HUTT AND PETONE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 466, 26 March 1909, Page 3

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS

<FilOM 0011 SPECIAL REPORTER.) . VTHE WORKSHOPS TROUBLE. Considerable unrest prevails in Petone Railway Workshops over the delay that is taking place in bringing about an adjustment of the trouble caused by the introduction of the lato Mauawatu Company's hands. The three men directly affected by the appointment made in the carpenters' 6hop complain that the original protest made by them personally has not even been acknowledged. The feeling is growing among the employees that they aro being "put off." One of those directly concerned stated. yesterday to The Dominion representative that even if the Minister's reply was contrary to their wishes, more would bo heard of tho matter. It is stated that 02 first-class carpenters are directly aflected by the appointment of the new leading hand, and below them there are about the same number of second-class hands, whose positions are more remotely alfected. It is reported that the men who consider themselves unjustly treated will have .recourse to the Appeal Board. Preparations have been' made to obtain a Supreme Court reading of Clause 27. ALLOTMENT OF FOOTBALL GROUNDS. Petone Borough Council has not yet decided upon the allotting of grounds on the Recreation Reserve for football purposes. A committee comprising the Mayor (MrP J. W. M'Ewan), Councillors Short, Castle, and Smith, was set up on Wednesday >to discuss the terms to be asked. The feeling of the council was that the Recreation Ground had not been profitably let in the past, and several councillors supported a proposal to give the local association footballers a chance. A motion was put forward by Councillor Short that three grounds be allotted to the Rugby Union and one to the Football Association. He also stipulated that a committee should be appointed, whose duty it would be to allot tho grounds weekly. Thon, if a Brown Shield match was to be played in Petone, it would be given the best ground. Councillor Short's motion also provided that after ,£175 had been received by tho council, 75 per cent, of the surplus from the ground receipts should be paid to the Rugby Union and 25 per cent, to tho Football Association. It is improbable that these terms will be adhered to by the committee now appointed, but the council is determined to treat footballers fairly. THE DEPARTING STATIONMASTER. Evidence of tho popularity of Mr. J. C. Cowan, for fourteen years stationmaster at Petone, who is being transferred to Ashburton, is 'forthcoming from all quarters. To make known their appreciation of the kindnesses received at Mr. Cowan's hands, employees of the Railway Workshops assembled in the yard yesterday to make him a presentation, and wish him success in his new district. In the absence of Mr. Pearson, locomotive superintendent, Mr. G. H. Brookes, foreman of tho engineering department, made the presentation, which took the form of an inscribed, silvermounted unbrella. The citizens will make Mr. Cowan a presentation to-night, and farewelY gifts will be handed to Mrs. and MiSs Cowan. On Wednesday night members of St. Augustine's Young Men's Bible Class tendered a social to Mr. S. Cowan, son of the stationmaster, and made him a presentation of hymn and prayer books. Last night, at the house of Mrs. Wilkinson, Britannia Street, the friends of Mr, and Mrs. Cowan tendered them a euchre party. About fifty people were present, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Mr. Cowan and family leave for the south to-morrow.

SWIMMING CERTIFICATES. Twenty boys attending Petone District High School qualified for proficiency certificates In swimming on Tuesday last, under the direction of Mr. B. Kean. Tho swimmers were:—Boo yards: Albert Parrant and E. Pointon. 410 yards-. Jolin Parrant, Albert Jones, Eric Hewoon, Wilfrid' Blakeley, J. Mockridge, Roy Lowry, William Thompson, Francois Martin, Arthur Thomas, Hoy Nankivell, Rao Coivic, Cedric Davis. 220 yards: William Hascman, Frank Little, Harold Nicliolls, Alex. Miller, Charles Piper, and Victor Hcwson. ROWING. The final of the Petone Rowing Club's double sculls was contested yesterday morning, in fairly good water. It was a fast race, J. Bonner (str.) and H. Parrant (boiv) defeating C. Burridge (str.) and D. Gallaher (bow) by three lengths. The prize is a gold medal, presented by Mr. J. W. Martin. i JOTTINGS. In the Empire Hotel last evening residents of Petone gave Mr. George Stutter a farewell social. Dr. Ross presided, and Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., was also present. Mr. Stutter, who has been for fourteen years in Petone,- is about to leave for Mauricevillo. Sir Joseph Ward will o[>en the new Post Office at' Upper Hutt on Friday, April 2, and also attend a social which the residents of the district are tendering to Mr. Wilford, M.P., the same evening. Mr. W. H. Russell announces that, lie. will deliver an address in support of his candidature for the Lower Hutt mayoralty in Mr. J. Hawthorn's Hall, Hutt, to-night.