellers’ Club executive. ■

At last night':; meeting of the Petone Borough Council, it was . stated that twenty-nine breaches of the by-laws were dealt with in the Petone Magistrate’s Court on June 11. It was also reported that during June, fifteen applicants for motor drivers’ licenses were examined.

The Arbitration Court will sit to-mor-row morning to hear the dispute in relation to the tea room and restaurant employees’ award, while in the afternoon the Court will probably hear a case concerning an alleged breach of the hotel workers’ award, and if time permits an alleged breach of another award.

At last night’s meeting of the Petone Borough Council, the execution of the Recreation Ground leases between the council and the Wellington Rugby Union, the Wellington Football Association, and the Wellington Hockey Association, was agreed to.

The Petoue building inspector reported to the Borough Council last night that during June, seventy-five inspections were carried out:, and twenty-five plans were examined, and permits issued. Fees were paid as follow: —Buildings, £45 10s.; water, £5 12s. 611.; crossings, £l2. The value of buildings for which permits were issued for three months ended June 30, totalled £62,586.

The sanitary inspector at Petone reported at last of the Borough Council that eleven eases of diphtheria and three of scarlet fever bad been notified to him during June. Although, he said, there were a larger number of cases than usual there was no cause for alarm. It was suggested that parents should call in a doctor at the first sign of a sore throat, or upon a child becoming feverish. Such action would minimise both the danger to the patient and tlie risk of spreading diseases.

The Wellington Rugby Union's protest against the Petone Borough Council’s ruling that the upper portion of the grandstand on the Oval is not to be used (as it is considered unsafe) was received at last night’s council meeting. Another protest, concerning the council’s statement that the union had no right to charge for admission to the stand, was also received. The union intimated that, it had made a ■ charge for many years past. Councillor Cumming said that he was most surprised to find that a charge should be made for a public stand, and Councillor McCarthy asked whether the matter was dealt with in the leases. Afto finding out that the matter was mentioned. Mr. McCarthy moved that the Rugby Union be informed that: it had no right to make a charge, and that the practice must be discontinued. The motion was lost. The stand will remain closed until made safe.

Ono of the exhibits to be shown at the forthcoming Winter Show in Wellington will be a perfect model locomotive, built by Mr. L. S. Murray, of Wellington. The model is 6ft. long, 15in. high, and the cylinders have a working pressure of 901 b. Statutes, weighty legal tomes, records in the file room relating to past cases, and papers belonging to the Arbitration Court, will be transferred to the new building at the rear of the Supreme Court today. A fixture had been set down for this morning, but a settlement having been effected, the Court staff intend to take advantage of the opportunity to move into the more congenial surroundings provided for them, as eases arc awaiting the consideration of the Court for the remainder of the week. It is hoped to have everything in readiness to take cases in the new Court room to-morrow morning. The new Court room is of the usual New Zealand type, well equipped in every way, and with excellent provision for members of the Court, counsel, advocates, registrar, litigants, the Press, witnesses, and even the habitues who gather behind the outer rail of the body of the Court.

A few years ago Ihe Education Department, in-conjunction with the Wellington Education Board, secured property adjacent to the Island Bay School for the purpose of increasing the playground area. This, property was virtually a hill, and Messrs. Murphy Bros, removed the clay to a level to permit of a playing area. The property then became known as “Victory Park.” Recently the Education Board, in conjunction with the local School Committee, have had a concrete wall erected on the western bank and channelling and further levelling work completed. In order to place Victory Park in a condition suitable for playing off, the Island Bay Home and School Association, in conjunction with the School Committee, staff of the school and residents and wellwishers, have undertaken an effort to raise the necessary money. The effort is to be known as “All Nations’ Fair,” and is to take place in August. Keen interest has been already shown in the appeal for funds, and it is hoped that when the Minister of Education (Hon. R. A. Wright) declares the bazaar open the goal will be in sight. The following nations will be represented: British Empire (fancy work stall): Convenor, Mrs. Wilkinson; chairman, Mr. Beckitt: France (confectionery) : Convenor, Mrs. Corin; chairman, Mr. Ricketts. Holland (novelties): Convenor, Mrs. Parsons; chairman, Mr. Smith. ' Italy (flower stall) : Convenor, Mrs. McKenzie; chairman, Mr. Whyte. Japan (cake stall) : Convenor, Mrs. Crockford; chairman, Mr. Hitchings. Spain (plain sewing): Convenor, Mrs. Cook; chairman, Mr. Cook. A strong Management Committee has been set up and consist of the convenors and chairmen of the various national committees, with Sir. H. F. Penlington (headmaster) and Miss Aicheson (infant mistress), representing the staff of the school, Messrs. Smith and McDougall (chairman School Committe), representing the School Committee; and Messrs. McKenzie and Stevenson, requesting the. Home and School Association. Mr. C. D. Lennie (president Home and School Association) is chairman of the Management Committee, and Mr. N. A. Ingram has been appointed as organising secretary of the effort.