THE PREMIER AT PETONE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3437, 19 May 1898, Page 3

THE PREMIER AT PETONE.

THE SUBURBS' LOCAL WANTS. The Premier proceeded to Petone yesterday afternoon for the purpose of inspecting the various sites under offer to the Government for the new Post Office, the vote for which was passed last session. Mr Seddou, who was accompanied by the Hon W. C. Walker and Mr Charles Wilson, M.H.E. for Wellington Suburbs, was met on his arrival by the Mayor of Petone, Councillor Mothes and several leading business men.

The various sites proposed having been inspected, the Premier went into the Recreation Ground for a while, the party thence proceeding to the Borough Council Chambers, where the Mayor formally brought several subjects of local importance under the notice of the Premier. Having expressed heart/ satisfaction that the Government was showing itself in earnest with regard to the Post Office, Mr Kirk went on to request some assistance to the Council with regard to the Recreation Ground. . He pointed out that Petone had no reserves or endowments of any description or for any purpose. The Council had recognised the great need for a recreation ground, and had taken over 13 acres of land for that purpose. The expense, however, of draining and improving was very heavy, and although the ratepayers were cheerfully doing their best with the small sum at their disposal, it was felt that, there being no reserves of any kind, the Government might reasonably be asked to assist. Mr Kirk also drew attention to the fact that Petone was a town of working men, and a heavy rate could not be borne. He also drew attention to the inconvenience which arose from the courthouse being at the Lower Hutt, whereas the most of the business transacted came from Petone. He urged the Government to take into consideration the advisablaneaa of erecting public buildings at some not distant date, in order to provide a courthouse, police offices, and possibly a library, under the same roof. With regard to the library, the Council hoped to be able to assist. The town had gone ahead very much since the workmen’s trains had been established, and there was now hardly an empty house in the place. Mr Charles Wilson, M.H.E., as member for the district, having briefly supported Mr Kirk’s requests, the Premier replied. Mr Seddou said he had been most favourably impressed that afternoon with the progressive spirit which he found animating the local authorities. As to the Post Office site, he recognised that it should bo in a central position. The township was no donbt spreading down the Waiwetu road, but the business men who had had the enterprise to pat up good buildings in the centre of the town deserved consideration. As far ha had been able to gauge public opinion, he found that Ballinger’s and Wilkie’s sites were the most in favour. A good deal, of course, would depend upon what bargain the department could make, but he could assure them that a first-class building would be erected. Allowance would be made for the future growth of Petone. As to the recreation ground, he was afraid he could not help them. If the Government gave money for such a purpose in one borough, it would have similar demands from all over tho colony. He recommended them to apply to the Minister of Lands, and offer, say. 10 of their 30 acres to that gentleman for working-men’s homes. They had an able representative in the House in Mr Wilson, and he no .doubt would do his best to find some way by which the Council could be legitimately assisted. As to the Courthouse, the distance between Petone and the Hntt was so short and the train service so regular and handy that he could not at present see his way to recommending the erection of another courthouse at Po‘on». The Mayor having thanked the Premier and Mr Walker for their presence, the proceedings terminated. The Premier afterwards visited the Railway Workshops in company with the jjjegjber for tho suburbs,