HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1375, 28 February 1912, Page 5

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(From Car BDOcial OorresDondenU ? PIPE BRIDGE CONTROVERSY. In reply to tho letter received the Petono 'Borough Council from tho Town Clerk of the Wellington City Council on tho matter of approaches to tho Hutt Pipe and Trafiic Bridge, tho Town Clerk, Petone, has. written to tho 'Wellington Town Clerk. The letter from the Pelono Council proceeds (o acknowledge receipt' of tho Town Clerk's letter of February 20, ami goes on to irate that the Town Clerk is making a mistake in inferring that the canso of tho delay in applying for tho warrant of construction was duo to want of action on the part of tho Petone. Council. Tho deed between tho Wellington City Council as the constructing authority, and the other contributing bodies, was formed and completed on November 29, 1903, and it was then competent for the Wellington City Council to apply for the warrant of construction. As u matter of fact, the City Council did not mako' such application, but failed owing to having proceeded under the machinery of tho wrong Act. The Petone Council on January 12, 1911, asked the City Council to expedite the work of procuring a warrant, and on .March 11, tho Petone Council further urged them to proceed with procuring the warrant. On May 11, a copy of the proposed warrant was lodged with tho Petono Council, to which no objection was made, but the City Council did not proceed further. Later representations wore mado to tho Petono Council that a further payment would be necessary, and on October 19, 1911, the final, as between the Petono Council and tho Wellington City Council was ratified and delivered. No question was raised as to the correctness of this until the beginning of February, 1912. The Petone Council, therefore, protests against tho inferences thrown out by tho Wellington Town Clerk that any action on its part was the cause of tho delay by the Wellington City Council in applying for tho warrant of authority for tho construction of tho bridge,

HUTT PARK MANAGERS. A meeting of tho controllers of tho Hutt Park was held at Pctono last evening, and was attended by Messrs. Baldwin (chairman), Brocklcbank, M'Ewan,' and Burridge. The Taita and Stoko's Valley Schools wero granted the use of tho park for picnic purposes. Soino discussion took place in regard to letting hockey and football grounds. It was pointed out that moro could be made by letting tho park for golf. Mr. Brocklcbank contended that, as far as I'etone was concerned, football and hockey had to bo catered for. Young boys were clamouring for grounds, and the committee had not done anything iu the matter. Mr. Baldwin said that what was really the matter was that tho grounds required levelling. The caretaker paid that two grounds could bo got in the centre of the park, if they did not interfere with the proposed trotting track. Mr. Burridge agreed with Mr. Brocklebank. Something ought to be done to popularise the park. The chairman remarked that it- was a question of finance. So far, it had been very hard to get along. If these sports clubs would make applications early, tho committee could act. Mr. M'Ewau thought that it would bo better to foster hockey-and football than golf, as it would produce moro revenue- in the lone run. Mr. Brocklebnnk then moved: "That the St. Augustine's nnd'Hutt Valley Hockey Clubs be granted a ground ench for the ensuing season."—Carried. Mr. M'Ewau moved: "That, in viow of the Trotting Club putting in a track at the park, both borough engineers be asked to formulate a scheme, in the matter of lnving-out sport? eroumls."—Carried. Tt was resolved (n hold the eonferenco between the Hutt Vnllev Trotting Club and the committee on Wednesday, March 1.1. It was decided to ask (he River Board for exemption under the Rating Act, 1910, for rates due on the park proper.