PETONE-HUTT TRAMWAYS.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 15, 18 July 1905, Page 2

PETONE-HUTT TRAMWAYS.

CONFERENCE TO TAKE PLACE. PETONE WITH AN OPEN HAND. When a request from the Hutt Borough Council for a conference was received by the Petone Council last night, Councillor Macfarlane stated that such conference's would continue to prove abortive unless both Councils went prepared to come to a decision on the points in question. Councillor Hastings concurred. | The Mayor stated! that the Hutt was particularly anxious to know, in regard to the electric tramway and lighting proposals made to it, what Petone's attitude was likely to be on the subject of its gas lighting rights in the Hutt. Councillor Macfarlane moved, "That the Council is willing to sell to the Hutt or the syndicate our gas rights and reticulation in the Hutt." The Council could at least affirm that principle. The Council could still, if desired, supply gas through a meter at the Boundary of the two boroughs. This was carried. Later, the question cropped up again. Councillor Nicholson moved, "That this Council will not consider any scheme "for tramways but a municipal one." Councillor Hastings seconded. Councillor Wakeham considered they should hear the Hutt Council's proposals first: '• ■ .it Councillor.Alexander contended that it was quite impossible to run a Petone tram service ■ without ,it being burden on the town for years to come. Councillor M.Ewan thought the motion inadvisable. He did not think Messrs. Noyes Bros. scheme was a satisfactory one for the borough. Councillor FMdlay regarded, tne scheme as one of the best and most up-to-date that* had ever been laid before the public. He did not believe there, would be any loss even in the first year, and he foreshadowed extensions. After further discussion tne motion was put, and was supported by Councillors Nichoison, . Macfaflane, Kidd, Hastings, and Alexander. Councillors M'Ewan, Coles, Findlay, Wakeham; and the Mayor opposed, and on the Mayor's casting vote the motion was lost. ' ■ "What's to be our attitude, then?" asked ' Councillor Macfarlane. The Mayor replied that it would be quite, open and non-committal. The Council would accede to the request of the Hutt Council for a conference, and would listen to representations made. On the Mayor's motion the conference was fixed-to tak6 plafee tit the Hutt at7.30 next Friday evening.

j Negotiations are proceeding between the Petone Borough Council and tho •directors of the Hutt Park Railway pany relative to the acquisition by''the former of the company's line of railway. The Council is now awaiting receipt of an estimate from the company of the value of its interest. In another year's time the Government will be able, under the District Railways Act, to acquire witnout compensation certain property of the company. The acquisition of the line by the Council is regarded as having one important bearing on the prospect of getting a wharf built at Petone. The Borough Engineer has been instructed to report to the Council on the question, of removing the sanitary depot to the new site (near the mouth of the Hutt River) ahd improving the appliances; also on the subject,'of utilising the Hutt Park railway for conveying the sanitary pans to and from the new depot.