HUTT AND PETONE

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1129, 17 May 1911, Page 8

HUTT AND PETONE

NEWS. (From Our Special Correspondent.) 6 ANTAGONISM TO TEAMS. Last evening, at St. Augustine's Hall, Petone, a public meeting was held for the purpose of inaugurating a movement antagonistic to tho installation of trams in the Hutt Valley. There were about 30 residents present. Mr. J. Piper, who was voted to the chair, stated that their object was to increase tho opposition at tho forthcoming tramway loan poll. At last poll there was a majority against trams, but they desired to have a stronger majority at next poll. It was proposed to maUo a thorough, canvass of the town, with a view to inducing every ratepayer to vote, and he (Mr. Piper) felt' sure that a satisfactory result would bo obtained. He moved, and Mr. Valentine seconded: "That this meeting form itself into a committee to oppose the proposed loan for Hutt Valley tramways." The motion was carried without opposition.

Referring to the question of a motor bus service, a letter was forwarded by Mr. Huggins, this letter being from tho town clerk, Leicester (England). ine writer pointed out that a bus service in that town had never been in practice. Previously a member of tho Hutt Valley Tramway Board had stated that the motor bus service iu Leicester did not pay-

On the motion of Mr; Piper, it was resolved to apportion the borough into sections suitable for canvassing, and those present formed themselves into sub-com-mittees to work these sections.

Mr. Burridgo hoped that nil present would assist to tho best of their ability, both before and on tho day of the loan poll.

Mr. Valentine suggested that perhaps it would be better to work in pairs. Mr. Piper thought that, as the committee could add to its number, it would be a better plan to gather helpers outsido tho meeting. The project of house-to-houso canvassing din not meet with a ready approval on the part of those present, and, after waiting for somo time, Mr. Piper declared the list closed. At the same time, he stated that tho work would bo done, even if it wero only done by a few.

The next question was finance. Mr. Burridge honed that the meeting would assist in this way. The exigencies of polling day were sure to require money, ilo added that he would be pleased to supply a cab. Mr. Piper: "Now then, who is tho first?" (A silence.) "Wo want to know," he continued, "where wo stand. Wo don't want to run up an account of .-£25, and have only •£5 to pay it. with." Subsequently,, it was resolved to form a sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Rowe, Trueman, Valentine, Burridje, and Piper to go into the question of finance. TEAMS-LOAN POLL CANCELLED. A meeting of tho Hntt Valley Tramway Board was held last night. The business was taken in committee, but it was afterwards announced to tho press that the board had decided to cancel tho loan noli, which was to have been held on May 31. It was stated that the board has now agreed to give an option to a Wellington firm, acting on behalf of a London company of tramway contractors,. for a period of mno months (which is cno end of the board's term), upon the following conditions:— The concession to be for a term of '5 years. Tho board or its successor reserves to itself the right of repurchase at anv time, after a period of 15 years (at tne valuation of a running concern) upon 12 months' notice of its intention. In tho event of a disagreement, matters of valuation will bo settled by arbitration. A minimum line distance is to bo laid and completed in three, years from the commencement of construction, ana the maximum fare is to be at the rate of Id. per mile.

A. NEW THEATRE.' Thei new theatre which is bein ? erected i I \t J ;,!; Hawthorn, behind the Lower Hutt Town Hall, is nearing completion. In the past tho populous Hufi Valley has been neglected by touring theatrical companies for the simple reason that there was no theatre available. With tho completion of Mr. Hawthorn* theatre this reproach will bo removed and (occasionally at all events) the Hutt s.ior.id be visited by a properly constituted theatrical company, as a variant to the omnipresent picture show. The floor .-'pace of the theatre is 12.5 ft. by 60ft., which, with the seats in side galleries, will accommodate '1350 people, or onlv about 150 less than the Wellington Oporn House. The stase covers an area GOft. by toft., which is ample for ordinary theatrical purposes. The floor of the'theatre has been constructed so as to be suitable for slcatincr, which, in conjunction with picture exhibitions, will probably form the general ciass of entertainment. The building is of ferro-conerete, with plastered walls, steel joists and girders .-.nd steel roof. It is consequently as nearly fireproof as possible. ■' The existence of a good theatre in the district should also serve to quicken interest in amateur theatricals: There is a lot of good talent lying dormant in the valley.