"DOG IN THE MANGER!"

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1914, Page 2

"DOG IN THE MANGER!"

HUTT PARK COMMITTEE AND A ROAD As already reported, it is the intention of the Wellington City Council to undertake tl» work of constructing a road to' link up the Waiwetu bridge with the Hutt pipe bridge, but as this work will not be under way for some time yet, the Petone Borough Council is anxious that a temporary connection should be made in the meantime. Consequently the Town Clerk of Petone wrote to the Hutt Park Committee, which controls the land required for the road, as follows :— -"Now that an arrangement has been arrived at for the construction of the road through Hutt Park _to connect up the two bridges, I am directed to write asking if your committee would allow light traffic to proceed through the park along the line of the proposed road until such time as the road is completed." When the letter came before the Hutt Park Committee at its meeting last evening, Mr, -Brocklebank moved and Mr. Townsend seconded, that permision be granted. The Chairman /Mr. H. Baldwin) thought it would be bad policy to construct a bridge, which would be necessary if the Petone Council's request was granted, for £10. Besides the financial position of the committee was not strong enough to carry out the work. Mr. M'Ewan remarked that eventually a 66ft r<sa<l would be opened. He hoped, in the interests of the public, the committee would take a broad view of the matter. In order to make a temporary connection it would be necessary to bridge the creek. The committee he said, should not take "this dog in tho manger attitude in the matter," The expense would only be nominal and tho road would be made available almost at once. Mr. Hodgins was atainst the proposal if the committee had to bear tho expense. t Mr. Baldwin : The work would cost a little more than £10 for timber and labour. He pointed out also that the committee would have to go carefully in tho matter as it would be liable in the caß'P of accidents. Mr. Brocklebank said that the Peton© Council would supply the material, and would only require the assistance of tho caretaker. The cost to the committee would be nil. Mr. Baldwin : The caretaker's time is taken up already. At this juncture Mr. M'Ewan remarked that he was going to speak straight. He had strong convictions that Mr. Baldwin had blocked the whole thing. Mr. Baldwin : I object to that. Mr. Hodgins: This is the first wo heard of the matter to-night. Mr. M'Ewan remarked that the matter certainly had been blocked. Mr. Baldwin: I object to you saying I blocked it. Mr. Town&end said that the bridge would be sufficient until the road was formed. He saw no logical objection why permission should not be granted. ' Mr. Baldwin: If the Petone Council meets the expense of the work I have no objection. Eventually the motion was made to read to the effect that permission be granted, provided that no expense is incurred by the committee. In this form it was carried unanimously. ■