LOWER HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hutt News, Volume 5, Issue 21, 12 October 1932, Page 5

LOWER HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho regular meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council was held on Monday evening, those present, being the Mayor (Mr W. T. Strand), Crs. B. Uinger, A. Grierson, J. Mitchell, D. S. fatrick, W. H. Wilson, W Gr MeldTum and A. Mcßain

Before taking the business of the meeting the Mayor made reference to the loss recently sustained by Mr J, Brassel and Mr M. J. Hodgins, both excounciliors, who had lost their wives and he moved that a resolution of .condolence and sympathy be forwarded to che relatives. Council passed the mo-

tion standing,

An invitation was received for the iViayor and Councillors to attend the 2V.th annual re-union of the Lower Hutt Volunteer Fire Brigade.

■Wellington Free Ambulance- wrote asking the approval of Council to an Empowering Bill to enable local bo^

to make grants for the current financial year. Approved.

The By-laws Committee reported that a further warning had been issued to a number of cyclists without the rear mudguard painted and not fitted with reflectors and it was proposed to prosecute persistent offenders.

The Fire Prevention Committee reported that the new engine recently ordered had been assembled and the pump moumted on the chassis, and be fore being handed over to the body Duilders was brought out to Lower Hutt last week for the purposes of testing under actual conditions. The suction hose used was an old length which had been borrowed for the purpose, and owing to its use the test was not altogether satisfactory, difficulty being experienced in getting the water, but when the water was obtained the machine delivered same at a pressure of 12Olbs to the square inch.

The Superintendent of the Brigade has expressed his intention of not taking the machine over until he has had further and more satisfactory tests, which he trusts will be conducted with the equipment which is to be deliverer with the machine.

The Library Comanittee reported that during last month the change of locution was effected into the new quarters and the Librarian reports that the change has been the subject of very favourable comment by users of the Library. Cr. Ginger said that he would like to congratulate the Librarian on the manner in which the library was now kept. The borough engineer reported that there was a bad breakage in the Brunswick Street drainage, which discharges in the vicinity of Melling Bridge and that the repair was being effected with concrete pipes which are much stronger than earthenware pipes. / The Works Committee reported that the special committee set up at the previous i_ acting of the Council had arranged with Britisli Pavements Ltd, to carry out the surfacing of that portion of R-andiwick Bri&d which had tieeh previously approved of by Council. The total area to be treated is approximately 2,000 square yards at a cost of 2/per square yard, making an approximate total payment of £220.

The Works Committee also reported having received four tenders for the work of wiring the motors to drive the pumps at the Seaview Road Pumping Station, and recommended that the tender of Mr C. H. Mitchell at the sum of £27 be a-ccepted, it being the lowest, tho highest being £40/10/-. — Carried. Building permits were issued as follows: —Dwellings in wood, 5, value £3745; shops, 1, value £850; sheds and outbuildings 3, value £(M; garages 5, value £195; petrol pumps 1, value £150. Total 15, value £5004. Corresponding month, previous year 13, value £6117.

The Mayor said it was quite gratifying to see the number of buildings being erected in the district and a.number of very nic,e homes would soon be under construction.

Traffic patrols has been carried out on seven evenings during the month and traffic control duty in the- main streets and on one Saturday afternoon on tho occasion of Trots at Hutt Park. 13 cases of By-law infringements were heard in the Magistrate's Court; 12 cases were convicted and one dismissed.

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF. The following works are in progress under the No. 5 Scheme: — Gracefield Sewerage—Work on sower "B" has progressed satisfactorily and during the month 240 feet of deep 6in sewer was laid and one manhole constructed. Gracefield Road.—Work is progressing in connection with the widening of Gracefield Road, between Wainui Hill Road and Bell Road. The metalling has been consolidated with roller and blinding material spread and rolled. Normandale Hill Roads. —The usual maintenance of these roads has been attended to. A 9in cross culvert at a point approximately half a chain above the original outlet in order to minimise the discharge of stormwater on to Mr Markland's property.

Street Channels have been grubbed on Kings Crescent, Military Road, Melling Road, Ludlam Crescent, Moa St., T*i St., and Kiwi St.

Drains.—The open drain on Oxford Terrace has been cleaned out, together with smaller drains in the vicinity of Waterloo Road.

Cultivation of Sections.-—Some 60 men are engaged cultivating for their own benefit unsold Crown sections and privately owned sections. These men are workig very satisfactorily.

Concreting Aiwamutu Stream Bed. — Good progress has been made with t:.iwork. During the month the by-par has been brought into use by darning the stream immediately above and below the portion to eb concreted. Excavation of stream bed has been com-: pleted and the concrete floor laid. During this work it was found necessary to, securely strut the watermaina to the satisfaction of the City Waterworks

Engineer. 'WorV ia 'now in Hand boxing the walls in readiness for pouring concrete. Men employed on No. 5 Scheme. — During the month the total number of men employed by the borough on the above works was as follows: — 1 day men, 149; 3i day men, 98; 3 day men, 142; 2J day men, 1»; 2 day m." total 608. Total number of men employed last month, 633. The Library report for the month of September was as follows:—Number of books taken out 2606, new books added to Library 34, new subscribers 18, mem bers who withdrew 12, - total number of subscribers 346.