Upper Hutt Borough Council

Upper Hutt Weekly Review, Volume I, Issue 20, 1 May 1936, Page 1

Upper Hutt Borough Council

Councillors Find Fault with Mayor's Leadership Discord, arid. Threatened Resignations Determined Attitude of Several Councillors His Worship, under heavy cross-fire, closes meeting at 12.30 a.m.

The fortnightly meeting of the Upper Hutt Borough Council was held on Monday evening- last, the Mayor (A. J. McCurdy, Esq.) presiding. There were also present Councillors Keys (Deputy Mayor), Guthrie, Howell, Sutherland, Greig, Blewman, Purvis, Baskett, and the Town Clerk. Letter received from the Minister of Health dealing- -with the proposed deputation from the Council re the water supply at Trentham. The Minister stated that at the moment he was very busy with Parliamentary matters, but that as soon as he was free would be pleased to receive the deputation. Councillor Greig moved that the Council get into touch with the newMedical Officer of the district, and see what could be done. Councillor Keys seconded and the motion -was carried. A letter received from the Free Ambulance giving a summary of its work for the past year was read. Councillor Greig moved that "a letter be sent to the Wellington Free Ambulance expressing the appreciation of the Upper Hutt Borough for its service to the district. Councillor Guthrie seconded and eulogised the administration. WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Councillor Purvis stated that he had seen the City Engineer re Princes Street, and he had stated that the work would be carried out as soon as the surface work was done. Councillor Purvis.in his remarks stated there was something he could not fathom in connection -with the progress of this work. There had been delays, but the work would be started on Wednesday. Councillor Keys: I would like to know why the Mayor instructed the Overseer to put rotten rock on this street. It seems regrettable to me that -we have to take him to task for doing- such things. Surely the Works Committee has a say in the matter as to what is required ? The Mayor: The Overseer came to me and I explained to him what had to be done as regards filling up the pot holes and cleaning the gx - ass off the side of the road, but I had nothing to do with placing the rock on the street. I suggested that we should nap stones. The Overseer put the rock on himself. Councillor Keys: It is remarkable to me that Mr. Golder informed me only this evening that you gave him instructions to use this rotten rock. The Mayor: I never did. Councillor Blewman: As a member of the Works Committee I believe that there has been undue delay about the -whole matter. -'■ My opinion is that metal should have been put there in the first place. The Mayor: The spell of dry weather recently has caused the'metal to come loose, as when it was placed down it

was quite satisfactory. One business man in the district came and had a look at it, but could not break it up, it was so hard. Councillor Guthrie: Where does the Works Committee come into this I would like to know ? Councillor Purvis: As Chairman of the Works Committee I spoke to Mr. Golder about it and he definitely stated that the Mayor gave him instructions to use the rock. Councillor Baskett: This overlapping is not right. If a committee has work to do they should be responsible until the completion of the job. Councillor Purvis: If the Mayor would only keep out of these things the Committee could carry out their work. After further discussion Councillor Purvis moved the adoption of the report, -which was seconded by Councillor Greig. WHITEMAN'S VALLEY ROAD. A letter received from the Hutt County Council stated they were unwilling to pay a portion towards the bridges in the Whiteman's Valley Road. Councillor Baskett suggested that the Council should try and make them contribute. Councillor Greig: If the ratepayers in the Hutt County in this district knew that the Hutt County Council was against contributing they would be up in arms, Councillor Howell: When the Moonshine Bridge -was built did the old Town Board contribute towards it ? The Mayor: Yes. Councillor Howell: Well, -why cannot the County be made to help in this matter ? Councillor Keys: I move that a committee be set up to go into the legal aspect of this matter- and bring down a report. Councillor Baskett seconded. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Greig, the letter was received. Councillors Howell, Purvis, Baskett, in conjunction with the Mayor ex-officio, are to be the committee. RIVER PROTECTION WORK. A letter from Mr. B. Roberts, M.P. for the district, dealing with river protection work was read. Councillor Purvis stated what had been done by ratepayers who had property on the river bank, and asked -what the Council was going to do about the whole matter. Councillor Guthrie_ asked if the County had been notified. A comprehensive scheme could be gone on with now that Government sympathy was with them on such work. Councillor Purvis: The Minister of Public Works wants the backing of the Local Body, as there will be a certain amount of unemployed utilised on this -work and it will give us a chance to help the men in our district.

Councillor Keys stated that the Council shoud whole-heartedly support such a good thing, as the time had come when this class of work was most welcome. On the motion of Councillor Blewman, seconded by Councillor Guthrie, it 'was decided to write to the Hutt County Council and arrange a conference to go into the matter thoroughly. ANZAC STAMPS. A letter received from the Secretary of the N.Z.R.S.A., asking the Council for support in the sale of the new Anzac Commemoration Stamps, was read, and, on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Keys, it was decided to purchase £5 worth of the Anzac Stamps. GENERAL. The report from the Overseer (Mr. Golder) was received. The work now under construction is the cutting down in Gloucester Street, Silverstream, to make the road wider. Inspector Yarnall repoi-ted that one case of infectious disease had been satisfactorily dealt with. The Inspector also reported that something should be done in the Borough to compel Public Halls to install septic drainage and asked for a direction from the Coxmcil on the matter. A discussion arose over the ladies' lavatory in the Majestic Theatre on dance nights, it being stated that ir -was placed in the dress circle of the theatre. Councillor Sutherland asked the Inspector if the Majestic Theatre •was any worse than others ? The Inspector replied they were about on a par, - but several of the halls in the district had septic drainage in and there was no complaint about them. Councillor Keys stated that if the by-laws did not cover such halls it was time the By-laws Committee went into the matter and bi-ought them up to date. For the sake of the health of the district continued Councillor Keys, the Council should see that all halls before being granted a license should be compelled to have septic drainage. Councillor Blewman said he quite agreed with Councillor Keys as regards septic tanks, and the proprietors of such halls would find that the people attending would appreciate it. Councillor Greig moved, seconded by Councillor Purvis, that the matter of septic tanks to Public Halls be referred to the By-laws Committee and a report brought down for the next Council meeting. TOWN CLERK'S REPORT. Statement for the year ended March 31st, 1936. £ s. d. Struck, 1935/36 .. . . 8,902 19 1 Plus Arrears . . . . 3,105 9 10 £12,008 8 11 Paid to 31/3/36 .. .. 7,809 19 2 Discount . . . . ... 261 11 4 8071 10 6 Arrears . . . . . . 1,469 14 4 9,541 4 10 Rates outstanding 1/4/36 £2,567 4 1 The percentage of current l-ates collected equals 90.43 per cent. The percentage of arrears collected equals 48.75 per cent. The Bank Overdraft March 31, 1935. March 31, 1936. £2,225 1 11 1,265 11 3 Total Expenditure £11,085 9 4 £11,567 6 9 Receipts—£l2,6Bo 2 4 £12,526 17 5 It will be noticed that the Expendi-tux-e has increased £SOO. This is accounted for mainly through the purchase of a new Truck and additions to the water supply. On the whole the

year has been most satisfactory. Although 23 new houses were built last year, the demand for houses to rent is still acute.' With the revival of the Building Trade the prospects for the current year look very bright. R. C. MAJOR. 27/4/36. The Bank Overdraft at this date in. .1935 was £3,436; in 1936, £1,592. On the motion of Councillor Howell, seconded by Councillor Baskett, the report was received. THE RAILWAY. Councillor Guthrie reported the result of the deputation to the General Manager of Rail-ways, stating they had been received quite sympathetically, but as in recent deputations they had not done much good. The only really good thing forthcoming was the Manager had promised them that when the rail cars came into operation on that line they would be used on Sundays to and from the city. We did all we could to get the fares reduced, continued Councillor Guthrie, but the General Manager stated that the fare at the present time in operation was the cheapest in the British Empire. Councillor- Sutherland had mentioned the dangerous position of the Upper Hutt station when two trains passed in opposite directions, stating that people had to get off the train on to the railway line and then cross to the station. The suggestion put forward was to make the platform longer. The General Manager promised to send an engineer to the Upper Hutt to go into the matter. Councillor Greig moved, seconded by Councillor Howell, that the report be received and the deputation thanked for its service. RESERVES COMMITTEE. The Chairman of the Reserves Committee, Councillor Keys, reported that a deputation had been received from the local Rugby Club, who had undertaken to consult the coaches of the various teams to ascertain the best position for the additional pole for flood lighting the park, and on receipt of the information the Committee to invite local tenders and proceed with the work as soon as possible. It was also recommended that the Town Clerk write to the local constable asking for the attendance of an officer in uniform during the progress of the games on the Park. Councillor Keys moved the adoption of the report and this was seconded by Councillor Baskett and carried. QUEST'ON AND ANSWER. Councillor Purvis asked the Mayor what right he had to cancel the special meeting he had called, after getting the majority of the Councillors to sign the petition ? It was of a special nature, and it meant that the business to be brought forward that night was of much importance. The Mayor replied that according to standing orders sufficient time had not been given between the calling of the meeting and the actual meeting, and therefore was out of order. Councillor- Purvis: You did it just to show your - "cussedness" as you do a lot of other things. The Mayor, replying, again stated that owing to the proximity of the Easter-holidays it would be impossible to do any business until aftei- the holidays were over, and in his opinion would not have held up any business if the meeting had been given the usual notice. Councillor Keys: The majority of the Councillors signed the requisition, and I don't for the life of me see why you adopt such attitudes and tactics. Councillor Greig: According to statute the Mayor is correct, but I would point out to him a previous occasion when he did the same thing and carried ! on with the meeting.