HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 99, 21 January 1932, Page 5

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

UNEMPLOYED WORKS Petone and Eastbourne DRAINAGE SCHEME Work is proceeding on the Eastbourne drainage scheme, and as it comes under the No. 5 unemployment scheme the Petone Unemployment Committee has made a request that Petone men be engaged on the work. • Tennis courts are being laid out at Petone schools where none have yet been provided, the unemployed being engaged on this work. The filling in is being supplied from the quarry near the woollen mills, while the Petone borough is allowing its officers and foremen to advise and supervise the work free of charge. Registrations of unemployed at Upper Hutt this week total 277. a decrease of 12 on last week. This number is composed of 81 single men, 131 three-day men, and 65 four-day men. For this week 90 three-day men and 41 four-day men are working. The allocation for the week ending January 23 is £244/16/-. On account of the small allocation no single men are working, and all married men have been cut li hours. Taking into account those normally standing down, a sum of £320 would be required to give all men the full quota of work. The men have been engaged in street work, at Maidstone Park on permanent improvements, and on the school grounds in the district. A number are working for the Hutt County Council in roadwidening, etc., on the secondary roads. The Hutt County men working in the district are included in the Upper Hutt allocation.

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH Council Holds Meeting The first meeting of the Eastbourne Borough Council after the holiday vacation was held last night, the mayor, Mr. S. Fisher, presiding. The town clerk and manager reported that the erection of the bathing shelter at Rona Bay wharf was proceeding satisfactorily, and should be ready for use by < the end of the month. For the month of December the bus traffic ■ receipts showed a big falling off, the total being approximately £2OO less than for the previous December. To December 31 the receipts had fallen off by about 15 per cent., and if that rate was maintained a further decline of £4OO could be expected before the close of the financial year on March 31. Expenditure was reduced 7} per cent, during December. but it was apparent that the financial results of the bus traffic department would not be nearly as good as in previous years. However, with the reduction in expenditure the position would be satisfactory. It was reported that the passengers carried on the ferry steamers from April 1 to December 31 was 255.771, against 258,707 for the corresponding period of the previous year. For the month of December the number of passengers was 45,548, against 44,389 for the preceding December. The water and drainage committee reported the receipt of a letter from the Lowry Bay Land Company offering half an acre of land for a reservoir site, and easements for £250, which was recommended for acceptance. Councillor F. Hornig said one of the conditions was that residents of Lowry Bay should be supplied with water at a cost of one penny a thousand gallons over the cost to the council. This was approved. TESTING MOTOR LIGHTS Station at Eastbourne * Eastbourne Borough Council last night agreed to accede to the request of the Wellington Automobile Club to establish a station in the borough for the purpose of testing motor lights. The club wrote that it was seeking the co-operation of local bodies in establishing these testing stations, the city having already been catered for. The mayor (Mr. S. Fisher), thought that a station might be fixed up near the bathing shed by the wharf. The matter was referred to the works committee with power to act. FIRE AT PETONE ' Little Damage Was Done A fire broke out at 45 Sydney Street. Petone, on Tuesday, apparently due to a defeet in the chimney. The rear of the premises is used as a coalyard by H. Rae. The brigade attended and extinguished the outbreak, and little damage was done. SPORTS FACILITIES Improving Petone Grounds Between 25 and 30 unemployed relief men hqve been engaged during the last two weeks ia raising the level of the lower grounds of the Petone Recreation Ground. When completed the work will have been a great benefit. Because this ground is a foot or more lower than the main ground, it has been subjected to flooding in heavy rains, the water draining from the higher ground. Already a great deal of levelling to the required height has been done. When this work is completed Petone will be well situated so far as playing reserves are concerned. Only recently the whole of League Park was levelled, so that additional football grounds and cricket pitches are available. PROBATION GRANTED In the Police Court, at Lower Hutt, yesterday morniug, before Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., a youth of 19, whose name was ordered to be suppressed, was charged with the theft of 17/6, The case was adjourned for 12 months to see how accused behaves in the meantime. HUTT PARK IMPROVEMENT The Hutt Park committee is pursuing a policy of general improvement, which is rapidly developing with assistance from the No. 5 unemployment scheme. The work has involved a great deal of levelling, so that the whole appearance of the Park has .been affected. Additional sporting ground areas have been made, two more tennis hard courts have been laid down, and a children’s paddling pool has been constructed. The Waiwetu golf course has also shared in the improvement. The popularity of Hutt Park as a motor camp is growing apace. During the holidays there were as many as 27 cars parked there, while the occupants availed themselves of the camping facilities. At the present time there are ten cars on the camping ground. EASTBOURNE RATES Approximately one-third of Eastbourne’s rates for the current year have been paid. The total rate struck was £10.580, of which £3480/15/3 has been paid, leaving £7019/4/9 outstanding. WOODS' GREAT peppermint cure —For Children's Hacking Cough.—Advt