HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 250, 18 July 1933, Page 3

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

District Notes of Current Interest

(Special to The Dominion.)

Heavy rain iu the ranges during the week-end added considerably to the volume of the Hutt River, although no serious flooding occurred. On Sunday the river was four feet, above summer level, but yesterday had receded to three feet. While driving town I'd Upper Hutt on Saturday, a motor-ear driven by Miss S. Wood, of Masterton, collided with a small car driven by the Rev. C. V. Kendrick, of Upper Hutt, at the intersection of the main road and Moonshine Road. No one was seriously injured, although both cars were damaged. The mayor, Mr. D. McKenzie, presided over the regular meeting of the Petoue Borough Council last evening, and there were present Crs. V. A. Noble. W. It. Edwards, A. Scholefield, E. N. Campbell, J. Cumming. E. T. E. Hogg. J. C. Burns, G. Ixindon, arid RW. Toomatfi. Fire badly damaged a five-roomed house at the main Hutt. Road. Petone, yesterday. The Petone Fire Brigade received the call shortly after 3 p.m., but the fire had gained a good hold before it could arrive. ' The house was owned by Mr. C. Odlin and occupied by Mr. D. McCormack. Only Mr. McCormack’s three children were at home when the fire started, and it is believed that it originated in the sitting room. It is understood that the house was insured,, although the furniture, which w.4s extensively damaged, was not. RATE COLLECTION Discussion on Problem COLLECTOR NEEDED? Whether a collector should be appointed to collect outstanding rates was a question discussed by the Petone Borough Council last evening. The proposal was made in a letter from the Petone Ratepayers’ Association, iu which it was suggested that if an analysis of the outstanding rates showed a reasonable number of ratepayers owing small amounts the council should consider the appointment of a collector to collect the small amounts in instalments. The mayor, Mr. D. McKenzie, said he had spoken to the town clerk on the question, and he was not favourably inclined as it was liable to increase the debt to the council. Cr. E. T. E. Hogg thought there was nothing to gain by appointing a collector, because the council had comprehensive powers for the collection of rates if it desired to exercise them. Cr. G. London said some endeavour should be made to keep good faith with those who were trying to pay their rates. He was afraid that, unless something were done the ratepayers would dfift into the habit of not paying their rates. Cr. J. Cumming said that most of the ratepayers whose rates were outstanding were relief workers, and until they were provided with increased spending power he did not think the council could increase its collection of rates. Cr. E. N. Campbell said there were about SOO relief workers in the district, and they were unable to pay rates. Cr. J. C. Burns pointed out that every consideration was shown to those who were genuinely unable to par their rates. Cr. A. Scholefield observed that ratepayers would render a great service if they would explain their position voluuntarily to the town clerk instead of waiting to receive notification. It was decided to inform the Ratepayers’ Association that the finance committee had the matter well in hand. . ■ . . HOCKEY DANCE Combined Clubs in Valley A very successful dance, organised by the combined girls’ and men’s hockey clubs of the Hutt Valley took place at Miss Eva Drapers studio at Lower Hutt on Saturday evening. Mr. J. Ross was the M.C. for the evening, and Llew. Arnold’s Marimba Band supplied' lively music. . ~ , Among those present were: Mesdamcs P. N. Shernack (Christchurch),, black georgette; Catley. white satin: H. McKcrrow, black satin; and Muir, salmon taffetas; Misses M. Martin, mandarin krinkly crepe; E. Saunders, h s’ ac . ln A h angel skin: P. Martin, pink taffetas, M. Wakelin, purple elephant crepe; B. ireseder, flame taffetas; J. Aldous, red lace, B Aldous, black velvet: N. King, pink georgette; M. Dickens, blue floral georgette: A. Daly, blue lace; E. Leopard, blue velvet; S. McDiarmid. parchment marocain; B. Jones, apricot taffetas, ■ Judd, pink georgette; F. Crampton, white lace; M. Gill, blue crepe-sntm; L. Morrison. white taffetas; R. Tiernan, black lace; D. McTiernan, black taffetas, C. Chine, scarlet elephant crepe; B. Snow, pink satin: V. Sinclair apricot crepe de chine; M. Fraser, blue lace; D Drewitt, blue net; J. Driscoll, black velvet; T. King, red velvet; M. Rochester, black velvet: M. Thompson, lemon satin; L. tie mewan. blue lace; R. Jenner, flora georgette: L. Matthews, black georgette; L. Gunn, parchment satin; M. M est, white marocain; and Messrs. J. Ross. L. 1 - lips. H. Withington T. I erguson b. Gilder F. Hancock. C. Catley, G. McDiar mid. F. Stoupe. Muir (3). 1 ■ L ’’ sty ' Clark. W. Bayly. R. Jones. B Ross, J. Morrison. P. Flitcrott W. Johnston. J. Grey. T. Thompson. J. McHolm, HWest. R. Martin. W. and J. Jay. N. Toss will D. Maguire. A. Wilson, and Judd.

WIDENING OF STREET Completion o.f Petone Scheme Urged COMMITTEE TO REPORT The possibility of a continuation of the widening of Jackson Street ' was discussed by Ihe Petone Borough Council last evening, when a letter was received from the Petone Ratepayers’ Association advocating this work in view of the assistance offered by the Government for building activities and in view of the signs evident of approaching economic recovery. Cr. E. N. Campbell said be understood that authority had been given by the ratepayers for the council to borrow £35,000 for the street widening, and with the subsidy from the Government something could be done to start the work. It would find work for some of the residents, and would perhaps help them to pay their rates. In the opinion of the mayor, Mr. D. McKenzie, the Government subsidy was helpful to property owners, but not to the council. If any shop owner wished to take advantage of the subsidy, his application would be favourably considered. Cr. Campbell differed with the mayor’s opinion that the subsidy would not be of advantage to the borough. Cr. G. London considered that if the subsidy was not going to be advantageous to a borough the scheme would not have been inaugurated. Besides being of advantage to the town, the widening of the street would relieve some of the unemployment in the district. In addition, the widening lent itself to both skilled and unskilled labour. The mayor pointed out that the rates had been reduced by id in the pound, and the proposed work would increase them. Cr. Cumming moved : "That the question be referred to the finance committee for a report.” In seconding the motion. Cr. E. 1E. Hogg expressed the view that the widening should not bo undertaken in a lump. It should be done when favourable opportunities offered, such as when a building was condemned or damaged by fire. ; Cr. A. Scholefield considered that the finances of shop owners would not permit them to assist in the scheme. On being put to the vote, the motion was carried. WORST IN DOMINION Post Office at Petone “Ours is the most disgraceful post office in New Zealand.” declared the Mayor of Petone, Mr. D. McKenzie, at the borough council meeting lust evening. “The last two Postmasters-Genev-al have promised us a new post office, and I have asked the present Post-master-General (Hon. A. Hamilton) to do the fair thing by us, because we were promised the next post office aftei Dunedin. , . “If a heavy earthquake occurred, the present building would be flattened out. There is no privacy about it, and it is not fair to the staff.” .l SOCIAL EVENING 'Sunday School Benefit An enjoyable social evening, organised by the teachers of the Knox Sunday School, Lower Hutt, recently took place at Knox schoolroom. Mrs. Burgess and Mrs. Stewart contributed vocal items, and several elocutionary and vocal items were given by the Sunday School scholars. There were also stalls of produce, cakes, and sweets, which were well patronised, so that the Sunday School funds will benefit considerably.

THEFT OF JOURNALS

Petone Library Suffers The disappearance of newspapers and magazines from the I’etone Municipal Library was referred to by the town clerk, Mr. H. Firth, at the meeting of the borough council last evening. Mr. Firth told the council that a trap had been set, and a relief worker bad been caught leaving the library with a bundle of-newspapers under his arm. He considered that this was the man s first offence, and did not think be was responsible for the systematic thieving. Mr. Firth gsked what action should be taken regarding this man and any others who might be. detected committing the offence. The council decided to place a prominent warning in the library, intimating that all offenders would be prosecuted.