HUTT AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10085, 25 September 1918, Page 2

HUTT AFFAIRS

MEETING BF COUNCIL GAS SUPPLY QUESTION DISCUSSED A meeting of the Hntt Borough Council was held last evening. There were present—The Mayor (Mr E. P. Rishworth) and Councillors Hobbs, Kerr, Clehdoh; Brassel, Walton, Meldriim, ALeDougall. and West. In reply to a communication the Minister for Justice (Hon. T. M. Wilford) stated that the plans for a new police station had been returned to the Public Works Department for revision, and are being redrawn; Snecificatiohs weie being prepared and would be ready in Advice was received Gommmsioner of Crown Lands to the effect that plans and specifications tor the forming of roads on the iiall-J ones settlement had been prepared and bad b oen sent on to the engineer-to-chief. ihe plans fire to be sent to the council at an early date so that the work may be put in hand while the heceisarv labour is aV Xhe Engineer , of , Railways (Mr B Widddp) wrote enclosing conditions on wnion the department was prebared to give land at Melting for road improvement.-—it was decided to accept this offer and to thank the Railway DeTh^ e boroUgli solicitor (Mr E. P- Bunny) advised the council that.it had power to deal with native owners in respect to overdue rates.—lt ivas* resolved to accept two years' rates on certain native lands and to release the iieU; neid by the council; When the amount was was granted . by Messrs Uleudon Brothers to> the cbunoil employees to make nee of their property in order to gain access to the borougn artesian well site under certain conditions, Which it was decided to accept. KEEPING CRICKET ALIVE. An application was made by the Hntt Cricket Club for the use of four pitches on the recreation ground free bf charge. It was pointed out, by the secretary of the club, that the club was being kept alive by young players who were not in a position to pay a large subfeefiption fee. , Councillor Bf asset said t hat ha I’blieved in people paying for their sport, and did not agree With the giving of the recreation ground free: Rather than this should be done he would pay the amount (,25) himself. Councillor Hobbs agreed with. Councillor Brassel, and the Mayor said that if the request was granted, it should be pointed out that it was only a war measure and was not to be looked upon as a precedent. It was decided to grant the club three pitches free of charge. ; THE GAS QUESTION.

A letter- was received from a Mr Joseph Astall suggesting a conference between three representatives of the Hntt and Petone Borough. Councils to discuss amalgation and offering his .ser-, Vices as chairman of ’the contereneo. The Mayor said’ the-suggestion wafl. Outside practical politics and ' could not be entertained. He moved that the letter be received; Councillor Hobbs moved that the Mayor and Councillors McDoUgall and West be appointed to meet delegates from the Petone Owuncil and discuss the question, but the 'motion- was not seconded. The ‘ Mayor' reviewed the agreement between PetoiTe and Hutt regarding the supply of gas to the Hutt borougn, and skid that it had been suggested that the Hutt Council was not acting fairly in the matter. Attempts had been made to encourage the ratepayers to hold a public meeting for the purpose of tonsuring the Mayor and councillors, and ho considered, by doing eo, those bffoefned had not indulged in fair tatics. The Mayor added that it Was impossible to find out the true position of the Petone gas works from the figures in tho balancesheet, as revenue had been allocated for different works. Ip Yhrto .years Petone Had spent .£3OOO frorff revenue account in reducing an expenditure of £7OOO on new works and additions. Petone had for Teats, ahd during those** years Hutt did 1 not receive any of the profits, but was how asked to help iff the paying of the lose. Councillor Cleffdoff said that so long as Hutt purchased a&e frbin Petone there would be difference between the two bodies. The only way out of the difficulty would be for Hutt to purchase a half share an the Petone gas works, of if this could not be brough- about’Hutt should build its own works. The Mayor agreed with Concillor Clehdoll and said that an experts advice had been obtained and'; the question could be discussed further when the report was available.

Councillor Hobbs said that Hutt estimated to make a profit of -8600 on its gas account and the money would be spent on new works. He thought it was Offly A biitin&ss policy tor Petone to spend gas profits on now Works. Councillor McDoUgall elated that if the Hutt Council agreed to the increase in price abked by Petone, Qie Petone Council would receive -84000 to pay a debt of -81337. Petone did not share their profits from its gas works during the good years and . made. no suggestions regarding the sharing Of profits after the war is over. It was decided to receive the letter from the Petone Council, and to defer further discussion on the gas question to a later date.

Permission was given the Copper Trail Committee to use the recreation ground for the holding of sports on October 19th, and to take up a collection at the gate. The Hntt and Petone No-License League was granted permission to place small tables cm tho footpaths for obtaining signatures to a petition which is to he placed before Parliament.