PETONE BOROUGH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8186, 30 July 1912, Page 9

PETONE BOROUGH.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. A meeting of the Petone Borough Council was held last night; present—the Mayor (Mr J. XV. McEwan) and Councillors Short, Fodder, Piper, Brooklebank, Trueman, List, Cox, Burridge, and XVakeham. In reply to a letter from tho council as to the conditions of certain buildings connected with the Petono workshops, tho manager said that the buildings were kept as sanitary as possible under existing conditions, anti that the erection of new, buildings was contemplated. On account of tho increase in freights, tho X\ T estport Coal Company advised that in future tho price of coal would be raised by sixpence a ton. Messrs D. A. Fay and Co., in referring to their application for a permit to conduct the trades of boiling down, etc., in the borough, wrote that tin return of the plans and specifications for further improvements (so-called and alterations Jed them to consider that they (Messrs Fay and Co.) were being trifled with. The company had no intention of complying with the council’s request, as it considered ii was frivolous. Messrs Fay and Co. stated that they were desirous of carrying on a business which would bo a distinct benefit to Potono, and ono that would bo neither noxious nor offensive to the Inhabitants of tho district. Animated discussion took place over tho matter, amendments put being ruled out of order, as they were considered to be in tlio nature of conditional permits. Oil a division being called for, the letter was not received.

A deputation from the XVellington Rugby Union waited .upon the council in respect to a rumour that the Ath-letic-Potono football match was to he played in town. This, Mr Hales, the spokesman of the deputation, denied, and stated that they (the union) intended to stick to tho letter of the agreement with the council. Mir Hales intimated that at a future date the union would approach the council with reference to securing a' lease pf the Petono grounds for coming seasons. Mr Hardham (Petone’s representative) endorsed Mr Hales’ . remarks, and stated that tho Rugby Union had always treated tho Petono Club in a very fair manner. ENGINEER’S REPORT. TRADESMAN TO BE PROSECUTED. Tlie engineer (Air A. Cowie) reported that the gas reticulation of a house in Nelson street was done by J. Piper, and the head gasfitter to the council reported that the work was not done in accordance with the by-laws. Mr Piper was informed that the defects had to be remedied. At the same time Mr Piper’s attention was called to the fact that he had not taken out a gasfitter’s license. It also appeared from the register that Mr Piper had not taken out a. license for the previous year, and was still an unauthorised person under the lighting by-law. I: Masters, the council’s present hear gasfitter, reported that the gas reticulation of the house in question was still contrary to the by-law. Tho Mayor said the by-law must be carried out, and he would instruct the engineer to prosecute the offender.

Mr Short said it seemed strange to him that the work complained of was done when a permit was issued from the engineer’s office.

The engineer said he tjms unaware that Mr Piper was unlicensed as a gasfitter, as he was one of the first to take, out a plumber’s license, and was only when looking up other matters that he (tho engineer) discovered the position.

Councillor Piper, in explanation, said that for ten years there were no licenses issued in Petono, and then a plumber’s license covered that of a gasfitter. XVhen the licenses were expiring he (Mr Piper) approached the town dark, and stated that he wanted the licenses renewed, and was unaware that the license he received and paid for did not cover all that was required. The fee paid (7s 6d) covered both! Councillor Bun-idge said it was a pure oversight on the part of Mr Piper, who had paid tho correct fee. Councillor Bunridge deprecated the feeling that existed meeting after meeting of the council.

Councillor List said a poor man, who tried to earn a few shillings by opening up a drain was prosecuted on the motion of Councillor Piper. There should be no distinction made.

This statement Councillor Piper denied.

The Mayor said a borongh employee had been prosecuted, and no distinction should be made. Ho moved that the report be adopted, which was agreed to. A motion by Councillor List, “ That Mr XVebstor bo asked to reconsider his resignation, and that his salary be increased by £SO per annum,” was not pressed, as the Mayor stated that 51’ XVebstor had given his word to accept the position offered him. Councillor XVakeham moved, “ ThMr Nicholson, who tied with Mr XVebster for the position of town clerk, be appointed slr XVebster’s successor at a salary of £250 per annum.”—Councillor Short seconded the motion. Councillor Cox movedj as an amendment, “That applications bo called for a town clerk.”

. The Mayor said that he knew applications were kept back when it was known Mr XVebstor was applying again for the position. These men would now apply, and they were very capabl men.

On'the Slayer's suggestion. Councillor XVakeham withdrew his motion in favor of the amendment, which was carried.

On the motion of Councillor Lodder the following motion was agreed to, and a special meeting is to be held in five weeks’ time to confirm the same: “ That the amendments to tho council's lighting by-law, 1911 as agreed to by the council, at a meeting held on Juno 17th, 1912, bo adopted, by way of special order of such way as the law directs, as by-laws, and amendments o’ Petone borough lighting by-law,