PETONE AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8683, 17 March 1914, Page 9

PETONE AFFAIRS

MEETING OF COUNCIL The fortnightly meeting of the Petone Council was held last evening. There were present:—The Mayor (Mr J. W. MoEwan), and Councillors W. E. Forsyth, W. Cox, A. Anderson, H. Findlay, T. Townsend, R. Jones, W. Trueman and C. P. Brocklebank. A letter was received from the Rugby Union agreeing to the council’s terms for the leasing of Nos. 1 and 2 grounds on the (recreation ground, and an agreement is to be prepared. It was decided to take into consideration suggestions submitted by the Wellington Motor Cycling Club re the lighting of vehicles, and thank them for the offer of assistance. On the application of Mr W. J. Percy, it was resolved to cancel the option given by him over the purchase of his gardens. Intimation was received from the secretary of the Woollen Company stating that the directors of the company would give the question of a right-cf-way through the company’s property suitable for both parties their consideration. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote stating that if plans are prepared for the reading of the Wilford settlement, the department will pay a reasonable fee for same.

Councillor Findlay, in moving “That the footcrossings at present upon the Hutt road be removed,” said that the putting down of such obstacles in the street was obsolete in the twentieth century. Most of them had worn down, but the one from Regent street across the Hutt road was by far the worst. He (Councillor Findlay) had seen a motor cycle break down recently when negotiating this particular crossing, and a motor-car following could not get out of the way and took the highest part of the crossing. The car contained an invalid from Lower Hutt who was nearly killed by the bump. a bylaw ought to be brought lit to govern the traffic.

Councillor Cox seconded the motion, although he said he was not agreeable to the removal of the crossings. The crossings had served a good purpose, but he (Councillor Cox) thought the crossing in question was rather high." Councillor Anderson moved an amendment to the effect, “That the

crossings be kept at the height agreed upon by the executive of the Automobile Club and the borough engineer,” and said that the way motor-cars travelled over the road was a danger to life, and he would like to see them get greater bumps. After 10 o’clock at night motor-cats travelled at an excessive speed and often without lights. —The amendment was carried. Councillor Findav moved—“ That a by-law regulating the speed of motors within the borough be drawn up and brought into force as early as possible.”—This was carried. Councillor Findlay moved—“ That an addition be made to the building by-laws giving the engineer power to refer to the council applications for the erection of all buildings, which in the opinion of the engineer are unsightly or likely to be objectionable to adjoining premises, and that the onus of issuing the permit rest with the council.” Councillor Anderson said he trusted that the council would consider the advisability of setting aside a portion of the borough as an industrial area. The Mayor said that it was questionable if the council had the power, and on his suggestion it was resolved to ascertain the council’s powers in this direction, from the solicitor to the Municipal Association. ENGINEERS’ REPORTS. The borough engineer (Mr A. Cowie) reported that pipes have been laid through sections, on which there are buildings, from the boundary of 'the Wilford settlement, to Upton’s boundary, which is as far as originally intended, but having sufficient pipes in hand the culverting of the Moran’s creek is to be continued to the west side of Cuba street. The filling behind the seawall is proceeding satisfactorily,. and advantage is being taken of the soil thrown out from the drainage works for this purpose. It is recommended that a breakwind, above high-water mark, be erected for the purpose of collecting spoil for fillingin purposes. The estimated cost of the erection of the breakwind is £5. During the past month most of the council’s drays and permanent employees have been engaged getting the grounds over the stop-bank in order. Grass has been sown, and part of the grounds are in good order, and should the weather be favourable, will be available for the coming football season. Flans have been prepared in respect to the extension of Richmond to Islington streets, showing how the properties on cither side affect the proposal. Hr B. Fox, sewerage engineer, stated that the walls of the pumping station were carried up to a height of eight feet from the floor of the tank, the number of cubic yards of concrete placed in position teing 31. On the esplanade the manhole has been completed, and the 18 inch valve is in position; the 18 inch earthenware pipes from manhole to tank, and the 12 inch by-pass have been laid. Progress on the pumping station is slow through waiting for the boxing to be removed. —The reports were adopted.

It was decided that the reserves committee report on ' the question of securing a suitable piece of ground for the Petone District High School for gardening purposes.