HUTT & PETONE NEWS. (From Our Special Correspondent.)

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1776, 14 June 1913, Page 2

HUTT & PETONE NEWS. (From Our Special Correspondent.)

HUTT FIRE-ENGINE. In regard to the proposal of the Hutt l''iro .brigade and tho citizens to raise funds lor the purchase of a motor tireongme, several ratepayers, interviewed, stated that they were entirely in sympathy with tlio proposal, but wero opposed to the method adopted to raiso the money. They thought that a special (ire rate should be strucic by tho council. "I'm sure," said a largo ratepayer, "that nono of tho residents of lower Hutt would object to this gchenio. We ■\yould certainly have something definite tor our lire-fighters to go on, and at the same time we would show appreciation for excellent services." It is only right that owners should bo rated for property protection. Another ratepayer said that even' though a subscription list ivas in circulation for tho vehicle, tho council should not lose sight of tho rating question for maintenaneo purposes,

KETONE'S NEW CLOCK. The much-talked-of town clock for Petone arrived at tho Borough Council chambers yesterday. Messrs Ballinger and Co., who liavo the contract for the orection, expect to have tho timepiece in going order in about three weeks.

HUTT SCHOOL BAZAAR. A meeting of ladies interested in tho organisation of a bazaar to raise sufficient money to asphalt a portion of tho school ground at Lower Hutt School was held yesterday. Mrs. Harman occupied tlio chair. It ivaa resolved to set up a Bewing guild, nnd to canvass for aid. Stall-holders and committees were also appointed. The bazaar will be "held in November. BRIGADE RE-UNION. At St. Augustino's Hall, Putono, last evening, members of tho Petone Workshops Fire Brigade' entertained kindred brigades in the Hutt Valley. Captain Home presided, and amongst those .present were representatives of tho Hutt, Gear, Co., and l'etnne Town Brigades. The toast list included: "Tho King," "United Fire Brigade Association," 'and "Hutt Valley Fire Brigades." A musical programme was also given. SEND-OFF FUNCTION. Last evening at the Drill Hall, Petone, the employees of the Petone Woollen Mills tendered a farewell ".social" to Mr. and Mrs. G. P. Piatt, who leave, for Sydney next Friday, Mr. Piatt has been assooiated with the Company, as "designer," for the past eighteen years. Thero were about ,120 peoplo present, and an enjoyable evening was spent. Musical items and a dance formed tho features. During tho evening Mr. C. P. Brockelbank, on behalf of tho employees, prcHnnted tho guests with a spirit tam'p and silver kettle. Miss Hickey afterwards presented. Miss Vera Piatt .with a silver serviette ring. . . • SHIFTING A CHURCH. Since the amalgamation of the Methodist and Primitive Churches, tho Petone section have decided to remove tho Sydney Street Church to the east end of th'o town, and last night the work was commenced. Mr. Strand, who has tlie contract, ma<le goorl progrofs, and although there was some delay at tho Jackson Street corner,, the' building was eventually "coaxed" over its journey with safety. It is expected that tho Main Road will be elbar for traffic at 9 o'clock this morning.

FLOOD .DAMAGE. Tho overseer to tho Hutt River Board has reported on (tomato caused by recent floods in llio Ilutt River, and tho estimated expense which will bo entailed. He details tho naturo of tho damage dono at Hooper's and Calcinai's, on the eastern side of tho river, and at Hayward's, Belmont Land Co.'s, and Gosse's properties, on the western side. At Hooper's and Calcinai's tho channel-has become 60 congested (through debris from erosion and by shingle deposits on. tho western side) that the river may cut a neiv channel through lands "to tho east, and consequently tho settlers there may sustain considerable loss of land. Respecting tho eastern sido of. tho river,'from Turner's land to Mason's Gardens, which is about SO chains, and also in tho upper district, tho overseer adds':—l consider it expedient to effectively control this section, as it vitally affects the interests and works of the lower district, which must necessarily. be conserved. - ■ Certain additional works are required there. On the western sido of tho river those chiefly affected are Hay ward's, Belmont Land Company's, also Gosse's properties. The loss of land in each caso is considerable, and, the impending loss is still more serious. I liavo provided in the estimates for tho necessary works required for the protection of all tho lands affected. The works are. very urgently required, as doferring them "will certainly rcsnlt'in heavy losses of land. The overseer then proceeds to give "his estimate of cost of now work 9 required in upper river district (exclusive of area from Mason's Gardens to Turner's):—Eastern sido of river; Bank protection works at Hooper's and Calcinai's, .£475: groynes at same points, £801); cost of additional plant, £300; maintenance of works. ,£120; total eastern sido of tho river, .-61701. Western side of river: Bank- protection-works at various places, -,£570 - groynes, .£630; maintenance of works, i'flb: -total western side of the river, £1330; grand total, £3031.

The British Government grant for the improvement of light-horse breeding is about JMO.OOO per annum. The numbor of mares served under the premium stallion scheme was 3438, an average 01 69 per stallion. Tlio payments made to stallion owners averaged per horse. . Iho board bought 437 marcs at an averago oi .£3B lis. lOd. each. Grants amounting to ,£20,000 havo been made to 36 county committees for buying mares likely to throw stock' of t'ho heavy-weight hunter type, which are to be leased to suitable farmers at a rental of £2. Twenty-fivo stallions, chosen by tlio county committees, havo travelled various districts, and served an average of GG per stallion.