SUBURBAN COUNCILS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1909, Page 4

SUBURBAN COUNCILS.

* HUTT. DIFFERENCES OF OPINION.. The new council of the Hutt Borough '■held its initial meeting last night, Mr. Bunny (Mayor) occupying the chair. Owing to the resignation of Messrs. Russell and 'Hodgkins from the Hutt •Park Committee, 'Messrs. Baldwin and M'Caskill were elected to the vacancies. Attention was drawn by a correspondent to the practice of the rolling of large rocks on to the Wainui-road by Mr. Powell's employees. The writer considered that as a result there was considerable danger to persons using th« road. The engineer was instructed to look into the matter. The engineer reported that in reference to a petition signed by 23 residents of Normandale for tho making of steps from the lower roadway to the upper roadway of the Normandale Estate, be was arranging to meet some of the peti- ' tioners on the site of the proposed steps in order to gain information of their requirements, so as to enable him to prepare an estimate. ■Messrs. Richardson and ißlair intimated that the greater portion of the machinery for the septic tanks is aboard the s.s. Turaliina. i Messrs. Skerrett and Wylio reported re 'Hunifrey's land, having received v letter from the , 'Roads Department, informing them 'that a proclamation taking the land for street-widening purposes has been gazetted. On the motion of Mr. 'Baldwin, it was agreed that the engineer be instructed to prepare an estimate as to the cost of formation of a footpath from the Merrick Bridge to the railway line. WORK IN THE BOROUGH. The 'Mayor moved — "That the consulting engineers, Messrs. Meason and JVlarchant, he asked to immediately rep irb upon the condition of the wa.ter supply, street improvements, and drainage works, especially as to whether the various items of expenditure were those contemplated by tho original report of the engineers I and the authority conferred by the rate-. i payers, and as to whether the expendl- ' ture upon the same has been in accordi ance with the estimates, and in particular to advise the council as to the amount jnecessary for the completion of the drainage scheme, and as to the best method of carrying the work to a successful issue, and that the engineera havo full power to inspect all reports and other documents, and take eueh evidence as may be necessary for theipurpose of being able to thoroughly report to and advise the council." Councillor Clere was of the opinion that the borough and consulting engineers should jointly report. The suggestion was opposed by the Mayor. He pointed out that the estimates in connection with the drainage works and street improvements had been exceeded. Councillor Baldwin did not agree with the motion, maintaining that it constituted a vote of censure on an officer of the council He contended that certain words in it constituted a charge of preparing a false balance-sheet. The Mayor : Perfectly absurd. Councillor Baldwin suggested that instead of the words "consulting engineers, Messrs Meason and Marchant, be_ asked to immediately report/" the motion be amended to read : "The council's engineer be asked to report." "Are we not satisfied," he asked, "at the way the work is being carried out?" The Mayor : I am not ! Councillor Baldwin : Then you mean to say that you have no confidence in the borough engineer ? The Mayor : i'oii say so ! After his Worship had once asked Councillor Baldwin to sit down while the chairman was speaking, Councillor M'Caskill s#d that he also objected to the council being put to the expense of receiving a report from the consulting engineer. There had been no complaints as to the manner the work had been executed. Thereupon the Mayor said that he was astonished at the stand that had been taken up in regard to his motion. If the work had been performed in the way alleged, why the objection to the enquiry ? At this stage the Mayor received a ' memorandum from the borough engineer, courting an enquiry, as proposed. Councillor Baldwin's amendment, on being put to the meeting, was thereupon lost, only receiving ' the support of Councillor Barlow, who objected to a consulting engineer being ' requested" to report on his own scheme. Subsequently the motion was carried. , SUPPLY OF GAS. The Mayor moved — "That the council considers the terms offered by the Petone Borough Council for the supply of gas to the Hutt boiough, and if approved, notifies the Petone Borough Council of their acceptance." He explained that the existing' agreement expired on the Ist August. Under the present arrangement, the council was paying 5s 3d and 5s per 1000 cubic feet. In answer to a request that the Petone Borough Council reconsider its terms, the present offer of 4s 3d per 1000 ft for the first three years and 4s per 1000 ft for the subsequent four years was received. Prior to this "offer, 4s 9d per 1000 ft was wanted, but the reduction was made when an agitation for Hutt .gasworks was raised. He favoured the offer before them, considering that the proposal to construct local gasworks had been rejected. - The motion »vas carried without dissent.