HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1512, 7 August 1912, Page 7

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

fr_ (From Our Special Correspondent.) Shortly after midday on Monday a ninn named Georgp Coker, aged 78 years, residing in .Nelson Street, I'etone, was found dead in his house. Deceased had been ill during the night, and in the morning told his wife, tliat he would lie ' down. A fow minutes afterwards ho was discovered as indicated, and medical aid was summoned, but life was then extinct. An inquest will not be necessary, Dr. Eoss having certified that death wtis duo to heart disease. Tho late Mr. Coker I has been a well-known resident of Fetono ■ for tho past ton years. A public meeting of those desirous cf recognising tho services of Mr. A. Web-/ ster, who has been town clerk to tho l J etano Borough Council for the paEt nine . years, was held on Monday. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) presided, and after discussion it was decided to issue- subscription lists and limit the 'amount in the caso of each subscriber to 2s. 6d. It I was also decided to hold a social gathering, at which the presentation will bo made. The date is to bo arranged at a ; later mooting:. Mr. B. H. Wilson was appointed secretary and treasurer to tho movement, and those present formed themselves into a committee to forward tho object. 1 Although wet weather has somewhat m- ■ te.rfered with the pi-ogress of building ■ the new l'etono fire station, tho build-- ' ing has assumed a finished appearance and will probably be completed in a month's time. Some slight alterations have beeii made to the original plans, and a social room has been erected over : tho largo engine room for the use ot i the firemen. i The annual lea and concert in connco tion with St. Augustine's Church, Petono, was held last evening. Tho Rev. E. B. Stevenson presided. The monthly meeting of tho Petone Technical School Board was held last " evening and was attended by Messrs. ' M'liwan (chairman), Hope, Rowland, ' List, Dawson, Ca*tle, M'Keiwie. It was resolved to forward a lotter of thanks (o Mr. R. C. 'Robertson for his gift of a sot of photographs of locomotives, and also fov his lecture to pupils. Tho pici tures are to be framed and hung in tho ) drawing class-room. Tho treasurer reported that tho credit balance to dato wus £209 11s. lid. The secretary reported thht tho total capitation (.£OB 10s. 9d.) was to hand. Tho director (Mr. J. Lynskey) reported that tho open nißhts were not keenly'appreciated by tho elder pupils and recommended their discontinuance. No reply had been received from Mr. " Lα Trobo regarding the wool-sorting examination, and the report suggested that Mr. Denny bo asked to act. in tho woolclassing 'examinations. Regarding the s setting up of a permanent sub-commit-r teo to a-ssist in the management of the , school the director pointed out that this i was hardly necessary, but, when occasion f arose; as was often the case, a temporary süb-committee would be welcome. The > report was adopted. With, reference to

the wool-classing examiners appointment it was intimated that Jtr. Denny could not act in this capacity nt present, but would be available in about a month. It was resolved to invite Mr. Denncy to ■ oxamino tho class at a date convenient to him. . .' In view of several petty thefts and j suspicious outbreaks of fire that have occurred in PetonO' during the last yenr or two a movement is on foot to provide ft [ public nightwatchmau to patrol the bvisi- , ness part of the town. A list of eontribui tors for the salary of tho proposed watch. [ man is bow in circulation.