BOROUGH AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10640, 13 July 1920, Page 3

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

PETONE COUNCIL MEETING RUGBY UNION ALLEGES BREACH OF AGREEMENT. A meeting of the Potone Borough Council wa* held last evening. The Mayor (Mr J. W. McEwan) presided, and Councillors C. P. Brocklebank, J. Churchouso, W. Hay, A. Anderson, D. Bedingfield, G. Cooli. and E. Tovey were also present. The Minister for Labour, replying to a suggestion that Saturday afternoon be made a compulsory half-holiday throughout the Dominion, stated that if there was a general desire throughout New Zealand for legislation on the question the Government .would carefully consider it. The Prime Minister, in answer to communications, said that the resolution, passed by the Waimairi. Borough Council, and which was supported by the Petone Council, regarding a suggestion that legislation should be promoted to allow hospital boards to borrow money for permanent buildings; that the Local Bodies Loan Act be altered; and that legislation be promoted giving magistrates drastic powers for dealing with motorists, convicted of driving at excessive speeds, would be carefully considered by Cabinet. The Hamilton Borough Council astyd for support of a resolution urging the Government to remove the import duty on cement on account of shortage of the local supply. The letter stated that •it was understood at Hamilton that for some reason the works erected in New Zealand for the manufacture of cement were not working.—No action was- taken. A notification was received from the manager of the Bank of New Zealand that the overdraft rates, payable by the council, would be increased by a half per cent.

AGREEMENT WITH RUGBY UNION. , Messrs Perry, Gill, and Linklater, solicitors to the Wellington Rugby Union, wrote stating that the council was not carrying out the terms of the agreement with the union in. respect to football grounds on the reserve. The letter also stated that the Rugby Union was loath to become involved in litigation, and asked the council to refer the correspondence to its solicitor with a view to obtaining advice on the matter in order that a settlement may bo arrived at.

Councillor Tovey was of opinion that no action should be taken, and the Rugby Union should be allowed to prove the position it takes up.

Councillor Anderson asked if the Rugby Union had power to charge for entrance to the ground each Saturday. The Mayor said that he understood that the council had power to make a ‘bargain in respect to the leasing of the ground. Permission could be given to make a charge on ten occasions. It was decided to obtain an opinion from the borough solicitor on the question as to the position of the council in letting the ground to the Rugby Union, and the right for a charge to be made. OFFICIAL REPORTS. The borough engineer (Mr A. Cowie) reported that the services of several drays were required daily in order that the holes made by motor vehicles in the roads may be filled in. In consequence the metalling of a number of streets had been delayed. Arrangements had been made for tho quarrying of metal, and as it was late in the season for tlie metalling of streets, the work is to be pushed on. A considerable amount of water had to be contended with in laying the sewerage extension to Collins street, and it was found necessary to lay the pipes on a concrete bed. The portion of the recreation ground subject to flooding during wet weather was receiving attention, but it was not anticipate that the trouble would be overcome until the ground had been . raised. A shortage of cisterns was retarding the work of tho plumbing department, and an endeavour had been made to procure a supply of the articles. Mr W. B. Gough (borough inspector) reported having inspected 82 promises during the month of June. Several sanitary defects were discovered, and tho owners of the properties were notified to effect the necessary repairs. The annual traffic licenses collected for tho month amounted to -£l9 4s. It was decided to approach the Government to have sustenance fees for impounded stock increased and to empower the inspector to prosecute owners of unregistered dogs. TO IMPROVE RECREATION GROUND.

Councillor Tbvey moved; "That -with, a • view to Improving the recreation ground bv. way of providing the maximum additional playing area for the residents of Petone, the engineer bo instructed to submit a plan, and report at the earliest possible date, setting forth the work to be done and the estimated cost thereof. The work is to include tie shifting of the whole or a part of the present bicycle track and a portion of the shingle bank, such material, together with any further material required, to bo used for raising the lower parts of ,the ground. The estimate to provide, in addition, for the removal of any existing fences or buildings necessary to provide for adequate drainage of the ground." The engineer was instructed to go into the matter and report to the council. GENERAL. The secretary of the Wellington Gas Workers' Employees’ Union advised that an employee at the gasworks at Pctono was entitled to the retrospective pay and the new rate up to the time ho loft the council’s employ. The man in question left the council’s employ on Juno 19th, the day the agreement was entered into. It was decided to pay the amount claimed. The council’s attention was drawn to the bad state of No. 3 ground on the recreation reserve by the St. Augustine’s Hockey Club and the condition of No. 3 by the Rugby League Association.MUNICIPAL BOWLING GREEN.

In respect to on application by the Central Bowling Club that the council grant the club the municipal rinks, together with -£SO towards its upkeep, tho reserves committee recommended that tho club be offered tho uso of the ground at a peppercorn rental, on condition that the club undertakes to keep the green in order, and to bear the cost. The report was adopted.