LOWER HUTT

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 88, 11 October 1921, Page 3

LOWER HUTT

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

The fortnightly meeting of the Lower | Hutt' Borough Council was held last evening. Present: Mr. E, P. Pushworth (Mayor), and Councillors A. M'Bain, W. Meldrum, J. Brasell, J. Mitchell, W. N. Dempseyj W. T. Strand, W. T. Cotton, A. J. West, and A. J. Hobbs. The Department of Public Health directed the council to take stringent steps in the matter of the destruction of rats, in view of the cases of bubonic plague in Sydney.—The Mayor stated' that the inspectors had been instructed to immediately report any places harbouring rats,' also that the council's refuse dump had already received attention. The Borough Solicitor, Mr: E. P. Bunny, advised in regard to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board making an extra 'levy to provide unemployment funds." The Hutt District. Cricket Club forwarded a cheque for £10 10s for the.use of the cricket ground for the coming season, and asked for the use of an additional wicket for. the use of junior members.—Cr. M'Bain stated that he did not consider there was room for another pitch, but he would look into»the matter.—lt was decided to leave the question in the hands of Cr. M'Bain.:

The. Town' Clerk, Petone, stated" that the flooding of the northern low-lying portion of Petone was caused to, a, considerable extent by the overflowing of Higgins's Creek, within Lower Hutt, and suggested a conference of the engineers of both boroughs on the question.—lt was decided to accede to the request. Messrs. Pimm and Marple complained of the flooding of then- properties on the Hutt Road.—The engineer reported that the cause of the blockage was the blocking of a street grating by debris on the street; —On the motion of Cr. Hobbs, it was decided to reply that the council had taken all precautions, and could accept no liability. r Sir. A. Pitt applied for a water-meter to he installed on his property in Nai Nai-lane.—On the motion of Cr. Strand, it was decided, to hold over the matter pending a report on the question of the cost of supplying water.

Councillors Mitchell, Strand, Hobbs, and the Mayor were appointed a committee to decide what footpaths were to be tarred during the forthcoming summer. In regard to Mr. Hayward's complaint about storm-water on his property, it was decided to hold the matter over pending the annual inspection by the council. • . ■

Mr. H. V. Horlor advised that he was making a claim against the council for the expenses which he alleged were incurred through his motor-lorry bein? damaged by a depression in Alice-street-In regard to this matter the borough engineer reported :—"The particulars are that, as reported. We had a blocked sewer in Alice-street. Before the blosfc was located several trial holes were sunk, and on Friday, 23rd September, these holes were covered' with gravel after having been filled. , On Saturday, 24th September, it was necessary to sink another hole (the one Mr. Horlor complains of), and this'was not filled until after noon on Saturday. It was then too late, to cover it with gravel, but Crafar informs me that the soil with which it was filled was quite dry. I am informed that t,He newly-covered-in hole was quite easily discernible, and that there was no excuse for the driver going into it." On the motion of Councillor Brasell, seconded by Councillor Mitchell, it was decided to, without prejudice, pay the claim made by Mr. Horlor. I ■

In pursuance of notice, Councillor Mitchell moved that Mr. Ingram bo placed in direct control of the machinery _ of: the pumping station and the septic tanks. The motion was seconded by Councillor Strand. Tlie mover and seconder stated that their only reason for the motion was to give the borough engineer more time to attend to'his other duties. The suggestion was opposed by Councillor Hobbs. The motion was lost.