HUTT AND PETONE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6625, 15 September 1908, Page 8

HUTT AND PETONE

PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

(From Our Resident Reporter-)

Tho Pet one Borough Council met last evening. The Mayor (Mr J. M. McLwani and Councillors Colouhoun. Castle, i.oddr, Southgate. Coles, Short, loung. Harding and Smith were present. , A deputation, from tho combined lire brigades asked for permission to use the recreation ground for the purposes of : fire brigade competitions on Labour i Day. Permission was granted. A special order concerning the diverting of tl.; water of Percy's Stream was confirmed. CORK BSPOXDEX CE. A letter was received from the Minister of Lands stating that the Council’s application for leasing a certain part of tho TCorokoro watershed had been referred to tho Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Ilutt River Board wrote in terms of a recent resolution asking the Petone Council to co-operate with it in deputationising the Minister of Railways with a view to the Government taking over the Ilutt Park Railway Company's line and tho extension of same to Gear .Island. Resolved to help the Board in every way possible. It was decided to pass for payment a sum of .£BO, the amoimt of compensation fixed by the Native Land Court for certain land taken for the purposes of a settling tank. As there appears to be an amount owing to the Council for .rates, etc., in connection with the same land, the money will be held over with the object of the Council endeavouring to obtain what is. due to it from the Public Trustee. It was resolved to co-operate with the Technical School Board in regard to the erection of a 6ft iron fence on the boundary of the borough land adjoining the new technical school ground. A sum of £ls was voted as tho Council’s contribution towards the work. It was also agreed to insfcal a lamp at the entrance to the school. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Tho engineer, Mr W. H. Cook, reported that tho outcrop of stone at tho new quarry had been well tested by cutting in a drive for some 13fb into the hill. There was little doubt that many years of quarrying could be obtained. Tho stone was hard and tough, and similar to that obtained at the Koro Koro quarry. A road 10ft wide would have to be constructed for a distance of nino and a half chains. The estimated cost of reading was £100; and tor opening the quarry £3O. The estimated cost of procuring stone was: Quarrying, including labour, tools and blasting materials, 9d per yard; breaking from spawls to road metal by hand, 4s 0d; cartage to streets, 2s. If arrangements could bo made to hire a breaker tho stone should bo broken for approximately three-quarters less than this amount, making the cost to streets 3s lid per cubic yard. In regard to drainage in the eastern portion of tho borough, longitudinal sectional plans b*id been prepared of all streets to bo reticulated, or likely to be so done at a later period. Plans of details were also in hand, as well as the estimated cost of tho various works.

The report was adopted, tho question of inviting tenders tor the drainage works being left to the engineer and Mayor.

LOWER HUTT COUNCIL The fortnightly meting of the Lower Hult Borough Council was held last evening. Present the Mayor (Mr T. A. Peterkin) and Councillors Baldwin, Ross, Wildsiuith, Hod gins, O'Sullivan, Bussell, Ward. Tii© Government Insurance Department advised that the amount per annum which would require to be provided as sinking fund for the further loan of ,£4500 was £26.—Number One Committee to inquire into whole question of sinking funds. The Hutt Brass Band applied for permission to use the Recreation Ground for Sunday, 30th ultimo.—Application edThe Peton© Borough Council intimated that a cheque for £l6 17s 3d would be forwarded in the course of a day or two, in payment of that Council's share of Mr Moason's account for. preparing plans re tramway district. , Messrs Bunny, Pethcrick and Ay son ■wrote ro Tramways Bill.—The Mayor to ;act on Council's behalf during committee proceedings in the House. Mrs M. A. Ransom and Mr H. Sanson wrote-in reference to strip of land, Wesleyan cemetery, which is being taken for street-widening.—To be taken in committee. The Department of Roads wrote re Pitt settlement, inquiring whether the Council would be prepared with their staff to do tho streeting of the above settlement, including sanitary drains and house connections to boundaries of sections. —To be advised that the Council, never pre•viously having undertaken work of the kind, regrets it cannot soc its way to comply.

The Meat Export Company wrote re driving cattle through borough, and suggesting that, in order that the stock might get through the river at White's during daylight, tho hours for driving should be altered.—By-laws to be amended as desired.

Accounts amounting to £lO9l were passed for payment. The Mayor ‘and Councillors Ward and Boss were appointed to represent the Council on the proposed delegation re acquisition by the Government of the Hutt Park railway. No. 1 Committee reported:— Wellington Rugby Union re Recreation Ground and Petone Council's letter.— Councillors Hodgins and Ross have been deputed to meet two delegates from the Rugby Union to discuss the matter, and •the committee will report further hereon to a future meeting. Mr Yeats’ (headmaster public school) application for a cricket pitch, RecreatiomGrouud.—This application has been granted, and it has been left in the hands of the caretaker to arrange the pitches. 1 , Waiwetu Cricket Club re top-dressing. —That the Waiwetu Cricket Club be informed that every care will be taken that no damage is don© to the pitches in future, but the caretaker cannot be expected to stop on the ground all night. Hutt Cricket Club’s application for cricket pitch, Recreation Ground.—That this application be granted on the usual terms.

Fire Brigade use of Recreation Ground. —That the brigade be given permission to train on the ground, provided they do

not use the water or take the manual engine there. WAR UPON TKEES NOTICE TO FELL SET ASIDE. The war which is being conducted by the Unrjcr Xlutt Town Board upon tree 5 gj owing alongside IJio roadways in such poilions as to shut off the sun’s irjy> with detrimental effect upon tho road had issue yesterday in a Court case, which, though decided against the local authority, hue* rather an inconclusive bearing upon the position with regard to other owners under notice to fell. Mr James Brown laid au information callin' upon tho Town Board Commissioners to appear before the Court to show cau<e why a notice requiring trees on property occupied by tho plaintiff, as agent for the Bov. Mother Francis Doyle, to be cut down, should not bo set aside. The statement of claim denied that the trees in question (pinus insignas of thirty years’ growth) detrimentally affected the road, as contended by the local authority. Mr Fair appeared on behalf of the applicant, while Mr A. J. McCurdy conducted the case for the Town Board. After hearing evidence for the defence, the Bench visited the locality. On resuming, Dr McArthur (who, supported by Messrs Wilkins and Dayis, J.i-Vs, presided) said that tho Bench were satisfied the two trees still remaining to which the Bench took exception, an I from which the lower branches had been lopped, were no* now detrimental to the road. Tho notice was accordingly set aside. No costs were allowed on either side. it appears that after Mr Brown instituted the proceedings tho major portion of the offending trees were cut down, hence tho Court was not called upon to decide respecting the power’s of a local authority in regard to a closegrowing belt of trees over-shadowing the road. Notices to cut down such growths have been served upon a number of occupiers of property fronting the main road, and as the trees act as valuable shelter-belis in southerly weather, and undoubtedly help to beautify the landscape and make tho district attractive, the Board's policy'is not meeting with entire approval. Tho lopping of tho lower branches of nine trees and clearing away of undergrowth has proved sufficient precaution in other parts of 1 Hutt county. The Board should try this I plan before proceeding further to destroy Iso valuable an asset. In any case, the notices should bo suspended until the autumn.

Tho monthly meeting of the Peton© Fire Board was held yesterday. Present —Messrs Simpson (in the chair). Mallard, Castle, and Southgate. It was decided to postpone opening the tenders for installation of a fix'© alarm service until next meeting. A communication from the Palmerston Pile Brigade, notifying the postponement of the proposed conference for the purpose of establishment of a Fire Brigades' Association and setting forth the objects of tho movement, was referred to the delegate (Mr J. AV. McEwan), appointed to represent the Board. The secretary waa instructed to take out a cover over the Board's buildings and gear to such amount as was deemed reasonable. Tho treasurer reported a bank credit of £l3l 10s fkl. Accounts as presented were passed for payment.

At the Upper Hutt Stipendiary Magistrate's Court yesterday, the Rev. Cecil Josiah jSmitli was ordered to pay Court costs (7)s, for riding -a bicycio on the footpath. For allowing a horse to wander on the public streets Jacob Geongo was ordered to pay Court costs (7s). Judgment for plaintiff by default was entered up in the case James Hazelwood v. James Judge, claim £9 6s 6d, costs £1 7s 6d.