HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 423, 4 February 1909, Page 6

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(from our special eeforteb.). ——— THE TRAMWAY BOARD. Despite the fact that there are 4157 electors on the tramway roll, only 907 exercised their privilege at Tuesday's poll for the election • of members of the Hutt Valley Tramway Board. 'The number is small, but not even the most sanguine enthusiast hoped that the figures would run to' over .1000. The voters at each booth were as follow: — Lower,Hutt, 364; Petone, 492; Wellington, 51; total, 907. The Wellington results were received by the Returning Officer (Mr. Percy R. Purser) at 7.30 p.m.; the Lowgr Hutt returns were ready at 7.35 p.m., but the Petone figures did not, reach him until 8.45 p.m., and the result was declared shortly' afterwards. There were three booths at Petone, and two at the Hutt. The average number of voters at. tho Petone:booths Was; 837 1-3 each, and'at the Hutt 850 each. Mr.. Purser complains that it has been stated that those who -had property in the Hutt Borough and Hutt, County; or' Petone 'Borough were enrolled in the Hutt Borough total. He pointed out that-if a man owned property in two districts it was clearly shown as such. The membership of the board is well distributed over the tramway district, with the exception that the northern end has no representative, Mr. A. Y. Lees failing to secure election. , . ' . . A rmajority. of the members are in favour of trams; and this should be an indication that a proposal will.be put before the rate-, payers at an early'date. ' . \ ••• . If the trams are laid dovm, and a loss is incurred,, it .appears that the: greater .part of the deficiency, about two-thirds, will fall upon ..Lower Hutt, as its rateable value is nearly '£1,000,000, while Petone's is only about half this amount. This is quite fair to the Hutt, as the greater part of the scheme would be in the Hutt Valley. ■ The first meeting will be held on Tuesday week, wien .a chairman will be elected. In all probability that. responsibility, will devolve upon Mr. J.- W. M'Ewan,-Mayor :.of ; 'Petone, and mover of the.original motion taking the first, steps in the preparation of a joint report on the tramway question. 1 Then a clerk and a' solicitor will have to be appointed, and an arrangement made as to the selection of a permanent meeting-place, . the other course being meetings ,at Hutt and Petone alternately. The board-' will have .to go; to work and- pay the accounts.'. : The Act gives :them power to promote ,an overdraft, but no doubt the members, will have to put in ■ & personal guarantee until .the, first rate is.'struck and levied. Then expert 'evidence: will'probably be called to :report on the routes and the advisableness of adopting a particular. motive > power. . Electric traction will no doubt be adopted, and the Act gives special powers regarding, electricity. . PETONE JUNIOR CLUB. .Favoured by; perfect weather conditions, the fortnightly competitions in connection with the Petone Junior Club were continued afternoon on the Recreation Ground, in tho presence of a large number of ..spectators. The /two- events decidcd were:—• ■■ _75 Yards . Handicap.—Thomson, 1: W Ryan, 2; Fraser, 3. .Seventeen- entries. Time, Bssc. A good race. 120 Yards Handicap.-—Fraser, .1 j. Thomson, 2; M. Ryan, 3. Time. lSsec. ' Seventeen entries. Won by an inch or two only. v On February 17 the 440 yards-handicap and hop, step, and jump will be decided. It is intended to hold a road race and a mile walk shortly, v . ~ , >

'\r\ ■:■■;' ■■;..■''•':■ J OTT, NCS> V

The postponed visit of the Petone councillors to the Normandale .portion of: the Korokoro' catchment area will take place. this afternoon. A drag iwill leave the' 'Council Chambers' at one o'clock. r. ..-.■■' ■:. ■ ■;A bazaar in aid of the building fund of the Lower Hutt "Wesleyan Church' was- com-, mericed fyeeterday afternoon. : The arrangements were very complete, arid it should be very, successful. The opening' ceremony was performed by Mr. T. M. 'Wilford/M.P. - 'n'Atj;to-night's,- meeting, of .the.' Hutt :Eiver Board the; question of renewing" river-bed leases, will .probably be discussed. .••