HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 457, 16 March 1909, Page 3

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(FIIOU OUR SPECIAL IIErOIITF.n.) PETONE MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Tho monthly sitting of tho Magistrate's Court was held yesterday in the Oddfellows' Hal], Petone. before Dr M'Arthur, S.M., and Mr. W. Inglis, J.P. Liquor Laws Violated.—A charge of procuring liquor wan preferred against William Cieorgo Precce, a prohibited person, who did not appear. Constable Murphy stated that accused had been found on the railway station with beer in his possession on December 19. Jle had then been convicted of drunkenness. Accused was fined 20s- and 7s. costs, ill default 48 hours' imprisonment. Three men—Robert Kerr, alter Gilbert, and Richard Apps—were charged with being unlawfully .on licensed premises, t.ie Grand National Hotel, Petone, on Sunday, icbruary It. A list of previous convictions was handed to tho magistrate, and each , ■ ac cused was fined 405., in default 14 days imprisonment

01 'f'i cr Funished.—William lioddin, who said that ho was a labourer, employed at Ngajiauranga, pleaded not guilty to obstructing thei footpath ot Jackson Street, Petone. Constables Murphy and Forward stated that they warned accused several times to leavo the win-dow-sill on which lie sat, and in whose vicinity he remained from about 7 to 9 p.m. on February 21. Others with him had'moved on whon warned, but Boddin had returned. 'He wa's fined 10a., with 7s. costs, and given an alternative ot 4b hours imprisonment. Two Foreigners Quarrel.—On tho complaint of Unarles Hemtz Louis Truman was charged with assault. Complainaat stated that ho resided at <3 Sydney Street, Petone, and on lebruary 24, after returning from Wellington in the 4.7 tram, lie had been assaulted by the accused on his way-from the station. Truman had crossed the road and struck him, cutting his lip. Accused stated in evidence that ho had not struck tho first blow. There had been an altercation over an unpaid debt, and complainant had called him a "skunk" The Court recorded a conviction against Truman, fining him 40s. (lis. costs), or seven days'. A Warrant Ordered.-Alfred Ross failed to appear to answer a charge that, on March 3, he used obscene languago in Fitzherbert Street Petone. Instructions were given that a warrant lor his arrest should issue.

Information Withdrawn.-Gerald Isherwood, who had laid an information against-Rauhe-mara (known as Skerrett") for alleged use of obscene language, asked that the complaint should 1» withdrawn. Mr. Cracroft Wilson appeared for the accused, and asked for costs. Costs were allowed: solicitor's fee .£1 Is. and witnesses' expenses 15s. ; Registration of . Birth.-Charles Henry Muir was charged with having neglected to register the birth of his child born on Juno 2, 190 S. He pleaded guilty, and was fined ss„ and 7s; costs.

By-laws—For riding bicycles after dark, without carrying lights, Frank Riddell and James Jluler were each fined 55., and 7s. costs. \ similar fino was imposed 011 Thomas Canty, who admitted having ridden his bicycle 011 the Esplanade footpath, Petone. On the information of tho borough inspector, George Jones, John Wood, Edmund Rowlinson, and John Barns, were convicted of having failed to register dogs, and were each ordered to pay 7s. Court costs. The information against James Higginson was dismissed.

Civil Cases—Prank G. Reid, saddler, Petono, claimed from Meri Isherwood, the sum of ,£.3 Os. 9d. (goods/supplied). Mr. R. p. Smith appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. P. Jackson for defendant. Plaintiff stated that most of tho articles were harness fittings for a racehorse, which defendant had then owned. After evidence, judgment was given for plaintiff with costs (solicitor's fee £1 65., Court 6s:, interpreter 55.). John Cotton, represented by Mr. Smith, proceeded against William M'lnstrey for .£l3 135., on a judgment summons. The judgment debtor, who failed to appear, was ordered to pay the amount on or beforo March 29, in default, M days in prison. Phillip- N. Cameron (Mr. C. W. Nielsen) took action against Christopher Hobbs: (Mr. Jackson) to recover £2 Os. 9d., alleged to have b'eeri- spent in the destruction of a horse. Mr. Nielsen said that an old and useless horse, belonging to the defendant, had been led by defendant's boys on to plaintiff's property, and it had died in a creek, from which plaintiff's entire stock took water. Plaintiff immediately wrote to tho defendant, asking that he should remove the animal. This was not done, however, and plaintiff engaged a man at Bs. per day for three days to burn tho body. There were 'also expenses for fuel and kerosene. Plaintiff stated that he was farming at Horokiwi. It was his practice to buy an occasional horse in good condition, and boil down tho flesh to mako manure. However, he had made no arrangement for .the purchase of this horse, which was in a very.poor condition, and quite unsuitable for his purpose. Further evidence for plaintiff was given by Emma Jane England and Gerald Gower. The latter, cross-examined by Mr. Jackson, stated that the cremation of the horse occupied tlireo days. "What did you do the first day?" asked counsel. "I piled him up witli wood," replied the witness. "And the second day?" "I got more wood." "Yes, and what happened on the third day?" The magis. trate: "The tangi." (Laughter.) Tho defence was that tho horso was the property of Leonard Hobbs, son of defendant, f the latter having never disposed of a horse' to' plaintiff, whom he described as a man "to' keep at arm's length." Judgment was in defendant's favour, with ill Gs. solicitor's fee, and 9s. Court costs.

LOWER HUTT MAYORALTY. ADDRESS BY MR. E. P. BUNNY. About two hundred people assembled in the Town Hall, Lower Hutt, last evening, to hear Mr. E. P. Bunny's address ill support of bis candidature for the coming Mayoral election. Mr. W. G. Foster was chairman. The candidate announced that his decision to stand for the Mayoralty had been influenced by a requisition of ratepayers. His administration, if he was elected, would probably mean a slight cutting down of the rates. As to amalgamation, ono local body in tho Valley was quite enough for all purposes, and the cost of looking after local affairs would then, be reduced, and friction between municipal bodies then'be ended. If elected, ho would see that Petone did not get Gear Island or any portion of Eastern Hutt. If Petono had been in their district at the beginning, the cost (d£I7,SOO) of the water supply, which was adequate for both towns, would have been split up, and, the larger district would not have felt it a burden. River conservation operations would also be affected, for tho cost, instead of falling upon those immediately in the Hutt district, would havo been shared by Petone. It had been remarked that the borough had <£90,000 owing on loan, and the suggestion had been made that this might raiso a difficulty. This was not so. Loans were secured by separate rates 011 the boroughs concerned. Large schemes, impossible at present, might be undertaken if they had 10.M0 peoplo in the district, under one control. Wellington was becoming crowded, and tho Hutt Valley was suitable for tho establishment of various industries. Speaking of the gas question, he expressed surprise that tho Hutt Borough Council had not before this coino to an agreement with Petone, accepting their terms of is. 3d. and 4s. He' was not a believer in, two gasworks, and he was satisfied that tho ratepayers wonld never regret tho day they refused the scheme for the erection of gasworks in the Western Hutt. He had' been asked: Was 110 in favour of tramways? No ono could answer that question until he knew what was tho proposed system, the route, and whether tho scheme would be a heavy burden 011 the borough. They must know if the tramways were likely to pay. A sum of about ,£90,000 would shortly be owing in loans—.£s2,ooo was for water supply, and the remainder was for small items, such as ,£9OOO for gas. That was a large indebtedness for the borough to bear, and they should see that the ratepayers wero not asked for another loan at the present time. In February HlO overdraft on the general account, was _.E. , i2S2 4s. Gd., on the gas general account .£717 lis. 3d., and 011 the library account .£127 ss. 2d. He trusted that tho ratepayers would elect, men fo the council who would come prepared to put the finances of tho borough on a better footing. BOROUGH FINANCE. He pointed, out that, instead of having a surplus of ,£20,000 available for the rest of tiie works after expenditure had been allowed for water supply, road construction, etc., the amount would only be ,£lO/100. It was a serious position for the ratepayers, he said, and meant that tho drainage- must stop when this money was expended or they must be prepared to grant another loan. The wisest, plan would havo been to let a pipe contract; us it was, tho ratepayers would havo to mako the loss good. The coining mayor should make the strictest investigation in the engineer's department; lie himself believed that a considerable saving could bo mado there.

As soon as iho address was concluded, jUr. ,T. T. Hawthorn rose at tho back ol' the hnll and (alluding to a certain part of Mr. Bunny's address) said, ".May J say a few words, Mr. Chairman?" The Chairman: "Do you wish to ask a question, Mr. Hawthorn?" "No, I wish to reply to Mr. Bunny's personal attack first." The clinirmun ruled that only questions were permissible nt this stage. "Ail right," replied the other candidate, "I shall lake an opportunity of replying at a later meeting."

After several questions, Mr. R. Stevens proposed a voto of thanks and confidence. The motion' was seconded by Mr. Kingdon and carried.

PETONE GROCERS' PETITION. The following letter is being circulated among the grocers of Petone, and it is expected that the majority of the tradesmen will sign it.— I'efone, March 15. The Honourable tho Minister for Labour, — We, the undersigned grocers doing business within the borough of Petone, hereby ask that the hours hereiiuinder lnenlioned shall be gazetted as being tho hours during which shops in which the business of grocer is carried out shall be kept open within tho said borough, in accordance ■ with the provisions o£ Section 25, and the subsection relating thereto, of tho Shops and Offices Act, 100 S. Hours: Hondav, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday, S a.m. to 9 p.m. When sufficient signatures have been obtained thepetition will come before the Petono Borough Council for a certificate, before being sent on to the Minister.

HUTT RIVER BOARD. Members of the Hutt River Board made their annual visit of inspection to tho works yesterday.. There were present Messrs. R. Stevens (chairman), A. Peters, Sladden, the engineer n, ' Lai t and the clerk (Mr. Cuff), rho party drove from the mouth of the river up to the Silverstream Bridge, and inspected both banks. They noted that tho river had never been lower, and this made inspection <:f the groins and booms less difficult. Tho booms, which have been, put in by tho engineer, have had the desired eifect of shoaling the river in deep places, where tho water had previously cut into the banks. This was especially noticeable in the vicinity of the Petono 'Borough Council s sanitary depot.

JOTTINGS. Sitting at Petono yesterday, Dr. M'Arthur, b.M., granted three applications for the renewnl of old ago pensions. The death occurred suddenly yesterday morning of Alfred Richard Nathaniel Moth"s 1 . ye <;Y s ' t sec , on , d sou ot Jlr - E - Motlies, Britannia Street, Petone. The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Mothes express sincere sympathy with them m the sad'loss of their son. Although suffering from lung trouble last year, tho lad had been in good health for the past twelve months. , W. Marshall, of Knox Presbv* tenan Church, Lower Hutt, who has been anpointed to tho Balfour charge, preached his iarewell sermon on Sunday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall leave for their new district I at the end of tho week. The name of Mr R. W. Short has been mentioned bj those who are interesting themselves in the coming'Mayiral election at Petone. ilr. Short, however, told The Dominion representative yesterday that he has decided not to bo w Ca ?..l? ato ' E rom P rese nt appearances, Mr: J. W. M Lwan, the present Mayor, will not have any opponents. The "southerly" last evening caused the abandonment of the first heat of tho Petone Rowing Clubs double sculls. Rowers have long sinco ceased to complain of tho winds, and wait patiently for ' favourablo days. Tho race rowel at the first opportunity . two members of Petono Citizens' Band loft for Australia at the end of last week. They were Messrs. S. Walling (trombone) and S. Holmes (euphonium). Mr. Walling, who has been with the band for about twelve months, is ono of tho best trombone players in tho Dominion, and under tho tuition of Lieut. Herd was making excellent progress. Ho won the trombone solo competition at the recent contest in Hastings. Bandsman Walling was employed by Mr. W. P. Rennie, painter, and ho is making a business trip to Melbourne.' The Dana expects to have his services again for good in about three months' time. There is a probability ot Mr. Holmes also returning to Petone. Ho went to Sydney in the Riverina. ? va& he i (l i? st evellin g at Pelone Baptist Schooroom for the purpose .of forming 9 ' b ' Rev ', Jfr V Williams presiding I ho following were elected officers of tho club: Patron, Mr 1 JI. Wilford, M.P.; vice-patron, Mr. J. W. M Ewan; president, Rev. Jlr WilVICe "-S!' e M Klent t ?-', sressrs - London, Hnllard, 1, fe. ' Slb "A'' ElHs> Wnl ™s. Short, and nebster; committee, .Messrs. Travel's ?Lv W \ n fV wri Yo ", ng ' nnd Forbcs: secra " tarj, Mr. W. Ldmeades; treasurer, Mr. H. ilardy. It is probable that a tbird-class team day team ficld ' nnd also a Wctlucs -