HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1675, 15 February 1913, Page 6

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(From Ocr Special Correspondent.) ■ j WEST HUTT RATEPAYERS. ' A. meeting of the Western Hutt Ratepayers' Association was held in the Alicetown Schoolroom , last evening. Mr. M'Dougnll occupied the chair. Amongst those present were the Mayor of Lower Hutt. (Mr. El P. Bunny), Councillor Hodgins, l the borough engineer (Mr. W. A. Koche), the assistant engineer (Mr. Gardner), and the town, cterk (Mr. P. R. Purser).

The chairman explained that the meeting had been called lor tho purpose of adopting and confirming rules which had been drafted by the executive and to discuss tho engineer's report on drainage. The speaker added that the association bad not been, formed to harrass tho council, but to help and keep up the western end of the Hutt, so far as drainage was concerned. He welcomed the presence of the Mayor and members of the staff. '.

The Mayor explained that ho had attended the meeting in order that ho might thoroughly acquaint himself with the position. The report presented by the borough engineer, whilst not as hopeful to Western Hurt people as was at first thought, was open to discussion, and auy advico given by the meeting would certainly be listened to. Mr. M'Dougall said that 60 far as he could judge, tho report had been received favourably. -There was, however, a thought that in some cases the work had been over-estimated, .apparently so that tho council could find un excuso not to go on with it. The engineer stated that he could assure the meeting that there had been no estimating. 'Tho reason why the various portions varied in price was because, of the depth of the drain. ' Mr. Bunny remarked tLat tho engineer's estimate for; tho work would bo ,£2OO, and so far as he (Mr. Bunny) was concerned, that figure would not stop him, but, of course,- ho could not answer for the rest of tho council.

. In answer to a question, tho engineer stated that the method which he had suggested was the only possible relief to Alicetown people. After a number of other questions had been'answered, it was agreed "that tho association' should forward a written reply to the report to the Works Committee of the Hiitt Council, ut its meeting next Thursday night. 'On the motion of'. Mr. Freeman, the Mayor and ' the were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. In returning thanks,' the Mayor stated that tho council' would give this matter serious, consideration, and ho hoped that the result would'be '.'■■ Reporting on tho rules as drawn up, the-chairman said that the Hataitai Association .-rules had been taken as a guide.' The rules were then adopted clause by clause.

PETONE FIRE BRIGADE. A meeting of the Petonft Firs Brigade was held last 'evening, to discuss the question ,of .fittingly celebrating their twenty-first anniversary. It. was- resolved to commemorate the event by a "social" to be held in a month's time. .

In regard "to tho question of furnishing the recreation room 'at'tlio new 'station, members expressed their willingness to contribute to the funds, and also to defray, the cost of upkeep. It was announced that financial assistance had been given by tho public. This would bo supplemented 'by a donation from the brigade funds. *■'