LOWER HUTT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 142, 15 December 1908, Page 2

LOWER HUTT.

A meetingof the Lower Hutt Borough Council was held last evening. Tha Mayor, Mr. T. A. Peterkin presided, apd there were also in attendance Councillors Russell, O'Sullivan, Wildsmith, Hughes,' Ross, Baldwin, Judd, antl Hodgins. An opinion in respect of a claim by Mr. Allen for a refund of rates was submitted by Mt.- T. F. Martin, solicitor to the Municipal Association. He stated that the council could not legally refund the rates. Where money was paid — as the rates in question had been paid — in ignorance of law, as distinguished from ignorance of fact, it was not receivable. The question whether the ratepayer did or did not own the middle of ttfe river was a question of law. It was decided to reply to Mr. Allen in ternis of the opinion. Correspondence was received in reference to drainage to premises occupied by Mr. Jacobs, Knights-road. The council decided to carry out the work at the engineer's oatimate of £6 10s. Mrs. Cookson wrote offering to accept £15, clear of transfer and other expenses, for a piece of land to give a better turn into Brunswick-street. The 1 council decided to offer £10 for the property. Messrs. O. and R. Beere wrote with reference to a proposed cutting up of a nine- acre property belonging to Messrs. Gibbons and Co.. on the Hutt and Old Military roads. They asked whether, in the event of a strip of land being dedicated for street-widening, the council would form ifc six months, after ,the date of dedication. It was decided -tor, ask the owners, to- supply the council with a plan of the property. , A deputation, headed by Mr. Walker, waited on the council,' urging on it tho necessity of improving- the pavements of Bloomfield-tarrace. He had been in the Dominion for' 45 years, .and had 'never seen anything like the pavements in the locality in quessipri. It was explained that the work was provided for in the estimates, and would be "fixed up before the winter." j A report was presented by No. 1 Committee recommending — That the Hawthorn Cricket Club be informed that the council regrets' it is unable to reduce the fee of £3 for the use of a room in the pavilion. That the suggestion of the Rugby Union be agreed to, viz:— That tho union should write a letter setting out the terms and conditions upon which it was to have the use of the Recreation Ground, and the council to reply (under seal) confirming the condition recited in the union's letter, in lieu of entering into a legal document. That a letter be written to the Post and Telegraph Department protesting strongly against the placing of the telegraph poles in the footpath at Western Hutt, on account of the narrowness of the path, and that tbe department be requested to remove the poles already erected. That the request of Sir Kenneth Douglas that Mr. Devereux be allowed to include the balance of the right-of-way adjoining his (Mr. Deyereux's) property near the Hott Bridge, be not agreed to. That Mr. Ferguson be informed that the drainage along Queens-road was provided for in this year's estimates, and would be attended to at once. That the offer contained in Messrs. Seaton and SladdenV letter of 9th instant be accepted, and that the council agree to carry out the necessary formation works (kerbing, channelling, etc.) within twelve months from the date of the dedication being made. That Mr. Birch's account for '£21, for professional service in connection with the proposed erection of gas works for the borough be paid. Tho recommendations were adopted.