PETONE AND HUTT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 138, 10 December 1908, Page 2

PETONE AND HUTT.

UPPER HUTT TOWN BOARD. Last evening's meeting of tho Upper Hutt Town Board was presided over by Commissioner Benge. An enquiry was received from the Waldegrave Park Syndicate as to when tha board intended widening Pine Avenue leading up to the syndicate's property. It was decided to reply to the effect that funds did not permit at the present time of the work being carried out. \ Mr. Thirkell wrote/ complaining that the board had not kept faith in the matter of a previous ur.dor" + inding come to, viz., that certain drainage work would be executed, upon his (Mr. Thirkell) setting back his fence which ■wa9 encroaching upon the road. The fence, had been removed, but matters relative to th© draining of the road had not been commenced. Mr. Keys reported that a certain pcrtioi of the work had already been done, inasmuch as several loads of spoil had been deposited, thus filling up existing holes. It was d-cided to reply to this effect and at the same time intimate that it was th& board's intention, to proceed with further improvements later on 1 . On the motion of the chairman an unanimous vote of appreciation was accorded the town clerk (Mr. Angus M'Curdy) for his efforts in prevailing upon the Valuation Department to grant a subsidy to the board on the annual rates collected. Already £112 had been received, with the prospect of a further amount to come. A lengthy list of correspondence re. lating in most cases to overdue rates was received and dealt with. A number of complaints, according to the clerk, had been received regarding straying stock. On Tuesday eveni:*C a number of horses and cattle ptx-aded the populated parts of the district, much to tho inconvenience of passers by. On the following morning the cattle again sought cheap pasture on the roadside, but tho ranger, chiefly owing to the antics of somebody's bull, was unable to impound the animals. After much discussion it was resolved that the roadman (Mr. Dick) be authorised to impound cattle at any time. It was also decided to prosecute the owner of a bull whose roving proclivities were viewed, with disfavour by residents. In again fixing the dog tax at 2s 6d for cattle dogs, and 5s for all others, it was decided on the initiative of Mr. 'Keys to instruct, the clerk to ccc that only bona fide cattle dogs received the benefit of the lower rate. The clerk reported that so far the rates were not coming in as freely as might bo expected. However, he anticipated better results when the distribution of "blue papers" took place. It was decided to deal summarily with all tradesmen and others who persisted in cutting up the new footpaths by driving across them with order carts. Commenting on the road improvements, Mr. Harrison considered that the services of a plough should be requisitioned and the work done " holus bolus " instead of piecemeal. Other members were of the opinion that in many places the roads were too stony and full of stumps for the use of tne plough. In other streets, however, there was a clear run of several chains. It was decided to use a plough where advantageous. Upon Mr. Martin drawing attention to the serious lfoles in the roadway beyond the Trentham Hotel, it was decided to leave the matter of repairs in the hands of the works committee, with a recommendation that the spoil from the bank opposite the church should be utilised for filling up. It was decided to call for tenders for metalling Richmond-street. Th 2 clerk was instructed to see that owners of sections fronting Pine-avenue removed the trunKs of' trees lately cut down, as soon as convenient. Accounts amounting, to £73 13s 7d were passed for payment, so that there now remains a credit balance in the bank of £103 9s 3d The total receipts of the Town Board up to date amount to £679 12s 4d.