HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 220, 13 June 1933, Page 3

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

District Notes of Current Interest

(Special to The Dominion.)

A cycle-maker, aged 56, was arrested at Lower Hutt yesterday and will be charged in the Lower Hutt Police Court to-day with the theft of a bicycle.

On the recommendation of the works committee, the Petone Borough Council last evening decided to abolish the name Islington Street, and to rename it Richmond Street. •

The utilisation of unemployed labour for tree planting was advocated by the Unemployment Board in a letter to the Petone Borough Council last evening. After discussing suitable areas, the council referred the proposals to the reserves committee, with power to act.

The Petone Borough Council’s hospital levy for the year ending March 31, 1934, is £3173/1/8. This sum, which, according to the mayor (Mr. D. McKenzie) is about £25 less than, last year, the council has decided to pay.

The mayor, Mr. D. McKenzie, presided over the fortnightly meeting of the Petone Borough Council last evening. Councillors present were Messrs. G. London, J. C. Burns, R. W. Toomatb, E. T. E. Hogg, E. N. Campbell. J. Cumming. W. H. Edwards, A. Scholefield, and V. A. Noble.

Bad weather has held up the finishing of the plastering on the western end of the Petone baths, according to the borough engineer, Mr. C. L. Jackson. The filliug-in and ramping of the ground outside the bath is being carried out, however, and this will be prepared for tarsealing.

When au application for permission to hold a street procession came before the Lower Hutt Borough Council recently, it was pointed out that there was no statute or by-law governing the position. This was remedied last evening, when the council passed a special order on the lines of that in operation in Wellington.

Three hundred and thirty-two drivers’ licenses were issued by the Petone Borough Council during May. Seven new drivers were tested, and corresponding certificates issued. The chief borough inspector, Mr. W. B. Gough, and a clerk attended the office on four evenings from 7 to 8.30 p.m., and during these hours 120 licenses were issued.

Of nine calls received by the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade during the period from March 9 to May 16, four were false alarms. This fact was disclosed at a meeting of the council last evening, when the by-laws, fire prevention and library committee reported that the motor and appliances, street alarms and house bells were all in good working order, and that the attendances at all musters had been good.

A proposal to erect a rustic seat around a tree at the High Street entrance to Riddiford Park was adopted by the Lower Hutt Borough Council last evening.

Mr. W. T. Strand has accepted the position of a representative of the Lower Hutt Borough Council on the Mocra Hall Committee.

Complaint about wandering stock in the Waiwetu district was made nt a meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council last evening, when it was decided to instruct the ranger to pay special attention to the area.

The Lower Hutt Borough Council has received £7O on account of rates for the current year—£so from one ratepayer and £lO from each of two other ratepayers. On the recommendation of its Snance and estates committee, the council last evening decided to send a letter of thanks and appreciation to the ratepayers concerned. Councillors generally expressed the hope that the example would be followed by other ratepayers who were in a position to make a pre-payment of their current year’s rates. It was stated flint such action would be of material assistance to the council at this juncture.

SILVER WEDDING

Mr, and Mrs. A. Tustain

Mr. and Mrs. A. Tustain, ot Lower Hutt, entertained a large number of friends at St. Peter’s Hall on Saturday evening in celebration of their silver wedding. Between 30 and -10 fellow employees of Mr. Tustain’s were present, together with friends from all over the district. Mrs. Tustain wore a blue figured silk rayon frock. The health of Mr. and Mrs. Tustain was proposed by Mr. C. J. Pfaff, a friend of 22 years’ standing. The speaker referred to the philanthropic work done by Mr. and Mrs. Tustain during their 22 years’ sojourn in New Zealand, particularly in connection with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Seamen’s Mission, in distributing literature and welcoming friendless overseas visitors. Mr. Tustain suitably responded on behalf of himself and Mrs. Tustain. Mr. Pfaff was supported in his remarks by Mr. E. W. AUitt, Mrs. Tustain’s brother, and Mr. M. McCarthy. The rich two-tiered wedding cake, made by Mrs. Tustain, was ornamented with silver bells, sprays of lily-of-the-val-ley and 'silver leaves, and was inscribed with the dates, 1908-1933, and the initials of Mr. and Mrs. Tustain. A large number of gifts were received by Mr. and Mrs. Tustain from their friends.

The evening was spent in dancing and playing games. Miss Molly Cadman contributed a musical monologue, and Mr. G. Taylor sang. Among those present were Mesdames Allitt, wedgwood blue French krinkly crepe; P. Russell, black velvet; T. Gilbert, blue crepe de chine; T. Jamieson, pink crepe de chine; F. Stead, brown crepe de chine; Cadman, navy blue marocain; McTiernan, navy; F. Williams, brown crepe de chine; Taylor, blue silk; Judd, brown erepe de chine; Sullivan, black lace; Morrison, black lace; and Misses T, Ensor, black velvet and georgette; M. Cadman, salmon velvet; Molly Cadman, blue silk; D. Hume, rust silk; M. Croucher, lemon crepe de chine; Z. Moore, black satin; S. Nicholls, floral voile; D. Collins, crimson satin and sequins; A. Ward, green velvet; E. Sheppard, printed green georgette; M. Page, black lace; E. Tee, green satin; L. Lowry, scarlet crepe de chine; J. Rolle, pink silk net; E. Manners, brown floral voile; E. Newbury, pink satin: K. McTiernan. black lace; R. McTiernan, green not; B. McTiernan, grey lace; D. McTiernan, pink satin ; Father Daly, and Messrs. B. TTofliester. P. De-Muth, E. Robinson, P. Taylor. 0. Latham. A. Adams, Gilbert, sen., Stead, Russell. B. Pilcher, J. Gilbert, Mount, McKillop, J. Taylor, O’Shen and Judd.

MAYOR’S HONORARIUM

Question of Amendments COUNCIL’S AUTHORITY Whether the present, council could alter the mayor’s honorarium as fixed by the retiring council, was a question which caused some concern to the Petone Borough Council last evening. The previous council reduced the mayor's honorarium from £JUI» a year to £lBO a year, aud at last night’s meeting, Ur. J. Cumming moved: ’"That the mtuule reducing the mayor’s honorarium be rescinded.” Cr. Cumming did not thiuk the previous council had a moral right to alter the mayor's honorarium. That consideration should have been left to the new council. The council acted as trustees for the borough Xuuds duriug its term, and it should decide on the mayor’s honorarium, he considered. Cr. W. 11. Edwards, who seconded tlie motion, described the fixing of the honorarium by the retiring council as a very wrong procedure to adopt.. As Cr. R. W. Toomath understood the legal position, no council had the right to alter the honorarium during its term of office. He agreed with Cr. Cumming on principle. It seemed anomalous that a council could not control one particular portion of expenditure, but any resolution passed at the meeting dealing with the honorarium could not take effect during its term of office. It seemed that the law provided that the retiring council fix the mayor’s honorarium for the incoming council.

Cr. A. Scholefield said he had always understood that the existing council could not affect the mayor’s *lioDorarium, but he was prepared to support the resolution. If it were not applicable during this term of office, it would be applicable during the next.

If the resolution were carried it would leave the mayor without an honorarium, was the opinion of Cr. E. N. Campbel). A further motion would be required, stating the amount of the honorarium. Cr. Cumming asked what chances there were of obtaining an amendment of the Act. There certainly seemed to be an anomaly. “The previous council did not know who was to be the new mayor,” observed Cr. V. A. Noble.

“No, but as the law stands they'could have altered the honorarium out of ‘pure ciissedness,”’ replied Cr. Cumming. “Probably the idea is that anybody standing for the mayoralty should, kuow what ho is letting himself in for.” remarked Cr. J". C. Burns.

Ou the motion of Cr. E. T. E. Hogg it was decided to refer the. question to the solicitor for the Municipal Association for a ruling.

SEVENTY APPLICANTS

Upper Tutt Town Clerkship

The Upper Hutt Borough Council resumed in committee last evening its selection from the applications for the position of town clerk. It is understood that there were, more than seventy applications. A number of names were selected, and these will be submitted to the Audit Department for its comment.

MONEY FOR RELIEF

Lower Hutt Mayor’s Fund

About fifty women were present at the meeting convened by Mrs. J. W. Andrews, Mayoress of. Lower Hutt, to consider ways and means of assisting the mayor’s relief fund. The meeting, which was held in the council chambers, was presided over by Mrs. Andrews. There was a spirit of enthusiasm, and all those present consented to form n committee. Miss N. “Williams was elected secretary.

It was decided to hold a bridge party on Tuesday, June 20, and the use of St. Peter's Hall has bceu granted for the occasion.

Several of those present also offered to give bridge parties in their homes.