SUBURBAN COUNCILS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 73, 26 March 1912, Page 4

SUBURBAN COUNCILS.

LAST NIGHT'S MEETINGS. PETONE. The fortnightly meeting of the Petone Borough' Council was 'held last evening. Present: ffhe Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) and Councillors List, Piper, Brockelbank, Wakeham, Trueman. Short, and Cox. The secretary of the Wellington Bugby Union, wrote stating that the union wouljd accept the council's offer for the use of Nos. 1, 2, and 3 grounds at the Piecreation Ground. The terms ' of the agreement are * similar to those which existed last year. , The Under-Secretary of the Lands Department wrote denying that the Wilford Settlement was fouled with, noxious weed*. The department had always done its best to keep tho land free. As to the Heretaungasettlement. this area was now under the control of the Labour Department, with a view to the erection of further workers' dwellings thereon. The council was advised to communicate with the_ Secretary for Labour. The first portion of the letter was referred to the borough inspector, while tho Labour Department is to be written to regarding the Heretaunga Settlement. f he Mascotte Pictuie Company was given permission to screen a suitable picture programme- on Good Fridity. A similar request was granted the Palace Picture Company. Mr. W. Northoyer wrote offering further donations towards the establishment of a museum at Petone. The offer was accepted with thanks. The use of the Eecreatioif Ground was granted to the Petone Railway Workshops Crickefr Club for a match against a team from the Auckland shops on Easter Saturday. The Town Clerk reported that he had replied to the Acting Town Clerk, Wellington, that all matters in 'connection with the extension of Jackson-street and the construction of the . approaches to, the pipe bridge had been arranged for. • It would not be necessary, as suggested, , to approach the ratepayers for a further ' loan, ,and the land required had been given by the Gear Compauy, i through ■ whose property the roadwolJld go. The action was approved. LOWER HUTT.. , '" DRAINAGE AND INSURANCE. Th© Hutt Borough Council held its fortnightly meeting last evening: The Mayor (Mr. E. P. Bunny)" presided. There were present, also, Councillors Hobbe, Ball, Roots, Clendo'n, Kempthorne, Hodgkins, and Knight. The engineer reported that on the eastern drainage, section 4, a gang working in. Epuni-street had struck water again in great quantity, so that it was necessary to keep the two pumps ping at top speed*. Preparations were being made for tarring and sanding the footpaths, but no further information in regard to the tarboiler had come ' to hand. Two connections had been made with the gas and one -with tho water mains, the total number to date being 367. The number of permits issued under the drainage and sanitary bylaws was 466 to date. The expenditure for the fortnight amounted to £402 15*. ;. The Hutt River Board wrote regretting that the council had not seen its way to tender for certain single beaches. In regard , to the question of council obtaining its gravel at a royalty of 4d," there was not .time ,for the board to consider .this, as tbj> ,tenders closed the, came k day a's the council's letter was received^ '/ / The bbsinees ■ of' insurmg/tl^ council's emplbyees agajngi'jgc^fidntiT'wae given, aftee -some discuesiqik^k^rS^Gfun, representing tjhe "" Goveratiiwnt 'ijifo Insur 1 ance Department^ Thf /'amount paid in claims last . year. "WaV some £16, and tho amount in , premiums about £120. The dispropdrtibn, suggested to some conncilfors" the possibility of the council taking' its own risks, but the engineer pointed out tho work, both of cutting deep drains and of blasting, had its dangers. The council therefore decided to insure as above. The contract for cement was let- to the Golden Bay Cement Company, at a price of lOe lOd per cask. i Mr. G/ Bradley was granted a stand c-f three taxi-cabs near the Central Hotel. (