HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 286, 29 August 1933, Page 3

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

District Notes of Current Interest

(Special to The Dominion.)

Mr. C. Dailey, rates clerk to the Petone Borough Council, was last evening appointed acting town clerk during the absence on leave of the town clerk, Mr. Mr. H. Firth. Improvements for the levelling of the Hutt Recreation Ground were begun yesterday, when about twenty men were engaged in lifting the field pipes which drain the ground. The ground was closed for use at noon, but it is hoped that it will be available for cricket in January. “Is this man a first offender?” asked a Petone councillor at the Borough Council meeting last evening when the case of a man riding a bicycle without a light was being considered. “It is the first time he has been caught,” replied the borough inspector, Mr. W. B. Gough, amid laughter. i The mayor, Mr. D. McKenzie, presided over the regular meeting of the Petone Borough Council last evening, and 'there were present Crs. G. London. J. C. Burns, E. N. Campbell, W. H. Edwards, A. Scholefield, J. Cumming, V. A. Noble, and R. W. Toomath. An apology was received from Cr. E. T. E. Hogg. THE TENNIS SEASON Western Hutt Club Meets The annual general meeting of the Western Hutt Tennis Club was held recently, in the Hutt Central School. The annual report showed that the club had a very interesting season, and their fair share of honours in the Hutt Valley Association’s tournaments, Miss W. Doran being successful in winning the junior grade singles championship. The balance-sheet .showed that the club is still in a strong financial position, despite the fact that a wire-net-ting fence had been built at the back of No. 1 and 2 courts, and an umpires’ stand and nets had been procured. Twelve new members were elected. It was decided to hold the official opening of the season on October. 7, when members were invited to bring their friends. Junior, fourth, and fifth grade teams will be entered in the interclub competitions this season. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, Sir Alexander Roberts; vice-presi-dents, Mrs. Davidson, Dr. Bolt, Messrs. A, Lees, C. R. Barrett, J. W. Andrews, J. D. O’Malley, D. McMichael; club secretary, Mr. A. Hickling ;i treasurer, Miss E. Hogg; club captain, Mr. G. Armstrong; vice-captain, Mr. G. McMillan; delegates to the H.V.L.T.'S.A., Messrs. G. Armstrong and J. King; committee, Mrs. Armstrong, Misses D. McMahon, K. Howe, Messrs. R. Nees, L. Taylor, F. Harrison. Courts 1 and 2 will be top-dressed this week, giving an ideal playing surface. LOSS OF LIFEBUOt Taken from Petone Wharf Means for the protection of the Wellington Harbour Board’s property on the Petone wharf were discussed by the Petone Borough Council last evening, when a letter was received from the board stating that the lifebuoy at the wharf had ‘been removed from its box. It was pointed out in the letter that in September, 1930, the board approached the council on the question of wilful damage done to its property on the Petone wharf, and particular attention was drawn ot the fact that over a period the life-saving gear had been damaged, and in some Instances removed from the wharf. The board then suggested that the wharf should be closed, except when ships were working. The council asked the board to make good the damage, and promised to arrange for close supervision by the beach caretaker, and also for police control as an alternative to closing the wharf. The board agreed to that step, but within the last few weeks the lifebuoy had again disappeared from its box on the wharf. It seemed, continued the letter, that the only way to protect the board’s property was to close the wharf except when vessels were working. The board did not desire to take that extrtme step, but such would have .to be considered if that type of vandalism continued. The borough engineer, Mr. C. L. Jackson, said that a caretaker was employed in the summer, but not in the winter. There was, however, police patrol. Cr. G. London said that he would lige to see Petone citizens retain the privilege of promenading wharf in the summer. “It would be regrettable to close the wharf,” observed Cr. A. Scholefield. He suggested that the lifebuoy be placed in a glass-faced box with the key inside. Cr. J. Cumming considered that some of the shipping was to blame for the removal of the buoy. On the motion of the mayor, Mr. D. McKenzie, it was resolved to write to the board stating that every endeavour would be made to see that no further thefts occurred. The council also decided to ask the Petone Sea Scouts to exercise supervision over the lifebuoy.

DEDICATION SERVICE St. David’s Presbyterian Church RENOVATIONS COMPLETED Encouraged by the growing needs of the congregation at St. David’s Presbyterian Church, Upper Hutt, the Session and Board of Managers recently decided to put in hand extensive alterations and renovations to the church, and on Sunday the dedication ceremony was crowned with success. Despite the increased seating accommodation, chairs had to be placed along the aisles, and it is estimated that 150 persons attended, the morning service, which was conducted by the Rev. G. W. Hunt, minister of the church. The interior of the building is changed beyond recognition. Thirty-two new pews have been installed in three rows, the side pews each seating three, and the middle pews seating ten. Draughts have been eliminated by the erection of a screen at the main dpor. Dark wood panelling has been Continued around the walls, and the ceiling is panelled in white wood. Six new electric light bowls supply the illumination. A new and artistically carved pulpit has been made, and the location has tyeen moved from the middle of one end of the church tp the left-hand corner. In the pulpit stands a handsome chair, finished in dark blue velvet, and the lectern is surmounted by a blue cushion Bible rest, with golden trim-, rning and tassels. Just below the pulpit stands a delicately moulded christening font, and, extending in a wide circle, the choir accommodation completely embraces the opposite corner of the church. Gifts to the Church. Included in the dedication ceremony was the acknowledgment of the following gifts:—Monetary gifts which had made possible the renovations to the church; a new pulpit with appointments, the gift of the Ladles’ Guild; a new memorial communion table, the gift of members of the Chappell family; a minister’s communion chair, the gift of the Young Women’s B/ible Class; six memorial communion chairs for the use of the Kirk Session, donated by relatives of past members of St. David’s and Wallaceville congregations; two silver communion plates, donated by a member of the congregation; a crystal vase, the gift of St. Giles’s Young Men’s Bible Class, Kilbirnie; a baptismal font, the gift of St. David’s Intermediate Young Men’s Bible Class; two collection plates, the gift of St. David’s Junior Boys’ Bible Class; the presentation to the minister by the choir of a pulpit gown; the contribution of an anonymous donor toward the new lighting effects. In dedicating the memorial communion table and chairs in honour of the faithful and devoted lives of those who had passed away, the Rev. Mr Hunt mentioned that the communion table was in memory of Mrs. J. Chappell, and the communion chairs in memory of the Rev. J. Holmes (past minister of the church), Mr. and Mrs. William Gorrie, Mr. and Mrs. James Gorrie, Mrs. A. Mrs. F. Keys, Mrs. I. Taylor, and Mr. F. Scholes. Presentation of Pulpit Gown. Prior to the service, the choir am/ office-bearers assembled in the guild room, and Mr. D. Clyde in an appropriate speech asked their minister to accept a pulpit gown as a personal gift from the choir. Mrs. D. Clyde performed the robing ceremony, and the Rev. G. W. Hunt expressed his deep appreciation of the gift, which, he felt, would assist him in the fostering of a reverential atmosphere in the conduct of public worship. Devotional' exercise by members of the Kirk Session concluded the ceremony. Beauty of Association. Taking for his text the first book of Chronicles, xvi, 29, “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; bring an offering, and come before Him; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,” the minister dealt with the beauty of association. “Can we not see a beauty of association this morning in this , service of dedication?” said Mr. Hunt. “The old walls of the origfinal building still stand, and they have weathered many a storm these fifty years and more. Within these walls your grandparent's heard the Word of God from this Bible, on the title page of which, in beautiful handwriting, it is stated that it was presented to St. David’s in 1879. See how these inner walls cling now to the outer walls; they owe their very existence to the outer structure. So we, who are of the younger generation, recognise the debt we owe to the past. We would like the older folk to realise that this forward movement is just the expression of consecrated lives whose one desire it Is to carry on the task which our fathers have entrusted to us. It is in this spirit we go forward into the future, assured of your prayers and your co-opera-tion.”

“VERY ENCOURAGING” Petone Rates Collection SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE Rates collected by the Petone Borough Council to date for the current financial year amount to £8453/6/5, as compared with £4190/1/9 for the corresponding period of the previous year, reported the town clerk, Mr. H. Firth, to the council last evening. “Very encouraging,” was the comment of the mayor, Mr. D. McKenzie. “The people are making a great endeavour to help the council to meet its liabilities.” “It is a sign that we are, turning the | corner,” remarked Cr. G. London. The town clerk pointed out that although a large amount of rates had been paid the discount did not dose until the end of the month. RESIDENTS’ CONCERN Decreasing Water Supply Concern at the steadily decreasing supply of water from artesian wells in Waioue Street through, the driving of artesian bores by the Wellington City Council,'was expressed in a petition signed by six residents which was received by the Petone Borough Coundl last evening. It was pointed out in the petition that residents of Waione Street were wholly dependent on artesian wells, as the Petone supply did not readi them. The supply was steadily decreasing, and it was feared that if more deep wells were driven the supply would be lost completely.The petitioners understood that they were entitled to a guarantee from the Wellington City Council that it would make good any deficiency, and asked the council to give the matter its consideration. The question was referred to the special committee which was set up to deal with the supply of water. ALLEGED BLACKMAIL Two Men Before Court Blackmail was alleged in the Petone Police Court yesterday to have been committed by Paku Kingl, a Maori labourer, and Claude McEwen, hawker, both of Eastbourne. They were charged that with the intent to extort the'sum of £5 they ae; cused a man of the crime of indecent assault. A remand until September 4 was granted by Mr. A. Anderson, J.P. Bail was allowed in each case for the sum of £5O, with a further surety of £5O, and the two men are to report daily to the Eastbourne police. BOWLING CLUB SOCIAL Successful Bridge Party A successful bridge party, organised ‘by the Lower Hutt Bowling Club, was held in the pavilion on Saturday evening. The pavilion looked very gay with its decorations of spring flowers and japonica. During the evening Mrs. O’Shea sang two songs, which were much appreciated. 1 Mr. L. T. Watkins, president of the club, welcomed the visitors.in a happy speech. Among those present were: Mesdames Hadwln, Yates, Taylor, Mount Hayes, Cole, Fiest, Hodgins, Walker, Burrell, Parkin, Campbell, Woods, Hendry, Watkins, Piper, Nicholls, Brooks, Vaughan, Rouridhill, Parker, Ashton, Newell, August, Dryden, Parkhouse, and Messrs. Hadwin, Taylor, Hayes, Cole, Hodgins, Burrell, Parkin, Campbell, Woods, Hendry, Watkins, Piper, Nicholls, Vaughan, Roundhill. Parker, Ashton, and Newell.