HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 252, 21 July 1936, Page 5

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

The Upper Hutt Borough Council last evening decided to apply for an overdraft of £4OOO this year instead of £oooo as obtained last year.

The Upper Hutt Borough Council last evening decided, by a majority of one vote, to take proceedings against motorists who parked in Camp Hoad, 1 rentham, during the recent race meeting.

On the motion of Cr. F. I’. Keys, chairman of the reserves committee, the Upper Hutt Borough Council decided to close the historic blockhouse, and put the key into the custody of an adjacent ratepayer, who would unlock it on demand. Petty damage has been done there persistently for some time.

On the motion of Cr. G. 11. Guthrie, the Upper Hutt Borough Council last evening agreed to make representations to the fire underwriters with a view to a reduction on' fire insurance premiums in the borough. The Mayor, Mr. A. J. McCurdy, said after a discussion with Mr. R. Girling Butcher, inspector of fire brigades, lie was satisfied that the move would be in the right direction. TENNIS RIVALRY Hutt Valley Activities Criticism of the activities of the Wellington Lawn Tennis League in the Hutt Valley was made by Mr. J. L. Mac Duff, chairman of the management committee of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association, at a meeting last week. To this criticism the secretary of the league has made a reply. He says that the league had no option but to be a rival organisation to the Wellington association, in view of the latter’s rejection of the affiliation proposals submitted by the league. The league, he continued, was established four years ago by a few small clubs who were desirous of competition play, but whose members could not afford the high subscriptions and other fees necessary to belong to a club affiliated to the association. It was, of course, most unfortunate for the association that,.owing to mismanagement of its affairs, it was necessary for it to impose such very heavy levies on its affiliated clubs. It would, no doubt, like to have all league players under its banner in order to ease its financial burden. The league, however, was not prepared to join the association except on the very reasonable terms which it submitted some time ago. The league was progressing rapidly from every point of view, and hoped shortly to be able to announce a membership affiliation exceeding that of the association.

‘‘Regarding the statements attributed to Mr. Mac Duff,” continued the statement, “it is quite clear that he has been misinformed as to the league’s activities in the Hutt Valley. The overtures regarding affiliation were made to, and not by, the league; but the latter, once it knew that there were clubs in the Hutt Valley desirous of participating in league tennis, decided to supply all information and to point out the advantages of becoming a league club. If any canvassing has been done in the Hutt Valley, it has been done by clubs which recognise the advantages which league membership offers. As the establishment of a branch of the league in the Hutt Valley appears to be desired by a considerable number of players, the league certainly intends to offer full encouragement and, with this object in view, has agreed to participate in a conference to be held before the commencement of the ensuing season.”

The secretary of the league concluded by saying that Mr. Mac Duff’s statement that league players are “parasites on the sport,” because they are not affiliated with the association, “is really contemptible,” and hig further statements that the league has been making overtures and offering inducements to association clubs, “are absolutely untrue.” The truth was that league tennis was making a stronger appeal than association tennis without any canvassing on the part of the league. MAIDSTONE PARK More Trees to be Bought Authority to spend £l5 in the purchase of trees for Maidstone Park was given the park superintendent. Mr. H. W. Dalton, at last evening’s meeting of the Upper Hutt Borough Council. "Most of the planting on the level ground has been completed, and I venture to say that in a few years' time the council will be well rewarded by the small expenditure which has been incurred,” he said. “A few maple, copper beech, liquid amber and red oaks are required for colouring effects, and also a few indigenous trees to complete the small plantation adjacent to the parking ground. “The bulk of the trees are required for a proposed plantation on the southern part of the park. This particular piece of ground lends itself to being formed into a natural grandstand for the playing area. Therefore I am anxious to have (he shade and shelter in readiness preparatory to the work of forming the terraces.”

POLICE FAREWELL Presentation to SeniorSergeant G. Sivy er REGRET AT DEPARTURE Police of the Hutt Valley last evening fareweiled Senior-Sergeant G. Sivyer, ot Petone, who is leaving for Hastings on Thursday. There was a large attendance, which included representatives, ot the court staff, the Wellington detective staff, the Wellington Central Station, and the district headquarters. Senior-Sergeant J. W. Mclloliu. of Lower Hutt, presenting Senior-Sergeant Sivyer witli a fountain pen and a case of pipes for himself, and a crystal bowl and condiment set for his wife, on behalf of the Hutt Valley police, paid tribute to the work done by Senior-Sergeant Sivyer during his service in the Hutt Valley, and stressed his good qualities both as a police officer and as a citizen. Those assembled and all who had been associated with him regretted that SeniorSergeant Sivyer was leaving, but they all knew that it was unavoidable, and each and all wished him and Mrs. Sivyer happiness and success in the future. Many of those present also expressed their regret at losing Senior-Sergeant Sivyer. In reply, Senior-Sergeant Sivyer said that his stay in the valley had been an exceedingly pleasant one. He had come to know his men intimately, and found tliat he could depend on them. He thanked Sergeant McHolm for his remarks, and assured him that they were appreciated. On his own behalf and that of his wife, he thanked his colleagues for their gifts, which, he said, would, constantly remind him of their happy sojourn in the district, and (heartily reciprocated the good wishes thatt had been expressed. HOSPITAL LEVY Upper Hutt Favours National Scheme By five votes to four, the Upper Hutt Borough Council last evening endorsed ■the Petone Borough Council’s view that the incidence of hospital levies should be reviewed and placed on a national basis. Cr. W. Greig said that the hospital levy had been heavily increased from time to time. It seemed to him that it was a national question. The (Mayor, Mr. A. J. McCurdy, said that every new building erected in Wellington diminished the share of the country districts. The hospital bad been starved for years. Cr. J. Blewman added that in view of further possible increases, it would be better to make the matter national.

Cr. J. S. Baskett agreed. The mayor said that for every 20/from the ratepayers the Government contributed 25/-. Cr. Greig said lie could mt deny that thev had been getting better service from the’ hospital than they had ever had. Cr. J. Purvis said he thought the hospital hoard liad been told to go carefully during the depression. The new board was making up for it. The mayor said the Health Department had refused' the board permission to incur capital expenditure for extensions. Cr. A. Howell agreed that the citizens had been getting great service from the hospital. , , , “We approve of the expenditure but we want someone else to pay,” remarked the mayor GYMNASIUM CLUB Hutt Railway Workshops With membership open to the whole etaff, a gymnasium club ha,s been formed at the Hutt Railway Workshops. A fullyequipped gymnasium, which includes si boxing and wrestling ring, has been fitted up, and the club membership now stands at 60. The works manager, Mr. W. D. Burton, is patron of the club, and Mr. J. Taylor chief instructor, with Messrs. TL Johnson, W. Hall, J. Elliott.. and A. Williams as assistants. The boxing and wrestling instructors nre Mr. Alt Cleverley and Mr. L. Drew. On Thursday evening a visit, was paid' by Mr. Alf Jenkins, who with Mr. L. Drew gave a demonstration of gymnastics and wrestling. CUTS COME BACK On the motion of Cr. W. Greig, the Upper Hutt Borough Council decided last evening to restore all staff cuts in wages and salaries r<s from July 1. Cr. J. S. Baskett seconded the motion. It was made clear, before the motion was put, that the increase in salaries only applied to those which had been "cut” in 1931.